Ford Thunderbird '95 to '97: Most underrated American car.

[LeeTJ]

Look at the specs on this car. it was sweet. 4 wheel independent suspension, rear wheel drive, v8.

only problem with it was it was a bit underpowered. but put a little money in the engine and this car would have been one VERY sweet ride.

not light at 3800 lbs. but wow, this thing was sweet.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Heh it weighs less than a 350z (exaggeration).

 

[geno]

I guess on paper it looks cool, but it wasn't a big performer, way too heavy as well

 

[LeeTJ]

the timing was just wrong on this car. if they produced something comparable to it today w/ slightly better sheetmetal (it was a bit plain looking) it could do VERY well.

A true Sports sedan. 4 wheel independent suspension AND Rear Wheel drive. a very rare combination. the only other american car with that combo at the time was the Corvette.

 

[geno]

Yeah but even with an IRS, that doesn't qualify it as a sport cruiser. It was just the Ford version of the Mercury Couger, a 2 door Crown Vic

Back in the late 80's they had a Turbo 2.3 and were geared towards sportiness a little more (cockpit adjustable suspension, sporty touches through the interior), but it wasn't enough to compete, it was a brick.

And I nominate the Dodge Daytona as the most underrated American car, at least in the 80's I remember seeing a comparo of American sports cars in a magazine, and the Daytona was right behind the Vette (which ranked 1st) in terms of best handling

 

[LeeTJ]

Originally posted by: geno
Yeah but even with an IRS, that doesn't qualify it as a sport cruiser. It was just the Ford version of the Mercury Couger, a 2 door Crown Vic

Back in the late 80's they had a Turbo 2.3 and were geared towards sportiness a little more (cockpit adjustable suspension, sporty touches through the interior), but it wasn't enough to compete, it was a brick.

no, this car shared NOTHING with the crown vic. which years are you thinking of. the problem wasn't the chassis or the weight. the problem was it was underpowered.

 

[geno]

I know it shared nothing with it, but it's attitude and "gearing" (overall feel) were that of a boat since it was so damn heavy. Yeah the V8 is cool and all, but that's about the sportiest thing about it from what I can see Cool car, no doubt, but it just didn't have a place in the market.

 

[LeeTJ]

Originally posted by: geno
I know it shared nothing with it, but it's attitude and "gearing" (overall feel) were that of a boat since it was so damn heavy. Yeah the V8 is cool and all, but that's about the sportiest thing about it from what I can see Cool car, no doubt, but it just didn't have a place in the market.

yup. it didn't that's why it died.

i'm just trying to imagine this car with a modern v8 and not the 5.0 liter 200 hp v8 that it had.

a 340 hp v8 might give this car enough ummph to be a very interesting machine.

anyway, i guess i'm just being nostalgic.

 

[geno]

hey it happens to all of us If the car was lighter and stronger, I think it could've been a cool addition to the Ford lineup Ford was always deathly afraid of cannibalizing Mustang sales though with stronger cars, the SHO suffered the same fate and wasn't allowed to fully stretch its legs

 

[KenGr]

I remember these cars and the car didn't match the specifications. Looks great on paper but performance was marginal, styling was not distinctive, there was no personality.

Also, I would nominate independent rear suspension as the most overrated design feature of all time. Granted it is a great idea and almost expected on more expensive cars today, but it has not been well implemented on many rear wheel drive cars.

 

[jemcam]

a 2 door Crown Vic

Not even close. Crown Vics/Grand Marquis are/were full frame vehicles, basically 1950's technology. The tbird/cougar was a unibody car with independent suspension in the rear from 1987 on. 1983-86 had a traditional rear axle and the body was much smaller & lighter. Those earlier tbirds have more potential as hot rods IMHO. They did make quite a few with 5.0 liters. When I was working at a dealership, I even saw a couple that had the H.O. engine from the Mustang GT in them right from the factory. The techs all said it must have been a mistake. The quickest giveaway between the standard 5.0 and the GT was the the manifolds went in opposite directions. I saw a couple come right off the truck like that with no mention of it on the sticker.

 

[Viperoni]

94-96 pImpala SS == PWN YUO.
Solid rear axle and heavier, but you've definetely got a point, the TBird's were great cars

 

[BurnItDwn]

thunderbirds are nice cars

 

[brxndxn]

I USED TO OWN ONE!!!

I drive a 97' Camaro Z28 6speed and I would easily go back to my Tbird any day...


My poor car..

I wish I still had it.. It was the only clearcoat metallic blue tbird I have seen that was in that condition. It had 4.6l V8, leather, moonroof, automatic headlights with timers, chrome factory rims (with cool Tbird symbol on them), motorized seats, climate control...

It was fast, handled well (tight suspension), and comfortable and spacious. Everyone used to say that they couldn't believe how comfortable my seats were - they were expecting something less luxurious.

Dammit! I want my old car back!

On top of that, I had an awesome stereo installed in it - which I couldn't get salvaged because the stupid insurance company allowed it to get stolen. And the sub/amp/box in the trunk was wedged in too tight to get it out.



I would give my left nut to have that car back.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: brxndxn
I USED TO OWN ONE!!!

I drive a 97' Camaro Z28 6speed and I would easily go back to my Tbird any day...


My poor car..

I wish I still had it.. It was the only clearcoat metallic blue tbird I have seen that was in that condition. It had 4.6l V8, leather, moonroof, automatic headlights with timers, chrome factory rims (with cool Tbird symbol on them), motorized seats, climate control...

It was fast, handled well (tight suspension), and comfortable and spacious. Everyone used to say that they couldn't believe how comfortable my seats were - they were expecting something less luxurious.

Dammit! I want my old car back!

On top of that, I had an awesome stereo installed in it - which I couldn't get salvaged because the stupid insurance company allowed it to get stolen. And the sub/amp/box in the trunk was wedged in too tight to get it out.



I would give my left nut to have that car back.

I know how you feel man!

 

[CraigRT]

I don't mind those cars. One of the only Fords I can handle... I like SuperCoupes better..

 

[Doggiedog]

It was also nice to be able to rent the V8 T-birds at Hertz back then too.

 

[Ornery]

"...it was a bit underpowered..."

There's the whole problem! It would have had a market if it could perform. They did the same thing with the damn Marauder. Idiots! :disgust:

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"...it was a bit underpowered..."

There's the whole problem! It would have had a market if it could perform. They did the same thing with the damn Marauder. Idiots! :disgust:

or if it would perform there would be a new market made. If hte Marauder actually performed the way it was marketed, you'd see a whole load of full-szie RWD V* musle sedans. Maybe the Impala would come back in its previous incarnation.

If you make a hit-selling new vehicle, it will create a niche. Lexus did it with the RX300, either MG or Lincon did it with the Escalade/Navigator (forgot which came first), etc..