1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe review from North America

Accelerator would get hung up in the plush carpet when you floored it.

At 3,000 miles or so, temperature gauge showed overheat. Took dealer two weeks to fix it.

Originally, the clutch plates were defective. I went through three clutches in 40,000 miles.

I had a lot of trouble with fuel pumps. The car would cut off on me intermittently. Fuel pumps lasted only for 3 months. Five fuel pumps later, I changed the entire fuel pump assembly. Found out the wiring was bad within the housing.

Had a cracked head at 240,000 miles so I had the engine rebuilt.

Oil leaked out of the dipstick assembly if you did not push it down all the way.

I ran into a wall at around 97,000 miles. Dealer did a good job of fixing frame. Engine was fine.

Sun roof motor was intermittent, but it was after market.

In 1996 or so, anti-lock brake light came on. Brakes did not work. Changed ABS actuation assembly from with one from junkyard - did not work. My mechanic found bad wire. Brakes were still soft, but lasted all the way to the present. Original actuation assembly was probably good.

In 1998, changed transmission with one from a junkyard. It is still working.

Good acceleration with turbo.

Great highway car.

Good interior space (I am 6'2")

Unique looks were ahead of its time.

Very expensive parts, e.g. shocks, ABS,

turbocharger.

Had many problems, but also had a mechanic next door.