Buick Grand National vs. Ford thunderbird Turbo

Zack Sandberg

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Dec 3, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/3/98

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hi, just wondering what you people think about the ford t-bird turbo coupes?
They were the Buick Grand National's compeditor, so what do you guys think
is a better all around car??
thanx
Zack

Zack Sandberg

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Dec 3, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/3/98

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Zack Sandberg

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Dec 3, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/3/98

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Zack Sandberg

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Dec 3, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/3/98

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Mel H.

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Dec 3, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/3/98

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The Turbo Coupe is no match for the Grand National, it's so outgunned
motor-wise. Also, look at resale value and it's obvious which is more
prized. Actually the Grand National, like the Syclone, Typhoon and
possibly Impala SS are really limited editions and not a regular model
like the Turbo Coupe, so I'm not really sure they're competitors.

Here's another comparison for this ng. In the late '80's, Ford actually
had 4 different high performance rear-drive coupes available - The
Mustang GT, Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Lincoln Mark VII LSC and Merkur
XR4Ti. IMO, these were all fine cars in their day and in their own way.
My favorite was the XR4Ti, I owned one from 1988 to 1996, a very
exciting, although not the most reliable, car. Any other opinions?

Mel H.
1998 Ford Contour SVT
Formerly 1985 Merkur XR4Ti

sven...@my-dejanews.com

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Dec 4, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/4/98

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The GN is was a direct compeditor of the 5.0L Mustangs. Turbo Coupes, and
even Supercoupes were no match for a GN. GN vs. Turbo Coupe, I'd take a GN
every time.

In article <74728b$1hp$1...@news.inc.net>,

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gene_t...@my-dejanews.com

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Dec 4, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/4/98

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I can only comment on the Turbo Coupe. I bought a 87 TC when it was 1 year old
and 12k miles. It now has 140k and runs as good as the day I got it. I have
found this car to be very reliable. The only repairs to date are:

58k - Clutch(broaken spring in pressure plate)
90k - Starter
98k - ECU
135k - Brakes

This car is fun to drive. Has very modern features such as ABS, ride control,
reg or prem select on dash.

I have only two complaints. The speedometer pegs at ~97mph. The car will do
this in 3rd gear. The moonroof makes noise(hissing).

I have always used synthetic oil, changing the filter every 3k and the oil
every 6k. I drive it hard, redline every time I drive it, and I pay NO
attention to the "warm it up" "cool it off" turbo warnings that everyone is
so concerned about. The car gets 24 to 30 mpg. I get ~50k miles on the
Gators.

I think the 87 Turbo Coupe is an excellent car.

Gene Thompson

K Mann

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Dec 4, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/4/98

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Uhhh, but you *would* get great gas mileage (probably 25 to 30 mpg)
compared w/ the Mustang or GN.

K Mann

Zack Sandberg <zmtsa...@internetwis.com> wrote in article
<74728b$1hp$1...@news.inc.net>...

K Mann

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Dec 4, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/4/98

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I agree with that other guy. Although the Turbo TB's are fast, even a 5.0L
Mustang would kick it's ass. A Buick Grand Nationaly wouldn't even be a
contest. It'd mop the floor with the TB.

Transalp89

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Dec 5, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/5/98

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My 87 LX 5.0 5spd with 2.73 rear will get 25-28 mpg on the highway... 17-18
mixed ,,, The wonders of fuel injection. When I autocross it, drops to
around 12mpg. 5.0 mustangs are a great car, drive it easy and it is a fairly
economical car.. drive it like I do and the thing will chew through tires and
brakes and fuel like crazy. 72 thousand miles and am my 5th set of tires and
3rd set of brakes.

Some good advice.. dont buy cheap H rated tires for these cars. Spend the
money and get some name brand V or Z rated... Last longer and the car handles
better. Learned my lesson on the H's

Our 94 crown vic got averaged 24 on a trip out west , but usually got around18
in mixed driving.

Our 97 expedition is getting 13 mixed and 18-20 highway... 5.7L triton.

My 5.7L E-250 workvan,,,7200Lbs 3.73 rear... averages 12mpg....

HotMarkVII

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Dec 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/7/98

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My 84 Escort diesel, 170,000 miles gets 50 MPG on the highway, 35-40 mixed....

HotMarkVII

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Dec 7, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/7/98

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Isn't that ironic- My clutch did the same thing- wouldn't disengage....

jojob...@my-dejanews.com

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98

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>just wondering what you people think about the ford t-bird turbo coupes?
> They were the Buick Grand National's compeditor, so what do you guys think
> is a better all around car??
> thanx
> Zack

Zack,

competitor? no way, no competition, none, the '86,'87 GN's are collector
cars. A 6 cyl to behold, if you just hang on to it, they get stolen all the
time.

jojob...@my-dejanews.com

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98

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In article <19981206215202...@ng-ch1.aol.com>,

hotma...@aol.com (HotMarkVII) wrote:
> My 84 Escort diesel, 170,000 miles gets 50 MPG on the highway, 35-40
mixed....
>

Why stop there, what about the great looks of that '84 Escort?

jojob...@my-dejanews.com

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98

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sven...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> The GN is was a direct compeditor of the 5.0L Mustangs. Turbo Coupes, and
> even Supercoupes were no match for a GN. GN vs. Turbo Coupe, I'd take a GN
> every time.
>

Not really, the Mustang is a little car, a pony car in category, the GN is a
large comfortable full bodied car. It was just considered to be a Mustang
competitor because the Mustang could almost keep up if you throw enough money
in one.

jojob...@my-dejanews.com

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98

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In article <74726s$19j$1...@news.inc.net>,
"Zack Sandberg" <zmtsa...@internetwis.com> wrote:
> hi, just wondering what you people think about the ford t-bird turbo coupes?

> They were the Buick Grand National's compeditor, so what do you guys think
> is a better all around car??
> thanx
> Zack
>

Obviously the '84 Escort.