Drive it or store it??

[Lonestar]

Re: Drive it or store it??

A lot of people have watched way too much Barrett-Jackson and developed visions of making a killing in a matter of 5 years with a low mileage, non-titled, etc. 02-05 Thunderbird. A lot of people on this site have benefited by from this be getting a very low mileage Thunderbird for no more than market price from people who obviously felt their Thunderbird would be worth 6 figures within 5 years.

At the end of the day all 02-05 Thunderbirds are the same save maybe the NM, 007, Cashmere, or Inca. There are no real special editions like 50 made with turbo charges or something like. Thus, nothing really makes one Thunderbird stand out from the other.

As with all cars, there will be an appreciation in the future for an all original low mileage car but the key word is "future". A 60s Shelby GT500KR was just a POS used car in the 70s and 80s. It was not until the 90s, after most of them had become wheels on Ford vans, before their value skyrocketed. A 02-05 Thunderbird is no 60s Shelby GT500KR or '67 427 435HP Corvette and never will be.

[Treken]

Re: Drive it or store it??

A lot of people have watched way too much Barrett-Jackson and developed visions of making a killing in a matter of 5 years with a low mileage, non-titled, etc. 02-05 Thunderbird. A lot of people on this site have benefited by from this be getting a very low mileage Thunderbird for no more than market price from people who obviously felt their Thunderbird would be worth 6 figures within 5 years.

At the end of the day all 02-05 Thunderbirds are the same save maybe the NM, 007, Cashmere, or Inca. There are no real special editions like 50 made with turbo charges or something like. Thus, nothing really makes one Thunderbird stand out from the other.

As with all cars, there will be an appreciation in the future for an all original low mileage car but the key word is "future". A 60s Shelby GT500KR was just a POS used car in the 70s and 80s. It was not until the 90s, after most of them had become wheels on Ford vans, before their value skyrocketed. A 02-05 Thunderbird is no 60s Shelby GT500KR or '67 427 435HP Corvette and never will be.

Well put, and as far as our cars go, one of the coolest cars on the road today to drive for the price we payed...

I remember when my dad bought a 1976 Eldorado, last of the American convertibles. They were going for almost double the retail price before production ended. He would not sell it and kept it mint, until they started selling the convertibles again and the price value dropped.

We will be in our graves before they are worth more than we payed for them...

[15AGAIN]

Re: Drive it or store it??

As you can see by where I have been, my answer is to drive it. I have close to 100K miles on 15AGAIN and have enjoyed seeing many places and traveling with and meeting friends.

[FUN X 3]

Re: Drive it or store it??

Drive it until the wheels fall off!

95,700 smiles and counting...

[islandtime]

Re: Drive it or store it??

What's the point of saving it for someone else to drive and enjoy after you're gone? You're missing a lot of smiles, enjoyment, satisfaction and fun, fun, fun! Don't be on your deathbed saying, "if only I had..." To quote R Crowe (from "Mickey"), "I'd rather regret the things I've done, than the things I didn't do."

[eboose7]

Re: Drive it or store it??

You may not want to drive it daily. But I suspect that a good compromise would be to drive it occasionally to keep the mileage low, while avoiding the problems associated with letting it sit in storage full time. That way you can enjoy it and maintain the resale value. As others have said, it will be sometime in the future before our cars see an appreciable increase in value, if then. And that is what I am doing right now--and will continue doing so. I drive about 3,500 miles a year.

[bronzebird]

Re: Drive it or store it??

Don:

If you don't choose to drive it... sell it, so someone else can get the enjoyment out of using the car.

Don't plan on making a killing on your investment however.

Bronzebird

[007Cruiser]

Re: Drive it or store it??

Think of it this way. Would you spend thousands for a lavish wedding then not go on the honeymoon?

[Gobird]

Re: Drive it or store it??

My 02 has over 63,000 on it. Drive it and come to some TBN Events.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Drive it or store it??

Don,
You are located in GA. A great place to live and be within a days drive to many of our TBN Events. If you really want to double your fun then join the group of TBNers and true Thunderbird wackos and drive to these week-end gatherings. Then store it until the next time. Get involved and learn to enjoy driving. See some of the modifications we make on our cars, see how many places on the Bird where you can attach a T-Bird logo and hear what a pack of Borla exhaust systems sound like in a 30 car caravan lead by someone like DavidA or Paul (real experience...not the sound by just hoping you don't get lost). Check out the TBN Gallery to see pics of past events and check the TBN Homepage to see what is being planned.

[Salprint]

Re: Drive it or store it??

When I had my PCR I used it on nice days and weekends, but I had another car as a daily driver. I say use it....but not ALL the time. Keep it nice, Keep it out of bad weather and enjoy it much as you can.

[AZTB]

Re: Drive it or store it??

What's the point of saving it for someone else to drive and enjoy after you're gone? You're missing a lot of smiles, enjoyment, satisfaction and fun, fun, fun! Don't be on your deathbed saying, "if only I had..." To quote R Crowe (from "Mickey"), "I'd rather regret the things I've done, than the things I didn't do."

WORD!

[FritsB]

Re: Drive it or store it??

Don, Ford did not make any ads about storing it. Drive it and let your stories begin..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUvdK...eature=related

[R-04-Merlot]

Re: Drive it or store it??

Mine was my daily driver for more than 4 years. I usually drive the car once a week now. I'd drive it every day but my commute doubled and I drive through a large section of highway with a high accident rate and 38 traffic lights.

The more I drive my merlot beauty the more I want to drive it. Get in and go.

[Ski]

Re: Drive it or store it??

Mine is not my daily drive but I drive her at least once and week and put almost 1,000 miles on this trip to Thunder Blues alone. It's a great car to drive and you can meet the most terrific people at our events - local or long-distance. Have a blast while you can.