1993 Ford Thunderbird LX review from North America

Trasmission shifted roughly when I first got it, but I had all the old tranny fluid (the stuff looked AWFUL!) purged out and replaced. THEN I had the regular transmission service where they removed the pan and cleaned the screen, replaced the gasket and stuff, and added a bottle of expensive synthetic additive (forgot the name of the stuff now).. all of that ran to around 125 bucks, but it sure did improve things DRAMATICALLY.

Another problem I had (still do have) is that the front struts did not do their job in controlling bounce. As all the shock books show the same struts for V6 and V8, I suspect that the V8 is just too heavy for the stock units... I would love to get this problem resolved if I do keep this car.

Another problem is that the front end has slop and it vibrates and pulls under braking... it is getting BAD.. the service guy would not even attempt to do a front end alignment, he told me it needs tie rod ends, but I pulled them and could not see significant wear... I am considering having the front end completely gone through hopefully with quality aftermarket and parts and struts if I can find out good source.. Anybody have some suggestions?

Basically I really love the looks and handling/performance of this generation of T Birds... so much so that I am seriously considering dumping a bunch of cash into her OR buying a later year T Bird if they are significantly better platforms to improve upon.

I want to find out the differences is between the 5.0 HO V8 and the 4.6 found in later years.. can anyone help there?

I also like the looks of later bird's front ends so much so that I am considering installing parts on my '93 to upgrade it even if I don't trade up on the whole car.

Oh yeah and the car does dribble oil, from where I'm not sure, and it does lose coolant... I'm considering "shotgunning" the whole cooling system with a new water pump, radiator, hoses and everything else involved.

E-mail me at doughcv@aol.com if you can enlighten me!