1990 Ford Thunderbird Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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No changes were introduced for the 1990 Ford Thunderbird. The standard and LX trims were available with only one engine option: a 3.8 liter V6 that put out just 140 horsepower. Drivers and reviewers complained that the '90 Thunderbird had gotten too far from its roots as a performance sports car. Where was the muscle? The power? The pizzazz?
It was in the Super Coupe, of course. The 1990 Thunderbird Super Coupe was unchanged from the previous model year, when it had reigned as Motor Trend's 'Car of the Year'. There was a lot to love about the Super Coupe, too: its state-of-the-art supercharged 3.8 liter V-6 engine featured intercooling and computer-controlled fuel injection. With 210 horsepower and 315 lb.-ft. of torque under the hood, the '90 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe had the power, speed, and agility to make it a favorite with drivers looking for that classic American racing style.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1990 Ford Thunderbird
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Butch B
Jan 19, 2023
Car was loaded with almost every option!
Only thing that was not on car was leather seats!
Compact to other Thunder Bird Super Coupes!
Jan 19, 2023
by Anonymous
Mar 25, 2014
This was my first car and fell in love. I love the sporty look of these cars, 89-95 Only. They should of stopped there. The new ones look too much like a chrysler in the front end. Thank you for looking Mar 25, 2014
by Anonymous
Feb 02, 2014
Its a old used car with a few problems however when running right the 3.8 has lots of get up and go. Fuel mileage is pretty good. Wish it had factory cup holders. Not a bad ride overall. The two doors are heavy when closing. Power brakes are different and took some getting used toFeb 02, 2014
User rating:
by Butch B
Jan 19, 2023
Car was loaded with almost every option!
Only thing that was not on car was leather seats!
Compact to other Thunder Bird Super Coupes!
Jan 19, 2023
by Anonymous
Mar 25, 2014
This was my first car and fell in love. I love the sporty look of these cars, 89-95 Only. They should of stopped there. The new ones look too much like a chrysler in the front end. Thank you for looking Mar 25, 2014
by Anonymous
Feb 02, 2014
Its a old used car with a few problems however when running right the 3.8 has lots of get up and go. Fuel mileage is pretty good. Wish it had factory cup holders. Not a bad ride overall. The two doors are heavy when closing. Power brakes are different and took some getting used toFeb 02, 2014
by Anonymous
Feb 06, 2013
I love the Thunderbird! it is an awesome car! I has great steering, reliability, luxury, brakes, handling, and much more! it can use up a little more gas, though. All in all, the Thunderbird is the best car i have ever had!Feb 06, 2013
by Jonathon G
Jan 18, 2011
Nothing to tell, I don't own the car anymore. Sent it to the junkyard over the weekend, and almost everything was expensive to repair, and despite it's fun to drive nature, it just was too expensive to keep any longer.Jan 18, 2011
by Jonathon G
Nov 12, 2010
It's a good looking car, with a clean design, dynamic driving approach, and good ergonomics. Kinda reminds me, in the profile, of an older BMW E24 6 series, especially in the window shape, size, and general independent rear suspension design.Nov 12, 2010
by Skyler W
Sep 22, 2010
I like the fact that this car has a decent amount of horse power and torque. It also has a sports suspension, to handle tight turns at higher speeds. Sadly I havn't got to drive it yet, because the brake's don't work right now. The brake system is the one thing i don't like about this car. I think they made the system more complicated than it needs to be. But then again if the brakes were in working order, i would be happy with them. The selling points on this car for me are the hp, torque and body. Sep 22, 2010
by Kyle T
Aug 01, 2010
its a one of a kind epic machine. its mine and thats all i need. i never want to get rid
of her and will love her always and forever. many upgrades and modifications,
defenitely one of a kind. i rarely ever see a 35th anniversary, but never see one
on wire rims!Aug 01, 2010
by Wavy Dot W
Nov 02, 2009
nothing can be changed about this car...except tires that dont need to be replaced.bes car i have ever own.i only paid $1000 for it. has a great big sunroof.great stock tires.amazing suspernsion.i dont think there is much else to ask forNov 02, 2009
by Graeme M
Oct 07, 2009
it my baby, 3.8L supercharger automatic, and WILL beat any MUSTANGS that it will meet. I would of never gotten into these cars but my dad had one when i just got my one licenses and he then he sold it so i had to get one of my own.Oct 07, 2009
by John K
Aug 01, 2009
Built Ford tough definately during this era. 3.8L V6 SuperCoupe with over 250 HP to get around. Cost is fairly cheap to maintain, very simple. Awesome car to drive around town, cruising, hitting boost, whatever you feel like doing with this vehicle.Aug 01, 2009
by Cody M
Jun 21, 2009
as far as Performance goes this car sucked. the car would only do 85mph but however it did get good gas mileage it got about 25mpg which is better than my truck gets but my truck will do 110mph so it would smoke that T-bird. as far as maintenance goes it was a solid vehicle but every oh say 30,000 miles you can bet on replacing the left head gasket. just a flaw in the ford 3.8L v6 motor.Jun 21, 2009
by Eric S
Feb 20, 2009
performance- very quick, brakes are good, and you can slam this thing into the corners. the auto ride auto/firm adjustable shocks work well
build quality- very well exept these engines are kind of a lemon and needs head gaskets
appenance- not for everyone but i like the way it looks
