Fuel pump

[Guest]

The fuel pump went out on my 02 a couple of weeks ago (56K miles). When the wrecker driver came to haul my car to the Ford dealer he said "I used to pick up a lot of these Thunderbirds, but I don't see many of them anymore". It struck me as really funny and a sad commentary on the 02. Mine has been a lemon as I've posted before and every time I say this is the last straw, but I keep repairing and keeping.

All cars have problems. Just like us they are not perfect. If you enjoy the car after fixing it then hold on for the next fix it problem that is your choice. Mine an 02 has had problems too but nearly every car I have owned has its own problems of sorts. Your problem would be when it needs to be fixed & no $$$ to fix it with. Now that is BAD!

[Gobird]

Probably bye-bye Tbird. Ford Dealer just called and said I"m looking at between $1K and over $2k to fix the problem, so I'm going to sell the car to the highest bidder ASAP. I've owned lots of cars in my life starting with a 58 Chevy Convertible and have spent more on repairs on this car than any 5 cars collectively I've ever owned. Been a terrible experience. Have enjoyed meeting all the people at some great TBird events, but I've had enough with this car.

You need to do what you feel you need to do. I have put a few $$$ in my car in the past 16 years but it still runs and looks like new. I have stuck $10,000 in my 73 MGB when I rebuilt it. I won't and never expected to get that out of it if I ever sell it , not the point, I enjoyed the car.

My point is: If this is just a car to you then I can see your point ..........it's just like my MGB and T-Bird, it's not just a car to me .

[LadyP]

First post here, co-owner of an '02. I don't blame the OP, my wife and I were in the same boat. Her previous car was a '93 Sunbird Convertible. That car cost me $1k a year IN REPAIRS since 2009 (it was virtually gifted to us, so money spent was still less than buying new) She loved the car, even put a new roof on, but when the PCM and then the transmission went out last year, I pushed it into the lot at CarMaxx and they gave us $100.

We bought the '02 last August and it is my wife's (Lady P) daily driver. It had 98,000, but the car checked out and the price was right along with the options (T-Bird blue, white hard top, two-tone interior) so we took the plunge. After the T-bird purchase all was well until December when we put new tires on and the car began to handle terribly. I took a look and the lower ball joints were basically separating from the control arms! I took a week off and tore into it, replacing all of the components. That was $900 in parts alone! I can't imagine what the dealer's labor charge would have been.

Last week, while she was driving, the motor just cut out. She was able to pull over and re-start without issue, but I fear the same - fuel pump, which apparently is a known issue for these cars along with the COP. None-the-less, "happy wife, happy life", there is no way she would give up her Bird. So here I go, roll up the sleeves and come up with a few new curse words! I've already scheduled the COP replacements in May....

I guess the point is, you can only go so far and take so much frustration, then it stops being fun at any cost. Best of luck to you!