Used 2002 Ford Thunderbird Consumer Reviews

Finally got my dream car . . .

and it is more than I could have ever hoped for! From the moment I saw the concept version in 2000, I knew I would have to have one of these!! The look, the style, the fit and finish and that low rumble of the engine are all perfect. As many have stated, no high- priced Mercedes, BMW's or Volvo's get the type of admiring glances that this baby does. Having come off being a Mustang GT owner for years (all of which I liked), I am pleased that I have graduated from a fast pony car to a sophisticated boulevardier. Ford could not have done better is designing and producing this car.

Instant Classic

A pleasure to drive and a head-turner! Had to wait 13 months from the time myh order was placed, but well worth the wait. Only car I ever bought that was worth more when I drove it off the dealer's lot. Only downside is lack of fuel economy, but I bought it for pleasure and not daily driving.

Bought Used, still own

I bought a Used, Red, 2002, Deluxe (soft top only), 2-tone interior, with 32,000 miles in 2014 for a price of $12,300. I have owned her for 8yrs now and have 77,000 miles. Been a great car, fun, reliable, and popular with the onlookers. LUV the top-down driving experience and the ease of UP/DOWN top operations. Because Thunderbirds ('02-'05) are based on the 4door Lincoln LS sedan, the shortened wheelbase still allows for the top to stow behind the 2 seats and the retracted top does NOT take up any trunk space. However, the trunk though wide, is shallow, so it can fit lots of flat items but not always suitcases which may be too tall. The drivetrain (engine, transmission, rear end) is a strong point in my car (others warn of COP problems) and I enjoy the smooth 252hp as I run her hard sometimes on mountain roads. 19mpg in mixed and not much better hiway-only...and you will have to pump premium (costs more $$). Plan to replace the cloth top IF it gets parked outside after maybe 15 years...garaged cars stay looking better in the top and interior. VERY fun to cruise about town or even light-spirited driving especially on sunny days. The 2002s have a GREAT "hard boot" that is difficult to source as a used part nowadays and the '03-'05s have a wrap-up soft-boot to cover the lowered top that does not look nearly as nice in place, but stores MUCH better in the trunk! The sought-after hard boot either stores in your garage or takes up ALL of the trunk. I had to replace ONE of my Coil-On-Plugs (COP) but did all 8 at the same time ($800 with labor) at 60,000 miles...you WILL have to deal with this at some point in your ownership. And I had a problem with the high/low temp cooling thermostat - needed to be replaced and HARD to find ($400 with labor). Still awaiting work with the squeeky suspension and the driver's seat needs to be re-upholstered....but those are 2 minor issues that wait until I feel like spending the $$. Overall...a very fun car thats pretty reliable over 8 years....amassing a normal amount of repair costs similar to other American cars. I have $15K into my Thunderbird and can still sell for $9-10K here in 2022. IF you are looking and can find one <$10,000 in '22 or '23 with less that 100,000 miles it will be a fun ownership experience for you. Update Nov 2023: I sadly said goodbye to my much loved T-Bird in May 2023. An impulse-buy of a '23 Mach 1 and no ability to long-term-store the Thunderbird, ouch! I actually traded-in my 2002, 21yr old T-Bird to the dealer. At the time she needed an estimated $4,000 of work to be perfect and she had 79,500 miles.IF I had done the suspension, Upolstery, Airbag light, check engine light (O-2 sensor) AND light rear-quarter damage work I would say she woud've sold for $12,000, or roughly what I paid for the car 9 years ago unadjusted for inflation. The Ford dealer, not knowing any of this, offered me $8,000 for the trade-in and I said yes as this was (in my head) the same 12.000 minus 4,000 (required repairs) figure! Also, it lowered my tax-burden on the new Mach 1 by $900.It was a GREAT ownership experience and a wonderful drive at very little financial cost in the end, thank you Ford ...that was a fun car! Could still be a good used car purchase for anyone interested in finding a well-kept example in the 10-15,000 dollar range.

OH MY GOD!!

