1997 Ford Thunderbird Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Ford Thunderbird in this generation is a very nice mix of performance, luxury, and style. They can be relatively inexpensive if you look around and get lucky. I drive this one daily, and as mentioned before it is fun to drive, comfortable, and gets excellent fuel economy all things considered. I do all of my own "routine" maintenance, and do it with basic hand tools and several specialized tools I have either built or purchased. Costs for most parts such as spark plugs, belt, idler pulleys, starter, alternator, radiator, filters, plug wires, are all within reason. Jan 24, 2015

Takes off like a rocket, there's a reason why they put these engines in police cars. Bought this new in 97 and the body style still looks great. The factory spoiler completes the look. Maintenance is more than reasonable. Put the best speed rated tires on this and in your rear view mirror watch whoever tries to keep up with you on the turns slide off the roadway. Comfortable Leather seats make long rides a joy. Reliable, easy on gas 23mpg overall and a trunk that can hold a boatload of stuff. This car is still going strong at over 200,000 miles. I think I'll keep it.Oct 15, 2011

It's a solid car. Under the hood, it packs a 4.6L fuel-injected V8 that, when it was made, put out around 205hp and 290tq. Luckily for me, it's not stock. The best estimate is that it's churning out close to 210hp and 300+ tq, thanks to a cold-air intake, true-dual Flowmasters exhaust, and Superchips Performance programming. It cost me about $2300 when I got it, and has since cost me over a grand in performance parts and maintenance. It sucks gas if your foot is in it.Jun 30, 2010

Performance - Same engine as a Mustang GT of the same year but since it is a heavier car and the engine is detuned some it does not accelerate as quickly. Build Quality - Car has the standard suspension rattles of a 130,000 mile car. Appearance - One of Fords sleekest designs that has aged well. Cost of Ownership - 17-19 MPG city/24-26 MPG highway. Relatively low maintenance costs. Fun Factor -I love driving this carDec 20, 2009

good car for 350 bucks. runs good with the 4.6l v8 engine option. sets you back in your seat even with 2.73 gears in the rear end. gotta give it credit i guess for having 139,000 miles on the modular v8. it should have quite a bit left in it. ...well maybe. i need to go a little easier on it if i want it to last. my ram air hood is my favorite part of this car. it gives it the agressive looks..so much for a sleeper grandma looking carNov 11, 2008

I bought it for a little under $6,000 with it having no more than 87k miles. Which I think that it was an amazing deal. I have had no problems with it. The Thunderbird has been on of the best cars I have drove/owned. It's performance is outstanding. The brakes and acceleration are a little touchy but I'd rather them be a little touchy then be hard as hell to push. On average I can get a good 25 mpg. I'm not going to lie I have raced a dozen and a half times and I've only lost to handle full. Those that have beat me were customized though so they had an advantage. Aug 23, 2008

First Car I ever had, Didn't really know much about them at the time. Now I can say this is a Solidly built car with little to no maintenance...at least with this one. V8 is a mustang killer :) Very fun car to drive. Great first car. Plan on buying another black one someday, love this vehicle, only had to replace the tires in the 2.5 years i had it....sadly I crashed it may it rust in peace... Wonderful car! Aug 14, 2008

This car means alot to me and i plan on restoring it one day. I have rode in this car since i was 10 years old and i never thought i would actually own it one day!! It was my aunts car and she passed away from cancer in 2005. I was 14 and 2 years away from my license!! I remember being so excited that i might actually get to drive it!! My dad used it as a commuter car for those 2 years and put just over 25,000 miles on it.(when he got it it had about 75,000 miles) So after i got my license it was mine and i have been loving those Mustang V8 ponies ever since. The car isnt perfect with a big rust spot on the wheel well and the rocker panels are rusting as well. There are multiple dents and scratches. (NONE CAUSED BY ME) Both bumpers (front and back) arent in good shape. One of the cruise switches is broken off but it still works!! Overall the car has been reliable besides an ignition problem, roll bar problem (CAUSED BY ME DOING PWERSLIDES IN MY MIDDLE SCHOOL PARKING LOT...LOL) and a possible valve problem. This is a car i will hang on to forever and someday restore it to what it once was but for now nothing is planned. It is fast thanks to the Mustang V8 and coners well thanks to the Sport Tuned Suspension but its less than appealing from the outside, in the condition it is now!!! FUN CAR TO DRIVE AND PAMPERS YOU LIKE A BABY!!! DID I MENTION ITS REAR WEEL DRIVE....HAHAHAHA GREAT CAR!! Jul 17, 2008

Purchased this car new when I was 19. It was (in my opinion) one of the best values for the dollar. Plenty of horsepower and torque. It had four wheel independant suspension with four wheel disk brakes. Cornered wonderfully. Drove the car over 100k miles prior to selling it. I regret that decision every day. The only thing that I wish it came with, was a manual transmission 18mpg city 25 highwayJul 02, 2008

Aw, c'min. A 97 Ford TBord LX (Royal Metalic Blue) is in a class by itself. Maybe no the best car on the market that year, but pretty near. The styling is the thing -- inside and out. Inside, I love that curved dash panel on the passenger side. It is a six cyl, of course, and that;s a lot of hustle or the styling. I also have tinted windows which gives it more class. I recently has an accident with my TBird and the right rear quarter panel was basked in. That, and the need for a new hood would cost me over $8,000 bucks because the car was deemed Oct 03, 2006