[ProtectOurFreedom]

Why did the 2002-2005 T-bird reboot fail? I thought it was a good looking car.

[Joe 6-pack]

I thought it was a great looking car...on the outside. Interior trim left a lot to be desired. Other issues cited are powerplant and transmission issues. IMHO, Ford poorly researched the market, and rather than competing for an existing niche, was attempting to create a niche. About the only core following the car got were aging boomers looking to reboot their youth in the 50s.

As a pure, two seater its price point was above roadsters like the Miata and Pontiac Solstice. Performance levels weren't on par with pricier two seaters like the BMW Z3 and Z4 or anything close to the Dodge Viper.

Ford was gearing up for the intro of the 5th Generation Mustangs and didn't want a performance car that would outclass the Mustang (except maybe the very limited production Ford GT that came out about the same time).

Ford was never really clear about to whom the car was being marketed, cut corners that would have expanded the appeal and priced it beyond other cars that it would have otherwise competed with.

[Demiurge2]

Overpriced, underpowered, slow, fumbling introduction.