My husband just picked up a 2002 T- bird. All I can say is "OH MY GOD!!" What a car! Its fast, sexy, fun to drive and just wonderful! I think my husband is going through a mid-life crisis and I'm SOOOO GLAD!! The car is Awesome. I read only 1 review that was really negative about the T- bird....Whats up with that? you are definitely the minority here! YAY!!! GO T_BIRD!!!!

Great Car

A fun car to drive; powerful engine; no problems at all so far

My Childhood Dream Car Come True

Since I was a child, I wanted a 50's T- Bird, and now that I have my black on black 2002, all of my dreams have been realized. She turns heads wherever I take her. The chrome wheels together with the chrome trim around the windshield really set the car off. It is more responsive than my Mustang GT. Honestly my most favorite of all the vehicles I've ever owned.

Wife's Little Bird

My wife looks great in this car. Folks point her out at the stop lights and parking lots. I did have to replace the coils but that was after several years. It was the same deal on the Lincolns having this engine. Only thing I wish was better; the review mirror and the sun visors. Just kind of chintzy when it comes to those items.

Hard to stop

After 11 years one Ford dealer new the answer. Our car motored at 25MPH (as if in cruise control ) ever since new, so it was very hard to stop . There are lots of them with the same problem . You need to change the Idle air control, about $200. Ford calls it IABP The dealer is Sunny Side Ford in Holden Ma. Scotty service manager .

Thunderbird Myth

The best $20,000 car I've ever owned. Been a Ford person my entire life, but Ford missed it on this one. No engine power, transmission shifts when it wants (can not manually shift), engine hesitates terribly on downshifts, seats are made for someone twice as wide (no lateral support), suspension compromises won't make anyone happy. Clearcoat layer of paint was incomplete (looks like an amatuer did it). Door and trunk fit falls short of even Ford Focus standards. My 1994 Thunderbird, with more than 125,000 miles is twice the car at less than half the original price. How do you rate Reliability on a car with less than 4000 miles?

Soars with Eagles

A bit noisy with soft-top. Hard-top, while requiring 4 arms to R&R, it is a yields a quiet cabin. It's been a long time since my car attracted so many eye-ball comments like "NICE, "SHARP" & so-on. Mine is black, which isn't the best color in Texas, I enjoy getting my SHINE-ON. Much easier to get in & out of than other Roadsters. My only negative is the lack of power. My Genesis 5.0 was 0-60 in 5 seconds. I do plan on some mods to up the power. MPG? Don't care.

A Head Turner

I wish that they would have designed the top to have a back lid instead of the old boot. On other convertibles such as the BMW, it looks so much classier and also easier to use. A little more juice in the engin would also have been nice as 258 hp with a 3700 pound car is not all that much--although the torque is good. But those are just suggestions for making an already great car even better.

MY T BIRD

BEEN WAITING SCINCE 1955. (AS I TELL ALL ME & SANDRA DEE) SEEN HER IN A MOVIE WHEN I WAS A KID DRIVING A 1955 TQUIOS (W PORT HOLE) HAD TO HAVE IT. ABSOLUTLY THE BEST MR JESSE JAYNES SR

Needs more power

Overall a very nice car. Needs more power. Mileage is excellent. Ride is a bit soft. Grabs lots of attention.

Fun, Fun, Fun

Inherited this little beauty from my godmother with only 3k miles on it - I can't believe now that I tried to talk her out of buying it! (She and her husband had matching '55's in their day). The "Bird" helped to make her last few months more enjoyable, and will now give me several years of enjoyment. Great vehicle performance, and what a head turner!

Bob's T-Bird

Power, handling, and comfort makes this a blast to drive

Simply Amazing

I currently am a '97 Corvette Owner and I just bought a 2002 Thunderbird as a gift for my Mother. When I decided to buy this car for her, I never imagined that I would like it so much myself. So when I pulled out of the dealership and drove it for the first time, EVERYTHING about it amazed me - from the fit and finish to the power, to the great sounding stereo, to the way EVERYONE who passed me on the highway slowed to look at it. And if nothing else, NO ONE can take away the AWESOME job FORD did in bringing this car from it's original root to the future.

