1997 Ford Thunderbird LX Review - The FINAL Thunderbird! (Kind of...)

[@CanadianDragon19]

Glad to see the car on the channel! Thanks again Zach for filming the car, got some amazing shots.

[@pulsar9504]

This is my All Time Favorite car. I managed to get the 1997 LX model, the last of the line, and my baby is still with me! It is not for sale ever! I have wanted one ever since my father purchased one back in 1965. It is the last of a line of Fabulous Ford sport cars with speed and style. The retro that came out later cannot hold a candle to it. I loved this guy's video of it. I really didn't like hearing him dissing the interior. Anyone who is still lucky enough to own one, KEEP IT! ❤❤❤

[@jonathanryan2915]

Not only RWD but independent rear suspension! This car is so underrated

[@doug6191]

Overrated. These are overrated.

[@monibo7075]

@@doug6191 who knows about these😂

[@zacharywaller3759]

What's crazy is I had a 97 tbird v6 in 08 was my first car I bought myself when I turned 18 for 2700. It had a straight axle rear end. I just bought a 96 tbird v8 yesterday with 113k miles it has independent rear. I didn't know the v6 and v8 had different rear end set ups

[@jonathanryan2915]

@@zacharywaller3759 hey congrats on finding a "low" mileage T-bird. I don't know what the deal was with your old V6 T-bird. Maybe some dumbass hated IRS and though he was going to make a drag racer? But the Thunderbird/Cougar was a fox body chassis in the 80's and had a solid rear axle. '89 was the first year for the N11 chassis which had the IRS all the way until '97

[@zacharywaller3759]

@Jonathan Ryan That's crazy I didn't know that. I know not everyone is really Into tbirds and if it wasn't for my old 97 being my first car then I probably wouldn't be as obsessed with them as I am now. This one I got now I'll probably keep forever. Me and my 16yr old son are gonna start building this one up. For now it's getting full bolt ons long tube headers and everything. I plan on doing adjustable coil overs once I get it running right In the next couple weeks. After that getting a full body kit for it I found a company that still makes them I just gotta find some rims I actually like. I remember it was hard finding them for my v6 it's like nothing fit I even tried to put some cobra rims I figured they would fit. Didn't know the bolt pattern from the mustang to the tbird was different. So if you know of any place that sells rims for these cars please let me know.

[@lemonscented7703]

4:14 This dude has 76k more than mine does and ALL HIS SHIT STILL WORKS WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[@2H2521]

Always liked these, cool color too. Ford’s interiors usually always hold up extremely well.

[@TaelsDoll]

canadian car market can get wild sometimes

[@lma9922]

my hunsband is a thunderbird fan. he have 2 1996 red thunderbird v8 (1 has moonroof). i drive the one that doesnt have. and have 2 1984 (1 is elan and 1 is fila edition) both v8 as well. and is now planning to buy 1997 lx v8 as a gift for his upcoming bday. a very great car to drive. beautiful cars

[@DR-nx4fu]

I have a '97 LX V8, prairie tan. 213,000 mi. I'm the original owner. It needs work but I can't part with it. I agree they are great cars. What color is the one your husband is buying?

[@lma9922]

@@DR-nx4fu he doesnt have a particular color in mind. its very hard to find a prestine condition so whatever is the available color we can find is good. been thinking of buying lincoln mark viii 97/98 or thunderbird 97 v8.

[@DR-nx4fu]

@@lma9922 Good luck and HB to your husband.

[@FedeJ2023]

First video I’m seen….I’m new subscriber!!

[@aaliyahstar7803]

That V8 gurgle is like music to my ears! ❤️ A EV could never!!!

[@radioguy1620]

Ask any transmission guy this was Fords Best to date, also the engine same.unbelievably durable and easy to replace common wear parts like alternator and water pump , etc.

[@tommycastro7357]

Lovvvvve this tbird. Had an 89 and 94 . Love to own a 97 with the V8

[@Natedog002]

I’ve got a 97 LX wish it was as clean as this one

[@watchingitallhere]

My friend in HS had a mom who owned one of these Thunderbird V8. Same color too. Its amazing we are not both dead.

[@Trump-jv8xf]

I had a laser red 97 t-bird lx. I modded it too the hilt. Great sleeper (if you are willing to spend more money than the car is worth). Went from 16 sec @ 89 mph to 14.6@97 without n02 / with n02 13.5@105. Fast for 1997-2007 but spent over $12k usd on making it faster/better. Great fun car, still miss it even though I have way faster/better cars now and since then! Good old car culture days!!!

