Driving a Ford Thunderbird on a summer night takes you back to a simpler era. The V8 engine burbles as you cruise comfortably back in time. With two seats, a convertible top, and rear-wheel drive, it sometime feels like driving a vintage car. Ford introduced Thunderbird as a 2002 model, but has revised it each year since. Electronic throttle control and variable cam timing improved performance, power, and fuel economy. Traction control is standard on all models. The roadster has perennial style, loads of power and all sorts of interior roominess. These three things, define the Thunderbird today just as much as it did back in the day.

2004 Ford Thunderbird is just the right amount of power to get your spine tingling. The engine is an aluminum 3.9-liter V8. It gives the rear-wheel drive convertible 280 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 286 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. Built for high-speed performance, the engine features a coil-on-plug ignition with platinum-tipped spark plugs, low-friction pistons and dual exhausts. 5-speed automatic transmission is standard. It comes with driver and passenger front and side airbags-the first Ford convertible to come equipped with combination head-and-chest side airbags. Other safety and security features include an anti-theft system, Ford's Smart Locks system, the LATCH child seats system, a perimeter alarm with an LED indicator and a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release handle.

Compare this Thunderbird with the new 2004 Corvette.

2004 Corvette

Adequate head and legroom, plus a wider cockpit than in most sports cars. Entry/exit requires a drop in and a climb out, though unobtrusive doorsills help. Thick roof pillars hurt visibility to all corners, especially top-up in convertibles. All models have sufficient space for two golf bags, but liftover is achingly high and there's no partition between cargo hold and cabin. Cockpit storage minuscule. It has unique shale colored leather seating surfaces, leather-appointed door pull grips and armrest pads and exclusive high polished 5-spoke aluminum wheels with specific center cap will turn heads at whiplash speed.

Compare the Ford's new Thunderbird with the Corvette, G35 and last years 2003 S2000.

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