Should I?

[Davvyjay]

I bought my '03 last August and love it. I now find myself looking over ads for older Birds (like the early-mid sixties) and am half-tempted to sell the '03 and go for one of those. For the same money, I could have a true classic in pristine condition. Some may think I'd be a heretic, but what would you do? On the other hand, I don't want something to have to spend time working on (like I did with my '68 Firebird: traded it for $300 in 1974), or my '70 Nova SS (sold it for $1500). If it'd be reliable, who wouldn't want one of those old Birds? Or, should I just quit whining and be happy with what I've got? Just can't stop dreaming...

[EBird]

Re: Should I?

It's always nice to have something that you could drive.

Keep the retro..the Best of Both worlds.

[5bird7]

Re: Should I?

reliabilty is probably the key question here. If you plan to drive any car that age, it will have parts fail on it a lot oftener than you'd like. We can usually go quite a few miles 15K to 20K with no problems on our 57 but George has spent mny hours under the hood and on the ground keeping it in shape. We don't mind going cross country in it as long as George is in the car but I wouldn't do it on my own.

[Birdlover]

Re: Should I?

Dave,
I agree with Ed and Dot. I always wanted a '55 or a '61 but having the retrobird and knowing I can drive it anytime with almost no worry of breakdown on the road, I love the retrobird. It would still be nice to have the '55 or '61 but I know I could not drive it like my '03. We have a '50 Buick which has been pretty dependable, but when we take it out there is always the question of whether we will always make it home.
Richard

[Borla Babe]

Re: Should I?

I bought my '03 last August and love it. I now find myself looking over ads for older Birds (like the early-mid sixties) and am half-tempted to sell the '03 and go for one of those. For the same money, I could have a true classic in pristine condition. Some may think I'd be a heretic, but what would you do? On the other hand, I don't want something to have to spend time working on (like I did with my '68 Firebird: traded it for $300 in 1974), or my '70 Nova SS (sold it for $1500). If it'd be reliable, who wouldn't want one of those old Birds? Or, should I just quit whining and be happy with what I've got? Just can't stop dreaming...

Well, since you asked............
You've owned the car 4 or 5 months and you are already thinking about getting rid of it? Obviously, you don't "love it".
Yes, you should get rid of it, allow someone else the opportunity to own, appreciate and drive that beautiful car.
Good luck in whatever decision you make.

[Wyo_Bird]

Re: Should I?

Owning a classic always looks like fun.
That is until something goes wrong.
I have a 1964 Galaxie that looks great,but the older I get the less I want to work on it.
Its a lot easier to get in the 04 and go for a drive without worrying about something going wrong.

[tbird6t4]

Re: Should I?

Owning a classic always looks like fun.
That is until something goes wrong.
I have a 1964 Galaxie that looks great,but the older I get the less I want to work on it.
Its a lot easier to get in the 04 and go for a drive without worrying about something going wrong.

I have to agree with Bill and the others I have a 1964 Thunderbird that I have owned for 42 years and it is in beautiful shape but there is always that nagging question as Dot stated so well........will we make it back?

It seems lately that every time I take it out on the road there is another problem as with any 45 year old vehicle and she has come home on a flatbed quite a few times in the last year or two.

An old saying: "Be careful what you wish for you may just get it !!!"

I find that the RetroBird is so easy to drive with all the modern ammenities and yet has that classic head turning style and if given the choice of having to sell one and keep the other..........I would keep the RetroBird.

Good luck in what ever you decide to do.

Gord

[Sumerbird]

Re: Should I?

Dave, I told you once before get the BORLA and the K&N Cold air intake you will appreciate the proformance and that Borla sound ...read all the posts on the two parts on the Thunderbird Nest.
Ron

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Should I?

Keep your 03 Thunderbird as I think you'll get far more use out of it. If you want a classic, then save the money and buy one too.

I've had as many as 3 classic vehicles at one time in addition to our daily drivers. The last one was a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle that was a rust free Nevada car that I restored in 1998/1999. My Thunderbirds are basically weekend toys but I still put on a lot more mileage on them than I ever did in 10 years of ownership with the Beetle. It was great for car club cruises and car shows but after about 5-6 years, I got a bit bored spending a weekend sitting in a parking lot to win a plastic trophy. During the last 4 years of ownership it barely left the garage.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Should I?

Hey Dave. I agree with the other's here. However, if you own your home, can you say Equity Loan. KEEP YOUR NEW BIRD. If indeed you love her. You will never find a replacement for your first love, and you will surely miss her once shes gone. But with little or no cash out of your pocket, you can get an older Bird, to play with in the Garage, over and over again. Not to be driven frequently though, as mentioned above, every drive is an adventure. Trust me on that one. I have two classic's, never know what to expect, except that it will be another labor (but for me, one of love) one the return trip.

[Davvyjay]

Re: Should I?

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the advice. In the back of my mind I knew it would be better to keep my '03 (which I will!).

[Ediron]

Re: Should I?

I guess the reasons stated is why we don't see to many classics on the road.They do look great in car shows and are driven right back home.