[@ESPLTD322]

These always made me think of a 2 door, aero-era Crown Vic. Well, it basically is lol

[@alexstrege-chaney2866]

I have a 1987 ford thunderbird with the 302 and let me say it's one of the most fun cars I've ever driven and it's a powerhouse of a car

[@thingusraccamagoocus]

I love my 97 thunderbird, wish mine had a sunroof though.

[@lando1x_]

Bro for real I saw there was a sunroof option in the manual I wish my great grandpa got that back in 97

[@rt_goblin_hours]

Had one growing up, mom flooded it twice lol

[@MrTomengle]

Had a 95 v8. Great car!

[@HornedGodfairone]

I got a nice red tan interior

[@LA_Commander]

Most comfortable car I ever drove. Ergonomically it was darn near perfect. Almost a luxury car. I had a 97 thunderbird sport model which got larger front brakes, rear spoiler, ground effects, super coupe 16" wheels, and I bought it for just $15,900 new. What a great deal. Very smooth and reliable car.

[@LoneWolf-gs9wr]

Yeh id love to find one like barn find they are very impressive cars I daily drive a95 an I love it

[@dennishogenmiller4456]

Need to check out the 1961 to 1963 Birds. They are great Looking!

[@twinentryturbo]

The thunderbird was always advertised in the newspaper every weekend for $12k

[@ДмитрийНиколаев-я3д]

100%🔥🔥🔥

[@shadow212121kb]

I have a 97 Mercury Cougar 30th Anniv, mint condition, I'm also in Ontario, lol

[@cletuskasady593]

Wow, I’m proud of you 💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿

[@comeonman1100]

Bsck when i had a 95 model i wish it had similar cup holders. Oh, one thing i always thought felt premium about my 95 was the glove compartment door. It didnt flop open. It opened slow and controlled. I know, strange thing to remember.

[@rhekman]

2:44 Not only rear-wheel drive, but _independent_ rear wheel drive. Years before Cobra Mustangs or the S550 platform, the good ole T-Bird/Couger/MkVIII "MN12" platform had honest to goodness IRS. It's unfortunate its development came in overbudget and overweight for Ford to continue evolving the design.

[@CanadianDragon19]

Would have loved to see this platform continued on, see what we could have gotten instead of the Retro Bird that came and went.

[@ashantegray6752]

I hope my car comes back to me one day

[@wayneb2069]

Four wheel independent suspension, anti lock disc brakes, variable power steering on a rear wheel drive V8 with dual exhaust and I have two😂 Also the 96/97 is different than the 94/95 models. And and and, crotch vent for hot summer days and cold winter days. Mine has the little opera lights for the back seats. I don't have the moon roof which it will never leak. I have the all green sedan and the 40th Anniversary Edition with keypad on the door.

[@Phantomstriker98]

Let’s go, International BABY!

[@Cubemaster]

Getting close to 100k! It seems like just yesterday you were at 20k and then 50k. I'm happy for you, you deserve it!

[@larrymacfarlane1799]

my first car was a 91 powder blue LX with the 3.8. Loved having a rear wheel drive coupe. Love the Tbird to this day. Im looking for one in good shape now.

[@969thewhip]

I have a 97 LX Limited Edition with only 27000 original miles. I bought it from the original owner over 20 years ago. It even has the original window sticker with a price of $22500! 97 was the only year that used the same gauge cluster as the Taurus of that era.

[@swankitc7601]

I live in Kitchener, Ontario! We could've blazed one, bro!

[@parlergreg8535]

Just went to check my 97 T birs I pay $3200 for with 86k on her, now has over 97k, no problems after new tires and service. Love it

[@meowchat6175]

Yeah...

[@DR-nx4fu]

I have a 1997 prairie tan LS. 8cyl 4.6. I love it. My daily driving car is a 2013 Taurus limited. Can't compare to the TBird.

[@Thunderbirdelan]

I have a 9th gen 1986

[@bln3576]

I have an 84.

[@Thunderbirdelan]

@@bln3576 nice car I love these old foxbody tbirds

[@ashantegray6752]

Zach I missed my old green 1995 ford thunderbird that my parents used to own since 1996 since I was a infant. We bought the car in 1996 in Irving, Texas then I donate it to Cars for Kids, I missed that car so much and I been going through depression everyday I think about that car because it was my favorite car in the world.😪😪😪

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

Congrats on Shooting Cars going international ea!