Love my Birds

Shocking to read any poor reviews. It&#8217;s $40k, not $50k; don't blame the car if you paid $10k over sticker. Radio has auto-volume control (it doesn't come programmed, see owner's manual). Acceleration, handling, ride, braking, are ideal for the style of car. 91 octane gas is recommended; if you're unhappy with performance, try feeding it right. It's not a sports car; the luxury car ride is perfect for any kind of driving other than racing. Shifts are very smooth; you CAN shift manually. The interior is plane, but it&#8217;s a retro-styled car. How much interior styling did you get in cars made 40-50 years ago? Styling REALLY turns heads.

I love my new thunderbird

The car is excellent in every way!! Being a 2002, it doesn't have heated seats, but if I really needed them I can get a 2003. The car steers well, has adequate power and gets lots of looks. I was not overwhelmed by the styling at first, but a lot of people must like it, because it still attracts a lot of attention. It is a very comfortable car and a joy to own!

2002 Deluxe yellow Bird

Exceptional looks and fit. A real head turner. Just bought from original owner. It has 74k miles and drives like new. Always garaged and well kept. I wanted one new....but overpriced at dealer. I have the deluxe model with matching interior...yellow with white hardtop. Absolutely the coolest car I have ever owned! Buy one you will not be disappointed!!! Update- 2/2/22 still a neat car have 76k - no issues …it’s just a cool car!

Sentimental

In the autumn of 1955 an uncle & aunt purchased a new ‘56 raven black Thunderbird. Once in a while he’d give me a ride around town, much to my joy. Such rich memories. I own a 2002 evening black (triple black-exterior, interior & top). Ok, so it’s not a’56, yet as I drive suddenly I’m that boy with a grin on his face, a skip in his heart (ok, I’m old) and the memory of a fun afternoon with my uncle. Mine currently has 21,000 miles (not a daily driver), has never been in rain or snow and out of state once since new - down to Portland,OR for a regional Thunderbird meet. It meets my expectations for a trouble free car that always knows when he and I are going out for a fun run.

Don’t Call it a Sportscar!

I came late to this game. Bought a 2002 Premium level trim at almost exactly the car’s 20th anniversary. And for a specific purpose- my wife and I purchased a second home in the Palm Springs area and garage it there. If you have driven in the area you know that the roads are almost all straight, in great condition and move along briskly, mostly. What’s called for is comfort, style and good climate control. Plus relaxed driving. Not a good fit for the other four top down sports cars I own -although they are mostly OK except for the climate control part. AC is mostly not a real vintage sports car thing. Ford and Thunderbird design and marketing hit the right category for this Thunderbird/“Retrobird”. They called it “Relaxed Sportiness”. That’s what you get folks! An elegantly styled two (no more) seater with most creature comforts like climate control, quiet, smooth ride, great sound system and V8 power with a smooth automatic transmission. A car that looks good on the inside. And great on the outside. You’ll be ‘stylin’’. And there’s nothing wrong with that! Pros Style Comfort Power A personal aurora that you can feel when you are behind the wheel Cons Not many of todays ‘necessities’ like Bluetooth , Navigation etc. A thirsty V8 (17-22mpg) although I got 27 on a long Interstate drive 20 year old parts that may be getting on in age or in some cases obsolete Suspension parts that do wear out and need replacement by about 70K miles My take- if cruising in comfort and sometimes simply getting from A to B in style is attractive to you this may be your baby. Oh-Yeah, also appreciating looking good even when you aren’t moving at all! An update at about 10,000 miles of ownership: It’s been perfect for relaxed driving in the civilized roads around Palm Springs. Mostly as transportation but also some fun top down drives on perfect days. The style, comfort and V8 sounds combine for a pleasant overall vibe. Sometimes you don’t want it need a sports car for the assignment- this car fills that role with vintage looks and modern performance!!

