While we wouldn't call the model forgotten, some people don't even know that the Ford Thunderbird made it out of the 20th Century. They may be aware of the 1990s model, with a modular V8 (the same powerplant you'd find in the Ford Mustang GT around this time) and supercharged V6 engines, but the retro-styled 11th-generation model is a bit of an oddity. Ford produced 31,368 units in 2002, then half that many in 2003, finally producing just 9,295 in 2005, for fewer than 70,000 units total.Whether the 11th-generation T-Bird was a misguided attempt to tap into mid-century nostalgia or simply the right idea at the wrong time is a matter of opinion. What we do know is that this car's relative lack of mainstream success has resulted in rock-bottom pricing for anyone who wants to drive a stylish convertible with a retro vibe. A Look At The Almost-Forgotten T-Bird Ford The 11th-gen Thunderbird went into production in 2001 for the 2002 model year as a two-door convertible. They had a folding soft roof and a separate, attachable hardtop with a round porthole window on the side.A 2002 Ford Mustang V6 Coupe could clear 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, while the V8-powered GT got there in less than six. Around the start of the 21st Century, the Thunderbird's performance specs placed it firmly at the "entry-level" end of the two-door sports spectrum. However, an improved engine shaved about half a second off the earlier acceleration time. The car earned its share of criticism for the simple fact that it looked quicker than it really was, where the 10th-gen Thunderbird had been essentially a Mustang in disguise.Ford's aim with the 11th-generation T-Bird wasn't ever supposed to dominate the drag strip, though, so these judgments may have been unfair. The model was a drop-top highway cruiser, playing into nostalgia for the golden age of the American highway, with special editions like the 2004 Pacific Coast Roadster, a 1,000-unit run of mist-green-painted models with light ash soft tops and suede seating.Those who've driven an 11th-gen Thunderbird can be expected to praise its smooth-riding suspension, which makes the car more of a grand tourer than a sporty track star. At worst, the car has been called "floaty," but it corners well enough with limited body roll. The 3.9-liter V8 makes for confident acceleration when merging and passing. It's All About The Look Ford "Superficial" might be too strong a word, but it's clear that Ford was banking on the new T-Bird's exterior design to do a lot of the heavy lifting. Performance-minded drivers had little reason to buy a Thunderbird over a Mustang. The Lincoln LS provided a luxury experience, but with room for more passengers. The number one reason to buy a T-Bird over other DEW98 platform models is its appealing retro styling.The car was designed by Ford legend Jack Telnack, the brains behind the 1979 Ford Mustang Liftback, the first-gen Ford Taurus, and the 1983 Thunderbird. Telnack had a skill for creating eye-catching designs, and the 11th-gen Bird was no exception. The car even landed a featured role in Die Another Day as Halle Berry's vehicle of choice. Bond never drove this one himself, though he has shown an inclination towards American cars at times.By the way, if you're trying to decide between the soft-top and the hardtop for an outing, know that the fabric roof has a simple push-button operation, while the other is fixed in place and requires a two-person team for safe removal. And then you need to find somewhere in your garage to store the roof. The T-Bird Runs On A Jaguar Engine Bring a Trailer The 11th-gen T-Bird is a product of Ford's ownership of Jaguar, running on a Jaguar AJ-V8 powerplant. The T-Bird shares its version of the AJ with fellow models on the DEW98 platform, including the Ford Forty-Nine, a concept coupe that would have been positioned as a counterpart to the Thunderbird, with its throwback styling homage to the 1949 Ford.The AJ-V8 series engines use aluminum blocks and heads with Nikasil-coated cylinders. The 3.9-liter variant was built at Ford's Lima, Ohio, plant and was used only in Ford and Lincoln applications, although it shares some parts with other AJ engines. The T-Bird ran on an AJ30 for its launch year and was upgraded to an AJ35 thereafter. The AJ30/35 had a relatively short life cycle, running in just a couple of production models and going out of production in 2006. What Will An 11th-Gen Thunderbird Cost You In 2026? Ford Checking in with our own marketplace, it's not hard to find an 11th-gen T-Bird with low miles at a rock-bottom price. To pick out a few listings. A 54,942-mile 2002 Base is selling for 54,942 in Florida. A 91,500-mile 2002 Base is selling for $7,995 in California. A 68,277-mile 007 Limited Edition from the 2003 model year is selling for just $8,995 in Texas. A 78,599-mile 2002 Base is selling for $9,900 in Florida. A 72,000-mile 2005 Deluxe is selling for $9,988 in Arizona. A 93,200-mile 2004 Base is selling for $10,000 in Florida. These are just a few listings we've cherry-picked for their low miles and attractive pricing. Our search turned up dozens of models for sale, which is unusual for a relatively scarce vehicle. Remember, Ford built fewer than 100,000 of these cars, and they're more than 20 years old. To have this many surviving models in this good shape at these prices is unusual for a car like this, to say the least.Remember that the listings here are only provided to give you an example of what's out there. You'll want to run your own search to see what's available when you're ready to buy. That said, based on our own results, we'd advise you to budget around $10,000 for the purchase, then find the listing with the fewest miles you can get for that price. The 11th-Gen Thunderbird Is Relatively Low-Maintenance Ford Whatever you may have heard regarding Jaguar engines, most of the mechanical issues you run into with a 20-year-old T-Bird will likely have more to do with wear and tear in the suspension, brakes, and locks and latches than with the powertrain. RepairPal estimates an annual maintenance cost of just $433, with the following accounting for the most expensive common fixes in a 2005 model. ABS control module replacement $769 - $821 Brake booster replacement $556 - $757 Trans oil pan gasket replacement $400 - $503 Door lock actuator replacement $238 - $318 Emergency brake cable replacement $171 - $503 The 11th-Gen Thunderbird Is Easy To Recommend Ford Truth be told, we dig the styling of this car so much we'd recommend it at half this power output. It's a unique-looking vehicle that absolutely nails the retro vibe without looking as hokey as, say, a Chrysler PT Cruiser. That it's also fun to drive, comfortable to ride in, and fairly cheap to maintain makes it all the easier to hype as a bit of all-American nostalgia done right.
