Newbie information needed re: hard top

[decormagic]

I'm brand new to the forum. I have always liked the Tbird, and when Ford introduced the "family Pricing" I thought I would now finally be able to afford one..... I spent 4 hours at a dealer tonight- who used the bait and switch tactic on me and I'm very frustrated.

I'm told by the "dealers" that if I don't buy a premium model, which comes with the hard top- that I won't be able to purchase a hard top separately somewhere- through Ford or otherwise for my car. Is this true?????

Do many of you with the removable hard top find that you really never use it? I was thinking it would be great for winter since I live in Maryland and we tend to have snowy winters of late.

I feel a sense of urgency to buy the car since this is the last of the cars (2005) since Ford discontinued them. I wonder if there are still plenty available at dealers or if selection is getting limited. Does anyone know how many Tbirds they made in the 2005 model year?

Thanks to all who take the time to answer my questions. I hope to soon be a Tbird owner.............. 🙂

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[Quickdraw]

decormagic,

I live in the Chicago area and I store my TBird from November until April... I took my hardtop off two+ years ago and have not had it back on since - I don't know if I will ever put it back on but then I only drive it 2,500 miles a year.

The dealer was mistaken, any Thunderbird hardtop from 2002 thru 2005 will fit and Thunderbird made those same year. It's true Ford makes you get the Premium model (heated seats, chrome wheels, etc) before you can order the hardtop from the factory.

Hard tops can regularly be found at eBay... heres one now: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4565272734

If you watch close and are patient you can get any color at a good price. I wouldn't pay over $1,600 even with hardtop stand and cover. The best deal I heard of was a Buy-It-Now black one for $1,000 that included everything. Black is the most popular color and usually brings the best price because the color goes with anything. This blue one at ebay now would cost $300-$500 to have repainted by the dealer.

A couple of notes, the 2002 hardtops have a dark charcoal headliner where the 2003-2005 is a couple of shades darker black. No one would notice it however. There is a simple adjustment at the top of the windshield header where the hardtop locater pins enter that might need a slight one-time adjustment to properly fit to a new car.

There were less than 10,000 Tbirds made for 2005 and best estimates are that about Thunderbirds 5,500 remain unsold, but that would include 2004 & maybe even 2003s.

Good luck finding what you want!

 

[JimYo]

Hard Top

They come up on E-Bay from time to time. Living in MD would indicate lots of rain and snow during the winter. I suspect that you would put the top on in November and off probably in March. I have a hard top and use it as I described above (even though I am in SC) I would get on the internet and check with FORD dealers from their inventory listing. Also Edmunds.com can give you an idea about prices. I suspect as the inventory runs out the dealers will deal less with you, so do a 100 mile local dealer scan at FORD.COM, see what they have, and work them against one another for price. Edmunds.com will list the current cash backs that you might get in addition to the FAMILY PlAN. Good luck, and get a top for the winter.. its a different car with the top, and looks great both ways..
Jim

 

[George]

Jim's correct. I live in MA and top is on late fall until early spring. Plenty of hardtops available....If you have a hardtop and do not use it, it's still a good for a sales pitch, if you sell your car. If you tradeyour car, keep the top and sell it separately, since the dealers low ball you on trades.

Availability on new Birds - Plenty around, if your willing to shop. In the early days that was one way to find them. I found mine in Maine and had my dealer have them ship it down to MA, if they wanted the sale, but nothing over sticker. It worked for me.
BTW, some dealers are trying the $5000 over sticker again, saying it's the last year, a collectors item etc. It's all nonsense 🙁
You can still pick the color you want so get on it and keep us informed. 😀

 

[00mustng]

.....our 'Bird is our daily driver.....and we get plenty of winter here....but we also like the hardtop because when it's on it transforms the car.....almost like owning 2 cars.....If you think you get looks with the top down....we find we get more with the hardtop on....It creates a great profile.....Don't let the dealer pressure you.....stay in control and don't let them make you blink first....maybe you should approach another dealer....

 

[The Flash]

Off and on with electric winch

I live in Las Vegas. I put the hard top on mid to late Nov. and remove it late Feb.
The car is much quieter with the top on but it does have a whislte at about 85 mph. I have repaired.

I have an electric winch mounted in the ceiling and use suction cups, like the ones for moving windows, and lift the top on or off with no help. Cost about $70 .

The Flash

 

[Frodo]

Hardtop gotta have it!!!

I live in Houston where I do the opposite of the northern bird owners. My top goes on May 15th and off mid September. Then it is top down season here. The hard top really helps keep the car cool in the 100 degree summers here. I see some convertable owners driving with the top down and windows up plus AC in the 100 degree heat. This is not fun. Hard top really gives you two cars. The car actually looks better and gets more looks with the hardtop on. Don't buy a bird without it or getting one later.