cost- and expensive car to fix, but really good milage
fun factor- this car is very fun to drive.Feb 20, 2009
by Joe D
Dec 24, 2008
Nothing turns more heads then you blowing by with the SuperCharger whining at 15 PSI of boost... It's a car that is a work in progress... there is so much that I want to do, and so much that needs to be done..Dec 24, 2008
by Jared I
Dec 02, 2008
i have a 1990 ford t bird sc...3.8L v6 wit a supercharger...ive had it up to 150...jus recently...lol...its definitely a tunner killer...lol...i really enjoy drivin it...yea ive had a few problems wit it...but i cant expect everything to be perfect wit it...it is a 1990..lol...but its good enough for me =)Dec 02, 2008
by Zach C
Jul 30, 2008
sice i race and this car has a blower, i heard one was getting sold and i said the EXACT words "i want it" so i went out, picked it up... put 4 trannies in it until i found the one i had that was full race and was good and put it in, thre it on a traylor took it to the track.. this car is the most amazingly empressive 6 cyl ive ever driven, im buying 2 more cause i love these cars and the 4100 LBS. car is a BLASTJul 30, 2008
by Hector S
Jul 24, 2008
i take the car because my brother give it to me. This is the fastest machine i ever ride. It was a beautiful car, it is very long and heavy but it have a unique style that can surprise anyone. It is very fun to run because of his quick response on steering and acceleration.Jul 24, 2008
by Alex W
Jul 04, 2008
a little v6 with some power in a car with indepentant suspention all aroundJul 04, 2008
by Kevin H
Jul 01, 2008
no steering feel, extremely floaty suspension, really bad build quality but engine and transmission felt like it would last forever.Jul 01, 2008
by Sam M
Jun 30, 2008
fun to drive car,very low mileage when i got it(
80,000 miles) very smooth ride, very spacious and
roomy inside the car. acceleration is very good for
how heavy the car is. Love the look of the car it has
a sleek design for a 1990. Gas mileage is a big
factor with this car. i barely get 20 mpg with this
car and the tank is huge (15 gallon). it costs me 45
bucks to fill the tank half way. interior of the car
looks awsome for how old it is. very clean and
comfy seats and looked like it was hardley used
when i got the car.Exterior the car is in very good
shape. No dents or scratches on it and very very
little rust which is amazing for how old this car is.
Mantience wise i knew i would have to fix it up
since it was an old car. ive had to replace breaks,
break rotars, starter, ignition switch, Throdle
switch, alternator, water pump, window clips and
motors and a break line and the engine when i got
the car. overall the some comes up to about 1500
bucks to fix over time. Overall handles really well
and is a great first car for a anyone.Jun 30, 2008
by Anonymous
Jun 12, 2008
i have a 1990 sc and am going to buy another soon, there a super car, lots of fun to drive.Jun 12, 2008
by Anonymous
Jun 06, 2008
Fun to drive. fits like a luxery car,drives like a sports car.Jun 06, 2008
by Dennis C
Jun 02, 2008
mine needs a paint job, has some small dents, Navy Blue in color. love the super charger and firm ride controll =)Jun 02, 2008
by Garret S
May 19, 2008
Well I was not impressed on the test drive seeing as it needed alot of work, a few hundred dollars later it is running and it was able to get me from A to B without over heating sometimes, but most other times it would overheat due to a blown head which is fairly common in those cars. A few months later when the transmission exploded I had to trash it May 19, 2008
by Anonymous
Apr 26, 2008
I love the car I always wanted one since highschool and i finally got my car.Apr 26, 2008
by Anonymous
Apr 25, 2008
The car has p;enty of room dont know other than that im trying to get it runing again. Apr 25, 2008
by Armando F
Apr 22, 2008
koo. gets me from point a to point b. kinda like a cheap caddyApr 22, 2008
by Dawn W
Apr 02, 2008
They took out my review because apparently, it had profanity. But long story short... it has a 3.8 Fuel Injected V6 motor, power brakes, power windows and locks, power steering... and it handles really well. Really does. I'd recommend a Thunderbird to anyone.Apr 02, 2008
by Shawn A
Feb 28, 2008
SOOO many miles on this thing. 200,000+ engine ran fine, but body rusted off frame.Feb 28, 2008
by Craig S
Jan 07, 2008
well mine was a bit old. so it was worn out.Jan 07, 2008
by Anonymous
May 14, 2007
need to repair itMay 14, 2007
What users have asked
1568 views
Battery cables
I have to replace the battery cables on a 1990 ford thunderbird sc but the casing is gone on the battery wires so i dont know what cable goes where to be connected i need help
176 views
Voltage Reading
What should the voltage of the battery read when you use a multimeter while the car is running when i did it read 15.05 but my battery keeps going dead but will run as long as it is jumped and last the day but not over night the alternator is good
226 views
Transmission
I have a 90 Ford Thunderbird, 77000 MI it has a v6 automatic ,shifts fine thru first second and third gear if it's in overdrive it slips in overdrive, if you pull it back to third gear and drives just fine no problem no slips is there anything that can be done. Have already changed filter.
27 views
Top Comparisons
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1990 Ford Thunderbird Pricing
Original MSRP
$15,531 to $20,849Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: special factory paint
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel covers: wire · Wheels: alloy
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Exterior Features
Paint: special factory paint
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel covers: wire · Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent