The new Ford Thunderbird was an instant collectable when it was introduced in the first part of the 21st century, and this 2002 Thunderbird is an excellent example that was put away and only used occasionally. Loaded with options, painted a traditional Thunderbird color, and ready to enjoy, this is the right one to buy.The look was a bit retro so you could see the original Thunderbird's DNA running through its veins, but the latest Thunderbird was a machine all unto itself. Sleek, smooth, and elegant, it was everything the original was, but reimagined for modern times. So many of these were put away for posterity that you can find zero-mile cars for a lot more money, and there are really tired ones that are cheap, but we would argue that the best one to own is one that has been gently used, but only once in a while, and this car is the ideal example. Showing just 17,412 original miles, it's still quite fresh and runs like a new car. The white paint, which was called Whisper White in 2002, was the second-rarest color in 2002, making it more unusual than most of its siblings. The finish is in good condition, a testament to the care it has received, with only a few signs of use that are probably inevitable over time, including a little ding on the left rear quarter. The rest looks almost new, including the bright chrome 'Thunderbird' scrip on the flanks, the big chrome grille, and the ornate turquoise-inlaid Thunderbird logos on the nose and tail.What really makes this car sing, however, is that awesome black and red interior, which really pops against the white bodywork. It's all in great condition, of course, with only some minor signs of use on the driver's seat, but leather always looks better when it's a little broken-in. All Thunderbirds came loaded with pretty much every option that Ford could throw at them, including automatic climate control, power windows, locks, mirrors, and seats, cruise control, and a beautiful two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel. There's also a matching red shift knob, which adds more than you'd expect to the interior, and the chrome-ringed cup holders take an ordinary thing and make it interesting. Of course there's a powerful AM/FM/CD stereo system designed for open-air motoring and the handsome white-faced gauges really dress things up. This car include a black folding convertible top (power, of course) as well as a matching white porthole hardtop for driving in all four seasons.Ford's powerful and reliable 3.9 liter V8 was the only powerplant available, and while it wasn't built for the drag strip, it makes the T-Bird feel energetic at just about everything it does. The last 15 years have pretty much proven that this is a reliable piece, so you can expect many years of happy motoring in this Thunderbird, and it does make fantastic V8 sounds from the dual tailpipes out back. It's well maintained and doesn't have any needs today, so that's a plus. The 5-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly, plus there's a tall overdrive so highway cruising is truly effortless. The suspension is all independent, the brakes are big discs all around, and it wears optional chrome alloy wheels with Michelin radials with lots of life left in them.This Thunderbird strikes an ideal balance between affordable and quality, making it a car that won't last long in the showroom. If you're interested, don't hesitate, call today!