[@perditusthornatus6518]

If you were in any other year MN12 Tbird, you would NOT have a cupholder.

[@jesusofamerica]

This guy is tripping. Aside from the ac vents the car is built like a Mercedes or bmw compared to a mustang. I had a 97 lx sport "jjjj" model. It was impeccable but life is as it is. I'll be getting another soon. If you can get one you will not be disappointed the slides. This thunderbird was the basis for the svt cobra sc from 03 to 04

[@jesusofamerica]

I mean basis as this vehicle had a few prototypes made with a 32v 4.6 dohc supercharged engine with its rear independent and low wide body in 1996-1997 the sales of the bird were low so they scrapped it and rolled it up in the new edge sn95

[@jesusofamerica]

The thing people don't know about the 4.6 is on a bone stock engine you can run 8-10 lbs of boost for a while with solid wheel and tire and suspension and gears . That setup at the time or shortly after will have you smoking most other stock sports cars

[@kebabaluba]

As a Ford Taurus SHO owner i recognize several interior bits and switches. Btw do a SHO review :)

[@ShootingCars]

Editing a 96 SHO video right now! It will be up December 16th!

[@kebabaluba]

@@ShootingCars Nooo, its the wrong one. 1989-1995 are the legendary ones, with unique Yamaha V6 mate :)

[@ImmortanDan]

@@kebabaluba Oh, that thing has plenty of its own weirdness

[@kebabaluba]

@@ImmortanDan Its a Taurus so its not so weird as its unique with that engine :)

[@ImmortanDan]

@@kebabaluba Weird, unique, same difference. I'm just saying, that V8 offers a lot to talk about, from placement to shape to sprocket failures

[@76TomD]

I had a 97 LX

[@tonycrusader777]

welcome to the true north I hope you checked out Windsor we have a lot of gems here

[@romanseano]

I owned a 1994 LX V8 - Deep Emerald Green with Light Mocha leather interior . I guarantee that the door panels were the polar opposite of the Mustang panel you were crunching. The T-bird's interior was, yes, full of plastics. But the material was solid, not flimsy - and fit & finish extremely tight. No creaks, crackles, or ticks even when riding over rough pavement. The leather on the seats was of high quality, and made a real difference in the overall atmosphere of the cabin. The T-bird had one flaw, and that's the transmission: This electronic 4-speed automatic was infamous for its hesitating / slippage going into 4th, and mine was no exception (unveiled itself in the 70K mile range). Other than that, it was probably among the best built vehicles I ever owned.... and I've had at least 12! 🙂

[@seththomas9105]

The Ex bought a fully loaded 97 LX brand new from a friend of mine that has a FoMoCo dealership. Was a great car that was NEVER winter driven. She traded it off with 40K on it for a POS Nissan Ultima that was a nickle and dime machine. I'm not a Ford guy but those last T-Bird/Cougars were good cars. We took the Bird on a trip to Colorado and it drove and handled like a dream with the Ind RS and 4 wheel disk. The Stock 4.6 was nothing to write home about, but with some hot rodding it would have been a cool sleeper. It even had Posi from the factory.

[@davefriesen851]

Just bought a silver 95 thunderbird v8. Isn't on the road yet but looking forward to it!! It'll be fun. I only paid $3000 for it as well

[@MichaelAChang]

The 11th gen was a proper T-Bird, albeit a 2-door Lincoln LS.

[@kenshin034]

The best ford coupes 😔the mercury cougar xr7s as well even take the 👑over 🐎

[@compostboomtron9001]

Very underrated car, Ford had a good line-up in the 1990s. You should be hitting 100k subscribers pretty soon, hype!

[@MrKormmodity]

Happy to see the channel grow, love the content!

[@calebtvog]

11th gen thunderbird looks way cooler imo looks more like a classic thunderbird these look like mustangs, 11th gens are quick too

[@franzjooste6340]

Tweetie bird 😂😂😂😂

[@KingRizzle]

You’ve also driven a Cougar before

[@jesusofamerica]

If your not established financially get the v8. Take it easy before you wrap it around a rltree or pole

[@jesusofamerica]

Don't let the cars abilities make you think your better than you are

[@paulm6481]

I disagree that last Thunderbird was ugly. It is not everybody’s cup of tea, but it is not ugly.

