My question is if I should hang to it thinking it might really be worth something one day, or use it as a trade in on something newer?

It's a 97 thunderbird I ordered new (one owner). Now has 80,000 miles, still in great shape, 4.6 Liter, moon roof, spoiler, Runs great, Black with tan leather interior.

Looking for opinions.

 

Keep it........Really nice underrated cars, even better with the 4.6.

 

I don't know. But if they were ever going to be worth anything, don't you think that move might have started by now?

KBB shows $3500.

And they show a '97 Monte Carlo Z34 with similar equipment and miles to be worth $4500. (go figure)

So while I like those '97 'birds and considered buying one myself, they do not seem to aging well--most of the ones I see are nearing beater status, and the market does not seem to be developing for them.

If you like it and don't mind caring and feeding, drive with pride. I think they are a good compromise of ride, handling and power, decent looking and not too bad on gas for a V8.

Plus, when the OEM motor pukes, if you can, put in a 3 valve Mustang motor....serving suggestion, ymmv.

 

It depends on the buyer.

 

Really would like to keep it, but as mentioned above the value just hasn't been what I thought it would be. On the other hand all those beaters are good for me, means more parts available and fewer survivors making mine a little more rare one at a time LOL. thanks for the opinions.

 

It MIGHT be worth something one day, far in the future, like 20-30 years from now, but even then, MAYBE restored 100% being worth $10-15K with the right buyer.

I love the car. I have a '97 Cougar which is the same platform, and had a '96 t-bird. Both bought brand-new.

They turn into "beaters" because people just drive them. I take care of my Cougar, so it's still in pretty darn good shape.

They make a great platform for performance mods, but they are a little short on aftermarket parts.

Talk to Johnny Langton, he's over at tccoa.com and here at FTE, if you're interested in subframe connectors, and general all-around knowledge.

If it were me, I'd keep it - it sounds like it has the Sport Option? 16" wheels? Spoiler? Bigger front brakes?

Someday I want to do something hot with either a '97 'bird, or my Cougar. A blown 4.6L or 5.4L would be somethin'.

Rear-wheel-drive, V8. What could be any better?

 

I love my 96 T-Bird!.............Even with the 157hp 3.8 v6, it will get 32mpg on the highway, about 23 around town and will still bury the 120mph speedometer........all in a big, quiet, comfortable package, that handles like a Mustang.
Every once in a while, I will see a really nice T-bird or Cougar, but most seem to be driven by people who just don't give a crap.

 

Better, I think

The MN12 platform has a lower roof-line, which means better aerodynamics and it's less top-heavy to boot.

It's been said that the top-speed of a t-bird is higher than the Mustang of the same/close years because of that low roof-line. I know I've had an '89 3.8L up to past 120MPH, and my '96 t-bird I know I got close to 140 once or twice With plenty to spare.

IRS, rear-wheel-drive, I just love the platform. Too bad it's gone ...

If they had put the DOHC in it (thanks Lincoln for coveting it), it would have been a killer platform.

Sigh...

 

I "believe" it was called the sport option, can't remember back that far (14 years). I'm getting old....

I also have an 88 Full Size Bronco XLT I use as my daily driver with 83,000 miles on it, and a 2001 F150 ext cab XLT also with a 4.6 liter, fiberglass tonneau cover, just turned 60,000 miles, spends most of it's time in the garage.

I really don't want 4 cars. Hate to give up the F150, Bronco is fun to drive, but yet don't want to give up the bird either. Guess I need to win the Lottery.

 

I had a '94 T-bird 4.6 w/posi and yes I loved the way it handled. Trans puked at 160K, paint was flaking pretty bad, rough interior, bald tires, sold her for $500. '97 was the year to get for sure. If the book value is 3500 I don't think you'd ever get that much, for whatever reason these cars don't hold any value.

Those of you screaming along at 140 be aware the the stock driveshafts can come apart at those speeds, the Mark VIII uses an aluminum driveshaft that will fit the bird/cougar that is the one to get.

Here is a good site for MN12 info - TCCoA Forums - Powered by vBulletin

 

I loved my '95 bird with the 4.6 as well. 31 mpg's highway and all the power you need. My particular car had so many paint issues that I just let it go. I thoroughly enjoyed driving that car each and every time I got in it. I never got bored with it.

 

I had my bird re-painted a couple years back, looks like new. Aside from the bad PSOM that disabled the odometer (speedo still works great) its like showroom condition.........eh, sort of.

 

The paint was flaked off the hood, roof, and decklid on mine. If the paint had been nice I probably would have replaced the trans and kept the car.

 

Mine was a Camelion (sp) blue which was Ford's mid nineties attempt at bring back pearl paints that flip flop in the sun and particular types of light. Depending on how the light was hitting it, you could see blue, green, grey, sliver and purple reflecting in the paint. The clear coat was creping over the all the knife edges on the car after only 4K miles on the odo. She had three paint repairs and 2 complete paint jobs before I finally said enough. Ford offered to buy it back for much less than it was worth. I traded it for much more th an Ford was offering and bought my '99 Taurus wagon, the best CAR that I've ever owned.

 

If it really is in good condition, I'd do what you can to hang onto it. BTW, if you check out TCCOA or SCCOA, my screenname over there is "racecougar".