Best Used Ford Convertible - Thunderbird, Mustang

American convertibles are inextricably tied to the fun and sun attitudes of the 1960s. With bands like the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean extolling the virtues of heading down to the ocean in a drop top or cruising the boulevard with friends long after the sun has gone to bed, the heavy iron coming out of Detroit in that era acquired an additional cachet with the roof open.

The 1960s also represented the last hurrah for American convertibles. At the time it wasn’t uncommon for almost every vehicle in a car company’s lineup to be available with a canvas roof, and there were plenty of options on the market ranging from full-size Bonnevilles and Montereys to compact Corvairs. However, increased concerns regarding proposed rollover safety regulations in the 1970’s caused convertibles to almost completely disappear from the automotive landscape, surviving either as targa models or limited production special editions.

Ford was one of the first companies to bring drop tops back to the market in the early 1980s, following hot on the heels of the Chrysler LeBaron with the extremely popular Mustang convertible. The Mustang would trade on both its past status as a cultural icon and attractive, inexpensive compact styling to become one of the company’s greatest successes, and the Ford lineup was never again without a topless Mustang option.

As the years moved on, it appeared as though convertibles would be limited to small domestic vehicles and consistent offerings from European sports car manufacturers. Very few companies were willing to experiment with large, full-size convertibles especially after the spectacular failure of the Cadillac Allante in the early 1990’s. However, the success of both the Dodge Viper and the Plymouth Prowler sent many automakers on a quest to discover which of their retro designs would benefit the most from the removal of the roof. Ford was not immune to the temptations posed by a possibly wide open market for a large, heritage-inspired convertible and soon joined the fray with their own unique offering.

Ford convertibles have always balanced performance with value, and the used market is no exception. In terms of horsepower, fun and intriguing designs Ford offers two of the most compelling convertibles available to buyers looking to pick up a recent fun in the sun car. This article takes a look the best Ford has to offer and explains why each of them deserves serious consideration when it comes time to spend rag top dollars.

2002 – 2005 Ford Thunderbird convertible

When Ford shelved the long-running Thunderbird brand at the end of the 1997 model year, there was no question that they would eventually be bringing it back. The details of how and when, however, remained murky. Few could have predicted that the Thunderbird would find itself once again in showrooms across the United States wearing styling reminiscent of its debut as a two-seat roadster in the mid-1950’s. Going on sale in 2002 and offered until 2005, the radically re-designed Thunderbird bore the Frenched round headlights and egg crate grill of the original T-Bird, along with a gently tapered body which rounded to an almost boat-tail at the back. Most importantly, however, the Thunderbird had lost its roof and rear seats, putting it squarely in the luxury toy car segment.

In addition to the halo-car styling the Thunderbird also offers a 3.9-liter V-8 engine under the hood. Early models only produced 252 horsepower, which was adequate but translated into less than stunning performance, making it worth seeking out the later editions which saw engine output increase to 280 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed automatic is the only transmission offered, befitting the reborn Thunderbird’s cruiser image. The car is well sorted when it comes to handling and comfort, carving through back roads with a distinct lack of cowl shake or noise thanks in part to its Jaguar-sourced rear suspension.

The inside of the Thunderbird is comfortable for both driver and passenger, and the dashboard and gauges look as though they have been sent through a time machine back to an era when style was king and function followed form. Both a soft top and hard top are provided, making the Thunderbird an all-weather machine.

The 2002 – 2005 Ford Thunderbird convertible stands on its own with its uncommon looks and rare full-size domestic platform. For anyone looking for a used convertible that is larger than the typical compact or mid-size, the Thunderbird is a solid option.

2005 – 2007 Ford Mustang convertible

The 2005 – 2007 Ford Mustang convertible combines the growl of a high-powered V-8 engine with the delicious smell of burning rubber and the appreciate looks of pedestrians and other drivers into a beautifully rendered modern interpretation of the famous original mid-1960s Mustang design. Fans of the Mustang’s muscle car legacy will have a lot to love about this latest edition of one of Ford’s most popular vehicles.

The impressive design continues underneath the vehicle’s eye-catching exterior. The fifth generation Mustang convertible benefits from a better chassis and suspension setup that helps to keep the ride not only comfortable but also more responsive than previous rag top versions of the car. Body roll is greatly reduced, and traction is also improved. Available with either a 200 horsepower V-6 or a 300 horsepower V-8, the Mustang is fun to drive no matter how much juice buyers choose under the hood – although punching down on the loud pedal is a lot more satisfying to the ears when the V-8 is barking out of the wide rear pipes.

The interior of the Mustang convertible has also been upgraded when compared to the previous model. Gone are the waves of hard plastic and fabric door inserts and in its place are a segmented dash bearing attractive metal trim along with deeply set gauges and a spiffy three-spoke steering wheel. Old-school large-font numbers dominate the driver’s information display, and a simple boxed shifter console matches up well with the heating and stereo controls.

The 2005 – 2007 Ford Mustang convertible makes a compelling option on the used market. With so few affordably priced rear-wheel drive convertibles available, the improved quality and power of the Mustang has forced it on to the lists of many open-air motoring enthusiasts who previously only considered European offerings.