For the price, the styling of the Firebird is second to none. It looks and IS a fast car. Even sitting next to a Vette, the Firebird will hold its own from an appearance standpoint - even though it costs $25,000 less. The anticipation that develops as you look at the car is only enhanced once sitting behind the wheel. A great layout of gauges along with a snug "lets get down to business" cockpit sends the key into the ignition as fast a possible. Suprisingly, even that event is satisfying with the V6 as GM has obviously gone to a lot of trouble to make the smaller plant at least sound powerful. The 10 speaker Monsoon stereo is as good if not better than most after-market offerings. (although 10 speakers is a bit of a stretch as they count woofers and tweeters - 6 speakers is more like it with 2 in the doors, 2 by the rear seats and 2 under the hatch) Still - the quality of sound is superb and can readily handle a significant thrashing of watts. The "pewter" paint color which is basically a gray/silver turns out to be an excellent choice as it blends well with the black glass t-tops and the chrome wheels. More important is that dirt blends right in; and a car wash will last much longer than most colors. Tight corners are absorbed by the suspension with ease - if anything a slight push is noticed. I never had the back end come out. However, it the road is wet - be careful.

The Firebird is designed as a sports car and along with that comes a stiffer than normal ride. The steering takes a little effort at slow speeds and interior noise will take a little getting used to. Back seat? Just pretend it is not there.

If the comments under "weaknesses" concern you, then you really don't want a sports car anyway. There is nothing practical about this car. It is however a lot of fun at a reasonable price. For those of you who remember the Firebirds in the glory days, like me, you may have made a pact with yourself to own one "when I can afford it." You will not be dissapointed with today's bird. For me, the fantasy wore off in about a year and I was ready to move on. As with most domestic vehicles, resale value is not good - beware - but you can lessen this insult down the road by NOT buying a Trans AM. You should however pay extra for a V8. Chances are the Formula is for you. Back in the '70s and '80s, the base Firebird and other variations were painfully different than the Trans Am. Not so anymore. The Trans Am gives you some hardly noticeable ground effects, a different badge, and a much larger sticker price.

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Bought this car with 75,000 miles; still feels extremely tight. Very powerful (LT1 engine) with excellent handling. I can't stop driving! AC is very cold, stereo is aftermarket Alpine. Interior feels better than my living room. Paint (metallic purple) and tinted windows make the car look like a work of art. A very fast work of art.

My right foot weighs too much while driving = gas gauge laughs on the way down. Temperature creeps up while sitting in traffic; once the car starts moving again, air cools it down.

I paid 7700 dollars for the Firebird and I'm quite convinced it's worth more than blue book (11000.) This car is like an inexpensive Corvette, and that's probably the highest complement I can give.

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I had a '74 Vette for 7 years; the engine in that car was worked so it was faster (low end), but it leaked like a faucet and handled like a drunken cow.

This car is fast!!!!!!!I take mine to the dragstrip and can out run most of Ford's Mustang GTs. Handles very well. Great Styling inside and out. Very dependable.

The interior is nice but seems to get duller with time. Factory wheels are extremely ugly. Single exhaust? I wish i had the LT1

I gave 10,500 for my bird. I feel it is well worth it with only 48,000 miles. I have put over 6,000 dollars in extras on it. Wheels, ground effects, stero, subwoofers,ram-air hood and box, flowmaster exhaust, blackouts, tint, pulleys, power programmer, and plug wires and coils.
I love this car and the t-tops are great, get one like mine only buy the big v-8 they are quick.

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I owned a 1993 camaro with the 3.4l engine, it is very week in comparison with the generation II powerplant. The Camaro handled a little better but had no where near the niceities on the interior.

Even though I "only" had the v6, it had plenty of power, and still got many many looks from everybody. The engine sounds nicer in the v6 than previous versions of this car.

Where to start? Paint defect from factory, transmission mounts loose, bolts kept falling out of rotors, one window rolls up very slow, stereo volume knob changes volume to random levels, the headlights went out of sequence and I had to get the whole assembly replaced, interior gets OLD quick, and overall build quality is very very lacking.

