Sold Mine!

[soldmine]

I've been following the boards for over a year. I try to post on another small board my story, but they keep deleting it without explaination so here goes.

I had my Bird for over a month. I had numerous problems with leaking, dash, etc so I finally gave up and just went back to the dealer and traded back in for guess what.... my trade! I was an expensive learning experience. Hopefully you guys won't censor my post like the other boards.

Test drive this car before you buy it, and make sure it is for you. Each to his own, I guess that is why there are so many models.

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[02birdman]

Dear Soldmine, would you mind expanding on your problems and listing the name of the dealership and contact person at the dealership to verify your story? You could have quite a story or another want to be hoaxer, seen a few come and go on the board in the last 9 months. Haven't heard of a dash problem (other than small vibration easily taken care of)or leaking problem yet. My car has neither problem, but I'm sure there must be a lemon out there maybe you got it. Please explain further.

 

[jboriott]

02Birdman - you mentioned that the dash problem (a small vibration) is easily taken care of. I started to sometimes experience a slight creeking. Please give more detail on how this can be tended to.

 

[02birdman]

jboriott, search the past posts for this problem. Just type in Dash and you will find different problems and fixes for the squeaking you are hearing.

 

[sanrafael69]

I have mine up for sale too. The boot that covers the top blew off when I was going about 60mph and almost caused several cars behind me to crack up. The dealer replaced it right away, but it gives me nothing but grief. It is extremely difficult to snap on, and when it is off there is no place to store it! What idiot designed this thing? For 40 grand, they should have a boot like the BMW. (2) The glass over the instruments is not slanted correctly and it reflects the sky when the top is down. (3.) Many times when I hit the turn signals, the **** windshield wipers turn on! (4.) The trunk lid slopes to one side. (5.) When the top is up, I bang my head getting in and out. Otherwise I like the car, but not enough to keep it.
1948 Lincoln Continental
1976 Pacer
1993 BMW station wagon

 

[leisha]

I have the windshield wiper problem!! Lucky the washers arn't set too high or I would get showered.
I have the boot cover figured out but sure would have expected Ford to have had a BETTER IDEA.
Too bad Ford doesn't have someone monitor our board! If they do they arn't getting the word back to Ford, eg, sun visors!!

 

[NMTBirdLA]

sanrafael69,

i agree that the boot could have been designed better, but after using mine for a short time, i find it very easy to install. (sometimes the fabric may need to stretch a little.)

(i would have loved a design like the bmw or the boxster.)

also, make sure that the sides of the boot are TUCKED INSIDE THE METAL PORTION OF THE CAR. i have seen many birds on the road that are not installed this way. if not tucked in, you will get severe flapping and it probably caused your boot to fly off.

tucked in, i have exceeded 100mph with no turbulence on the boot at all.

hope this helps a little.

 

[whvt01]

That turn signal/washer is getting annoying.
Know the LS had to have the same set up but
this problem did not seem to occur.

Can't say anything about the boot, its never
been on the car. Still laying on the guest
bed to keep it flat. How do you store the
thing. Was going an try to hang but can't
figure out how.

In the beginning we had talk about folks
or 6' getting in an out, so comfortable,
I was going how. I'm under 6' and bump
my head about everytime or least knock
my cap off.

Overall its a fun little car.

 

[Blue Heaven]

whvt01,
I have found the best way to store the boot is to hang it from two of the snap tabs. I have mine suspended from two large cup hooks screwed into the bottom of a shelf in my garage. Make sure you cover it with a sheet or something similar. This keeps it straight, safe and clean.

Happy motoring!

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Blue Premium w/partial accent
02 Black Taurus SE

 

[jt2233]

I have not had any trouble with the boot, or anything else on the T-Bird. I guess mine went through the quality check before delivery.

 

[wizbird]

Thank goodness I have not had any of the problems mentioned. I second one of the comments. MAKE SURE THE ENDS ARE TUCKED IN> VERY EASY TO DO > I can not believe it could blow off if properly installed. I can remove and replace mine in minutes now that I know how. I SUSPECT THAT EVEN MOST DEAlers do not know how to properly install it.So far so good. Ive had my blue Tbird since May.

