Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

There is a big difference between a new car and a 21 year old car with low low miles. That turbo coupe has either been sitting in a garage or a "collection" for years. You simply can't tke it out and drive it all the time, all the seals are going ot be dry rotted and cracked from years of non use and it will leak like a siv if you try and use it. Secondly, yes, maybe it could be worth 7,000 with a rebuilt t-5. But to buy the car for 14k and then spend 2k at least for a transmission, and then everything else your going to spend on gaskets, filters, and all the misc. your looking at at least another $1000. Cars are not meant to sit around. So now your up to 17k best case scenario for a car you can get 7k for. And with a new car you get a minimum 3 year warranty against everything. This car comes with nothing. Most anyone would not spend that much money on one of these cars to drive it everyday, it would be a "collector" car. So your comparing an everyday driver to a "collector" car seems irrelevant. Don't get me wrong, I like my tbird and all, but I know when to stop spending money on it because its not worth it.

Not trying to start an arguement here, just being realistic. Also a new car comperable to a 88 thunderbird wouldn't be 30k. My brothers cobalt ss will perform like or better  a stock turbo coupe. I mean a stock turbo coupe isn't really fast by today's standards, and I know his cobalt would walk all over a tc.  And that wasn't a 30k car,it was maybe 22k new? Probably less. Just to put things in perspective.

Honestly...would you pay that much for a very clean low mile TC and drive it every day?


Then again...if I was gonna blow upwards of 15 grand on a Tbird, i'd just build mine so I wouldn't feel bad about gouging on it, knowing I was tearing up a low mile, uncommon car.

I wouldn't pay $15,000 for a car that I could pick up for $500 and fix up for less then two grand.

Not to offend anyones' hard work and love for their cars.

Yes, in 5 years hte cobalt won't be worth as much. Correct, I was refering to a "new" price tag just for reference. But a couple year old, low mileage one would be far less, but you get all kinds of things you wont in a tc, the EASE of finding parts, a warranty to cover everything for 3 years, everything brand new, no fear or leaks and nothing to work on, and aftermarket support. Everyone on here seems to work on thier cars, and sometimes its frustrating have to use USED parts because there is no aftermarket support and Ford does not keep the inventory GM does. Look at our 442's, we can still go to a GM dealer and order parts! Ford is lucky if they have a parts inventory for the 3 year warranty of most cars. Seriously, if you drive a 5 year old ford with any motor besides a 5.0 parts become "rare". Even if you do "lose" a little more value, the warranty and the ease of finding stuff is probably worth it. Oh, and Onstar is free for a year. Good feature.

The interest goes both ways, if someone buys that TC they will probably get a higher rate because its a used car and you can't finance through the Manufacturer credit union for 0%.  So you'll pay interest on that 15k(assuming you'll but it at 15, I doubt the dealer would take ten, just because in thier mind its a classic) as well.


I kinda disagree the thunderbird is nicer. Leather has a terrible season, its far too hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Larger car? Yes, but not in the right places. Tall people have hard times fitting into our cars, I'm 6'3 and its cramped with a winter coat and what not. Newer cars utilize space a lot more efficiently. I have no problem fitting between the side bolters in a cobalt, in the nice recaro buckets. The tbird sport buckets are a little cramped, the bolsters are so think the seating area isn't large.


Fianlly, I agree with your idea that buying an 8k car that needs nothing is more economical than buying a 4k miles car and dumping money into it. But that 8k car is neither of these birds, even if they have been stored correctly, they are overprices nice cars. Pretty much my point, in a long drawn out way. If they were listed at 8k or so, then I would agree. The only market looking for an 87-88 thunderbird thats mint and for 15k is someone who loves them, your average person is not, and thats why these cars don't seel quickly. No one knows what they are, and there is a lot of obsolete stuff on them.

Just my opinion. Not to offend anyones' hard work and love for their cars. Again, I like my bird. But these cars have been listed and listed on ebay at these prices, so obviously they aren't worth it. In a better market they might get that 8k figure we've been discussing.

If you can repaint my car with a good urethane, and reupholster it with a decent leather or less than 2K, you just tell me where to send the checks. :D I have a second set of seats and door panels, so we'll start with the upholstery. Leather please, in the raven color, and you can even forgo the gray two-tone. Since I know the paint supplies will cost you a minimum of $800 (assuming you own a body shop and can charge me for only the actual product used), and we have to leave room for labor on the paint job, I'm guessing you can get the interior done for around $500? This will still leave us cash for the other incidentals like a headliner, carpet set, etc.

Merry Christmas!
Bill