1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe 2.3l I4 turbo/intercooled from North America

Summary:

Cheap, fast and assembled very poorly

Faults:

Heater core.

Power windows.

Head gasket.

General Comments:

I got this car for $100, it was a great deal. It ran great for a couple months then the head gasket went on it and I sold it for $400.

It did leak a lot of oil and it was very cold because the heater didn't work, but other than that it was a very comfortable car. I tried to find another one but they're not that easy to come by. Oh well, one day I will find one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th February, 2001

13th Jan 2024, 22:39

What do you expect for a 100 dollars?

1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe 2.3 turbo from North America

Summary:

The '88 Turbo has tremendous power and comfort, but needs a lot of attention

Faults:

The ABS was a big problem, mainly with the cost and availability of parts. Then the turbo went out and the electronics thereafter.

In all the car requires a lot of tender loving attention. The thing is too sophisticated for the average shade tree mechanic.

I love the performance and gas mileage. I now own a 2000 Monte Carlo SuperSport because that's the closest thing that matches the '88 Turbo. I kept the turbo inspite of the problems. It's too good a car not to own.

The parts are rare and expensive, so it's more for a hobby than depending on it for everyday use.

General Comments:

If you can afford it, the car is greater than most others I've owned or driven.

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

Review Date: 14th December, 2000

4th Jan 2001, 11:13

Hi, I have an 88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. Good car?..... well now let's see. It has and it hasn't.

Since the day I got it, it has this problem that when it gets warm, it starts to jerk (almost feels like driving through large puddles). The jerking does not affect the turbo, speedometer, cruise, or revs. Any suggestions????

Another problem is my e-brake. The red light indicating that it is on will come on without warning when I am driving and the e-brake isn't on! Then sometimes when I go to press the e-brake, and the red light does not appear, it makes a loud buzzing noise at me (very annoying).

Also, just recently, I was driving, backed out of my driveway, and it stalled, I restarted it, then I got to a stop sign and it happened again. Same story at a set of lights. This time when I went to restart it, it barely started, and then started to blow black smoke. I forgot to mention, that during this whole time, it was jerking severely - worse than any other time. Then my revs started fluctuating badly from 2-4, this kept happening while I couldn't go over 20. I finally got to where I was going (with great difficulty, and feeling very embarrased because my car was blowing black smoke), and I shut it off.

When I went to start it about 4 hours later, it started and ran fine. A few days later I went on a trip to a town 2 hours away from my home town, and back. It ran fine, until I stopped to drop my friend off, then when trying to speed back up, I went to shift into 4th, and I could go no faster and my rev's wouldn't move, so I shifted back down to third, and drove like that for a while until I couldn't any longer, then shifted into 4th again. It did the same thing, until I drove like that for about a minute. All of a sudden my turbo seemed to kick in and I took off - weird hey? Anyways, if you might know what was wrong email me at heidikooistra@hotmail.com

Other than those weird problems, I like my car, cause it's got kick, and it gets me where I want to go (most of the time) hehehe.

11th Oct 2004, 16:10

I have a 87 turbo bird, this ride rules the world! this whip is wicked fast it's a real pleasure to drive.I've put 17 by 9" cobra r rims on har and she looks just smokin!!!