Daily Driver ?

[DonRich90]

Hi guys (and gals)! I'm new to the forum but I've been lurking for some time while I'm shopping for a used T'Bird. My question at this point is would it make a decent "daily driver"?
I'm retired and live in southern York County, PA where we do get some ice/snow storms during the winter. Having owned a number of reardrive cars (including a couple of Mustangs), I wouldn't expect to drive the Thunderbird until the roads are clear (and clean). I'd use my wife's Subaru Legacy if I really have to go somewhere.
I guess my real concern is how do they hold up being driven 10K or so per year? I know they are "just cars" and probably are no different or less reliable from any other Ford but is there anything that you can comment on that could be a problem?
I recently drove a real nice white '02 with 32,000 miles for a couple of days. The only problem (very minor) that I noticed was that my "flattop" (yeah, I'm that old) constantly brushed the soft convertable top with the seat in it's lowest position. I played with all of the other seat adjustments but the left side of my hair still touched. Does the hardtop give any more headroom?
I'd appreciate any comments. Thanks.

Don

[MATBird]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Send a PM to Gobird, I believe he was from York County they drove their '02 year round

[Sandman]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Hi Don,

Suggestion, Get your hair cut shorter,LOL.

[Ski]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Don,

I'm just south of you. First, my head touches the softtop too, and if it my hair was shorter I would need surgery. The hardtop is higher and my head doesn't touch. I drive my bird year round but not as a daily driver. I won't take it out in bad weather which IMO is not only snow/ice but rain, mist, fog, etc. That has more to do with keeping it clean than how it handles.

If you can find a low mile bird go for it. Mine had about 17k when I got her last October. I'll soon have 22k. It's the most fun car I've ever had.

Welcome and good luck! I hope to pass by you today on the way to York - in the Bird.

[04birdman]

Re: Daily Driver ?

hi..live in spokane,wa..snow ice and all...bought mine june 08....04 black. my best friend bought it new july 04 it was his daily driver and had no problem...he is retired so if the snow got so deep as to worry about hi centering he just stayed home. alot of people on this forum have garage queens......i drive mine whenever i want to rain,snow sleet ...whatever..handles well....if it has enough room for your needs go for it. i am 6ft1 was worried about head room but played with the seat found comfortable position,even for long trips......read around the forum and u will get a good idea what to expect..but be aware that alot of the comment comes from a small group of owners....COPS is the main issue but if you stay away from an 02 or get extended warr.it becomes a non issue...good luck

[00mustng]

Re: Daily Driver ?

....Is a D.D. for 7 years now, out here on the lone prairie....117,000km. no issues...

[5bird7]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Don, We've had ours since 2002 and now almost 100,000 miles on it so put more than 10K a year on it yet I've only used it as my main transport for 3 years now.. Works well as my main transportation, comfortable on long trips & short trips. Just take care when you park it in a parking lot. it's a magnet for people.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Our 05 is our only car that makes it our daily driver.
We have all the weather conditions you have mentioned. If the snow is too deep, probably shouldn't be out it anyway. The Bird handles very well in snow, rain, wind......its a pleasure to drive.

If you find a retro Bird you like GET IT! You will never want to part with it.

As for the head room, many here have mentioned that bring the driver's seat a little forward then tilt the rear downward gives them plenty of room.

[NotU]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Don,
I have the height issue also. I'm 6' so I pull the seat up slightly and recline. I can't straighten the legs out fully, but it's not that bad. With the top down it's no problem. I can't say about the hardtop as mine doesn't have one.
I use it as a daily driver, on nice days, in the summer. Due primarily to the salt they put on the roads here in Minnesota, it stays put away for the winter.
We took a trip to British Columbia in it once. Rained most of the trip. The 'Bird had no problems.
The alternate vehicle is a 1996 F150. It's also rear wheel drive and I have no problem with it, even in the snow. It has 4 wheel drive available, but I've used that feature only once the 5 years I've had it. I much prefer the rear drive. I feel I have better control, especially on slippery roads. I guess I just never learned how to handle front wheel drive.
Good Luck!
Randy Mattson

[BIRD 42]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Don,

I am 6'2" and the soft top does brush the hair, that's why I keep a comb in the door pocket. The hard top gives more room, seems like a couple of inches, probably not that much but my hair does not touch. Fortunate here in that I have the top down as much as possible, even with the seat warmers on and the heat on high in cool mornings. Its a daily driver with over 55,000 and going strong. It is unlike any other car out there. Great to see people turn their heads as you drive by and I get comments about the car two or three times a week.

[Kokomo]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Hi guys (and gals)!....

I recently drove a real nice white '02 with 32,000 miles for a couple of days. The only problem (very minor) that I noticed was that my "flattop" (yeah, I'm that old) constantly brushed the soft convertable top with the seat in it's lowest position. ...
I'd appreciate any comments. Thanks.

Don

Welcome to the nest Don. Stop using the Brylcreme, that will help. Besides, you don't want oily stains on the headliner....Just kidding. I am 6' tall and I do what others suggested about reclining the seat back some. Putting the top down as often as possible is my favorite solution. I have been using retro birds as my daily driver for eight years now. Not much snow or ice to concern me down here though.

[FritsB]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Welcome to TBN Don.
I recently got an e-Mail from a Belgium T-Bird owner, who is 6'10"
He told me he took the chair out, cut off a part of the mounting frame that is underneath the chair and placed them back. Seemed to work fine. He lowered his chair with a full inch by doing so.

[Will]

Re: Daily Driver ?

cut off a part of the mounting frame that is underneath

A Procrustean solution, if there ever was one!

[5bird7]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Welcome to TBN Don.
I recently got an e-Mail from a Belgium T-Bird owner, who is 6'10"
He told me he took the chair out, cut off a part of the mounting frame that is underneath the chair and placed them back. Seemed to work fine. He lowered his chair with a full inch by doing so.

Where there's a will, there's a way, eh?!

[DonRich90]

Re: Daily Driver ?

Thanks guys for all of the positive responses. Gives me some more to think about.
The car I'm looking at was driven by the owner of the Ford dealership and well maintained and in beautiful shape. His son, the sales manager, even offered to throw in free a '93 Subie Legancy "beater" (that they're sending to auction) to drive in bad weather. Tough deal to resist but I told them I'd be back in touch this week.
Thanks again for your replies.

Don