The wife came across a widow friends deceased husbands car for sale. Its been in the garage since he kacked 5 years ago. Condition unknown other than its a 1988 Turbo Thunderbird. Considering looking at it strictly as a flip, so I can get on with my continued search "for the right one"... Any ideas on values or is it a total POS? Just grabbed a google pic (not her vehicle!) as a ferinstance... ws
If it's nice, they're becoming somewhat collectible. 2.3L 4 banger turbo, 5 speed, Fox body platform (same as 5.0 Mustangs). I personally really dig them, great looking and handling cars. Pretty quick for the time. There's a mint one here that is actually that same color as the one in photo for $6,000, and I think that's probably about top of the market if you find a guy really looking for one....Probably put it out there for $3500 if it's nice and it'd turn.
If it needs an ABS pump, walk away. Rock hard brake pedal that wont stop the car=ABS pump. Price out one'a them...plus all the rusted brake line you gotta take off'n it. When I worked for a Ford garage, if one of those came in with a bad abs pump, you were gonna be out at least a grand (mid nineties dollars), and they discontinued them as soon as they could. kinda cool car with lots of buttons to push that don't work.
I drove one of these cars for days back in the mid 80's. Since it was a company car, (maintenance?) I had to add 2 quarts of oil and reconnect a vacuum line. Car was pale blue. Rode very well and the turbo worked well - fast. The only thing u had to observer was, if u drove the car hard, u had to let it idle for a short period of time to cool down the turbo.
Rented a 1987 T-bird in 1989. Car was so much more solid than my poor-build-quality 87 GN. Then again, I still have the GN.
I drove an '87 T-Bird with the base 5.0 back in high school and college...still miss it. Loved watching Glidden on TV when I was a kid, too. Dad was always a Ford guy, so I grew up as a Ford kid. A Turbo T-Bird is one of my favorite '80s cars; if I ever get into an unlimited storage situation...you never know!
Gotta feeling this is gonna be a barn find deal. The Gal has OCD and has been told by the city to clean up around her house, AND one or both of the garage doors are busted. Then the car may be buried, more than likely with the DOA battery still hooked up. I guess it all depends if TPIR (the price is right)... C'MONNNNN DOWN ! Ill take door #3... ws
I had one of these back in the day and it was a total POS. I blew out the rear, Turbo is a joke, rides like a boat in bad weather and I had a hard time unloading it. I would never buy one again. Some parts for these cars can be difficult to get and somewhat expensive.
If I can pick it up for $500 and flip it for 2K Ill be all right. Some people actually like dodges too LOL. ws
The wife hits me up with a local "for sale" on the local screen.. a 4 piece KNIPEX plier set; 12" slip joints, needle nose Linemans pliers and a side cutter all "like new" for $25. Made the 1500hrs arrangement for a pick up and the guy calls back and says a pal offered him more. Better luck next time eh? Found another contender for $1800.00. Wrong motor (missing serpentine drive) and a cruddy paint job (steering column etc). Thoughts? ws
Have you renewed your membership to "Mullets R' Us" this year? .....That looks like it is probably just a regular old Berlinetta 6 banger with a center bolt 350 swapped in from here buddy.
MULLET... what a tag!I guess the decades are showing LOL... didnt even dawn on me it couldve been a 6 banger. I kin omajun Billy Bobs contemporary install on the rest. Looks like the AC and heater was doleeted too! ws