Bird troubles

[04birdman]

i wish someone would start a poll...on how many of our members have had cops problems and E code transmission problems...is it really 90% of everyone on the forum or does it just seem that way....my bird is 5yr old 20k mi and never has had any problem....been in the shop for oil changes only....im to the point of not loging on any more .....this forum makes our cars sound like their crap.....just my opinion

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Bird troubles

Not So Frank. We're just Bird Lover's, and want everyone informed. No one out there, including Ford Service Reps, know our Birds like we do. So, when someone does encounter a problem, most chime in for support or advice, and info for them to take in hand with them to the dealer service dept of their choice. I do agree that sometimes the negative vibes seem to take over on some issues. And do wish their were more positive encounters brought to light associated with our Birds. But for a lot of us, our's are now eight year old cars. And a lot of new folks are arriving buying up those being turned in. TBN has come to be the ONE Source of info on the 2002-05 Birds on the internet.

And just to set the record. Our TWO current RetroBirds are as awesome as the day we brought them home.

[5bird7]

Re: Bird troubles

Frank, there are two polls for the cops problem.
90 have taken the latest poll that have had problems and they were the only ones asked to take that particular poll.
The first poll, which is much older has 272 that have taken the poll of which 189 had not had a cop problem at the time they took the poll.

Now, we get about 250 members checking in every day.

I'm not sure how many members check in at least once a week or once a month but years ago when I had access to that stat and we had less than half the number of members we have now, we were getting about 500 checking in each month and around 100 visiting daily (cars were still new then, too). I'm sure we now get more than 500 checking in at least once a month.

As Dave says, the problems showcase themselves because that's why some owners, new and old search us out.

[Treken]

Re: Bird troubles

And just to set the record. Our TWO current RetroBirds are as awesome as the day we brought them home.

Same here, nothing but fun with my bird. No cops problems and E code transmission problems, but getting a wealth of information on our cars on this great site, including MODS info, meeting people, great conversation about our cars and alot more. Also, If I really do have a serious problem, at least I know where to get info before I get my bird fixed.

I am sure every car out there has some problems sooner or later, at least every one that I have ever owned.

[SixPac]

Re: Bird troubles

I disagree that "this forum makes our cars sound like their (your spelling) crap". TBN has many, many positive posts. IMO, your post needs to go to the Sanitation Department.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Bird troubles

Yeah, I think it's all in what you decide to focus on. Try some of the other parts of the site if repair and problem threads are getting you down.

For the record I've got 2 Thunderbirds. An '02 that has been completely trouble free for a full 53,000 miles now and an '04 with 26,000 that only very recently displayed a problem.......... an all too common COP problem.

The site is a wonderful resource for when problems do come up. Lot's of folks here have stories to tell and experience that can help.

The cars are definitely NOT "crap" and honestly........I'm a little offended you'd even suggest that.

That said...... based on the experiences of many others here.....it seems to me you probably should expect some rather T-Bird specific problems just might just creep into your own ownership experience at some point.

Should this happen.......wouldn't you rather know how others who've experienced them before you got things resolved?

Logging off may do little more than accomplish a false sense of security.

.......... at the end of the day your '04 T-Bird is a car with a lot of pretty unique parts and electronics with their own solutions when things do go wrong. Scan this site and you can probably find someone who's dealt with any problem you come across and how they sorted it out.

That in it's self makes this site worth your time.

[Ski]

Re: Bird troubles

No problemos! In fact I took the bird to work which involved a drive to Annapolis and back in beautiful weather with the top down. Better yet one of my co-workers was along for the ride - the best looking woman in the building to boot. If this is crap, serve me up another load!

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Bird troubles

Like others have said, many folks come online to solve problems they experience with their Thunderbirds. Like any car, it will have some problems and it nice to have a place to go ask questions.

In addition to this site, I also visit VWVortex.com; especially the B5 Passat (1997-2005) section. Same thing there; a good number of people come online only when they have problems to seek out the experiences of other owners.

Because so many of the questions in these online car forums deal with problems, I agree it could kind of give you a negative impression of the car especially if you had no personal experiences with that particular vehicle.

[My Raven]

Re: Bird troubles

I have had to deal with both: The E Code and COPs on different Birds I have owned over the years ...
.
BUT ...
.
I stand by my repeated remark which is bordering on trite I have stated it so many times ...
.
It is the only car I have ever owned that I smile and do at least one double take when I park it!

[MATBird]

Re: Bird troubles

Log Off, it's your loss

[DKest3963]

Re: Bird troubles

I do not post often, but watch and read a lot on this forum. It has helped me answer a lot of questions about our birds. We have 3 now in the family. Bought new an 03 and 05. Helped daughter get an 04 used. Personally never had a E or cops problem with the o3 and 05 with about 12000 miles on each vehicle.
Recently daughter had a cops problem and called all worried after having the 04 for only 3 weeks. This vehicle has 25000 miles.From our home in Austin to hers in Houston I could not get there quickly, but from this forum I told her to go to Ford and have them fix a cops problem. Without this forum I doubt that I would have known what to fix.

Thanks all who contribute
Dennis

[Ski]

Re: Bird troubles

No need to be nasty about it. I agree that these forums, regardless of which car/truck, tend to bring out every problem anyone experienced. At the same time the posters don't feel like the vehicle is junk, they're just going to the well to see if the problem was encountered by others and how they solved it. That's a lot of what happens here, IMO. It's still a great site!

[wjsamx]

Re: Bird troubles

You should see the forum for the Volkswagen EOS (http://www.vweosclub.com/forums/). Makes one thank God that they have a beautiful Thunderbird.

I'd rather know the good and the bad, than not know at all. Best of all (like on the EOS site, but not quite as good) we all share our enjoyments and solutions. I love the nest.

Just my 2 cents

[94mcd]

Re: Bird troubles

I believe that without the information provided by TBN members Ford would not have issued the 100,000 mile warranty on the COPS. So many people read the posts concerning this issue and reported their concerns to the dealers and Ford Motor Company that Ford had no choice but to issue the warranty. So a big THANK YOU to the owners of TBN for providing us with the most informative Thunderbird site for our " UNIQUE IN ALL THE WORLD " cars !!!!!!!!

[joe166]

Re: Bird troubles

I believe that without the information provided by TBN members Ford would not have issued the 100,000 mile warranty on the COPS. So many people read the posts concerning this issue and reported their concerns to the dealers and Ford Motor Company that Ford had no choice but to issue the warranty. So a big THANK YOU to the owners of TBN for providing us with the most informative Thunderbird site for our " UNIQUE IN ALL THE WORLD " cars !!!!!!!!

I would like to believe that but the number of people that read, much less post on these forums is so small relative to the marketplace that I am sure they did this because it was in their best interest to do so, not because a few of us were complaining loudly. In fact, if that were true, they would certainly have included the 2002 as well as the later ones.

They did it because they wanted to.