1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 V6 from North America

Summary:

Looks, and feels good, but a pricey Fix

Faults:

Cracked Water pump.

Engine shook, told me I needed platinum spark plugs. Feeding me BS? Shaking stopped, but resumed 6 months later.

Cracked serpentine belt.

Had to replace brake pads and rotors.

Starter died at 110,000 miles.

Battery died at 108,000.

Replaced one turn signal.

Had to get new tires within first 9 months of ownership.

All this within the first 12 months of owner ship from 2003.

General Comments:

Have driven it almost every week from San Diego County to LA county, drove it twice to Las Vegas and then I drove it cross country from California to Florida (2,500 miles).Didn`t break down.

300 miles to a full tank.

Engine still shakes.

Water cooler still loses water.

Still have an over heating problem.

Accelerator sticking.

Has problems starting on certain days.

Very comfortable.

Plenty of room.

Looks good.

A/C doesn`t work well.

Paint still good as new.

Been hit three times on the rear left bumper and only a indention. Built like a tank.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th June, 2004

1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 3.8 from North America

Summary:

A nice-looking, comfortable and highly reliable car

Faults:

The head gasket blew in 2001, but it was my fault.

The radiator was replaced in 2001.

General Comments:

I should have replaced the radiator in late 2000. I let it go and kept putting water in it (procrastinator). One night the smoke came and then the temperature hand went straight to red hot. I shut the car off and pulled off the road immediately, but it was too late. I really don't think that this would have ever happened if I had fixed my radiator when I should have. After fixing my radiator, I had no more problems with this car. I love the layout of the dash and interior and I have thoroughly enjoyed it this car. I am sad to be letting it go. I'd really like to keep it and see just how many miles it will go... maybe I will. I'm about to buy a smaller 4-door car because I have such a long commute to work and I have a baby now. My man also thinks that my beloved Thunderbird might fail me soon. I honestly don't agree.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th April, 2004

1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 Liter V8 from North America

Summary:

The Mustang GT's big brother

Faults:

Power steering pump froze and cracked twice, resulting in total loss of fluid.

Ongoing mild coolant leaks.

"Check Engine" light keeps going on.

105mph limiter really doesn't do the v8 justice.

General Comments:

Handles amazingly compared to other cars I've driven.

Excellent acceleration, but the tranny is definitely built for old people.

Obvious cues of the lincoln mark viii in the dash, not always a good thing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th March, 2004

1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6 V8 from North America

Summary:

With the right modifications I will love it even more

Faults:

Carbon build up in intake.

Noisy belt tensioner pulley bearings.

Sway bar links replaced.

U-joints replaced.

Headlight lenses faded yellow and leaked.

Front seat trim cracked.

General Comments:

This car has never failed to get me where I'm going in style.

The leather and power options make me feel comfy.

It's surprisingly quick.

The suspension is a little soft for me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th February, 2004

1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6L V8 from North America

Summary:

Nice driving lemon

Faults:

Purchased the car with only 100000 kilometers (62000 miles). I bought it during cold weather, so it seemed to function properly. Once the weather warmed up the transmission started slipping. For now I just drive the car on cold days, till I can find a replacement transmission at a reasonable cost... the Ford dealer wanted $2800 for a rebuilt unit. Now the car runs rough on acceleration, so I probably need a sensor or two.

General Comments:

I loved Fords in the past, but this hunk of junk has totally turned me off of Fords, and a certain Ford dealer in Belleville Ontario. My previous Pontiac Grand Am Quad 4 was also a nightmare, so I think I'll buy an import next... hopefully in the near future when I get the chance to unload this lemon onto someone at a big loss to me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th February, 2004

21st Apr 2004, 08:55

The transmission normally needs a filter and complete fluid change at about 80,000, then it's like new again. Do a fluid change every 30 or 40,000 to be safe, it's only about $60 to do it.

The "mass flow air sensor" goes bad at 75,000 on some of these, as a test, unplug it and the computer goes into a default table mode, if it runs better and shifts better, you know what's wrong. This should be a $20 part, but you have to buy the whole metal thing, I think that needs a recall of it's own. I have been running without it connected for 30,000 miles now, just as a test of course.

28th Dec 2010, 17:48

I have a 94 Ford T-Bird with only 70,000 miles on it (it's 2010 now), and this car is useless. The transmission sucks! It's not from lack of care, but rather from a lack of good design!! The paint is cheap and faded, despite being parked in a garage most of its life. Many plastic parts within the car have randomly broke off for no reason. Not to mention the thousands of dollars I've put into replacing parts that never should've been broken to begin with! GRRRRR!!!

For anyone who doesn't know FORD stands for... it stands for FIX OR REPAIR DAILY! There's a reason this stupid company almost went bankrupt... everything besides their F-150 trucks is absolute crap.