Auto loans: 1985 Ford Thunderbird
None for sale by us right now: rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one. Rated 12.4 to 13.8 L/100 km combined (EPA). 1 NHTSA recall campaign. CarmaCars is not a lender, dealer or lessor, and does not arrange financing or leases. We rent cars, and sell one only when it is listed for sale on this page with its price.
- For sale by us
- 0
- Combined
- 12.4 to 13.8 L/100 km
- Recalls
- 1
For sale
We do not have a 1985 Ford Thunderbird for sale right now. We are a rental company: rent one for a week to try it, or tell us what you want and we look for one for you.
CarmaCars is not a lender, dealer or lessor, and does not arrange financing or leases. We rent cars, and sell one only when it is listed for sale on this page with its price.
1985 Ford Thunderbird specs
| Spec | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 | Powertrain 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo | 3.8L 6-cylinder | 3.8L 6-cylinder | 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo | 5.0L 8-cylinder |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 4-speed automatic | 3-speed automatic | 3-speed automatic | 4-speed automatic |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City | 13.8 L/100 km | 14.3 L/100 km | 14.3 L/100 km | 14.7 L/100 km | 15.7 L/100 km |
| Highway | 9.8 L/100 km | 10.2 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km | 10.7 L/100 km |
| Combined | 12.4 L/100 km | 12.4 L/100 km | 13.1 L/100 km | 13.8 L/100 km | 13.8 L/100 km |
| CO₂ | 291 g/km | 291 g/km | 307 g/km | 325 g/km | 325 g/km |
| Cost to drive 100 km | $19.22 | $19.22 | $20.31 | $21.39 | $21.39 |
1985 Ford Thunderbird: every figure
| Figure | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 | Powertrain 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 2.3 L | 3.8 L | 3.8 L | 2.3 L | 5.0 L |
| Cylinders | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
| MPG city (US) | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
| MPG highway (US) | 24 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 22 |
| MPG combined (US) | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
| MPG combined (Imperial) (converted from the US figure) | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 20 |
| Luggage volume (litres converted from EPA's cubic feet) | 425 L (15 cu ft) | 425 L (15 cu ft) | 425 L (15 cu ft) | 425 L (15 cu ft) | 425 L (15 cu ft) |
| Fuel cost a year (EPA) (EPA: 15,000 miles at its fuel prices) | US$3,550 | US$3,550 | US$3,700 | US$3,950 | US$3,950 |
| Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at $1.55 a litre) | $3,844 | $3,844 | $4,062 | $4,278 | $4,278 |
Sources: fuel use, MPG, CO2, electric range, battery, charge time, luggage volume and the annual fuel cost are the US EPA's (fueleconomy.gov). Imperial MPG, litres, inches and pounds are converted from those figures. Figures no free source publishes for this car (power, torque, acceleration, top speed, fuel tank, towing) are left out.
What to check when buying the 1985 Ford Thunderbird
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. Ask the seller for proof each one was fixed; a dealer can check it by the VIN.
- Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system (10), service brakes (2) and engine and engine cooling (1). Have those parts checked before you buy.
| Campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85V025000 | 1985-03-11 | service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder | BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY ANODIZED INTERNAL SURFACES CAUSING ACCELERATED WEAR OF A PISTON SEAL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: ONE PORTION OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD BECOME INEFFECTIVE RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DRIVER WOULD BE WARNED BY INCREASED PEDAL... |
Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.
Buying the 1985 Ford Thunderbird
We are a rental company, not a dealer, so there is no 1985 Ford Thunderbird for sale by us right now. CarmaCars does not finance cars. Renting is not a loan, so there is no credit check to rent. Buying the 1985 Ford Thunderbird is a big decision; here is the information we have.
Recalls and complaints
In Ontario, a used car needs a Safety Standards Certificate to be registered. Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system, service brakes and engine and engine cooling; have those parts checked. Look at the tires, brakes and battery; they are costly to replace. A pre-purchase inspection at a shop you choose is money well spent.
Under the hood
It runs the 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo, with rear-wheel drive. The turbo gives a small engine the pull of a bigger one when you need it. Rear-wheel drive gives balanced handling; in winter, the tires make the biggest difference.
For 300 km of mixed driving, expect about 37 litres, from its 12.4 L/100 km rating. Every 100 km costs about $19.22 in fuel at our price setting. At US fuel prices, the EPA estimates US$3,550 a year for 15,000 miles.
Good uses for the Thunderbird
It suits someone whose own car is in the shop for a while. It suits anyone who needs a car for a few days, a week or a month without buying one.
Living with the Thunderbird
As a compact car, it has a closed trunk that keeps luggage out of sight. With 425 litres of luggage space by the EPA's measure, it takes a family's bags for a long weekend.
Rent it for a week first
A week with the Thunderbird answers more than any brochure. A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent the Thunderbird for a week and see how it fits your life.
Year and trim
Look at a few listings of the same year and trim to get a feel for fair prices. Ask the seller which trim it is; badges can be swapped and options vary. If two trims share a powertrain, the difference is equipment, which you can check in person.
The cost of driving it
Ask what a set of tires costs for this trim; sizes and prices vary. At our price setting, 100 km costs about $19.22 in fuel. The EPA estimates US$3,550 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles at US prices.
When you know your dates
Ask us anything about renting before you buy.
Rent it for a week before you buy
A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent a 1985 Ford Thunderbird from us first.
Ask us about the 1985 Ford Thunderbird
Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 1985 Ford Thunderbird for you and reply within one business day.
Buying the 1985 Ford Thunderbird
Does CarmaCars sell the 1985 Ford Thunderbird?
Not right now. CarmaCars rents cars; it sells one only now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.
Can I rent a 1985 Ford Thunderbird before I buy one?
Yes. Request it for a week (or longer, up to 365 days) and drive it as your own; nothing is charged until we confirm and you approve.
Does the 1985 Ford Thunderbird have recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.
What does the 1985 Ford Thunderbird cost in fuel a year?
EPA puts it at US$3,550 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $3844.00.
Where do the figures come from?
Fuel use and fuel cost from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov), dimensions and weight from NHTSA vPIC Canadian specifications, recalls and complaints from NHTSA. We leave out any figure no free source publishes.