Does anyone remember the disaster with the 2002 Ford T-Bird?
#1
Burning Brakes
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Does anyone remember the disaster with the 2002 Ford T-Bird?
I am humored by all of the folks who are moaning about the delay of production of our beloved new C7. I say: THANK GM FOR THE DELAYS. Let me explain..........
Back in 2002, The big Blue rolled out the new T-Bird - which at the time was supposed to be the best thing coming out of Ford since the Mustang. It had the guts of the new Jaguar "S" Type, and a reinvention of the classic baby T-Birds of 1955-56-57 - port hole hardtops and all.
Well they couldn't get the car built well enough, and one point, there were thousands of pre-sold cars parked inside stadiums in Detriot, rotting away - waiting for mechanical fixes for factory problems. Ford bowed to the pressure of its screaming customers, and delivered a bunch of junk cars the first year loaded with issues.
The new T-Bird quickly gained a horrible reputation, and it never recovered from a bad introduction. The car was a monumental flop, all due to a rushed roll out and poor qaulity control testing THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH OUR C7.
I compliment GM for wringing out the issues NOW, and waiting until the aseembly cars will be perfect. Anyone that has toured the BG plant knows that they will not release a car that is not right.
I have a C7 ordered and I'm as anxious as the next guy.
I'll just have to "suffer" driving my C6 a little longer......
Back in 2002, The big Blue rolled out the new T-Bird - which at the time was supposed to be the best thing coming out of Ford since the Mustang. It had the guts of the new Jaguar "S" Type, and a reinvention of the classic baby T-Birds of 1955-56-57 - port hole hardtops and all.
Well they couldn't get the car built well enough, and one point, there were thousands of pre-sold cars parked inside stadiums in Detriot, rotting away - waiting for mechanical fixes for factory problems. Ford bowed to the pressure of its screaming customers, and delivered a bunch of junk cars the first year loaded with issues.
The new T-Bird quickly gained a horrible reputation, and it never recovered from a bad introduction. The car was a monumental flop, all due to a rushed roll out and poor qaulity control testing THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH OUR C7.
I compliment GM for wringing out the issues NOW, and waiting until the aseembly cars will be perfect. Anyone that has toured the BG plant knows that they will not release a car that is not right.
I have a C7 ordered and I'm as anxious as the next guy.
I'll just have to "suffer" driving my C6 a little longer......
Last edited by THECORVETTEMANN; 08-01-2013 at 03:14 PM. Reason: typo fix
#2
Melting Slicks
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I'll take the quality over "gotta have it now" anytime. Get it right the first time - the brand doesn't need need a rushed launch.
A N T I C I P A T I O N is cool too.
A N T I C I P A T I O N is cool too.
Last edited by Crossed Flags Fan; 08-01-2013 at 03:13 PM.
#5
what issues are GOING ON RIGHT NOW? Are they focusing in on certain things or is it just an overall "check then check it again"?
#6
Race Director
I would have just been happy if GM could figure out how to build a harmonic balancer that didnt fail so easily over many years of building the C 6.
I do wonder what the first major problem with the C 7 will be.
It doesnt have a column lock does it?
I do wonder what the first major problem with the C 7 will be.
It doesnt have a column lock does it?
#7
Burning Brakes
And if you find out what issue is GOING ON RIGHT NOW, when they close it up two days from now and move on to the next issue, do they need to update you by email or by phone?
Honestly... The most any of us have paid is a deposit. We don't own the car. For all practical purposes, there IS no car yet. Once it is delivered and in customer hands, we have a right to know how every piece of it works and performs. Until then, there are management teams, engineers, and test drivers responsible for clearing the punch list. We aren't on the distribution list and have no right to assume a right of inclusion.
#8
Burning Brakes
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Yes, Will the the rear axle leak? Will the valve train come apart after 10,000 miles? Will the doors leak water in the rain? Will the ABS take a dump? Will the steering column bind up? Will it use oil/piston slap? Will it shift like a box of rocks when cold?
Yes, can't wait for all the future threads.....................
Yes, can't wait for all the future threads.....................
#10
Le Mans Master
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That car was just ugly. It was ugly then and it's not improved with time.
Made worse by putting it in one of the worst movies of all time "Thunderbirds are Go!"
Made worse by putting it in one of the worst movies of all time "Thunderbirds are Go!"
Last edited by Sin City; 08-01-2013 at 04:57 PM.
#13
He comes out and the look on his face was priceless.
#14
Scraping the splitter.
#16
Burning Brakes
I was one of the poor guys who had a 2002 bird on order. I waited for over a year to get it, and have to say it was a perfect car, not one problem. Got rid of it after five years , friends told me my wife looked better in than me and it was a girl car! Did not help that it was yellow too! GM knows how important this new C7 is, have faith and be grateful when it comes out. This car is like nothing ever made before, love it!
#18
Burning Brakes
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You are truly one of the lucky ones with that '02 T-Bird. I've known several folks in the local T-Bird club that nothing but hell from that car. The resale has been terrible and nobody considers that to be a future collectable.
#19
Team Owner
I wouldn't mind at all, they're rolling them out in the fall so just how long will you be able to drive it anyways before the snow starts to fly (for us up here)? I'd sooner let them hang on to it over the winter, work all the bugs out and introduce it in the spring, free winter storage.
Last edited by themonk; 08-01-2013 at 06:59 PM.
#20
I'm chomping at the bit for mine, but I too am happy to wait.
Each month that goes by is another month where I can sock away more of a down payment and take out less of a loan. I can afford the loan, to be sure, but I'd rather pay maximum cash. I also want the car to be "right." At this rate, I'll only have to borrow for less than half of the car
Each month that goes by is another month where I can sock away more of a down payment and take out less of a loan. I can afford the loan, to be sure, but I'd rather pay maximum cash. I also want the car to be "right." At this rate, I'll only have to borrow for less than half of the car