2002 Ford Thunderbird Review
Price Range: $13,995 - $24,800





+26
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Silky-smooth DOHC V8, unmatched modern styling, based on Lincoln LS platform, available bolt-on hardtop
Cons
- Lincoln's questionable LS five-speed automatic, no available manual transmission, expect to pay far more than sticker
What’s new
Following a four-year absence, the Thunderbird nameplate returns on an all-new two-seat roadster platform designed to recall the first-generation '55-'57 T-Birds.
Edmunds says
Though it's got just two seats, the revived T-Bird ain't no sports car. Rather, this retro-dressed Lincoln derivative is a boulevardier sure to turn every head in town.
For sale near Plainview, NY
24 listings
- $13,995great price$4,851 below market
- 43,956 miles
- 8cyl automatic
- Automotive Avenues (52 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
Close
Located in Wall, NJ
LOADED WITH VALUE! Comes equipped with: Leather Seating Surfaces. This Ford Thunderbird also includes Air Conditioning, Power Driver's Seat, Clock, Cl...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary Unavailable.
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (15 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FAHP60A42Y109629
Stock: 55048
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-08-2025 - $10,900great price$3,788 below market
- 72,980 miles
- No accidents, 5 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 8cyl automatic
- DA Motors (94 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
Close
Located in Philadelphia, PA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (15 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FAHP60A22Y128521
Stock: 21363
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Vehicle overview
After more than 40 years, a proper two-seat Thunderbird roadster has returned. Looking back on the various types of cars the Thunderbird name has been used on, it's amazing to think that this is the model that helped almost kill off the Corvette. That's right, the introduction of the '55 T-Bird combined with the sale of only 700 '55 Vettes nearly put the kibosh on Chevy's two-seater.
Now a Ford two-seater is back, and it will be a sight to see on the road. Riding on the same platform as the Lincoln LS, the 'Bird uses the same 3.9-liter DOHC V8, as well. In feathered trim, the engine also produces the same 252 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 267 foot-pounds of torque at 4,300 rpm. The LS' five-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox available at this point.
Ford's new two-seater rides on a full independent suspension that uses a short-long arm (SLA) design at the front and rear. The control arms are made of aircraft-grade forged or cast aluminum to reduce weight. Cast aluminum 17-inch wheels are also standard in a 21-spoke design, which, frankly, we like better than the optional seven-spoke chrome wheel. All 'Birds come with ABS and four-wheel disc brakes. Looking for maximum traction in all kinds of weather? Spring for the optional traction-control system.
Moving to the car's intimate two-seat cabin, you'll find many of the buttons and switches, as well as the instrument cluster, are lifted directly from the Lincoln LS -- though instrumentation does utilize attractive white-faced gauges. The leather seat trim has what Ford calls a "Thunderbird tuck and roll," and the driver seat has six-way power adjustment and adjustable lumbar support. While the standard interior color is black, there's an interesting option package in which the seats, lower instrument panel, steering-wheel top and shift knob match or contrast the five available exterior colors. If you order this package, cars that are Inspiration Yellow, Torch Red or Thunderbird Blue will get the above-noted interior pieces in the same color. The same package is available in red for Evening Black or Whisper White T-Birds. Additionally, 200 special-edition '02 Thunderbirds were sold through the Neiman Marcus catalog. In about two hours, every car had been spoken for.
Finally, while the Thunderbird is the epitome of what a truly fun car is all about, it's still chock-full of safety bits. There's standard side airbags, which make the car the first Ford convertible to come equipped with combination head and chest side airbags. And when you want to include small children in the fun, there's a deactivation switch for the passenger side front and side airbags and a LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) child-seat anchor system that provides rigid child-seat anchors.
The anticipation of this car's coming to market easily matches that created by others such as the PT Cruiser, VW New Beetle and '97 C5 Corvette. Naturally, demand will far exceed supply for years to come, primarily because Ford has done an exceptional job in the design, style and engineering of this new 'Bird. If you haven't already placed your order, be prepared for a long wait and/or serious dealer profiteering.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in New York
$282/mo for Thunderbird Deluxe
Thunderbird Deluxe
vs
$170/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Ford Thunderbird Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Still loving it
4.75 out of 5 starsfred154, 08/27/2011
2002 Ford Thunderbird Premium 2dr Convertible w/Removable Hard Top (3.9L 8cyl 5A)
I've owned this car for nearly nine years now, and I (and everyone else who sees it) still consider it a new car.
It looks great and drives just as smoothly after 32,500 miles as it did when new.
No problems with car whatsoever.
I replaced the battery simply because I had a Firestone rebate that had to be used.
This isn't a family car for daily use, but it is a great toy that still makes … an old man feel like a kid again!
Best Value Car I Have Ever Owned
4.75 out of 5 starsrsellson, 09/27/2012
2002 Ford Thunderbird Premium 2dr Convertible w/Removable Hard Top (3.9L 8cyl 5A)
Bought this car because it is my wifes favorite color (yellow).
She wanted a convertible and the color was right...that was 5 years ago.
The car brings smiles to her, and when she is down-in-the-dumps, we put the top down and go for a ride.
Best inverstment I've ever made.
Happy wife...happy life!
Now for me.
Yellow is not my color but I would drive this car even if it were purple, … orange and pink.
What a nice driving car.
A very good balance of power, handling, efficiency, driver fit, and looks.
I have never been in any other car that evokes such a pleasant response from the general public.
"Nice car!"
I am now considering a second T-Bird for my commute to work. Maybe silver...
Don't buy a 2002
4.63 out of 5 starsdondi, 03/24/2009
2002 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe 2dr Convertible (3.9L 8cyl 5A)
Purchased this Thunderbird for my wife as a "fun car" and gave it to her for Christmas. Within the first week we experienced COP (Coil on Plug) failures. Dealership repaired it under the used car warranty. The following May, with less than 1200 miles added, we once again had a coil on plug failure. (4 bad coils so far). The dealership once again repaired it. It is now 15 months … later and we have two more coils failing. That averages out to 1 per thousand miles. Ford initially placed a 10 year/100k mile warranty on the 2003 only model. They have since added the 2004 and 2005 models. The 2002 model owners are left to pay for their own repairs. The COP units are the same for all years
I can't wait for Spring
4.88 out of 5 starsSASY302, 01/28/2003
2002 Ford Thunderbird Deluxe 2dr Convertible (3.9L 8cyl 5A)
This car is what driving is all about,
not a person in the world can deny that
when you get behind this wheel...you
become King or Queen of the road! No
BMW,Mecedes, Lexus, or Corvette for
that matter gets as many looks as I do
when I pull in anywhere! I can't wait
for this long cold winter to be over,
because this is a car that is pampered
and will never see daylight … as long as
one snowflake is in the air...I can't
think of one thing I don't love about
this car, and for all those who wrote
in and made disparaging remarks..you
have not right to own one!To those that
love and own this car I will see you in
the spring...
2002 Thunderbird Highlights
Deluxe
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $35,140 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $282/month |
Seating | 2 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 8.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Thunderbird include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover5 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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