1993 Ford Thunderbird L X review from North America
"Nice car to look at, but a nightmare to own"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Well lets start with coolant system. There seems to be a major problem here. Temperature gauge jumps all over the place, from reading dead cold to almost overheating point.
I am also having problems with the heating system in this car. This vehicle seems to have a mind of its own. Going from freezing cold, after running for 20 minutes. Then suddenly the temperature gauge will rise sharply to a point of almost going off the scale. After dropping to normal, there may finally be a little heat. There seems to be some kind of air-lock problem with the system that I can't figure out.
General comments?
Now let me move on to something else that has been bothering me. The electrical system is very unstable is this car. The mirror switch does not work properly moving in the "out" or "down" positions on either side of the vehicle. The fog lamps switch flickers when you try to turn them on, but will not come on, and when it does only one fog lamp lights up.
The power seat on the drivers side of the car does not move forward, but will move in any other direction.
Interior light does not come on when the driver's side door is opened from the inside, but does from the passengers side. Passenger side door lock also does not work when trying to lock the car from that side.
Finally the radio seems to have an awful problem with static through it.
One good thing I must say about this car is that it handles well under heavy torque, and it also rides smoothly with its independent suspension.
Recommended reviews
| Sweeeeeeeet |
| Expensive to maintain, always has something wrong |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1993 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 243345 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 244122 kilometres |
| Previous car | Ford Taurus |
| Date of Entry | 29th December, 2003 |