1996 Ford Thunderbird Consumer Reviews

What's the word? T-Bird

Written by: Gary on 01/29/2009

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

I bought my 96 V8 about two months ago. I love it, wouldn't want any other car in the world. I'm getting some BF Goodrich tires tomorrow. Runs like a champ every time I turn that key it makes me grin. The interior is awesome and with some hood scoops on the exterior it looks like a mean car.

Favorite Features

Posse drive. and power, engine sound

Suggested Improvements

Horsepower should have been three hundred stock.

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Going on one quarter of a million miles

Written by: raymond on 06/23/2008

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

I bought my T-Bird with 28,000 miles and I have put over 200,000 more. I drive it every day and get 26 miles to the gallon, mostly highway. Ford replaced the intake and I have replaced the alternator and fan motor. I had the front-end reworked at 175,000. I love driving this car because of its sports car performance. It handles like new. It is Laser Red with Crager Super- Sports and with a high output stereo. I look forward to buying an antique tag. This car has been a great investment.

Favorite Features

The Interior is great. The gauges, seats, console and the overall feel of sitting behind the wheel.

Suggested Improvements

Cupholders that work.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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The Perfect Car

Written by: Andrew76240 on 04/25/2008

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

I love my Thunderbird. I have always wanted one since my ex-wife had one and we seperated. It's the best car I have ever owned . After putting 40,000 miles to the 44,000 miles that my car came with all that wee ever needed was fluid and filter changes and some spark plugs. Pleanty of power underneath the hood of the v-8 model. Comfortable to drive and everything is adjusted on the dash to face the driver and all around its just a great stylish car!

Favorite Features

Horsepower, reliability, comfortability (is that a word?), smooth ride

Suggested Improvements

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What a beautiful car!

Written by: jessyebtbird on 03/25/2008

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

I bought this car from my cousin and I thought I got ripped off! But after 5 years of a wonderful ride, I totally stole it from him for $1500 with only 99,000mile. My bird has never let me down but I take good car of her! Had the front end almost completely replaced, upper and lower ball joints, tye rods, shocks and struts, didn't need the work but rountine maintaince is nescessary when taking care of your pride and joy, and my t-bird is my pride and joy, with a little over 169,000 miles on her and she still will take off from the line in a cloud of smoke! FOr a v6 the motor is pretty strong, I think I may be have a little intake leak, been finding antifeeze on the drive

Favorite Features

I am in love with this car. I have never had anything that has ever drove great, great on gas, doesn't cost much money to maintence, and it's just a pretty car to look at, and when you are driving down the road she just purrs like a kitten!

Suggested Improvements

I don't like the placement of the cupholders, nor do I like the placement of the oil sending unit, I have to replace it, but am having problems cause have to take off surpintine belt to get to it

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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An all American bird.

Written by: WhartD on 10/10/2007

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

I love this car I have owned it for almost a year now and I never get tired of looking at it. This car is fast and is extremely fun to drive. I actually look forward to rainy days so I can power slide to my hearts content. Handling is'nt too bad for a big American car. This is one awesome cruiser. Mine is fully loaded and I love just driving around with the windows down and the sunroof wide open. The saddle brown leather and interior is great except for a few minor build issues which I put in the improvements part. Nice premium sound system. It has a lot or bass and the speakers work perfect. My razzi body kit looks great on it in white. Mine is all stock from 1996. $22grand in 1996.

Favorite Features

The 4.6 V8 engine (lot o' power) premium sound system, razzi body kit, and most everything

Suggested Improvements

The cup holders were obviously an afterthought. very dumb console layout. 97 model fixes it though. Better plastic trim and better seal on doors and sunroof. everything else is very nice quality for a car in the 90's.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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My T-bird

Written by: my t-bird on 09/11/2007

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

Very nice car. Very fun to drive. The 4.6 V8 is pretty powerful too. The ride is really comfortable as well. Punching the accelerator on the high way and getting up to 80 MPH is very fast and comfortable with the nicely styled seats. Its also very easy to spin the tires. This car has a lot of power even when your going 60 MPH. My overall is that I love this car a lot. Recently I added a 1,500 watt radio with 2 subwoofers and 6 new speakers and 2 amps. Sounds awesome. Nothing better than driving in a T-Bird with the windows down and the stereo blasting!

