1997 Ford Thunderbird 4.6 V8 from North America

Summary:

Very good car, but watch out for the front end

Faults:

I have replaced almost every part in the front end in 2014 before 120000 miles.

Alternator, starter, and battery recently after 140000 miles.

General Comments:

The Ford Thunderbird is without a doubt the best Ford vehicle I have ever owned. This car still keeps up and passes newer vehicles well, and the gas mileage is very good also for the V8 engine. Over 20 for sure.

The only big issue with this car was having to replace the front end parts; ended up being very expensive and took 3 trips to get it correct. I only paid for the 1st trip.

The best part about this car is the way it corners and handles; it is very agile feeling.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th May, 2016

29th May 2016, 02:30

What did you have to replace in the front end?

In reply to 29th May 2016, 02:30

4th Jun 2016, 18:22

Struts, control arms, ball joints, tie rods, and the drag links. These issues were most likely caused by the age of the car.

The part that upset me was making repeated trips after getting the car back due to dealing with a horrible mechanic. I told him I just wanted the car to not have steering issues, make clunking noises, and drive straight; told them to fix whatever it takes and they obviously did not. The tie rods and drag links were fixed last because the car still made clunking noises while steering and it also wandered a little bit.

Luckily for me the car has been great since this fiasco, I guess it is common for the control arms and ball joints to wear out.

In reply to 4th Jun 2016, 18:22

5th Jun 2016, 22:05

Ball joints on most Fords from that era were very common to be replaced. The original equipped are non-serviceable. At least Moog aftermarkets (the only replacement brand that are any good) have fittings so they can be greased and last a lot longer.

In reply to 4th Jun 2016, 18:22

16th Sep 2016, 14:32

I also have the problem with the struts and the wandering, a little to the right. I have put a couple hundred in this car. But I still love it.

1997 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6L V8 from North America

Summary:

I enjoyed the time I spent driving it

Faults:

Alternator, starter, ignition coils, oil and trans pan have been fixed over the time I have had the bird.

Needs suspension work in the front end.

General Comments:

I love this car so much and am sad to park it. For a Ford, this car has been a fun and fast one for the money. The V8 is very spunky along with the auto trans paired to it. The gas mileage is actually very good also. 18-27 MPG.

The V8 still starts right up and burns no oil, the trans shifts smooth, but the suspension is giving up. The rubber pieces are giving out on the suspension parts. I might fix it, but I might get a new car. Still love this and recommend buying one with low miles and service records. Oh and I just maintain it by changing the fluids on time. The trans and engine are built tough in this one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th February, 2016

27th Feb 2016, 03:21

The '94-'97 Thunderbird is my favorite car of all time. I remember sitting on my grandfather's lap in 1997 when he brought his home, brand new. I loved the curvature of the dash and how everything was aimed ergonomically toward the driver. I graduate from college in 70 days, and I'm looking for jobs in usability testing and in human factors/ergonomics, all because I ever sat in a '97 Thunderbird. I've never found a car that quite sparks my interest like this style T-Bird.

In reply to 27th Feb 2016, 03:21

28th Feb 2016, 06:08

Ford was on to something with this car. Not perfect, but close enough, where its charm would overwhelm its negatives. Good car.

1st Oct 2026, 00:04

This is a comment to a very old post.

I praise the owner for changing fluids, very important to the engine longevity and transmission operation.

However, there is much more to car care. Shock absorbers, belts, brake pads and callipers, batteries, generators, radios, windshields, fuel pumps and rubber bushings are part of it.

What? Repairs are bad and a sign of a bad car?

I don't think so.

In reply to 1st Oct 2026, 00:04

5th Oct 2026, 22:19

Windshields and radios replacement are part of regular car care?

I don't think so.

In reply to 5th Oct 2026, 22:19

13th Oct 2026, 02:47

Radios aren't their own feature anymore. They now are a part of the Touchscreen dashboard mounted computer that controls everything, which have a tendency to fail to the point where nothing works. But yes it wasn't routine maintenance on a car like the T-Bird on review.

In reply to 13th Oct 2026, 02:47

21st Oct 2026, 03:29

Way too many unnecessary features on those screens make them very confusing. I like having my radio, A/C controls, warning lights/gauges all in different places in my older daily instead of them being cramped in one complex screen monitor.