Overview & Reviews

The Thunderbird receives few updates this year. A revised center console, a few new colors, and standard four-wheel disc brakes are the big news for 1997.

• Lincoln Mark VIII style and performance on a Ford Contour budget. This is the perfect car for closet enthusiasts who need a car that is more mature than the Mustang.

• The Thunderbird seriously needs a complete redesign. After eight years, the body is looking a little long-in-tooth.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 51.00

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  Great first car for the price - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By Ominous - May 29 - 1:14 am

  Very helpful hint here! Only use supreme with the car. I get around 20 mpg city! I think its worth it. Bought the car with 57,000 miles on it and runs great. The person I bought it from did not take good care of the vehicle but I have. The car is fun to drive and kinda fast. The car is really heavy though. Other than that the comfort of the leather seats and the handling is great. I can take turns at 60 mph with ease. Great car overall and I am planning on improving it even more

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  3 TIMES A CHARM - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By MIASTYLE/MIAYAYO - July 28 - 9:30 pm

  this is my 3rd T-Bird, 93,96 now a 97, i have literally taking this car around the country and back. i keep up with the oil, tires, sparkplugs, suspension, oil again b.c thats the best thing you can do, i just recently changed my manifold, break booster, starter, belts, bearings in the differential. i want this car to last another 5 years, currently i am at 140k mi, as long as you stay up on the maintenance @ ALL TIMES, you will be good to go, hiway gas mi is great, city mi is terrible, not to mention a lot of the work can be done urself if you have the time and tools, this car is great for a young whipper snapper looking for there 1st car, my nex project is to maybe paint it,

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  Solid - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By dntwry - June 29 - 9:35 am

  Bought it new in 97, It was originally mine, and I have given it to my son. We both agree on what will be said right now. For 22k its a great car. The engine could have been put together a little better, easier to get to parts. We had to replace the heater core, and it was a royal pain to get to. Also for it being a RWD V8, you would think you could go a little faster. Smooth ride, classy car, powerful, and great moon roof. Gas mileage could be a little better. Its around 17-18 MPG.

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  They need to build it again - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By oscar arechiga - February 26 - 9:04 pm

  Great design in and out, V8 makes good power even at todays standards, there are very few cars that have the personality of this vehicle, have had mine for 10 years 61000 miles and not thinking of getting rid of it, car has been very reliable,only complaint is a rattling noise coming from undrneat , (dealer says there is nothing wrong with the suspension, other than that this car makes heads turn, even 10 years after last year of production, ford needs to build a modern vertion,with a similar body style, but modern suspension an a 5 speed auto.

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  Bluebird of Happiness - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By bobbydee - February 3 - 12:02 am

  Bought the car because I had a 87 Bird and liked it. Also liked the metallic blue paint. Have been a road warrior in it for 8 years and love everything about it. Had to put a radiator in as well as normal maintenance, but nothing really major. I really wish I could buy a new one but the model line has gone away.

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  Sporty little car - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By Angie - August 31 - 12:59 am

  We bought this car when it was about two years old. It had around 29,000 miles on it. My husband still has it and it is being handed down to my teenage daughter. My son put fake sporty things on the hood (Im not into those things but it makes it look like the car has a powerful engine.) Anyway, my husband replaced the CD player with another one. Well, that was a mistake. Every time you went over a bump, it starts the music all over again. Anyway, this car has 87,000 miles on it now. The body of the car is pretty good still. No rust or anything like that. It has a moon roof (which isnt used much). We have had quite a few compliments on the car (one being a couple days ago).

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  Love it! - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By Rob Taran - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Nice looking car that is reliable, sporty and affordable. I would highly reccomend this car to others. Has alot of features for the money, and considering its age has alot of modern virtues (except the underpowerd and un- reliable 3.8 V6)

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  Too bad they dont build them anymore - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By homeowner-commuter - March 12 - 2:00 am

  With 110K miles, it still runs like a scalded dog. Very fast, good pick-up and tight handeling. The styling is classic and still gets complemens from total strangers. Ive owned a 58, 72, ant this one. They were all great cars, but the 97 is "the best".

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  THE BLACK BIRD - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By JOHN D. - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AT THE END OF THE YEAR AFTER SELLING A TROUBLESOME 96 PONTIAC.I HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AT ABOUT 75K MILES, AND THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE TOO SMALL AND WARP EASILY.OTHER THAN THAT THE CAR HAS NOT NEEDED ANY MAJOR REPAIRS AFTER 148000 MILES.

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  Reliable T-Bird - 1997 Ford Thunderbird
  By JoePa#1 - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I had the ignition module go out, $300 dollars-dealer, and the Mass air flow sensor go out, $110-I changed myself. The car hasnt had an alignment in 4 years, and it is still true, and I beet the crap out of the car. Extremely comfortable ride. Traction control doesnt seem too effective. Great head and leg room for us tall people. Over 75,000 and still strong!