1997
Ford Thunderbird

Starts at:
$17,885
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New 1997 Ford Thunderbird
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Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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The good & the bad

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Safety review

Based on the 1997 Ford Thunderbird base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
5/5
Frontal passenger
5/5
Side driver
3/5
Side rear passenger
1/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Fords and many non-Ford vehicles up to 10 years old with less than 150,000 miles
Basic
90-Day / 4,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty
Dealer certification
139-point inspection
See all CPO program details

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Consumer reviews

96% of drivers recommend this car
4.7 / 5
Based on 32 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.6
Interior 4.4
Performance 4.7
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.4
Reliability 4.7

Most recent

  • By tpkane79 from New Smyrna Beach
    Owns this car
    March 18, 2021

    My first car!!

    Im just absolutly in love with my T-Bird its super roomy on the inside and the seats are very comfy. The cupholders need improvment but thats normal 90's car enginering. The outside looks pretty sporty and I love the way my car is shaped but im not the biggest fan of the headlight design but, thats the only thing i dont really like. I have the v6 so the engine power is kinda lacking but im not really looking for a supercar lol :)
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    11 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Big Bill from Vancouver WA
    Owns this car
    September 7, 2020

    2014 MERCEDES SL550

    It has a timeless body style that will look as new in 10 years as it does today. This is my 4th one, and have been looking for the past 2-3 years for the LX Sport model.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Stan, WA from Western WA, Seattle area.
    Owns this car
    June 14, 2020

    One of the most reliable cars I have ever owned.

    If I was not retiring and moving on I would keep this car. I have made slight improvements and this car is great size and comfortable, especially on long trips. This is my weekend cruiser now and not a commuter.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Max Doctor from Lamont, AB
    Owns this car
    February 28, 2020

    Most Reliable Car I’ve owned

    It’s a fun car to drive. It’s got some punch and it drives real smooth. When I floor it, it has great acceleration. An overall pretty fresh car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Uptight24 from Littlerock California
    Owns this car
    January 27, 2020

    Sleeper Classic

    Bought with 87k on the odometer. Tuned her up Looking forward to many years of cruising Southern California Haven’t been of Ford products until this deal came along. This was a xxxx of a Come Up
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Bird a go go from Milwaukee Wisconsin
    Owns this car
    December 20, 2019

    I am the second Owner

    Picked up car in LA drove to Door County Wisconsin.before leaving I needed a new battery car would not start to the car wash for full cleaning . Car had 64000 miles wow what a great car
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Mr.Tucker from Manning s.c.
    Owns this car
    March 3, 2019

    BEST CAR I EVER OWNED

    Awesome car has low mileage also been garage kept has a u-haul hitch attached on it never really did a lot of pulling with it but had it installed just in case i needed it. It is a 97 Thunderbird LX I bought this car for my 16 year old son but have decide it is too fast for a teenager i feel. It is red and it is beautiful very reliable car and very good on gas as long as you control your foot on the gas pedal. Would love to sell it and get my son something with a smaller engine. Willing to take 4000.00 dollars for it.If you bought it you wouldn't be sorry.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Boca G from Florida
    Owns this car
    March 22, 2018

    Fantastic styling and value!

    Low to the ground and a wide stance make this car handle like a true sports car. At over 20 years old, it is still in remarkable condition and has been very reliable since I bought it recently. The 3.8 leader V6 has plenty of power and gas mileage is adequate for my needs. Very comfortable interior and visibility is great all around.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Only 84000 miles in 20 years. Good for a student. from Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Owns this car
    January 27, 2018

    Car for 5 more years. A Classic. Powerful.

    This car is nice , confortable to drive, great engine, Only one owner (me), A classic model. Air Bags, etc.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By FlYNNHI from WI Rapids WI
    Owns this car
    December 19, 2017

    V8, sport package,2dr coupe,quick

    Have loved this car from the day we bought it new. It's a blast from the past with all the modern features that make it great for today's driving. I'll keep it until it or I just can't any more.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By kygolfer from myrtle beach
    Owns this car
    September 17, 2017

    I feel like a NASCAR driver

    KOOL CAR; Nothing like rolling the windows down with the stereo blasting some" LED SEPLIN" with the tires squalling and "lookin for adventure or what ever comes my way"!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Wrenchy61A from Kingwood, TX 77339
    Owns this car
    June 24, 2017

    Best car I have ever owned and am 78 yrs. old.

    Bought my '97 LX 4.6L Bird in 2001 with 5500 miles from the second owner. It came off the line 8/96 and still own it with 158,000 miles. I did the wrenching to replace the rad., two window mtrs, brakes, struts, plugs, leads, and ball joints. I tow a 2300 lb travel trailer through the Rockies, to Yellowstone and all over in overdrive on the flat. Always walks the dog no matter what. Highly reliable auto and worth bragging about as a retired mech engr. I stand on it all day long in West Texas without pushing the bottom out. Automatic a/c temp control is the best feature. Sometimes I drive non stop 1350 miles from Houston to my summer home near Green Bay, WI. The seats are the most comfortable plus the sheep skin seat cover being warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Best car I have ever owned and am now 78. Now own a '15 Fusion and a '16 Acadia.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Towing
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird?

The 1997 Ford Thunderbird is available in 1 trim level:

  • LX (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird?

The 1997 Ford Thunderbird offers up to 18 MPG in city driving and 26 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird?

The 1997 Ford Thunderbird compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 1997 Ford Thunderbird reliable?

The 1997 Ford Thunderbird has an average reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1997 Ford Thunderbird owners.

Is the 1997 Ford Thunderbird a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird. 96.9% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.7 / 5
Based on 32 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.6
  • Interior: 4.4
  • Performance: 4.7
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.4
  • Reliability: 4.7
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