New/Used Thunderbird Poll

[yelobird2002]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

Yes we had to sign a promise not to sell for at least six months paper. October 2001.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

I buy new when the price is reasonable and the car is is too much of a "crap shoot" when trying to assess the abuse it may have been subjected to.

I'm more of a GM guy than Ford, despite the idea we own a Ford truck and 2 T-Birds now.


As an example of my thinking?

Coming into 2009 with the "melt-down" in detroit......Chevy lots were inundated with unsold 2008 Corvettes this past fall, getting a new one in the Garage for under $40,000 made buying new an easy decision. Used versions of the car are out there but they seem to go for prices pretty close to new and no matter how many coats of wax on the fenders I'm always uneasy as to how hard any performance car has been driven or even ABUSED with missed shifts and lots of crazy hard acceleration for next to no reason beyond big clouds of tire smoke before I got it. The discount I'd need to see just never has been there on a good low mileage 2 year old Corvette.


The Thunderbirds?

This is the epitome of the other-side of the coin. These cars came to market in '02 with so much hype and anticipation.

I approach car purchases same as I do investment decisions. I don't like to buy when something is too "in favor" and I never allow emotion to make the decision on timing for me. That's a loser's game that separates those who have from those who don't in the world of making money and when it comes to cars..........things are really no different. Given the idea a car is sure money loser anyway..........buying at the right time is really your only chance to limit the "pain" of depreciation that is coming no matter what.

Bought our Ford Pick up in '02. While dealing for it. Brand new T-Bird on the show-room floor for $38,000 list and a dealer mark up of $10,000............ all added up to a look but no chance I'd even think of buying. The pretty little car my wife fell in love with at first sight was simply over-priced........and nothing indicates this more than a "mark-up" by the dealer. Call me "cheap" if you like but no way in hell will I in this lifetime ever pay up BEYOND sticker.

Ultimately, I'm happy with the decision and very glad my wife was willing to wait given what happened to the demand and prices of those first T-Birds........ I never could have imagined at the time how well waiting would work out. I wish I could say I was that smart but ultimately it's just another case of how sometimes....."it's better to be lucky than good"



We bought her '02 ......3 years old with 30,000 miles for under just under $18,000 and then the '04 with 19,000 miles a year later for just under $20,000 from a very motivated seller in the late fall as snow was getting ready to fall for the first time.

the T-Birds are the perfect "used car" purchase. Older first owners, most responsible both in terms of maintenance and how they drive. These cars aren't performance cars and for the most part the "cushy ride" inspires cruising not burn outs and "boy-racer" silliness.

[Kokomo]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

I originally voted for New - 2002. That is no longer accurate since I traded that car in for a used 2005.

[My Raven]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

Which one of my flock past and present are y'all talking about?

[metinsure]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

new. As a matter of fact, I wanted it so bad that I shopped all over NJ for it, and at the time they all wanted 5k over list. I found a car in Wyoming, and had it shipped to my local Ford dealer for delivery

Charley McCloskey

[tbird6t4]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll


Bought my 2002 on July 25th and brought her home August 01, 2005. Took the Mrs. out for a little drive. Left with a Mazda Millenia S and came home with a LIL BIRD!

She thought I had lost my mind, until I let her drive it home!

[tbird6t4]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

Bought my 2002 on July 25th and brought her home August 01, 2005. Took the Mrs. out for a little drive. Left with a Mazda Millenia S and came home with a LIL BIRD!

She thought I had lost my mind, until I let her drive it home!

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

It seems like we are getting a higher weekly rate of new members than ever before. All Birds started as "new purchases" and it is interesting to see a nearly perfect 50/50, new/used ratio. It is likely that some cars are now being counted more than once in this poll as new column cars are being resold as "used". Since this poll was started in Decmeber of 08 I think we should have an annual poll to document the growing trend toward "used". The poll will also reflect the number of original owners who are holding on to their cars as well as the number of growing owners who have discovered the car and purchased "used". At what point will the "used" numbers start to dramatically out number the "new " numbers?

[5bird7]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

Good question to ponder, Roger. Hopefully my part in the survey will always be "new" I suspect though that many of the "new" owners that joined years ago, have't been back or noticed this survey, to take this survey.

[Allen P]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

Hello all , just got mine last tuesday after a long search. 2003, build date 02/2003 Tuxedo black premium w/buckskin interior 22,000 miles . Dash board plack reads" specially built for Cash Moore ." Car has Borla exhaust , K&N cold air intake and runs kike a banshee ! She had an oil change @ 3000 miles in Fort Walton Beach , Fla. W/Mobil 1 . Thats all I have found out so far . Does this car ring a bell with anyone ? This is my first post with TBN . Thanks

[Treken]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

Hello all , just got mine last tuesday after a long search. 2003, build date 02/2003 Tuxedo black premium w/buckskin interior 22,000 miles . Dash board plack reads" specially built for Cash Moore ." Car has Borla exhaust , K&N cold air intake and runs kike a banshee ! She had an oil change @ 3000 miles in Fort Walton Beach , Fla. W/Mobil 1 . Thats all I have found out so far . Does this car ring a bell with anyone ? This is my first post with TBN . Thanks

Welcome Allen.
You will find this site great for all information about your bird. Also the best and friendly people ready to help you. Sounds like you scored a nice bird that you will never forget. You should also think about attending some of the shows and meet people in your area with the same interest in choosing a great car like ours.

[metinsure]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

new

[15AGAIN]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

I turned in an unofficial in November of 2000 (dealer could not order until Jan. 2001) and picked the car up one year and one day later in November of 2001.

[Guest]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

Wonder why with over 9,000 members, it looks like only about 550 have voted in this poll.

That's barely 6% of the total membership. Is this typical for most TBN polls?

I guess some members are more actively engaged on the site than others. I realize some members have sold their cars, and others own earlier generation T-Birds. Still, with nearly 8,500 members unaccounted for, I wonder.

[wcoates]

Re: New/Used Thunderbird Poll

Phil

If we have 1000 members who have signed on to the site in the last year I will be very surprised. Maybe the admins have stats that can verify very easily.