Overview & Reviews

Once in a blue moon, a car achieves icon status via Hollywood that spans all demographics, one that burns its image into the memory of everyone from serious car nuts to folks who wouldn't know Ram Air from air-conditioning. During its 10th year in production, the Pontiac Firebird achieved screen idol status thanks to the appearance of a 1977 Firebird Trans Am SE (the black and gold edition) in the movie Smokey and the Bandit.

Thankfully, there's been much more to the Firebird than just its cornball association with Burt Reynolds (or even cornier relationship with David Hasselhoff in TV's Knight Rider). As with its corporate twin, the Chevy Camaro, the Pontiac Firebird was born in 1967 to do battle with the original American sport coupe, the Ford Mustang. Although the sheet metal was virtually identical between the Camaro and Firebird, a different nose and tail, as well as slight differences inside gave the Firebird a little more excitement in the looks department. Coupe and convertible body styles tempted buyers.

In the car's early years, performance buffs gravitated to the Pontiac Firebird thanks to its enticing array of power plants that included the same 400 cubic-inch V8 used in the GTO. Pontiac even offered a high-output overhead-cam inline-6 in hopes of making the Firebird more appealing to those who preferred less weight, more nimble handling and a higher-revving engine. This was also the period when the legendary Trans Am trim first debuted, wearing white paint with two blue stripes running over the body.

At the dawn of the 1970s, a redesigned Pontiac Firebird emerged, available only in a sleek coupe body style. But as that decade progressed, the Firebird's performance diminished while body graphics and spoilers, as if to compensate, grew more extroverted. The third-generation Firebird appeared for 1982, wearing a lighter, wedge-shaped hatchback body with flip-up headlights. Although performance of this generation was weak at first, handling was a strong point and by mid-decade, powerful V8s were again becoming available.

Staying true to its heritage, the fourth-generation Firebird, which bowed in 1993, still offered V8 power, a rear-drive chassis, swoopy styling and a choice of a coupe or convertible. It also offered more than 300 horsepower and 13-second quarter-miles in the Formula and Trans Am versions.

Though an outstanding performance bargain, the Firebird from this era became increasingly aged as the years went by. For many consumers, it came across as unrefined and even crude, especially when compared to other sport coupes and convertibles. Sales were weak, and Pontiac finally pulled the plug after 2002.

Most Recent Pontiac Firebird

Running from 1993-2002, the last Firebird generation continued the age-old tradition of performance and style above all else. Initially only a coupe body style was offered in base, Formula and Trans Am trims, the former coming with a 3.4-liter V6 (160 hp) and the latter pair with an "LT1" 5.7-liter V8 (275 hp). Transmission choices included a five-speed manual (V6), a six-speed manual (V8) and a four-speed automatic.

The following year saw the return of the Firebird convertible, while 1995 brought a 3.8-liter, 200-hp V6 for the base Firebird. For 1996, the V8 made 285 hp and Ram Air induction returned for that engine, boosting output to 305 hp.

A midcycle refresh took place for 1998 with a new front-end look and powerful new "LS-1" 5.7-liter V8s that made 305 hp or 320 hp (with Ram Air). Apart from minor trim differences and a bump in power to 310 hp for the V8 in 2001, the Firebird soldiered through 2002 mostly unchanged. Ironically, that last year also marked the Firebird's 35th birthday, which was celebrated with a special yellow Trans Am with strange graphics splashed over its body.

Although fast, stylish and affordable, this Pontiac Firebird lacked refinement, particularly in regards to the interior. The clunky steering wheel design was about as sporty as a taxicab's and there was an abundance of low-grade plastic trim. Furthermore, the seats were rather plain, and short on lumbar and lateral support. On the upside, there were large gauges, decent cargo capacity and buttoned-down handling (though midcorner bumps could upset the solid rear axle suspended out back).

In our road test of a 1999 Firebird Formula, we found ourselves intoxicated by the rumbling V8 performance and racetrack-friendly handling. Major gripes concerned the harsh ride, awkwardly operating ABS, low seating position, dicey rearward visibility and low-quality interior trim.

Consumer feedback is mostly favorable toward Firebirds from this era. Praises center on the strong performance for the money (even with the V6), mechanical reliability, cargo capacity, handling and styling. Chief complaints concern cheap cabin construction, a smallish interior considering the body size and occasionally leaky T-tops.