Favorite Features

I love the 4.6 V8. The sunroof is very good in the summer when you have all the windows down and your going 75 MPH. The awesome design of the dashboard is really comfortable. and the very strong AC helps in the hot hot summer.

Suggested Improvements

It would have been nice if the dop holders were easy to access. I think it would have been awesome to have a 5 speed manual in the car too. I had to replace the stereo because the CD did not come out when I put one in.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best car yet

Written by: tim on 08/29/2007

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

I have a black 1996 T bird 4.6 v8 moonroof tinted windows. the first time I seen it i knew it was special. I paid $500 for her spent $1800 to bring her up to standards (brakes etc) the last owner didn,t really know what he had. I ve had her for bout 1 yr now and have not had one problem. I love the car. The leather interior needs some work. I think this is the one that is going to get some money into. I plan a complete and through rebuild with a little more hp. She's a keeper. Good job Ford

Favorite Features

Power, luxury, style, colour

Suggested Improvements

Cup holder

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Highway rollin'

Written by: Joel Dillon on 02/23/2007

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

The Thunderbird is a true American made car. The engine sounds great when accelerating, which is why adding 2 Flowmaster mufflers was easy to do. The Thunderbird is not like anything on the road today. The car is sharp around corners and when you put your foot to the floor, watch out.

Favorite Features

The overall body styling of the Thunderbird is one of a kind. The dash is cool in a retro kind of way.

Suggested Improvements

The Thunderbird could definitely be better at light acceleration. I find myself having to accelerate quicker to stay at the pace of the cars from a traffic light.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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10 year T-bird anniversary

Written by: rsu11 on 08/01/2006

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

Just gave my 10 year old T-bird a makeover - new paint and carpet. Why? Simple. The car deserves it! Why pop for a newer car, or an older classic, when this one fills the bill so admirably. Great performance with the 4.6 V8, good suspension with IRS in the back, decent brakes, a comfortable interior for two people and styling that still looks good. Low maintenance costs and 19 mpg around town just make me smile more behind the wheel. The retro styled Mustang will probably be my next car, but not until my T-bird dies, probably many years from now. This car is like finding an Armani suit at a yard sale. A bargain with style!

Favorite Features

The 4.6 V8! Moves the car like it's half its weight. Love the exterior styling and wraparound dash filled with gauges. Very reliable, too.

Suggested Improvements

The transmission has been problematic for some owners - regular fluid changes are key. I installed a '97 console to get the cupholders. Ride can be a little harsh over rough roads.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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So long, Bluebird

Written by: Sandi on 01/03/2006

Vehicle

1996 Ford Thunderbird 2 Dr LX Coupe

Review

I special-ordered this car back in Oct '95. Took delivery 2 days after Valentine's Day in 1996, and man, has this car been a sweetheart. Smooth, quiet, stylish, and with the Sport Suspension, fun as heck to drive. This car has been my faithful companion, and ten years later, I'm still getting regular compliments on the gorgeous Moonlight Blue paint job. The only major problem has been the intake manifold, Ford replaced it once under pressure of the threat of a class-action lawsuit. The manifold has cracked again, and due to the age of the vehicle, my family and friends are all urging me to replace it. My heart wants to pay for the repairs, but its time to put Bluebird out to pasture.

Favorite Features

Quiet, comfortable ride! I've ridden in the Lexus sedans, and my $20k car compares VERY favorably in this area.

Suggested Improvements

The &*#@!* cupholders! What braniac engineer put hinges on the SIDE of the console between the seats, which means to access the (only) cupholders, the passenger has to reach OVER the open console lid. Insane!

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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