Originally posted by soldmine:
I've been following the boards for over a year. I try to post on another small board my story, but they keep deleting it without explaination so here goes.

I had my Bird for over a month. I had numerous problems with leaking, dash, etc so I finally gave up and just went back to the dealer and traded back in for guess what.... my trade! I was an expensive learning experience. Hopefully you guys won't censor my post like the other boards.

Test drive this car before you buy it, and make sure it is for you. Each to his own, I guess that is why there are so many models.

-

 

[G-BIRD]

Originally posted by whvt01:
That turn signal/washer is getting annoying.
Know the LS had to have the same set up but
this problem did not seem to occur.

Can't say anything about the boot, its never
been on the car. Still laying on the guest
bed to keep it flat. How do you store the
thing. Was going an try to hang but can't
figure out how.

In the beginning we had talk about folks
or 6' getting in an out, so comfortable,
I was going how. I'm under 6' and bump
my head about everytime or least knock
my cap off.

Overall its a fun little car.

I am 6'3" and experience the difficulty in getting in. Have solved my problem bu entering head first. When getting out, I slide my butt out first. Getting quite good at it. You tall folks try this method.

As for the Boot, I was using it wrong at first and it seemed to flap alot. Then I realized the tab on the sides and the back have to go under the metal deck. After that, no problem snapping or installing. I like it's smooth, clean looks. Not familiar with the BMW system.

 

[captjim]

I shouldn't admit it, but the boot says happily in place to at least 120 mph!

Jim

PS. The reason I shouldn't admit it is that my ex-wife was on the Florida Highway Patrol.. Every billboard I see I can picture her jumping out and saying "make my day"!

 

[txktom]

As far as CV boot storage goes, I have a large sofa, and I stand the boot upright on the floor behind it. It's convenient, hidden, dust-proof, out of the way, and the cat can't scratch it. What more could you ask?

 

[NextCar]

The BMW 3-Series convertible has a hard composite
material boot hinged to the body of the
car. It raises then lowers automatically
with the operation of the power top. Completely
covers the top when down and makes for a very
finished look.

Didn't some early Thunderbird convertibles,
not necessarily the 55-57, but from
the sixties have such a system?

 

[TbirdMarty]

Nextcar;

Your right. The SquareBirds, BulletBirds, and FlairBirds had tops that retracted into the trunk. It makes for a beautiful look on the car but you can kiss your trunk space goodbye.

 

[erapp]

Originally posted by whvt01:


In the beginning we had talk about folks
or 6' getting in an out, so comfortable,
I was going how. I'm under 6' and bump
my head about everytime or least knock
my cap off..

Yeah, other than extremely crappy customer service from Ford, that's the only other problem I've had with this car - at 6', my head tends to rub on the cover of the convertible top when I'm driving with it up. (Hey, even in California it rains sometimes.)

 

[cmilesrn]

Hi

I too have a heck of a time getting that dadgum boot on. I have had the car for 2 monthes and still have not mastered this. The trick, I know, is to get those snaps lined up and I have been better by pulling our the tabs that each boot snap has and cussing them until it snaps. By then, I am covered in sweat. But I am only 5'3" and I have given myself a concussion a lot of times haha. I store the beloved boot with the hardtop. I kinda slip the bottom part under the strap and it sits straight until I am ready to use the sweet thing again. I have not had any other problems and I am in North Houston where it rains everyday. well, come to think of it, I would not know if it leaked because it does not come out of the garage when it is raining. And those turning signals I just clean my windows everytime I turn. But I am smiling all the time! Cindy

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[BotNew56]

Cindy,

I don't know if this will help, but when I put on the boot, I pull the seat forward and lean over to look at the position of the snaps to line them up. If it is a bit dark, I use a flashlight because everything is black anyway. Also someone suggested putting a small amount of white lithium grease on the bottom snap. I think that helps, too.

I also purchased the 3rd party "soft boot". I use it if I think I am going to have to remove it during a ride or trip as it stores in the trunk very well. It is a bit easier to put on, but I don't find the original boot that difficult, and it does look a bit neater.

Good luck with your boot. For myself, I have really been enjoying the top down.



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VIN 106587 White, White, with chrome hood scoop bezel