North American Turbocoupe Organization

Hi,

Just joined the group, but have lusted over Turbo coupes since they first came out. I have
a potential purchase in mind, and would like to ask some questions.

Car is a black '88 TC, 5 speed, red Interior. Mileage is 260,000 KM (~175,000 miles). Clutch and tranny feel good, electrical stuff is fine (radio display not working, radio works fine)

Noted the following:

Firm Ride LED is blinking. I assume this means that the PRC computer has detected a problem with the shocks or actuators. I know the shocks are expensive, but are they still available? Are the actuators (motors on the top of the shock) still available. or are these the luck of the juniyard?

Door pull on passenger side is missing, one one the driver's side is in pretty bad shape.
what is availability like for these? Are they the same as on regular Thunderbirds, or unique to the Turbo?

Intention is to have the car checked out completely by the local Ford dealer. This means compression, code scan including PRC, all fluid checks, battery/alternator checks, brake & suspension inspection all around. Is there anything I'm missing?

In general, how is parts availability for Turbo Coupe specific parts?

Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I don't need to get into a lemon. This car will be a weekend type car, not daily transportation, I have another car for that.


[This message has been edited by Kostask (edited 03-10-2003).]

Welcome to the board.

The radio light is most likely the bulb.

There are a very small quantity of PRC struts/shocks around. I just got a quote of about $650 per complete set + shipping.

Door pulls are unique to the TC and the 88 are different from the 87s as far as the end pieces go. They are obsolete so you got to get them from e-bay or somebody parting a car.

In general a lot of parts are obsolete from Ford but many are still available from other cars getting parted. The front end lights are still available-new, the tailights are not. Brake rotors are available but not cheap.
1988s are the most plentiful.

The engines are tough and if cared for, long lived. I suggest you read through the FAQs and Technical Articles, linked off the home page to get the flavor of things. There are aseveral article of value for the new/perspective owner. Be sure to check the (rust) condition of the door bottoms from the inside, behind the weater strip and the rest of the undercarriage.

Good luck on the dealer knowing how to get the PRC codes.

Keep us posted.

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
Good judgement comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

Pete D:

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I have read the FAQs, and while valuable in many ways, they do not address the door pulls, body rust, shock status, or the radio problem. On the other hand, the FAQs were where I read about the blinking firm ride LED.

I have called back the owner, and we are going to try to arrange a time at which I can get the car inspected, probably at the only decent Ford dealer around here in Calgary (they're the only people I trust with my '93 Mark VIII). I had intended to have them check the suspension and undercarriage for rust/damage as well while in for the inspection anyway.

I did notice some rust on the driver side door bottom, but it appeared to be surface, not through, as well as a couple of small bubbles in the rear quarter panel just above the wide rubber strip that runs around the lower part of the car. Is rust a major consideration for these cars? Calgary is in Western Canada, and does not use salt in the winter. Are these cars particularly rust prone, or are there certain critical areas that are prone to rusting, in particular, you comment regarding rusting of the doors?

This is actually about the fourth or fifth time I have read the FAQs, but wasn't this close to actually getting a TC.

These cars are no more rust prone than anything else from that era. I was just pointing out the places where it most likely starts. On the doors make sure (after you get it to be sure the drain holes are open so water doesn't sit inside the doors. the holes are small and ofter clog up. I wasn't sure what the salt usage in your area was so I mentioned undercarrage, but it's always a good idea to check

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
Good judgement comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

Awesome. Would be nice to have another TC owner in Alberta that knows about NATO. As far as the rust situation, it sounds par to my own. They do use a little bit of salt out here, just less than a quarter of what they use on the coasts. At least they do in Edmonton. It's fairly high millage, so just keep that into consideration. Mine had 218 when I got it and has been running strong since. Hope you get a good deal.