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I have a decision to make within the next day or so. To buy or not to buy. I am considering the purchase of a 2002 252 hp Thunderbird. I know that 2002 is the only year with the 252 hp V8. For 2003 onward it was 280 hp with more torque plus a lower top gear OD and a different rear differential ratio. I know how the hp increase was accomplished (electronic throttle control and variable cam timing) but I want to know if this was also done to correct some technical problem with the first V8 offered in the Thunderbird. If so what is the problem with the 252 hp engine and how do I fix it? Can a 252 hp engine be easily modified to have the same output as the 2003-2005 engines? How would one do that? Would it be advisable while leaving the transmission and rear differential untouched? Please advise asap: citronrd@libero.it
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Is it really necessary to make three threads for the same topic? -
Re: Help!
STOP WORRYING AND BUY.02 Nieman Marcus-SS htp-f/sil. #165 - 21 states-DC
02 TB-TB htp-p/blue acc.-Nancy Gioia-28 states-DC
03 007-Coral htp-f/white acc. #468 7 states
03 WW-WW htp-p/red 8 states
04 VMG-VMG htp-p/white - 20 states-DC
04 Merlot- Merlot htp-sand- B. Grassnig-48 states-DC
04 TR-TR htp-blk 20 states-DC
04 LIB-LIB htp-p/white 16 states-DC
05 Cashmere htp-stone #408 21 states-DC
05 Dusk Rose-DR htp-cashmere seats - 48&DC
05 IG-IG htp-p/white #82 - 48&DCComment
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Actually, the 2002 has more torwue than the later years. The engine was changed because it followed the Lincoln LS and for no other reason. The ONLY reason to thnk about going for the later cars rather than the 2002 is the COPS warranty from Ford. The 2002 is not covered while the others are covered for 100000 miles.
Don't over-think this and buy what you want. They are at bargain prices now.Unbelivable TBN trips including ALL of the lower 48 States plus 9
Canadian Provinces, 8 European Countries, 3 Caribbean Countries, Countless National Parks and have attended well over 100 TBN Events since 2001 and counting. Best of all ... fabulous friends.Comment
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It comes down to the color you like best along with the milage and price. Don't worry about HP, there isn't that much difference.They are Here. Scotty, beam me up!IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE
Visit the TBN Store
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Looks like your looking for a performance car if that's the case you got wrong car to
begin with. The retro bird is just a Lincoln LS sedan with ten inches removed and two seats. If you want a nice soft ride,comfortable cruiser your okay. It seems that year
doesn't mean that much a 2002 with 10K will sell for more than a 2003 with 50K. As far
as the COPS warranty on the 03-05 seems their the ones with the problem not the 02. If the 02 and the 03 are equal color,mileage,condition and so on I would say its
a coin toss.Comment
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(the 02s have as many problems with the cops as the 03s and up)
see the poll: http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ad.php?t=19993Limited Edition databases for 007 msg..#26 , PCR sticky, and Cashmere msg.#64
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Porthole Authority
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Be careful what you are telling prospective buyers, you are passing on false information. The 02's have the exact same COP problem as the 03-05's. Ford is only extending the warranty to the 03-05 owners.Originally posted by Peterfurlan View PostComment
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What is the COPS warranty?Comment
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Thanks. I realize the retro Thunderbird (and the first ones in the 50s) were not and are not now sports cars. They a boulevard cruisers in a very attractive package. I own and have owned a number of true performance sports cars (1964 Lotus Super 7 is just one of them). My only concern with the modification of the engine in 2003 was the question of why they did it ... whether or not they were correcting some other problem not mentioned in the ads. Now I have an explanation that makes some sense. Thank you.Originally posted by Peterfurlan View PostComment
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COPS failures on the '03-'05 Birds are covered for 10 years, 100,000 miles.Comment
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Another difference is 2002 models use hydraulic cooling fan motors while later years have electric fan motors. You can search for problems members have had with the hydraulic cooling fan motors.Comment
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Hey Richard!
Here is my two cents worth. Bought my '02 first, then a year later bought a second T-Bird ('05) just for performance and investment. But I do like my '02 the best. The 03-05 also have higher compression and a upgraded intake plenum. The '03-'05 have a bit better pick-up over the long-run. It's no different than choosing from two fine wines. The new engine was a performance upgrade. The '02 engine is very sound and fine.Comment
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Don't want to mislead anyone this is only my opinion based on what I haveOriginally posted by Borla Babe View Post
read on these posts. It seems I see a lot of comments from 02 owners of no
problems (Ref: Ken9949) for one.
Does anyone actually know what the COPS problem is I have seen a lot
of assumptions but nothing factual. I'm quite sure Ford knows what the
problem is and if it were the same on 02 thru 05 they would have covered
all years. Again only my opinion.Comment
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