We bought a new Ford Thunderbird 2002 as soon as they came out last Fall. Now that we live in balmy Victoria, British Columbia we could own a convertable again. We owned the very first Ford Thundebird when it came out in the '50's. It is red with the matching removeable top. When we had Chidren living at home and elderly Mothers we needed a four door Sedan. Now we live alone this two passenger car is fine for us. We liked the styling and the looks of the new T-Bird. The exterior loods like fine wood furniture. They have the porthole, (like the early 50s ones did), big chrome wheels and the 50 series 17'' tires with the chrome exhaust tips on the dual exhausts. The engine for the new T-Bird is a 3.9 lite DOHC 32 valve V-8 engine that puts out 252 horsepower at 6100 RPM and 261 ft-lbs of torque at 4300 RPM. and that is enough power for 'two snail drivers', (our Children call all slow drivers 'snails'), like us. The Brakes are 4 channel ABS with disc brakes on all 4 wheels.
The Tires are 235/50R17. With the low center of gravity and those big wide tires there is no problem when we turn sharp corners and it leaves a lot of rubber on the road to stop when you when you slam on the brakes, (which we do often). There is five-speed automatic transmission with 5 gears. The variable-assist power steering stabilizes the higher speed straights and becomes one-touch steering at 80. The interior styling is simple elegance, with the exception of the center console. Although it doesn't look out of place, one might think that FMC cut the cost on this item by installing the top of the line Ford sound system and climate control. I think anyone would have paid the premium for a 'unique-to-the-T-Bird designed console.' The sound system is more than adequate and can be adjusted louder when the top down, (or you have a Husband who doesn't want to hear me give him directions). The dual zone, (driver and passenger), and the climate control are great. There are only 5 different colors that you can get: white, black, red, blue and yellow. Our car came with black seats with red inserts in the seats and on the steering wheel, door panels and the shifter.
SOME THOUGHTS: It is unbelievably quiet, graceful, aggressive and fun to drive. Its ''smooth-as-silk'' performance, balance, and handling rivals any euro-roadster. This car cost us about $70,000 CAD or $50,0000.00 USD. ©LL
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