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Posted: 04/19/05
09:41 AM
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In my car reviews, I always make sure to make comparisons with competing models, but I've been informed that this excerpt from my upcoming Ford Thunderbird piece is too harsh.
You may recall that the most recent car to wear the Thunderbird name had a starting price of 18 grand in 1997. It is now $38,500. No, inflation hasn’t been that bad, Ford has just lost it. The thing is, all roadsters are gas-powered toys with the same abilities – room enough for two humans, plus a six-pack in the trunk – making comparisons across the price spectrum pretty valid. At the Thunderbird’s price point sits the faster, nimbler, more prestigious, and more enjoyable Porsche Boxster and Mercedes SLK350. Most of those qualities hold true for the BMW Z4 and Nissan 350Z, which cost thousands less. There’s also the BMW 325CiC, which adds the practicality of a back seat to the mix. But let’s say foreign cars are out of the question, eight cylinders are mandatory, and whatever you drive has to be a historical icon. Sorry, the Thunderbird still ain’t safe. The Corvette’s mark on culture runs just as deep (just replace Beach Boys and George Lucas with Prince and Mark Hamill), it blows the T-bird out of the sky with an extra 120 horsepower, and drives better at any speed. Vettes cost more, but wouldn’t you rather spend 50 grand on substance than 40 on style?
Any opinions? Disagreements with the conclusion? Was I not fair? Would anyone here take a T-bird over a Bimmer/Benz/Porsche/Vette?
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blitwack
User
| Posts: 103
| Joined: 01/05
Posted: 04/19/05
10:03 AM
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I think reviews like this are left to companies that aren't so directly involved in selling cars like Motor Trend and whatnot. Look at new car test drive, those guys can't find a bad thing to say about any car.
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yub
New User
| Posts: 22
| Joined: 04/05
Posted: 04/22/05
01:11 PM
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I think the thunderbird is the type of car that people fall in love with the idea... Not so much the car.
My neighbor across the street drives one on the weekends when she isnt driving her Toyota Prius, or chasing her little ankle biting chi wa wa.
Really I think the thunderbird competes with other cars that pull the same cord, I am sure she thought about buying a bug, the V8 means nothihng to her, nor does the thought of a Boxster. :-S
I think you get the idea...
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Gah
New User
| Posts: 16
| Joined: 04/05
Posted: 04/22/05
02:26 PM
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Yea I think all the other cars you listed each have a distinct styling and different type of appeal. While many car enthusiasts have primary concerns of horse power and luxury, status icons, etc would more than likely choose a porshce, vette, benz. I agree that the thunderbird is overpriced int it's own right of what I'd be getting from the car for the dollar, but probably wouldn't compare it to those other manufacturers. Plus the thunderbird is supposed to have more of old styled modeling right? Not many other new cars like that today look like that and I think people from that generation or into that generation are why they find it so appealing and willing to pay that price tag. Just my 2 cents.
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