[@pt2729]

Umm, the speedometer was graduated with both mph and kph

[@dominiqueroudier9401]

Hello mate. I watched your vidéo by chance. In september 1994 We made à road trip around Florida and Keys. At Miami airport We rented at Budget rent à car à brand new 94 T-bird With same color like your. Was first year fitted With new 4.6L engine instead of old 5.0L . I have only positive memories about this car and à picture of it in frame located in my house entrance. I made à big Rolling race in bridges in thé Keys Bécause no cops With speed cams.!!! Around 115 mph or 185 km h à speed limiter Turn off thé rpm😢 Friendly from South of France

[@robertbishop1651]

I’ve owned 2 96 t birds & a xr7 cougar,loved em & drove them year round in wva in the snow with

[@eliquegracia3343]

I don’t think they put the 4.6! Liter in any of the Ford Explorers from the 90s they either had the V6 or 5.0 Windsor

[@BrownBomber92181]

Thats right! Not until the 3rd generation Explorer in 2003 I think

[@howieewalt1322]

The big difference between the Mustang and Thunderbird is the posi-rear vs. independent rear.

[@prinkki3472]

I’m lucky to have my bird. Since I got it out of my grandparents storage unit that sat there for 10 years

[@rhekman]

Loved my '91 Thunderbird Sport with the 5.0L V8. That package had the upgraded radiator and sway bars from the Super Coupe, but the analog dash from the LX models. Instead of Mustang wheels, I recommend17x9" wheels for a Jaguar; they fit perfectly with no weird stick out. Other upgrades I did were a Ford 3G 130 amp alternator, battery relocation to the trunk, aftermarket shocks, and a Torsen LSD (despite the IRS, the differential is a standard Ford 8.8). It was honestly the best handling car I've ever owned.

[@CanadianDragon19]

I've actually got a set of rims from a 2004 Thunderbird that actually look really nice. They'll give it a more stock look but I'm kinda going for a sleeper look now haha. Still got a long ways to go before I start messing with the engine, for now I'll stick with the old reliable 4.6.

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

My boy Sean had one of these back in the day

[@Jay-dp5wp]

If I'm not mistaken, these MN12 cars were the only American V8 cars with IRS next to the Corvette

[@williamfurlan9176]

Let's get our boy a SC!

[@kdub11]

Ford stopped making the SC after 95

[@lordzeuscannon6400]

You have cupholder there? Lol my 94 you gotta open the center console and pop down the magnetic cup holders

[@Milnoc]

Thanks for noticing and accepting that the speedometer dial swap was unusual for it being in miles instead of kilometers!

[@robertknight4672]

I was watching a video on how to change the dash lights and a Honda Element and I had to comment if the owner was in Canada because when miles in kilometers per hour were swapped from what I was used to seeing in my element.

[@WhittyPics]

I like the Thunderbird

[@Chitown_capricekid]

I love the color, the wheels do give it more of an aggressive look, but I can forsee a late 90s ford interior asmr video lol

[@CalebOrvik]

my dream ride, if anyone owns and is trying to sell....reach out asap!

[@datsun7023]

I have one here in Sacramento

[@ShadowTheSC]

You can review my super coupe if you'd like if you can press down on the brake pedal hard enough. My booster is out lol

[@trentryan27]

Got 2 mercury cougars, same MN12 platform, 1 is a 93 with the older style interior, and a 97 that has this same interior, the 97 interior, may not be the best but is worlds better than the 93 and prior as every piece of plastic has become brittle and is breaking everywhere, also the power mirror switch on the 93 burned out and its like impossible to find a good 1

[@mattjohnston7686]

1989 to '97 Thunderbird looked the best.

[@narniebone1332]

I know nothing about cars plus I’m British but got excited when I read the word Thunderbird then bombed. If you have one and like it fair enough but must say I was so disappointed just seemed cheap and unexciting. Great vids and range of cars love the channel.

[@totalranger27vlogs91]

I daily a 91' super coupe with the 5 speed, and I am in love with the car it is lots of fun to drive and an amazing vehicle, I highly recommend test driving one and reviewing one if you can.

[@deennice6035]

Can someone enlighten me on the appeal on what the appeal is for a Thunderbird after the 4th gen?

[@benstevenz]

Do they come in manual?

[@datsun7023]

This year and model no but there is a 96 that does very very rare tho better off manual swappkng one

[@shavpookie]

89-95 super coupes only.