High dollar dash lights repair

We took ours into a ford dealership for dash lights inop, they came back with an estimate of $2700.00 for a module. The car only had 24000 miles on it. We ended up trading it because it was such a disapointment

Finally, the 2002 Retrobird is having it's Moment

In 2002 I was 40-ish, barely remembered the 1955 Thunderbird (opera Windows), and only saw it once my entire youth with Suzanne Somers behind the wheel briefly in 'American Graffiti'. I do remember when this car made "Car of the Year" but it was way out of my price range. Don’t overlook in today's dollars it cost $54,000, which was more than it's competition, a 2002 Corvette & BEFORE Ford Dealer Markup. It seems to me that they started building the 2002’s in 2000, used a Jaguar (bought from Porsche if you wiki the engine details) V8 and built it on Lincoln’s assembly line. Note: In 2003 they changed this engine out and I don’t believe it aged as well, personal opinion. Fast forward to 2023 when the -then- 60-ish folks who did have the cash are now 80-ish, and these marvelously cared for cars are hitting local markets as those unique and wonderful owners age out of driving. My Seller was a sharp, enthusiastic, T-Bird lover who lovingly cared for this car for 13 years after getting from an estate sale and only put 10K on the odometer, but I digress. My advice? Get to an owner before the car dealers do, find that sweetheart of an owner that would keep it if he could, and don't dicker, pay him the 11-13K he's asking. *2-tone leather 'deluxe' interior? worth another $1K. *Has the hardtop, hardtop rack, and original hardtop adjustment tool ? worth another $1K. Why haven't I talked about the driving and performance of a hot convertible with Lincoln DNA? It's problems are more age related than engineering and that list is short. Youtube's full of knockers (usually talking about one for sale at some dealer) but go drive it and you'll find a million reasons to love it, even if it needs tweaking, pull the trigger, get it before someone else does... The Retro-bird speaks for itself and you'll find a unique car buying/driving experience that I just don't think will last forever, and now is the time to see if you can't find one.

Love it

This car is too cool. With the roof down it makes you want to sing as you drive down the road. The car is my one toy and it does everything I ask of it. No one takes a second look at a BMW, only the Bird and Ferraries. Bye the way, you can $100,000.00 to the Bird if you want the same look when you drive the high price spread. One might also look at the crash test data, it is impressiveeeeee.

Best Bird yet

Best and most fun car a 50 year old could want!

Love my new Tbird!

Great car, everything I expected and more, just got back from a drive from LA to Phoenix, and the car performed better than I thought it would. Not to mention the stares you get everywhere you go, let me tell you a crowd gathers where ever you park it!

Car buff

The car is a disappointment in some ways. For instance, It does not have eithor memory seats or built in garage door opener. Which I think is shortsighted for this class of car. I do feel the car is drop dead georgious. It draws a croud every time I park it.. The hard top is too heavy It is difficult for two older guyes to handle. The proformance is great, although not as refined as I had hoped. OPn the whole I would give the effort a "B"

Overpriced, overhyped piece of scrap.

My husband bought this car for me, and I was shocked to learn it's a $50,000 car. For the engine I got and the styling of the ride, it's worth probably half that amount. The Ford hype-machine lives on, and definitely reeled my husband in, hook-line-and- sinker.

Good extra car, love convertible

Present for wife but both enjoy.

Loving my T-Bird

Smooth riding, great pickup,peppy little car.Great resale value. A pleasure to drive.

A Dream Fulfilled

...if you have to ask, you couldn't possibly understand. I've been looking at classified ads for '57 Tbirds for years. This car is as close as I will get, and I'm embarassed as to the extent to which it is one of the great joys of my life.

Pos money pit

Do not buy this car .... can't get parts to fix it....

Pretty but lacks attention to detail

A blast to drive, but it lacks the attention to detail and convenient group items of other two seaters that are in the same price range such as the SLK/Z3/S2000/MR2.

Best Bird Yet.

The new Bird is the best. I have owned 4 over the past 15 years. The ride is wonderful. I sold my 1999 Corvette because of the ride quality. The T-Bird beats it hands down.

The Best Bird

Well worth waiting for, even if it took almost a year. A pleasure to drive. A real show stopper, literally. Have been flagged down on numerous occasions. Got the "arrest-me" Red and don't regret it. It's by far the best color of them all, and not just my opinion. Could use heated seats though!

2002 Thunderbird Convertible

If you loved your Dad's TBird, this is the car for you! Once I got it, I didn't even mind the price. We get a lot of attention. The car responds like a dream and I love to hear the roar of a V8 again. Don't mind the two seater - this is not a car for the kids anyway. This car makes you feel too young to have kids.

