1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe from North America - Comments

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.

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

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.

I have a 88 Turbo Coupe, and I've had a few problems such as a turbo charger gone bad, a broken shifter cable, and a shot trany (not to mention the minor problems that are bound to go wrong with a car that's almost 15 years old!) However, I can't complain to much, I absolutley love this car! I haven't had any problems for awhile, which ia m suprised because I've done a number of mods. The car was quite peppy from the factory, but I knew it had a lot more potential. I've added mostly bolt on parts, but the first step was to definately junk that tired turbo with a new one with a lot more boost and bite. I've also added a new innercooler. As far as the body on my bird goes it is as close to mint as it can get. I've added a new set of rims to give it a little perk. However, I personally believe the design of the car itself is timeless. It's a 88 but I'm consatantly asked what kind of car it is and the year. When I tell people it's an 88, I'm always told it looks like a new car straight from the factory. That is a great compliment when your 88's design can still run with all the new car designs. I definatley love this car, I am always complimented on its looks and performance. The minimal problems I've had are definatley worth the attention I get in the car daily. The only people that don't like my car are the guys driving the brand new mustangs, Z28's, and Trans Ams when I tear them up on the track!!! Thanx for letting me express my love for this timeless automobile..

I got an 1988 turbo from my dads friend for 500 bucks, problem though was electrical stuff and it kicked the fans off so it got to hot and cracked the head, but I got two free... free 87 parts cars 60k miles on one and I got one from copher brothers...motor and tranny for 100 bucks one thing they didn't know is it had a brand new... BRAND NEW tranny in it, this is the best handling car I have ever driven I can take a 90 degree turn going so fast, really fun if anyone finds spare parts cars that are 88 or 87 turbo coupe email sk8fux@yahoo.com ill be glad to take them off your hands or buy.

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!!!