Great engine, great transmission (5spd), wonderful performer. If GM would get someone other than kindergarten students with plastic fisher price tools to make these than they'd be top of the line. It was hard to part with this beauty, but I need a car to drive and I don't have time to deal with it breaking all the time. Buyer beware.

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2000 Celica GTS: The firebird doesn't compare. If you want something that doesn't require a trip to the dealership every month for warranty repairs, don't buy a Firebird. Interior is incredible in comparison to the 'bird.

This car has tons of power and so far the engine has been very reliable. I have done several performance upgrades and the motor has not given any trouble codes at all. I also find the stereo controls on the steering wheel to be incredibly convenient and well laid out. The seats in this car are also very comfortable and do provide an ample amount of support but given the cornering could use a slight upgrade. I also like the fact that there are now slots in the trunk of the car to hold the T-Tops when you take them off.

I do find as with most F-body cars that the doors are very long and can be very difficult to open and get out in tight areas. Considering the amount of power these cars produce in my estimation they should have much more suspension work. I have replaced the trailing arems, panhard rod, and torque arm with aftermarket products which helped traction greatly. The only other thing I don't like is that the flip up headlights can still be a pain. GM uses plastic gears in the lamp motors which can strip. When the gears strip, upon turning your headlights off you will hear a grinding noise for about 5 to 10 seconds. There is an easy fix for this on LS1.com and it did work.

For a top end Trans AM, not a WS6 I paid 24,500.00 and compared to others this was right in the ballpark. This car is meant for persons who like to drive and want to feel power. If you don't like some engine vibration, a moderately bumpy ride, and some roar from the exhaust, don't get this car. If you do want a car that even off the floor is powerful and can be easily made to produce over 400 HP which people notice and is just fun to drive then this is an awsome car. I hope GM does not discontinue the F-bodies.

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aim and shoot performance

my headlight one wouldint go up

26000 .not bad for convertable
love the car but still dont get that corvette respect when the car is
almost same price as vette

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camaro z28 ws6 much better handling and grip

Looks great, takes turns wonderfully, comfortable in front of car. Gets all the girls. FUN TO DRIVE.

it is not too reliable,and insurance is very high

13,9000. I would recommend this car to one who can afford the insurance, and would not put them far in debt. It is not worth the fun if you worry about the bills.

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supreme

Great low end tourqe although it could be better on the hight end. Handles and looks great.

GAS

Got a great deal on it. If you can some up with one, it's definately not something you want to pass up.

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It doesnt compare, forget the stupid rice burners and the Found Only Rolling Downhill cars.

Pretty powerful for a V-6.... Great stereo system...... Gotta love the T-tops on a warm day..... pretty much everything!

The long front end is "OK", but I would really like to get the ram air hood to add a little attitude to the front end. Also, I wish it had the higher spoiler like the trans am, but hey, I guess thats what I get for getting the V-6.

1997 Firebird 3800 series II V-6....... 33000 miles.... I paid 13,900..... the car is mint.... I defenitly recommend this car for somebody looking to get started into the sports car direction. Although I will tell you that once you get a taste of it, you'll want more power, more "flashiness" etc.... But its a great car so far, I am satisfied....

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Well being my second car, I wouldnt really know, but I do know that I havent had any trouble passing anybody when needed!!

Power! The LT1 is a monster. The package doesn't hurt either. This car looks just as powerful as it is.

Since it's a convertible I probably shouldn't complain about the stereo, but I will. It's not very clear or sharp sounding, even with the top up. The only other complaint would be poor gas mileage, but I knew that going into it.

I got it with low miles and for $18,500. After checking around most go for $22,000 - $25,000 so I made a steal. Even for the higher cost this is the car to go with for performance and looks. If you're not looking for that, get a Taurus or something else.

Somehow I managed to wreck mine and it is a nightmare to get these things repaired. Keep that in mind if you get one..they have more than enough power to get away from you.

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