L'oiseau

Great car. Love to drive it. Handles excellent on country road. Visibility with top (hard or soft) is very limited.

Can't Stop Smiling

Picked up the Thunderbird blue with the partial blue interior. This car definitely turns heads. People speed up to get a glimpse on the highway. You won't make any quick trips to the market after purchase--everyone wants to gawk and talk about it. It drives like a dream too. Lots of power and 0- 60 in nothing flat. Don't buy it though if you want a Porsche. Buy a Porsche. This is a luxury car ride, not a sportscar. Can't understand complaints about fit and finish or interior style--didn't those people look at it before they bought it? Bottom line is: Ford got it right both inside and out.

Everything we thought it would be.

The 2002 Thunderbird is a sporty, luxury car that you just don't see every day. My wife loves the car.

Buy one!

Great car! Turns heads. Plenty of power & fun to drive.

Pretty expensive

Purchased in 22 I know it’s a 20-year-old car. First off did not expect all the cheap plastics and failure of computers. Had to replace the cooling fans. Lots of wacky electrical issues. Had it 6 months it literally tried to drain my bank account. Traded for a Lexus is250c with more miles on the clock but a much better designed vehicle. But not as pretty as the Thunderbird in my opinion.

Made by Lincoln, Powered by Jaguar, Love this car

I consider 2002 the Best "Retrobird' Year and feel that it is the best car I've owned as my "personal car" (which is what the designer WR Burnett set out to build in 1955 and made sure the redesign stayed true to) and truly believe this overlooked gem has finally starting getting the attention it deserves. I like 2002, because in my opinion the engine variable valve re-design for subsequent years hasn't aged well from a control module standpoint and some parts are scarce these days. My advice? Find one a 90 year old has babied and can no longer drive safely and pay him what he asks, as long as it's between $12.5 and $17K. Difference between Premium and Deluxe Packages seem to be Seat Warmers for some reason. In the Thunderbird 2002 production year there were 7,244 Thunderbirds produced with a torch red exterior, torch red removable hardtop. This was the only year the two-tone interior color accent package was available. Of the $800 red interior accent package (instead of solid black) there were only 592 produced originally, so for me, this is the Holy Grail of the line, if you can find one. The Premium-model Thunderbird's original base price of $38,465 included this option pkg w/red steering wheel, shift handle and leather inserts on the bucket seats and a paint-matching "opera"-windowed hardtop (a $2500 option on deluxe models). Also standard were 17-inch chromed alloy wheels and chrome windshield bow, excellent power folding top, a six-disc in-dash CD changer (that operates at an unusually high temperature and is prone to jamming after extended use), and a five-speed automatic transmission. Once Ford added another $530 for destination charges, and the original bottom line just nipped the $40K mark at $39,795. Fun Fact: It was more expensive than a 2002 C5 Corvette that year

2002 THUNDERBIRD

Most fun car I have ever owned. Previous cars have been Mustangs, Pontiac GTO and Camaro. The new Thunder Bird provides the fun/looks of the old 2 seat birds with modern technology and reliability. I love it.

Who says you can't go back

A great riding car with excellent standard features. Fun to drive and love the nostalgia, like driving the little T- Bird of yore. I own several vintage Fords and people ask us as many questions about the new bird as our older cars (Model A's & an Early V-8). Quite, smooth & powerful.

Back to the Future-T-Bird

This is the automobile I always wanted in high school and only in middle age can afford. I have owned a Corvette, MGB, Triumph GT6, an original Pinto, three Camaros, base, Z28. This car in two weeks has received more attention than all of the others put togetjer in the first two weeks. The vehicle is absolutely stunning in appearance, however the driving experiance is even better.The car is confortable, responsive and attracts emormous attention from all groups. As a retired "nerd", "dork", etc. it's a blast.

My mom baby

Allway garage car is still new it new in and out 12.ooo mile

Overpriced

This is a great looking convetible, but way too much money! My Sebring was just as much fun at half the price. I used to be impressed by the Jaguars too, but then again, it was pointed out to me that for $50,000 even Yugo can build a good looking car.

Sporty

wow

great little car not good in snow

Pre owned its a deal!

Flare for a reasonable amount f money