It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. April 09, 2011, 09:19:41 AM As many of you know I've had a lot of problems with the Thunderbird lately. I bought the car when I was 15 and for 5 years have worked tooth and nail on the car just to make it down the street one more day. On the flipside, because of this, I've saved a ton of money and now can buy something new and reliable. I've made a decision, and I'm going to pick the new car up today. I stripped everything re-usable(except the deck lid spoiler) off the car last night. I took a serious look at it a week ago, the frame rails on the passenger side are bad. The inside was replaced by a family friend, but now the outside(closest) to the strut is on borrowed time. The passenger floor boards are going, and I "replaced" the best a backyard mechanic can, the driver side ones last spring. The car needs a complete new suspension, an oil pan, possibly a rebuilt(getting blowby at hard acceleration), it's just too much. I bought the car off my grandmother before she passed in early 2006. I beat the bag out of the car in highschool for 3 years, put an 87 t-bird 5.0 in it, and beat on it some more for another year. I got picked on for the "old shiznit-box quite a bit, until my junior year one of the yuppie kids with his dad's infinity shot his mouth off, and wanted a burnout competition. I wound that little v6 up so high I thought it was going to blow; the whole car was shaking and rattling and begging me to stop, but I just kept tapping the brakes with my right foot to the floor. It's wasn't spectacular, but it left some rubber(from both wheels) and was marvelous in comparison to the infinities little tire chirp. From the on, "the kids car, had balls"./end digressThen I used it everyday for a daily driver for about a year, babying it. She's been good to me, all in all, I can't complain. For a 24/25 year old car that was only a daily driver to begin with, it's been good. I've driven it through the ringer and back, and it's taken it, but it's tired. I'll still be on the forum, selling parts, keeping up with the latest news; you guys are sort of like a family to me. Many of you have helped me out at all times of the night, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Without you guys, It'd still be fumbling around in the darkness trying to make heads or tails out of anything. I've learned a lot from you guys. THANK YOU ALL, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.I've put the shiznittiest tires on the car I could find, and about a mile from the dealer there is a nice little section of the road where there is never anyone else, and this old girl is going to be all warmed up and have one last "reckless" hoorah. I've never just gone hog wild on it, I'm not expecting much out of it, but I gotta know. I know I'll find a really nice rust free 87-88 Turbo Coupe or an 88 v8 sport somewhere down the line. I'll post pictures of the new car later, if I can wipe the tears from my eyes long enough. Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #1 – April 09, 2011, 09:35:37 AM It's gotta be hard, getting rid of a car that you have been through so much with. I remember when I had to let my first 20th go,, I cried, there's no shame in it when it comes to our cars lol. These cars are much more fun when you don't have to keep them alive for a DD, when you can just work on them when you have the time/money, I am slowly coming to that realization myself. Whatever car you chose to get, you will always be comparing it in some way to the 'Ol bird... which will make you miss it even more. Just stick around bud, you'll be back in a fox in no time. Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #2 – April 09, 2011, 11:15:32 AM Three words: You'll have another.Hey man, sometimes you gotta go without to appreciate. I've had 2 3.8 cars, I especially feel your pain.Finding a Sport is the best way...if you can find one cheap enough and ain't rusted all to hell and gone... Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #3 – April 09, 2011, 11:23:15 AM Quote from: 20thanniver-ls;357574It's gotta be hard.It was a labor of love I tell ya. Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;357581Three words: You'll have another.Hey man, sometimes you gotta go without to appreciate. I've had 2 3.8 cars, I especially feel your pain.Finding a Sport is the best way...if you can find one cheap enough and ain't rusted all to hell and gone...The 3.8 was a dog. But it ran "okay" and got me from point A to B, slowly. Ironically enough the new car is a 3.8 too, but it's night and day. I'll post pictures tonight. It'd take another turbo coupe though, if it were a 5 speed, low miles, rust free and stock. But a Sport is the way to go, drop a 5.0HO in it without any modifications, and good to go. Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #4 – April 09, 2011, 11:31:38 AM I'm guessing you went with a Genesis then? Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #5 – April 09, 2011, 03:34:31 PM Quote from: RunninWild;357587I'm guessing you went with a Genesis then?Haha. Correct. I just tried to upload pictures, but my computer is having some issues. Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #6 – April 09, 2011, 05:33:15 PM Well if it was all rusted out then it had to be done. Nothing to be ashamed of. Good luck finding another one:cool: Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #7 – April 09, 2011, 06:02:06 PM Sorry to hear that. If you ever need to work on one your always welcome to come to my house and work on mine :) Glad I go to see it before it left. Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #8 – April 09, 2011, 07:23:15 PM How do you like the Genesis? don't grind the gears to much! Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #9 – April 09, 2011, 10:07:33 PM LOL. Not interested in a custom SN95 mustang because they are every where/every body has them however has no problem dropping 20+Gs on Hyundai. Just busting your balls man. I hope you got the "good" one, you love it and it treats you right. Let me know when you want to line 'em up @ the track. Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #10 – April 11, 2011, 08:03:36 PM I'll post some interior pictures when I take some. It's dark out. Quote from: thewestie;357609Sorry to hear that. If you ever need to work on one your always welcome to come to my house and work on mine :) Glad I go to see it before it left.She wasn’t much to look at anymore, but I tried to keep her going. I might take you up on working on yours. . Are you still needing those parts!? I’ve texted you a couple times, no response. I still have a bunch of other parts, if you’re needing anything. The car at this point was just too far gone to be safe. Hell, it was too far gone when I bought it. But you know about rust, lol. Both cars next to each other at the dealer. The ford was stripped as far as I could. The only things I didn't take were the turbo coupe bumper and the rear decklid spoiler. The rust was bad. Quote from: RareBreed 5.0;357615How do you like the Genesis? don't grind the gears to much! I haven't had problems with the transmission in the Genesis. It did come with a 10year/100kmile bumper to bumper warranty direct through Hyundai, so if I have any problems, it’s covered. Quote from: shame302;357621LOL. Not interested in a custom SN95 mustang because they are every where/every body has them however has no problem dropping 20+Gs on Hyundai. Just busting your balls man. I hope you got the "good" one, you love it and it treats you right. Let me know when you want to line 'em up @ the track. Haha. Spending money on the car wasn’t a concern, I just couldn’t do the $35,000 for a Camaro. Well I couldn’t and not be able to drive it comfortably every day. Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #11 – April 11, 2011, 08:08:39 PM Cool . enjoy your new ride :)btw when you post up some more pics I want to see at least one of the Continental in the back ground Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #12 – April 11, 2011, 08:11:51 PM Quote from: hypostang;357753Cool . enjoy your new ride :)btw when you post up some more pics I want to see at least one of the Continental in the back ground deal, nice eyes. And just so you guys are aware, my plate say "TOFAST". I delete it only because it's posted on photobucket, but I thought you all might get a kick out of it. Had it for a couple of years now, it's really for the oldsmobile, but I can't get classic car insurance yet. Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #13 – April 11, 2011, 09:45:43 PM Yea I still need them the dash has been soaking up some sun with a vasiline coat its nice and soft. Stop by after work Ill be in the garage every night this week. Bring the car it looks nice Quote Selected
It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. Reply #14 – April 11, 2011, 09:55:33 PM In the pics your T-bird doesn't look to be in that bad of shape. Pictures can hide a lot though...Seems like a nice new ride. I hope you have better luck with your new car than I'm having. I've just been hit in the rear bumper for the second time in the 3 months I've owned the Focus... Quote Selected
Topic: It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. (Read 2003 times)
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Topic: It's the end of an Era, the Dawning of a New Decade. (Read 2003 times)
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