Ford Thunderbird?

scupking · Dec 6, 2007

I was looking at a few explores this past week and unfortunately they both sold before I got to take a look at them. I recently found a 1984 thunderbird for $400. Yes it has almost 200k on it but it looks to be in good shape. This is what it lists.

V8 5.0 liter automatic
195k miles original engine runs great
cloth interior excellent
new parts: water pump & timing chain & ignition coil
black/grey two-tone paint
4 snow tires

the98stang · Dec 6, 2007

Isn't this suppose to be your winter beater? A RWD car isn't the best in snow. Keep searching for 4WD trucks/SUV's if your going to be driving in the snow.

scupking · Dec 6, 2007

the98stang said:
Isn't this suppose to be your winter beater? A RWD car isn't the best in snow. Keep searching for 4WD trucks/SUV's if your going to be driving in the snow.

I know RWD isn't best in the snow. I drove the stang the last 2 years in the snow with know problems. The T-Bird is almost 4,000lbs plus has narrow tires compared to the stang and I love the 83-86 T-Birds. The only issue is If I got the T-Bird I know I would want to mod it.

TGJ · Dec 6, 2007

A 1984 Ford TBird is based on the Fox chassis that the Mustang was. That model is not 4000 lbs, it is not much heavier than a Fox Mustang.

scupking · Dec 6, 2007

TGJ said:
A 1984 Ford TBird is based on the Fox chassis that the Mustang was. That model is not 4000 lbs, it is not much heavier than a Fox Mustang.

N/V it was the 2002-05 T-Birds that where over 3,700 lbs.

4.6andSlicks · Dec 6, 2007

I had a '92 Thunderbird that I drove every winter for a decade. I put studded snow tires on it and it still sucked when the weather got bad.

EPIK · Dec 6, 2007

96 T Bird was the 1st V8 I ever drove...It had the same good old non PI 4.6 in it...It was a very comfortable car...Over the years my mom had 3 different ones. I would definately have one of those for a dd, but not an 84...

But for a winter car DD where it snows, a RWD 5.0 anything doesnt sound like a good idea to me

Mike97gt · Dec 7, 2007

Only thing more fun than a RWD beater in the winter is a 4X4 beater.. I used have a lot of fun with my T-bird in the snow.. Sure it sucked in the snow but it was a lot of fun in snowy parking lots late at night.. Looking back on it I am shocked I never rolled that thing..

Jacob_Royer · Dec 7, 2007

T birds suck in the snow... Expecially when they have ALOT of tourque (see mods on mine in signature) it sucks in the friggin rain...... Get a FWD honda, toyota, nissan, subaru somthing like that cheap, dependable and good in the snow.. easy to replace if you crash it..

BurningRubber · Dec 7, 2007

Go buy a 91+ Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0 I-6. Cheap as hell and dependable, will last forever. If you really do this, try and nab one with the better 4wd system. The NP-242 transfer case has a part time (can drive on dry road) option as well as a full time (offroad only).

Most of them have the NP-231 which can be used in snow and ice, but not rain or dry roads.

2000fordstanggt · Dec 7, 2007

if the cars clean go for it. well, even if its just mechanically solid go for it. you already know how to drive it in the snow! throw some weight in the trunk and youre good to go.

scupking · Dec 7, 2007

Yeah, as much as I would like to build up an old 83-86 T-bird you guys are right and I should stick with getting a 4x4. The search continues, plus I want all my mod money going into the stang. Have lots to do come spring.

streethorse · Dec 7, 2007

Keep looking for a 4x4 explorer, I had a 96 4x4 explorer at one time and was
schocked at how good it was on our ice storms we get here once or twice a year.
I had goodyear all terain tires on it and that biotch would hardly slide at all.

SilverBullet00 · Dec 7, 2007

A buddy of mine has a 95 t bird and it drove amazing in the snow last year with new all season tires. My car would get stuck on a flat, icy surface...

TGJ · Dec 7, 2007

I *hate* to be rude...

Talking about 89 - 97 TBirds are completely different than the 8x - 88 Fox TBirds. The cars handle different and there is nothing really similar between them. They are completly different chassis and everything.

The above is worse than me asking how a 96 Mustang GT handles the snow and everybody that has experience with S197 Mustang's answering the question.

Personally, I have driven for many winters, a friend's 87 Cougar with a 5.0L, Trak-Lok rear end and winter tires. That car would go through just about anything a Saskatchewan winter could throw at it.

If the car is in good mechanical shape and not the greatest cosmetic, it would be a decent beater. If the car is in real good shape externally, well you may not want to wreck by making it a beater.

scupking · Dec 7, 2007

TGJ said:
I *hate* to be rude...

Talking about 89 - 97 TBirds are completely different than the 8x - 88 Fox TBirds. The cars handle different and there is nothing really similar between them. They are completly different chassis and everything.

The above is worse than me asking how a 96 Mustang GT handles the snow and everybody that has experience with S197 Mustang's answering the question.

Personally, I have driven for many winters, a friend's 87 Cougar with a 5.0L, Trak-Lok rear end and winter tires. That car would go through just about anything a Saskatchewan winter could throw at it.

If the car is in good mechanical shape and not the greatest cosmetic, it would be a decent beater. If the car is in real good shape externally, well you may not want to wreck by making it a beater.

The guy got back to me and said it’s still for sale. He says there’s a little rust on the rocker panels, gas gauge and speedometer work when they want to, passenger side heater fan doesn't work (or something like that) needs a new rear break line but he say the engine runs great. Comes with 4 winter tires on it.

TGJ · Dec 7, 2007

scupking said:
The guy got back to me and said it’s still for sale. He says there’s a little rust on the rocker panels, gas gauge and speedometer work when they want to, passenger side heater fan doesn't work (or something like that) needs a new rear break line but he say the engine runs great. Comes with 4 winter tires on it.

Car sounds like it might make a good beater. Depends on how much the repairs will cost you...

scupking · Dec 7, 2007

TGJ said:
Car sounds like it might make a good beater. Depends on how much the repairs will cost you...

I just looked up parts for the 83-88 T-Birds and man are they cheap.

Ford Thunderbird?

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