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1997 Ford Thunderbird

Used 1997 Ford Thunderbird

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1997 Ford Thunderbird Exterior: 0
1997 Ford Thunderbird Lifestyle: 1
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1997 Ford Thunderbird Lifestyle: 2
1997 Ford Thunderbird Exterior: 0

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2005
1997
Fuel Economy
18 combined mpg
Horsepower
205 hp
Engine
2 engines available
Engine Options
  • V6, 3.8 Liter
  • V8, 4.6 Liter
Cargo Volume
15.1 cu ft
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1997 Ford Thunderbird Overview

1997 Ford Thunderbird Pricing

1997 Ford Thunderbird pricing starts at $2,579 for the Thunderbird LX Coupe 2D, which had a starting MSRP of $18,395 when new. The range-topping 1997 Thunderbird LX Coupe 2D starts at $2,579 today, originally priced from $18,395.

Original MSRP
KBB Fair Purchase Price (national avg.)
LX Coupe 2D
$18,395
$2,579

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 1997 Ford Thunderbird models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.

Thunderbird Consumer Sentiment

Owners give this generation Ford Thunderbird (1992-1997) a 4.3 out of 5 rating, which is higher than most, and 92% recommend it. These figures are based on 347 consumer reviews, like these:

What Owners are Saying About the 1997 Ford Thunderbird

"Nice reliable and long-lasting V8"

"Rear wheel drive, not good in snow. V8 power, nice comfortable ride, ample trunk, 4 wheel independent suspension with anti lock breaks. Sporty and luxurious, Find all that in a car today and you will be buying a BMW, or Mercedes.."

"Very reliable !!!"

"My best car ever has been very reliable and handles great. Accelerates quickly! My husband said if they still made them..he would buy one!!"

"Great car for someone who travels a lot."

"When you travel in this car, all the controls are where you expect them to be. I have driven this car all over the country usually averaging about 27 MPG. With regular maintenance, this car has gone 295,000 miles and is still ready to go some more. Great accelaration with the 4.6L V8 and very smooth ride at highway speeds. Multi-direction power seats adjust to the smallest changes, great A/C (in Florida), overall great looks, fun to drive. Poor handling in snowy or icy conditions because it is too light in the rear to keep traction. After seventeen years, it is starting to show some rust and the paint is starting to flake. Great value for a car that lasts this long!"

Overall 1997 Ford Thunderbird Quality

User sentiment suggests the overall quality of the 1997 Ford Thunderbird is above average for its class. Owners rated the 1997 Ford Thunderbird quality a 4.4 out of 5.

1997 Ford Thunderbird Reliability

The 1997 Ford Thunderbird receives an average consumer rating of 4.3 overall and a 4.5 for reliability, which means owners consider its reliability to be above average.

Favorite 1997 Thunderbird Features

According to drivers of the 1997 Thunderbird, here are some of its best features:

  • Everything
  • Comfort, fun to drive, great styling looks.
  • Fun to drive, unbelivable power and reliability
  • A good strong reliable car
  • Fun to drive, easy to upgrade

1997 Ford Thunderbird MPG by Trim

1997 Thunderbird LX Coupe 2D - city 15 MPG - hwy 23 MPG

1997 Thunderbird Safety

NHTSA Safety Rating

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 1997 Ford Thunderbird front-side driver crash test rating is 5 out of 5 stars. The front-side passenger crash test rating is 5 out of 5.

1997 Ford Thunderbird Safety Features

  • Child Door Locks: Not available
  • Child Seat Anchors: Not available
  • Driver Airbag
  • Passenger Airbag
  • Rear Side Airbag
  • Front Side Airbag
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1997 Ford Thunderbird
KBB.com Consumer Reviews

4.3
Consumer Rating
Based on 347 Consumer Reviews
Write a Review
93%Recommend this vehicle
5
55%
5
55%
4
28%
4
28%
3
11%
3
11%
2
4%
2
4%
1
2%
1
2%
Value
4.4
Performance
4.5
Quality
4.4
Comfort
4.5
Reliability
4.5
Styling
4.4

Trending Topics in KBB.com Consumer Reviews

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1997 Ford Thunderbird Style

Style
Price
Combined Fuel Economy
Horsepower
Engine
Cargo Capacity
Torque
Curb Weight
LX Coupe 2D
$2,579
18 MPG
205 @ 4250 RPM
V8, 4.6 Liter
15.1 cu ft
280 lb-ft
3561 lbs
See Full Specs for All 1997 Ford Thunderbird Styles
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1997 Ford Thunderbird Depreciation

A 1997 Ford Thunderbird has depreciated $251 or 11% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $1,844 and trade-in value of $1,019.

