Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

[jerrym3]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

Mileage is always an issue (as is time).

Things wear out and have to be replaced regardless of past care, fact of life. There's just so much preventive maintenance you can do.

Look at it this way.

You buy a 40,000 mile car, drive it for another 40,000, and the mileage is 80,000. High, but not crazy high.

But, buy a 100,000 mile car and add 40,000 more miles, you're getting way up there....

Regardless, best of luck whichever way you choose to go.

[willowshines]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

Thank you, everyone, for such thoughtful responses. With a heavy heart I called the dealership and said tear up my deposit. The place is 3 hours away, incidentally, so the idea of getting a mechanic to look at it wasn't feasible. I can't get there until tomorrow (Saturday) and the mechanics aren't open on Saturdays around there. I feel so sad!!

I don't have the budget for expensive repairs, and I fear that it's not worth the anxiety for me. Although, after reading some of the more encouraging comments, I am feeling conflicted now. That car is a dream to me... I love the looks. Call me superficial, but there you have it! I also desperately want a convertible, esp a hardtop kind. After giving up my motorcycle, I really miss riding in the open air.

:(

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

Well, just keep your eyes open and don't give up on the dream. Perhaps one will come available in Indy or in a town where one of us on TBN can check it out for you. Keep reading TBN for info on the car itself and issues that "may" come up with them.

Good luck in your search!

[Bradford]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

Keep looking and the right Thunderbird will come along. My advice is to find one a few years newer with less miles, then look for Lou Martin here on the site and he can help you get a good Ford ESP warranty at a great price. Then you can enjoy your dream car and have a piece of mind as well. There are some good prices out there on these cars if you are diligent and look.

[Rondor]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

Keep looking and the right Thunderbird will come along. My advice is to find one a few years newer with less miles, then look for Lou Martin here on the site and he can help you get a good Ford ESP warranty at a great price. Then you can enjoy your dream car and have a piece of mind as well. There are some good prices out there on these cars if you are diligent and look.

I agree, I think your savings buying at that price will dissapear quik in repair cost. While many here have and love their '02s most wewre bought new. I bought my 04 2 years ago and ruled out a used 02 early on. In the end you will be happier with a little more upfront but more security in the cars condition and warranty. No car is cheap to own today.

[merlot4]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

Thank you, everyone, for such thoughtful responses. With a heavy heart I called the dealership and said tear up my deposit. The place is 3 hours away, incidentally, so the idea of getting a mechanic to look at it wasn't feasible. I can't get there until tomorrow (Saturday) and the mechanics aren't open on Saturdays around there. I feel so sad!!

I don't have the budget for expensive repairs, and I fear that it's not worth the anxiety for me. Although, after reading some of the more encouraging comments, I am feeling conflicted now. That car is a dream to me... I love the looks. Call me superficial, but there you have it! I also desperately want a convertible, esp a hardtop kind. After giving up my motorcycle, I really miss riding in the open air.

:(

Not superficial at all, it's called passion. Happily, this isn't the only TBird, there are plenty of others out there. The price was good for the mileage, but one with fewer miles means more miles for you to put on it. Some repairs can be expensive, but it's a crap shoot as to whether they will occur. Some are a function of time -it is mechanical, and things will simply wear out. They're nice cars, but make sure you're comfortable with the possibility of repair on this, or any other car; that's part of ownership. In the meantime, it's nice to have you here, stick around.

[BUCK ROGERS]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

I had no prob with the miles but a prob with 3 Owners - I'm glad u passed.

[qruml23]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

I do not think this is a big lost ifor you f you take the wrong decision at this price. If not, it is a winner. This V8 engine is robust. I am not talking about the COPS or all parts around. You know, this car has a residual value about the parts for any replacement with the others owners. So, I do not think this is a bad decision at this price.

Have the tires and breaks check. Have also a ride to see if the steering wheel is center and check also the transmission if the shifting is good at different arm positions and look what the display is indicating on the dashboard.

Please check for any light, inside and outside including the windshield for any defect.

You know, at this price, it is not a brand new car but you can have fun driving this car if it is in good shape.

I have the same car that you are expecting for. It has 22K miles. But the price is not the same. For sure, I am spending money for it to have it in a good condition. But, I like it. It was a very nice color in 2002 only.I understand you.

[FEsTbird]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

I agree with the general gist of the group. If you really want a retro Tbird, you can look on Cars.com or similar. If you limit the miles (in the search) away from your zip code, then only the nearby cars will come up. In the meantime, you can follow the threads on Thunderbird Nest for problems that people have had. If the car is at a Ford dealer, they may be able to check the repair and service status and print it out, if the various owners have only used Ford (or Lincoln) for repairs.

[gary hauver]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

What in the h--- is a Yaris?

[qruml23]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

There is a blue Tbird 2002 same as you are looking for which is in sale in Canada with only 8K miles. Much more expensive but we never know. You might be interested if you want to make a deal.

[Allen P]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

I bought mine about 80 miles from where I live , they had 2 that were identical . Both Black (the best ones always are) and both had saddle interiors, and both had less than 20,000 miles . 2 of 513 that were built that way. My neighbor searched carmax, and found theirs in Wisconsin, with less than 8,000 miles , flew up to get it , and took a tour of the U.S. by way of the western states , and got home with 15,000 miles ! As others have posted , keep a look out, they are out there .

[bgl]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

A Yaris is a compact Toyota.

[justjon]

Re: Advice please! Am I crazy for buying this Tbird tomorrow?

What in the h--- is a Yaris?

It's the car you buy when you really want a Thunderbird.