Ford Thunderbird - my Test run

[Angie67]

Firstley - please exuse me if I write something you can't understand or you can misunderstand. You remember - I'm German and I'm learning english. Thank you for your understanding.

I was looking for a new car 2 years ago because my Citroen XM had been broken down. But what kind of car?

I think you know that here in Germany the type of cars are different to your cars. Women in Germany mostley drive a small car. But I am not the typical german woman - so I had a big problem. I dislike most of the cars because they are booring and rational.

One day we were by a Ford car dealer. I wanted to take a look at a Mustang. But then - I saw him - gun metal - red leather inside - a cabriolet - wonderfull front lid. I feel in love to this car. It was a Thunderbird. So I said to my husband - this is my car. I want to have it.

So I was on my test run a few minutes later. I sat haughtily behind the steering wheel and left the space of the car dealer.

But - what that - what happens? Where was the speed? Where was the power of 400 PS? I drove in the city and I tried to overhoul a bicycle but this took so long time. Why?

Every small car with 70 PS was able to overhoul this bicycle faster.

So I took the Tunderbird back to the dealer. I was disappointed - such a lovely car and no power?

I think the reason for this is the different of the manner of driving here in Germany. We have no streets to cruise in a consistent speed. We have much small streets or motorways - partical without speedlimit - often with a speedlimit of 120 km/h.

The Thunderbird is a great car to cruise - but not useable for german motorways.

A few days later I bought a Jaguar XJR.

But I often thought back to the Thunderbird. I like him altough I find him not usuable for the streets here.

But I love my cat to

Angie

[Lasereth]

Your English is better than you say it is.

Your comments about the difference in German and American cars is interesting -- I'm guessing the German cars accelerate quicker but have a lower top speed?

[Cynthetiq]

the recent crop of thunderbirds were horrible. they moved like stuck pigs in a fence...

[Zweiblumen]

American car, they can either accelerate or make a turn. None can do both and only a handful in the latter group.

Yours
ZB

[QuasiMondo]

But - what that - what happens? Where was the speed? Where was the power of 400 PS? I drove in the city and I tried to overhoul a bicycle but this took so long time. Why?

400ps? Where did you get that number from? The last crop of T-birds only had ~280. Why didn't you go back and test drive the Mustang?

American car, they can either accelerate or make a turn. None can do both and only a handful in the latter group.

Corvette does both adequately, to say the least.

[sapiens]

Your writing was clear and understandable.

Originally Posted by Angie67

I dislike most of the cars because they are booring and rational.

I really like this line. So many dull cars on the road (including my own).

[QuasiMondo]

That's what the aftermarket's for, sapiens.

[sapiens]

Nah, that's what cars like the one below are for:

[Angie67]

I' sorry - you are right with 284 PS

I think so, that german cars can better accelerate than american cars. German doesen't like to cruise. The topspeed - also by smal cars - can be high. These cars are not made for crusing. They have got speed but no power. You have to drive them fast with a high level of engine displacement.

My Jaguar is one of the cars which you can drive fast at the motorway and you can cruise on countryside streets. To my regret the XJR is more made for driving fast than for cruising than the XJ 40. The chassis is like a great go-kart. It makes fun to drive on winding roads. That is the first jaguar - I have driven - who like this. The other didn't like driving into winding roads. They are made for driving straight ahead .But I must admit - I haven't drive with more Speed than 210 km/h. I didn't know how fast my Jaguar is.

What is about the Citroen DS on the photo? I like the DS. The "Göttin" (goddes). And what is about the Citroen SM? It looks so nasty that I found him beautiful.

Angie

[sapiens]

Originally Posted by Angie67

What is about the Citroen DS on the photo? I like the DS. The "Göttin" (goddes). And what is about the Citroen SM? It looks so nasty that I found him beautiful.

There's something about both of those cars that is ugly, but beautiful. I like cars that stand out.

[Tech]

well, had you bought the mustang, you wouldn't have had that problem (provided it's not the base V6).

the new thunderbirds have been considered by all to be underpowered and overweight. please don't judge our whole industry on one crappy car! (even if we do keep making that same mistake...)

[Ilow]

Originally Posted by Tech

well, had you bought the mustang, you wouldn't have had that problem (provided it's not the base V6).

the new thunderbirds have been considered by all to be underpowered and overweight. please don't judge our whole industry on one crappy car! (even if we do keep making that same mistake...)

it is true, you can't judge an entire industry by one car. if I had only driven a mercedes diesel, I would probably think that their cars were all loud and underpowered. as for people wanting cars that were quick and handled well, people buy cars for other reasons, otherwise everyone would be driving subaru STIs.

[Randle2I]

Originally Posted by Zweiblumen

American car, they can either accelerate or make a turn. None can do both and only a handful in the latter group.

Yours
ZB

Given your sig I find your statement to be at best amusing and at worst hypocritical. Perhaps a bit of research is in order on your part.

[SSJTWIZTA]

yeah, you really should have given the mustang a go.

personally im not a ford guy. after going to le mans i would take a corvette over a mustang any day. i know that le mans doesnt have your standard road cars, but it brought home the point.

but yeah, you should have given the 'stang a test drive.