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2004 Ford Thunderbird Review
A thoroughly modern blast from the past.
2004 Thunderbird Review Summary & Specifications
The Ford Thunderbird is eye candy, a beautifully detailed car in almost every respect. Cruising along in this car can be a joyous experience.Now that the newness has worn off and there is more competition on the market, Thunderbirds can be had for much more reasonable prices than in the crazy, gotta-have-it-now first year of higher-than-sticker sale prices. Yet, compared to even the 2002 model, the latest Thunderbird offers much-improved acceleration and passing power, progressive and positive braking, and good, solid handling. It's well short of a real sports car, but it will cruise with anything out there.
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| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | Jim McCraw |
| Model Lineup | Ford Thunderbird Deluxe convertible ($36,925); Premium convertible ($38,575); Pacific Coast Roadster ($43,995) |
| Engines (standard) | 3.9-liter dohc 32-valve V8 |
| Engines (optional) | 280-hp 3.9-liter dohc 32-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | standard: ABS, front and side airbags, LATCH system child-seat anchors, all-speed traction control |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | none |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Wixom, Michigan |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-392-FORD |
| Manufacturer URL | www.fordvehicles.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 36925 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Ford Thunderbird Premium ($37,970) |
| Standard Equipment | traction control, leather seating surfaces, automatic air conditioning with dual controls, perimeter anti-theft system with Securilock, cruise control, power steering, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, power decklid release, digital clock, electric rear-window defroster, remote keyless illuminated entry system, automatic on/off headlamps with variable delay, carpeted floor mats, dual covered visor vanity mirrors, AM/FM/6-disc CD, retained accessory power, reclining front bucket seats with 6-way power driver's seat and 2-way power passenger seat, power tilt/telescope steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, storage shelf behind seats; chromed aluminum wheels |
| Destination Charge | 605 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | none |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 38575 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 280 @ 6000 |
| Torque | 286 @ 4000 |
| Fuel Economy | 17/23 |
| Wheelbase | 107.2 |
| Length/Width/Height | 186.3/72.0/52.1 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 35.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 2 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.2/53.7/42.7 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Trunk Volume | 6.9 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 1000 |
| Front Suspension | independent, upper and lower control arms, coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, upper and lower control arms, coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance | 6 |
| Curb Weight | 3780 |
| Stock Tires | P235/50R17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | 11.8-in vented disc/11.3-in vented disc with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity | 18 |
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