Car financing: 1986 Ford Thunderbird
Rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one for you. Rated 11.8 to 13.1 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
- 11.8 to 13.1 L/100 km
- Recalls
- 1
For sale
Rent a 1986 Ford Thunderbird for a week to try it on your own roads, and tell us what you want: 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.
1986 Ford Thunderbird specs
| Spec | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 | Powertrain 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo | 3.8L 6-cylinder | 5.0L 8-cylinder | 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo | 3.8L 6-cylinder |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 4-speed automatic | 4-speed automatic | 3-speed automatic | 3-speed automatic |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City | 13.1 L/100 km | 13.8 L/100 km | 14.7 L/100 km | 14.7 L/100 km | 13.8 L/100 km |
| Highway | 9.8 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km | 11.2 L/100 km |
| Combined | 11.8 L/100 km | 12.4 L/100 km | 12.4 L/100 km | 13.1 L/100 km | 13.1 L/100 km |
| CO₂ | 276 g/km | 291 g/km | 291 g/km | 307 g/km | 307 g/km |
| Cost to drive 100 km | $18.29 | $19.22 | $19.22 | $20.31 | $20.31 |
1986 Ford Thunderbird: every figure
| Figure | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 | Powertrain 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 2.3 L | 3.8 L | 5.0 L | 2.3 L | 3.8 L |
| Cylinders | 4 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 6 |
| MPG city (US) | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
| MPG highway (US) | 24 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 21 |
| MPG combined (US) | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
| MPG combined (Imperial) (converted from the US figure) | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 |
| 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$3,350 | US$3,550 | US$3,550 | US$3,700 | US$3,700 |
| Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at $1.55 a litre) | $3,658 | $3,844 | $3,844 | $4,062 | $4,062 |
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 1986 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 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine cooling (10), electrical system (7) and seat belts (5). Have those parts checked before you buy.
| Campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87V139000 | 1987-09-04 | fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED. |
Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.
Buying the 1986 Ford Thunderbird
No 1986 Ford Thunderbird is for sale by CarmaCars at the moment; this page helps you judge the car before you buy one elsewhere. CarmaCars does not finance cars. Renting is not a loan, so there is no credit check to rent. Before you buy the 1986 Ford Thunderbird, here is what the figures say and what to look at.
A buyer's checks
There are 1 NHTSA recall campaigns on file; a dealer can check by the VIN whether each was done. In Ontario, a used car needs a Safety Standards Certificate to be registered. Look at the tires, brakes and battery; they are costly to replace. Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and engine cooling, electrical system and seat belts; have those parts checked.
Reading the spec sheet
The 2.3L 4-cylinder turbo does the work, through a 5-speed manual. It runs on regular gas. Rear-wheel drive gives balanced handling; in winter, the tires make the biggest difference.
Rated at 11.8 L/100 km combined, it needs around 35 litres for a 300 km round trip. A 300 km weekend costs about $54.87 in energy at our price setting. At US fuel prices, the EPA estimates US$3,350 a year for 15,000 miles.
Space and size
A car body like this keeps the weight low, so it feels settled on the highway. Its 425 litres of luggage space fit a family's bags for a long weekend.
Who it is for
It suits anyone who needs a car for a few days, a week or a month without buying one. It suits visitors who want a familiar car for a week in town.
Drive it on your own roads
A test week in the Thunderbird tells you more than any review. Rent the Thunderbird first, and buy only if it fits your life. If the Thunderbird is in our fleet, its page shows the rates; if not, a similar car helps you judge.
The cost of driving it
A 1,000 km month costs roughly $182.90 at our price setting. Get an insurance quote for this exact model before you buy; rates differ a lot between models. Ask what a set of tires costs for this trim; sizes and prices vary.
Choosing the right one
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. Decide what matters most first: fuel use, space, or the price you can pay.
When you know your dates
Rent it for a week, then decide: send a request with your dates.
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 1986 Ford Thunderbird from us first.
Ask us about the 1986 Ford Thunderbird
Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 1986 Ford Thunderbird for you and reply within one business day.
Buying the 1986 Ford Thunderbird
Does CarmaCars sell the 1986 Ford Thunderbird?
CarmaCars rents cars and sells one now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.
Can I rent a 1986 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 1986 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 1986 Ford Thunderbird cost in fuel a year?
EPA puts it at US$3,350 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $3658.00.
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.