T-Bird questions

[MERCMAN]

I am considering trading my Blackwood for a '03 T-bird. The Blackwood has 40K on the clock. The T-birds seem to be holding value much better than than the truck. Only 3200 Blackwoods were produced and the T-bird I am considering is only one of 117 produced in that color. The wife likes the bird and I really don't need 2 trucks. This will be a pleasure car only, not a DD. Any late model T-Bird owners out there?

[Merc-O-matic]

I am considering trading my Blackwood for a '03 T-bird. The Blackwood has 40K on the clock. The T-birds seem to be holding value much better than than the truck. Only 3200 Blackwoods were produced and the T-bird I am considering is only one of 117 produced in that color. The wife likes the bird and I really don't need 2 trucks. This will be a pleasure car only, not a DD. Any late model T-Bird owners out there?

I have 2004 Platium Silver T-Bird....love the car!
What do you want to know?

[ntd]

I don't own one but I have worked on several. They are nothing more than a convertible Lincoln LS(aka Lucifer's sedan) With all the same electrical and trans problems. The main electrical problem is RF interference across the module network from the coil's, coolant control valve, or the electronic parking brake module all of which are expensive. You can get anything from light's that do whatever they want or the parking brake setting itself. The trans will crack intermediate or overdrive bands and the servos due to the aluminum case being worn down from the steel servo's causing internal pressure loss. I warn everyone buy the PREMIUM FORD ESP or look at a different car. My 2 cents take it or leave it but you have been warned

[Merc-O-matic]

I don't own one but I have worked on several. They are nothing more than a convertible Lincoln LS(aka Lucifer's sedan) With all the same electrical and trans problems. The main electrical problem is RF interference across the module network from the coil's, coolant control valve, or the electronic parking brake module all of which are expensive. You can get anything from light's that do whatever they want or the parking brake setting itself. The trans will crack intermediate or overdrive bands and the servos due to the aluminum case being worn down from the steel servo's causing internal pressure loss. I warn everyone buy the PREMIUM FORD ESP or look at a different car. My 2 cents take it or leave it but you have been warned

Mine runs great has 20K on it...never been in the shop or had any problems.
Never been touched by the "nerds" at the dealer ship. And yes,
I change my own oil. And, you can keep your ESP.. place it where the sun don't shine!

Gotta Love It!

[MERCMAN]

Thanls for the input, I have to check and see if I can even fit in one. I am looking at an '04 with 7,000 miles on it

[ntd]

Mine runs great has 20K on it...never been in the shop or had any problems.
Never been touched by the "nerds" at the dealer ship. And yes,
I change my own oil. And, you can keep your ESP.. place it where the sun don't shine!

Gotta Love It!

Yours still has low miles give it time. I didn't call you names but I'm sure you'll be begging one of us dealer ship "nerds" to fix it when you have a problem and after you blow all your money at an aftermarket shop and then they say, " your going to have to take that to the dealership." Gotta Love It right?

[a_d_a_m]

Al gives his cars better care than anyone I know, so if a T-bird is destined for a clean service history, it would be his...

[Green96]

I have an LS. I love the car, but it does have some quirks. The T-Bird has the same motor and trans as far as I know. The 03 and later LS has a drive by wire throttle setup that leaves a lot to be desired. It is very slow to respond to the point that it makes it feel like a turbo with a lot of lag. The transmission shift schedule is also not the greatest. It is easily confused, and cannot pick a gear.

I know this all sounded bad, but I wanted a sporty RWD 4-door sedan as my daily driver and I do like the car in spite of the quirks. Good luck.

[ntd]

I have an LS. I love the car, but it does have some quirks. The T-Bird has the same motor and trans as far as I know. The 03 and later LS has a drive by wire throttle setup that leaves a lot to be desired. It is very slow to respond to the point that it makes it feel like a turbo with a lot of lag. The transmission shift schedule is also not the greatest. It is easily confused, and cannot pick a gear.

I know this all sounded bad, but I wanted a sporty RWD 4-door sedan as my daily driver and I do like the car in spite of the quirks. Good luck.

I agree 100% I love the LS/T-Bird platform the handling is great, performance is good like all vehicles they have there problems. Keep in mind at the dealership I only see them when they are broken but these seem to have more problems than most and parts cost alot more. Shop wisely and check the service history, pm me the vin # and I can check Oasis

[SpartaPerformance]

I've never encountered these nightmares with either LS's or T-Birds, infact I have a customer with an 03 LS-E with over 60k and it has been trouble free.

[Blackened300a]

Paul's LSE has some transmission issues and something with the traction control that caused the light to come on. He had it serviced and they ended up cracking his rear bumper.

[RoyLPita]

Dan, Marauderman got a 2005 for his wife.

Just in case, run an OASIS report for the one that you are looking into.

[Vortex]

I always thought those T-Birds looked pretty good. Ill take a black one with a white top pleeze.

Actually, when they came out I went and looked at them; the seat didnt go back far enough for me so my head was hitting the roof or damn near looking out over the windshield when the top was off (I felt like Jaws in the James Bond movies). Nice cars though.

[fastblackmerc]

Dan, Marauderman got a 2005 for his wife.

Just in case, run an OASIS report for the one that you are looking into.

+1 Check with Marauderman.

[SC Cheesehead]

Thanls for the input, I have to check and see if I can even fit in one. I am looking at an '04 with 7,000 miles on it

I looked at one a while back, and this was an issue for me. IIRC, I wasn't real comfortable in it, tight fit.