1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6L

Summary:

I love it more than any car I have owned

Faults:

Paint was redone in 2007 due to oxidation.

Replaced intake gasket and hose at 100,000 miles.

General Comments:

V-8 is very peppy and responds well to my heavy foot. Fuel economy is not too bad. Averaging 25 mpg.

Handles like a true sports car. I love to drive it on winding roads, as it hugs the curves very well.

Interior is comfortable if you are in the front. Back seat is really cramped.

Not a good car on wet or icy roads. Too much power to the rear wheels.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 2009

1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 Liter

Summary:

If you can find one cheap, and in good shape buy it!

Faults:

Brakes/Rotors at 125,000.

Thermostat at 126,000.

Fuel Pump/Strainer/Fuel Filter at 136,000.

Transmission developed a shudder at 90,000 miles. It is starting to hang at 137,000.

Paint was oxidized when I bought it. Paint faded.

Power Antennq doesn't go down.

Cruise Control & Horn fuse blew constantly.

General Comments:

I bought this car at 80,000 miles for 1600 and drove it back and forth to Lancaster, PA from Sunbury, PA every week for two years. As well as driving to work. Now I drive it to work and around.

Car has exceptional handling for such a large car. The car is extremely driver comfortable and the seats rock. Extremely comfortable car, if you are the driver. It sucks for a passenger though.

The 3.8L is a little bit of a gas hog for it's horsepower/torque. Car doesn't accelerate fast enough.

Engine is amazing, I never had a problem with the engine it's always been the transmission.

This has been the best car I've ever owned, and only recently have things gone wrong with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th June, 2008

6th Nov 2008, 05:28

Could you provide details on:

"Pump/Strainer/Fuel Filter at 136,000."

I have a chronic lean condition in a 94 Thunderbird LX.

I have fixed PCV vacuum leak, changed fuel filter, cleaned MAF, cleaned/tested/inspected the entire EGR system from exhaust manifold to and including the ports in the intake manifold, inspected and tested all temp sensors, and the last time I checked the fuel pressure it was on the weak side of the spec. Also the check valve in the fuel pump seems to lose pressure on cold start up.

I talked to the parts store and they said the fuel pump is not a big seller.

Before I go through the hassle of dropping the tank, I would like to know if anybody else has had this problem.

Thank You.

1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6L

Summary:

Wish Ford still manufactured this car

General Comments:

The only items I have had to replace are the spark plugs and wires. This car is by far one of the best cars I have ever owned. Comfort, reliable, great fuel mileage and a look this is still an eye catcher. I have always like mid sized coupes and really wish Ford had not dropped this body style for the retro two seater. Today, Ford does not make a coupe that attracts me, so with the miles I have on this car, I can either find a new engine and trans or go to another manufacture. I will probably opt for the engine and trans. No question in my mind, best mid sized luxury car of the 90's.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st December, 2006

1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6

Summary:

Still fun and very hard to convince yourself to get a new car after this one

Faults:

The Transmission's torque converter went bad at 150,000 miles.

I also had the hinge break on the drivers door at 200,000 miles and a water pump go at 190,000.

All told I figure I have put maybe $2,500 into this car over the 11 years I have owned it.

General Comments:

Still a fast and very fun car to drive after 11 years.

Corners like a moose and nose dives severely when braking heavy.

Very comfortable interior and great dash, but lousy idea for the cupholder (it's in the center console's arm rest).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th October, 2005

1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8

Summary:

This model is infamous for unreliability.

Faults:

The head gaskets blew at 202,000 miles. This is a typical 3.8 problem that I have found out about the hard way. I bought a 1994 Lincoln with the same engine and it blew gaskets this week (101,000 miles) as well.

The air conditioning leaked badly and quit altogether. A/C flywheel seized up on the highway making a mess of the serpentine belt.

Driver's door lock mechanism broke and fell inside door. Now we have to open car from passenger side.

General Comments:

A very comfortable car for the few months I had it. Gave it to my sister and she has had all the above problems.

From the testimonies I've seen on the web, this engine was one of the worst ever made.

Now we have two head gasket repair jobs to pay for, at $1000-$1500 each, or junk the cars.

If it weren't for the reliability issues with the 3.8 V-6 engines, these cars (94 T-bird and 94 Continental) would probably hold their values a lot better. At this point, it makes little financial sense to repair either.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th March, 2005

20th Mar 2005, 13:12

Don't spend any more money on this brick. Send it to the

Big Junkyard down below.

16th Oct 2009, 09:31

The mileage is right for blowing a head gasket on almost any car... when you bought it, it was a ten year old car though. Needing these kinds of repairs is not uncommon for any vehicle to need it. If you haven't scrapped or junked it yet though, go ahead and do not get the gasket job done. Instead go to a junk yard, find a 5.0 Mustang and take the transmission and motor from that since either way, it will cost you the same amount, might as well get some more power out of it.