Daily Driver?

[DonRich90]

I'm looking at a beautiful white '03 'Bird and am seriousloy considering buying it. It has 19,000 miles on it it is a one owner car and comes with both tops, cart and even has two covers (outdoor and indoor). My only problem is it would be my first T-Bird and would be my daily driver.
I'm 71 years young and retired. I drive about 8,000 miles per year (mostly local and 90% of the time I'm by myself). I'm a conservative driver and really "baby" my cars. In crappy weather I'd use my wife's Subaru so I'm not too concerned with snow, etc. Any comments on reliability or other problems would be appreciated.
Thanks for any help. I've been lurking on this great site for about a year and I thought I'd ask the "experts"

Don

[pinkilee]

Re: Daily Driver?

Get it....

[eboose7]

Re: Daily Driver?

Don, I think you'll find the Thunderbird you described well suited to your driving needs. Many on this site use their cars as daily drivers. Actually, I think you will be proud, pleased and perfectly happy about the fact that you are driving a Thunderbird everyday. It is a wonderful car, and I know that you will enjoy owning and driving it.

[DaiUyTed]

Re: Daily Driver?

You've watched this site for a year and a half, you've even posted, and you still don't know?
Welcome to a delightful dilemma, but you should read the posts again, diligently, and let your gut and/or heart guide you.
I have no clue as to what could be holding you back...

[Leroy]

Re: Daily Driver?

First thing I would do is have the car inspected by a Ford dealer to see if they'll sell you a Ford ESP Warranty. It will cost to have this done, but it's money well spent. Second, be sure you have room in your garage for the hard top when it's not on the car. If you're happy with the price and can get the warranty, go for it. Leroy

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[merlot4]

Re: Daily Driver?

I use mine as a daily driver and enjoy it. If you drive in congested traffic you might want to take a good look at the side vision to see if it's adequate for you; that's one thing that makes me a little nervous. It's a cool car and you won't see yourself coming and going. Take a look at the survey of how satisfied people are with their birds and you'll find it very positive. I agree with Leroy, get an extended Ford ESP warranty. Good luck, do what you're comfortable with.

[Southern]

Re: Daily Driver?

Bought mine about a month or so ago. It already had 31000 miles. Now it has about 32,700! I drive it more than any other car since retiring! It is my only car. I got rid of my 2008 Cad and my 2010 Mercedes GLK and this is it. To keep the evil spirits away, I bought a 4 year ESP. Usually when I buy an extended warranty, I never need it........ BTW, My birth Cert says I am 72 now. But I can drop the years merely by going for a cruise with the Beach Boys blaring!

[pinkilee]

Re: Daily Driver?

You've watched this site for a year and a half, you've even posted, and you still don't know?
Welcome to a delightful dilemma, but you should read the posts again, diligently, and let your gut and/or heart guide you.
I have no clue as to what could be holding you back...

DUH!
I couldn't have said it better...really, I couldn't, that's why my first post was so short.

[tbird05cel]

Re: Daily Driver?

Don, I drive my '05 (53K miles) every day and it keeps a smile on my face that my previous rental (2007 Ford Fusion) could not match. Go for it and Enjoy!

Charles

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Daily Driver?

Don, I drive my '05 (53K miles) every day and it keeps a smile on my face that my previous rental (2007 Ford Fusion) could not match. Go for it and Enjoy!

Charles

I know Texas is big but 53K miles every day. All kidding aside as long as
you have a back up go for the toy. Your getting the right color mine is black
clean it come back in a few hours and start all over. As Southern says put
on that fifties music and your a kid again go for it.

[BIRD 42]

Re: Daily Driver?

Dan

We bought ours in July 2008 with 36,000 it just turned 62,000 and is a daily driver. I had a heart attack in Nov 2007 (resulting in a triple by-pass) and this really improved my outlook on life. I now enjoy every day and the daily driver of the bird makes it even more so. I have retired in the last year, my company helped with the decision when they down sized over 30% - but am so happy now that they did.

There is nothing like putting the top down and going for a spin to help with your day. I totally understand those that do not use their birds as a daily driver, but in my opinion they are missing out so much by not enjoying it as often as they can.

Go for it.

Mike

[Sealy]

Re: Daily Driver?

Get yourself - - -

1. The T-Bird
2. A cell phone
3. An extended warranty

Then hit the road. And take the wife, too.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Daily Driver?

JUST GET IT AS FAST AS YOU CAN. WHISPER WHITE 2003 IS THE BEST COMBINATION GOING. I HAD ONE WITH 107,000 MILES AND IT WAS STILL GREAT. THE ONE I HAVE NOW IS UP TO 54,000 FROM 49,000 IN JUST TWO MONTHS. TRUST US ON THIS.

[pinkilee]

Re: Daily Driver?

And my personal favorite...

Look at all the friends you'll have.

[jerrym3]

Re: Daily Driver?

Don't know what kind of physical shape you're in, but make sure you are comfortable entering/exiting the car with the hardtop on (or soft top up).

I only have 17,000 on my 2003, so in my way of thinking, I'm not getting enough use out of the car.

No fault of the car. I just don't have much of a need to do a lot of long distance cruising, and when I do short cruises, I use the Galaxie mostly (shows, etc).

When my wife and I do any extended day trips (to and from daughter's house, etc), my wife's more comfortable in the LS with the A/C on, and doesn't want to ride in the Bird with the top down.

Go figure.