Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

[5bird7]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

Friend of ours drives a Toyota Camry. She bragged about how good her fairly new car was until... it konked out on them while on vacation and delayed their return home by a couple of days. Car had to be flat bedded to a dealer to get fixed. She has never bragged about that car since (she does not even bring the subject up anymore).

[My Raven]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

Same thing happened to a lady at work: I all we heard for the first few weeks was how wonderful and dependable a Honda was. She kept it less than a year. She bought a Honda Accord coupe that was a lemon. She traded it about a month ago for a new Taurus.

[Indy225]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

Funny thing happened to me as the dealership we bought our 03 bird from, took my Expedition in and had it detailed for $120.00,in and out. Went to drive it home, and she was sick,real sick! Two cop's later, got it back ran fine. It ended up costing me $500.00 from the ford dealer. total cost of the "Detail" $620.00 bucks, but boy was she clean!

[jerrym3]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

In 16,000 miles, my 03's had the parking boot repaired (it's broken again), a trans valve replaced, and a trans reflash.

I think that's pretty good.

My LS (basically the same car mechanically) has had trans issues (dealer added an additive), steering rack replaced, trans solenoid "repaired", and oxygen sensors replaced.

Car has 32,000 miles now, but hasn't had any issues since the 22,000 mile mark.

The LS hasn't been as reliable as the TBird. Luck of the draw, I guess.

[billm]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

Skip said it well.

CR has never had good press for American made autos. Very biased towards small rough-riding, underpowered tin cans from foreing countries.

I prefer my Bird, My TC and my Grand Cherokee with the Hemi!

To each his own, but the Consumer Reports has lost it's credibility.

[bwlewis]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

Indy225...most mechanics will tell you "NO water in a Ford engine compartment". You might want to find out if they pressure washed the engine during detailing, could have ruined the cops.

[mtnski]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

Today, after a long week and working the holiday, Diana and I took the TBird out to run around town. There is a JOY in driving the 02 TBird that I havn't had with any other vehicle (except my 59 TBird that I had as a teenager). Diana got out at Walmart and a Gentlemen said "Wow I didn't know they made them".

I'm not sure that CR has the JOY and WOW factor in their in there overall ratings.

My 02 has about 18,000 miles and no problems ...BUT a lot of SMILES!!!!

[EllisonCal]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

We have two cars, a 2002 Avalon (my wife's go to work Car) and my 2005 Thunderbird. The Avalon is like a refrigerator, it works, it's white, it's boring and in a couple more years we'll trade it in. The Thunderbird has SOUL, it handles like it's on rails, I drove it to California and back without anything other than a couple of oil changes. It will be in my estate!

I love my Tbird!

Cal

[summerbird]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

I bought my 2002 bird - Aug 2008. It was garage kept / (temperature and humidity controlled). Only 5,886 miles on it. Saw Consumer Reports - I weighed my options and I couldn't walk away. I have always used Consumer Reports and never been as happy with a car as I am now. The only problem (knock on wood) has been the need of a battery. I never had a car where people just walk up and start talking to you. That last person was the owner of a BMW. Wanted to buy my T-bird. He knew about the Consumer Reports rating too. It's just a nice car that makes you feel good....it's an endless summer. I'm not giving it up.

[Leroy]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

I think what the consumer report is missing is that these cars can be put under warranty very reasonably if they're not already beat up and can pass the Ford dealers inspection. Anyone buying a Tbird without passing this inspection or without a warranty, is asking for trouble becuase of the Jaguar drive train. Also I have found that insurance on this car is very reasonable compared to other V-8 powered roadsters that I have owned. In other words if someone does their homework before they buy one of these cars and takes the proper precautions, they should be fine. Leroy

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[tbird6t4]

Re: Consumer Reports Knocks the '02

I bought my 2002 bird - Aug 2008. It was garage kept / (temperature and humidity controlled). Only 5,886 miles on it. Saw Consumer Reports - I weighed my options and I couldn't walk away. I have always used Consumer Reports and never been as happy with a car as I am now. The only problem (knock on wood) has been the need of a battery. I never had a car where people just walk up and start talking to you. That last person was the owner of a BMW. Wanted to buy my T-bird. He knew about the Consumer Reports rating too. It's just a nice car that makes you feel good....it's an endless summer. I'm not giving it up.

Well said Dan!

Gord