Taurus review includes the Tbird

[5bird7]

In early June of 2001, journalists were given the opportunity to drive the Thunderbird and give their reviews on it. Of the reviews I've read on the internet and magazines, none had mentioned the heating problem this reporter said were found during that test run. It's just a couple of lines in this report on the Taurus (which is quite favorable for the Taurus).
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/au.../17taurus.html

If his report was accurate, I just wonder why the cars were released to shipping in July and early August in the first place when the problem had not been fixed yet.

Just another insight into the early production of the 2002 Thunderbird.

[Harry's Platinum 04]

Re: Taurus review includes the Tbird

Dot--i don't know about the accuracy of the heating problems reported on the early Birds, but as the owner of a 2010 SHO, I can assure you that everything he reports about the Taurus SHO is very conservative and completely accurate!
Harry

[DavidA]

Re: Taurus review includes the Tbird

That is very interesting Dot. That is really the 1st time I have ever seen anything in print about that other than what we all read and posted back then.

You may remember that my car was one of those taken back to the factory. It was first delivered to the dealer in late July or early August, (have chosen to forget this incident), and never taken off the truck. I was there expecting to take it home that day, only to have to wait until October to finally get it.

[5bird7]

Re: Taurus review includes the Tbird

Makes one wonder if Ford had some censoring power with the journalists that took those test drives back then?

We've gone over the 10,000 ft pass in Colorado (I think it's on hwy 50) and never found the Tbird struggling to get over it so whatever problem that journalist experienced certainly was fixed before final deliveries were made for the early (2001) tbirds.

[5bird7]

Re: Taurus review includes the Tbird

I decided to do a search on Jerry Garrett and see if I could find anything he had written about the Thunderbird back then. Well, it led me to another thread here on TBN where someone quoted him:

Jerry Garrett
SignOnSanDiego.com, July 28, 2001

"The idea behind the new Thunderbird -- and, happily, a lot of new Ford models -- is "to make cars that make people smile," Gioia says. The new 'Bird does do that. Aside from its pleasing styling, the new 'Bird is a blast to drive -- and a real attention-getter. Whether you have the top down, or the porthole-equipped convertible hardtop in place, onlookers unfailingly signal their approval as you pass."

I'm still looking for other quotes/articles