[@auntbarbara5576]

Congrats on going intl. RWD yes but don't forget to mention w/indepedent rear suspension. Common today but kudos for Ford, for making all the 10th Gens that way since 1988.

[@MyLifePixeled]

wait until you see the cup holder in the 1996 TBird/Cougar

[@wrbWRX]

Absolutely love these cars. Was my first car and have had 4 of them all v8s, would love to find another clean one to keep forever.

[@reevesc87]

Yep my 96 mustang had terrible interior quality

[@bligo2387]

"This week on Shooting Cars Hot International Tour (SCHIT)" : *goes to Cuba and reviews a 1954,58,61,66,69,72 Chevrolet Montdevilleastang*

[@mromatic17]

8:23 a c5 or c6 corvette will sound just like that the interrior inside of corvettes are complete dogshit and they are twice the cost!

[@kevinW826]

My first car was a 1994 ford thunderbird lx v8. Jade green exterior with green interior. My second car was a red on grey 1994 ford thunderbird v6. I swapped the grey interior into the green one. I even swapped the working door mirrors from the red one onto the green one. So you could see it coming down the road. I missed that car. The transmission and the brakes exploded, leading me to get rid of it as I couldn’t afford replacement parts. Wish I could get another one. Or at least find a 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC. Fun fact. Ford actually built an SVT Thunderbird concept. I remember a video of it being shown off. It had a supercharged 4.6 and 6 speed manual with an LSD and 6 pot calipers up front and 4 pot on back. It was an amazing looking thing with gobs and gobs of power.

[@mj1234321]

Always loved these, but they did kind of ruin the looks of it. The original Super Coupe is still the best looking version!

[@dave11686]

Awesome

[@LoneWolf-gs9wr]

Rear independent also very nice exhaust system if you cut just the rear muffler off it is very clean sound also has a trunk you could fit six people in . And it's got good over drive. Pluss with little adjustments you can get easy 60 more HP out of it

[@lordzeuscannon6400]

You mean muffler(s) as there's one for each side of the dual exuaust. Makes it too quiet so I had both cut off and welder new downswept exhaust to look like it was stock, a lot louder now and the drone kills you if you drive too long

[@LoneWolf-gs9wr]

@@lordzeuscannon6400 this is Jim here an I'm selling my 95 t bird V8 just did it's first tune up from 95 lol cause it still had the plugs an wires an coils from the factory so it was time . If you no Any body interested you have my email an thanks for posting the video I liked it .

[@devondotdrive7158]

I've got my super coupe in Manitoba if you want to take a peak lol

[@bwofficial1776]

It's a shame big coupes aren't a thing any more. This was more advanced than the Mustang and could eat up miles/kilometers. It's a good looking design in a 90s way. This one looks good for doing 170k miles in snowy Canada, eh.

[@Milnoc]

One solution is to wash the car frequently, especially the undercarriage. That helps get the salt out from under the car and reduces the chances the car will prematurely become a heap of rust.

[@timzzz9963]

I mean hey if youre reviewing a t-bird come review my 86 mustang vert

[@UpperRobin29]

I think the final gen Thunderbird gets a lot of hate, it's really not all that bad

[@seththomas9105]

The Ex had one. It was a great car.

[@sirmojo4537]

I also consider 1997 the last of the Thunderbirds because that "retro" bird was a pathetic joke that was outrageously expensive with cheap plastic. Henry Ford must have been doing cartwheels in his grave over THAT one.😆

[@dontushi225]

Hey buddy. SC is more interesting I think. Iwish see SC next video. Thanks ❤

[@thomasrhinehart6084]

"Look at This!" ....."Don't look at This!"....lol....what a joker.

[@ogbrmusic]

The stick versions were quick! (Drove a friends) I had the 94/95 Cougar a deep plum color v6 XR7 and it got up! I really loved that interior! The wrap around style was just perfect as far as driver position and feel, even on bad gravel roads it feels really bolstered and solid footed. I'm a huge fan of the Cougar especially but the t-bird too! Also anyone that calls the one they brought back ugly has no roots in the design history of cars in general because those retro future beauties are awesome! Based loosely on the themes featured in the Ford 49 Concept car all the good style was there along with being built on the Lincoln LS, T-Bird, Jaguar S-Type platform meant good weight distribution and competent handling. The only thing really missing was and engine with more power output! All three would have been even more legendary that they ended up being!