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1997 Ford Thunderbird Annual Depreciation

Year
Vehicle Depreciation*
Resale Value
Trade-In Value
2022
+ $409
$2,095
$1,311
2023
$156
$1,939
$1,147
2024
$51
$1,888
$1,060
Now
$44
$1,844
$1,019
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2-Year Forecasted Depreciation

*Depreciation for the last 12 months of the private party resale value.

1997 Ford Thunderbird Depreciation

Annual Depreciation is an estimation of what your vehicle's value might be over time based on an average of similar vehicles. Estimations are calculated by comparing Kelley Blue Book Private Party Values of vehicles similar to yours over time, as well as forecasts from Manheim Auction data comparing current and projected auction values against current Kelley Blue Book Private Party and Trade-In Values. This is not a guarantee of actual depreciation. Local weather conditions, market factors and driver performance will also impact your vehicle's actual depreciation.


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Specifications

Dimensions, Weights & Capacities

Curb Weight
3561 lbs.
EPA Passenger
101.0 cu.ft.
Fuel Capacity
18.0 gallons
Front Head Room
38.1 inches
Front Leg Room
42.5 inches
Max Seating Capacity
5
Overall Length
200.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room
59.1 inches
Towing Capacity, Maximum
2000 lbs.
Trunk or Cargo Capacity
15.1 cu.ft.
Turning Diameter
36.6 feet
Wheel Base
113.0 inches
Width with mirrors
72.7 inches

Exterior

Alloy Wheels
Available
Moon Roof/Sun Roof
Available
Number of Doors
2 doors
Rear Spoiler
Available

Fuel Economy

City
15 mpg
Highway
23 mpg
Combined
18 mpg

Mechanical

Drivetrain
RWD
Transmission Type
Automatic

Performance

Horsepower
205 @ 4250 RPM
Torque
280 @ 3000 rpm
Engine
V8, 4.6 Liter

Warranty

Basic
3 years / 36000 miles
Powertrain
3 years / 36000 miles
Corrosion
5 years / Unlimited miles

Entertainment

  • DVD Entertainment System
  • MP3 Player
  • CD Player

Interior

  • Power Windows
  • Tilt Steering Wheel

Seating

  • Leather Seats
  • Dual Power Front Seats
  • Power Driver's Seat

Technology

  • Cruise Control
  • Hands Free Phone
  • Navigation System

1997 Ford Thunderbird Safety

1997 Ford Thunderbird Safety Technology

  • Child Door Locks: Not available
  • Child Seat Anchors: Not available
  • Driver Airbag
  • Passenger Airbag
  • Rear Side Airbag
  • Front Side Airbag
Not Available

Crash Test Rating

Provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Driver Front
5.0
Passenger Front
5.0
Front Side
3.0
Rear Side
1.0

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See Details
Price
$2,579
$2,314
$2,514
$2,033
Consumer Rating
4.3
4.2
4.6
3.8
Fuel Economy
City 15/Hwy 23/Comb 18 MPG
City 21/Hwy 31/Comb 25 MPG
City 20/Hwy 27/Comb 23 MPG
City 18/Hwy 27/Comb 21 MPG
Fuel Type
Gas
Gas
Gas
Gas
Seating Capacity5555
Basic Warranty
3 years or 36000 miles
3 years or 36000 miles
4 years or 50000 miles
3 years or 36000 miles
Horsepower
205 @ 4250 RPM
140 @ 5600 RPM
150 @ 5700 RPM
170 @ 4800 RPM
Engine
V8, 4.6 Liter
4-Cyl, 2.2 Liter
4-Cyl, VTEC, 2.3 Liter
V6, 3.4 Liter
Drivetrain
RWD
FWD
FWD
FWD

1997 Ford Thunderbird Rankings

FAQs

Is 1997 a good year for a Ford Thunderbird?

Owners of the vehicle give it 4.3 out of 5 stars. To find out if the 1997 Thunderbird is the right car for you, check out the pros and cons, trims, specs and options at Kelley Blue Book.

Is the Ford Thunderbird 1997 a good Coupe?

Owners of the vehicle give it 4.3 out of 5 stars. To find out if the 1997 Thunderbird is the right car for you, check out the pros and cons, trims, specs and options at Kelley Blue Book.

What is the MPG for a 1997 Ford Thunderbird?

The 1997 Ford Thunderbird gets 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

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