Trim Report

Ford Thunderbird LX1988

Includes:TBIRD|LX
$3,649
Starting From
8
Active Listings
—
Avg Mileage

Sourced from 8 dealer listings in the latest market snapshot as of

Min $3,649
Max $15,099
From $3,649
(27d ago)

LX Market Overview

All Trims Combined
From$25,000
$25K–$25K
1 listings75,000 avg miles
LX
From$3,649
8 listings|$4K–$15K
Pacific Coast
From$10,999
4 listings|$11K–$34K
Super
From$13,999
4 listings|$14K–$25K

1988 Ford Thunderbird LX Pricing

Price Trend

Building price history...

8 listings and counting.

This market is tight. Create a scout to stay on top of new inventory as it drops.

Start trackingFrom $5/week

Where to Find Ford Thunderbird LX

Location data for all 1988 Ford Thunderbird trims combined

33States

If you're near California, you're in luck: 11% of listings are there. But with 33 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

Ford Thunderbird Safety & Reliability

Safety data for all 1988 Ford Thunderbird trims

Elevated

The 1988 Ford Thunderbird has a elevated safety risk profile with 1 recall campaigns and 101 NHTSA complaints. Before buying, verify that all recalls have been completed. It's free at any dealer.

1
Recalls
101
Complaints
5
Crashes
18
Fires
Recall Findings
88V0330001988-15-03
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

A DESIGN CHANGE TO FACILITATE CHANGEOVER IN REAR AXLE SHAFT FLANGES INADVERTENTLY PRODUCED THE POSSIBILITY FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLANGE AND DISC BRAKE ROTOR.

THE INTERFERENCE COULD PREVENT PROPER SEATING OF THEROTOR. ALSO AN IMPROPERLY SEATED ROTOR COULD IN TIME RESULT IN A REDUCTION INTHE CLAMPING FORCES OF THE WHEEL STUDS, POSSIBLY LEADING TO FRACTURED STUDSAND REAR WHEEL SEPARATION.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Across 1 model years, 101 owners have filed complaints about the 1988 Ford Thunderbird. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues top the list, so ask the seller about this area specifically during your inspection.

01Electrical System27
02Seat Belts17
03Exterior Lighting10
04Vehicle Speed Control9
05Engine And Engine Cooling8
101 total across 1 model years (1988–1988)Full data at NHTSA.gov
Know the risks. Now track the deals.Start tracking for $5/week

Ford Thunderbird Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy data for all 1988 Ford Thunderbird trims

17–21mpg combined
·
15-18city
·
21-25hwy
·
$2,950-$3,600/yr

Across 4 configurations, the 1988 Ford Thunderbird returns 17–21 MPG combined. Choose the thriftier option if you're commuting; the sportier setup if you're not counting gallons.

By Trim
Thunderbird - Automatic 4-spd
21mpg
3.8L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive
18 city25 hwy~$2,950/yr-1/10 Poor
Thunderbird - Automatic 4-spd
19mpg
5.0L 8-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive
16 city24 hwy~$3,250/yr-1/10 Poor
Thunderbird - Manual 5-spd
19mpg
2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
16 city24 hwy~$3,250/yr-1/10 Poor
Thunderbird - Automatic 4-spd
17mpg
2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
15 city21 hwy~$3,600/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

1988 Ford Thunderbird LX FAQ

Trim-specific pricing and feature questions

How does the LX compare to other Ford Thunderbird trims?

The LX occupies a distinct position in the Ford Thunderbird range. See how it stacks up on the 1988 overview page.

What should I know about maintaining the 1988 Ford Thunderbird LX?

Budget for standard LX maintenance plus any trim-specific items. The 1988 has 1 recall on file. Review the known issues on the model year page for areas to inspect before purchasing.

What are the best years for the Ford Thunderbird LX?

For the LX, look at the price-to-mileage ratio across model years. Later model years before a redesign tend to be the most refined version of the platform. See the Ford Thunderbird buyer's guide.

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