1987 Ford Thunderbird Reviews, Pricing & Specs

My tbird is old, she's tired, needs TLC, it's hard to find special parts like headlights and stick shift knobs n such and sometimes it's easy to hate this car because when one problem is fixed, another arises. Yet, the car keeps rolling, it's the best sounding 4 cylinder I have ever heard, the turbo adds some fun for this old Pinto engine, and It is a VERY pretty car! Previous owner didn't know how to drive stick and didn't know about 5th gear...all this explains why synchros are out in the transmission and the throwout bearing is shot. I think it's leaking under the rear window (notorious for many old cars it seems), I can't find any good headlight replacements as mine are dull and interior plastics are falling apart. Despite, all of this, she's my baby, many people I know think it's a hot car (and recognize me for the one with the old Thunderbird) and there just isn't too much to say because I think this car was very well built! My review is biased, and my car needs a lot of work done so I'm not really "experiencing" the car in all it's glory, but I can't wait to drive it again!Aug 15, 2014

I purchased my 1987 T-Bird in 1995 for a mere 5,000 deutschmarks and kept it through 2001. The Thunderbird was the base version, but that didn't show. All desirable options were present (automatic transmission, power brakes/steering/windows/seats/door locks/decklid relase, air conditioning, cruise control etc.) and they all worked fine. This was the most reliable American vehicle I had ever owned until then. Build quality was good and the materials used inside looked and felt classy. It was comparatively cheap to operate, got great gas mileage (25 mpg). The 3.8-liter V6 engine was not very responsive to gas pedal Input; 120 horsepower was adequate, but no more. 0-60 mph times averaged about 11-12 seconds, top speed was approx. 112 mph. Handling was typically American with low cornering power due to marked understeer. Steering was quick for an American car and the brakes worked quite well. It was not a sporty car by any stretch of the imagination, but a very nice, exceedingly comfortable cruiser and a very attractive car to boot. Had I not needed a four-door automobile back in 2001, I definitely would have kept the T-Bird. Instead, I sold it to a friend who's been getting many years of useful and dependable service out my good old '87 T-Bird since then. May the Bird fly for many more years to come.Apr 19, 2014

The styling of this car was way before its time. The features this car has are amazing for the year it was built and they all work. This vehicle has only left me stranded 3 times in 25 years! There are so few of these 87 Thunderbirds in our area, that I am certain when I am on the road each week, driving it around, folks don't know what it is. Yes, it gets looks and several folks have talked to me about her at the stop light. No, it is not for sale ;-). It has new paint, rebuilt transmission, and a fair amount of body work was completed before the beautiful paint job, which several body shops said that they could not match. Finally found a shop that painted it with no problem. I am a Ford Lady,, I also own a 98 Ford Explorer as well!Aug 26, 2012

While the gas mileage sucked, and it didn't do well in snow or ice because of the rear wheel drive - I LOVED this car! It was a tank! The acceleration was great, the build quality was EXCELLENT. It only needed a few small repairs over the years since it was a 1987. The car in the pictures isn't the one I had but it's the same body style. The one that I had was baby blue. Only wish it hadn't been totaled. :( Nov 06, 2009

Do not remember the original engine, it was replaced with a 3.6L W/4 barrel carb, head work and small turbo. 7 psi. Spray painted graffiti covered the outside, while a "pimp like" plush red velvet interior made it comfortable, even on the wildest nights of jumping and demolition derby via red neck race track (kudzu patch). This pic is a similar model, same year T-Bird that was involved in many dumb ideas. That's why I was working on it. Ended up breaking the crank shaft while driving. Sideways. Feb 19, 2008