Past Pontiac Firebird Models

The previous-generation (1982-'92) Firebird was slow out of the blocks, but soon blossomed into a road burner. At first, this hatchback coupe came in three trims (base, luxury S/E and Trans Am) and power ranged from a 90-hp, 2.5-liter inline-4 to a 165-hp 5.0-liter V8. A four-speed manual and three-speed automatic backed those engines up.

Mid-decade saw the return of the Formula (which offered Trans Am performance without the added flash and for less money) and engine options up to 210 hp (5.7-liter V8) and the addition of a gear to each transmission. Sub-15-second quarters with the 5.7 were possible, and the Formula and Trans Am were known for their tenacious roadholding. By the time this generation ended, the S/E was gone, the convertible was back and the 5.7 V8 was producing 240 hp.

Those considering one of these Firebirds would be wise to avoid the first couple of years, as the engines were dogs in terms of both performance and reliability, and build quality was hit or miss.

For more information on these and even older Pontiac Firebirds, go to our Pontiac Firebird history page.

User Reviews:

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  Firehawk Convertible - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Jads - October 2 - 10:00 am

  No problems...you just worry about leaving it places!

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  love the car - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By bill - September 30 - 10:43 pm

  The cars great, except for the headlight doors. I had an earlier model and it had the same problem.

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  Collectors Edition TransAm - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By TransAm1 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Pontiac Collectors Edition TransAm in April 2002. This car is a real head-turner. The performance, and comfort is good. The aerodynamic styling, yellow exterior, and black stripes is what makes it attractive. The engine sounds clean, and the car handles very good. It is reliable and always fun to drive. I have never had a problem with it.

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  Just amazing! - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By American Muscle - August 21 - 4:40 am

  Words cannot describe how truly amazing this car is. Having owned many other sport cars in the past I didnt think I was going to get much better. Boy was I wrong! The Formula has an extemely powerful LS1 engine which is the same engine in the Corvette. The engine is incredibly smooth and sounds great. Also, I get 26 miles per gallon highway! I ran 13.48 at 105mph (stock) and I have the conservative 2.73 gears in the rear end. I am not one to insult the inports but those cars (300zx turbo, 3000gt vr4 and rx7 turbo) have nothing on this car when it comes to straight line acceleration plus it handles very well. The only import car I would put up against it is a Supra TT. Drivers race!

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  cool car - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By The trans am - August 19 - 12:13 pm

  I dont know what to say, its a youths car. its very impressive. I race it on a drag track some time and its a beast

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  Fun car not reliable daily driver - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By 01 firebird - August 12 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive with like a sports car but with the v6 you dont have to worry about gas. The only problem with this car that I have had so far are strange electrical issues (ex. The headlights flip up and down when using the power locks with the remote?) also has electrical problems after being stored. Still a great convertible for Florida weather

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  Delightful Black 99 Trans Am - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By LCBIII - July 15 - 6:03 pm

  I have had this car for almost 8 years and 100,000 miles. I have really enjoyed it. Always have loved the style - looks like it is flying even when sitting still. Lots of power with the V8, still gets looks (especailly after some Zaino). Corners like its on rails and brakes quickly. I get about 300 miles per fill up. Starting to have some trim problems with things falling apart, however, and was hit with the notorious 99 electrical problems such as bad alternator, bad power window motor, bad power antenna motor, several battery changes and fairly short life of headlight, fog lamp and turn signal bulbs. Despite this, my trans am has been my favorite car to date in terms of driving enjoyment.

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  Firebirds rock! - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By speed demon - July 9 - 7:33 pm

  I had purchased this car from a friend who had it for a year before me. I have had only a few problems with this car. It has 162,000 miles and I have had to replace the optispark distributer and the powersteering pump, because the aluminum bracket that holds it got stripped. And the power door locks went out completely and the drivers side power window also went out. Other than that it has been great. I have owned it for more then two years and when I got the car it only had 112,000 miles. Other then the small squeaks that the body makes, the car is a blast to drive just watch out for cops. Very easy to be pulled over.

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  2.5 yrs later I still love this car - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By JET147 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I started out leasing this car. I recently bought it because I still love it. I added a flowmaster exhaust, K&N air filter, changed the factory 16" rims to Coddington Shyster 17" rims and put BF Goodrich KDSW tires on it. I run a mix of 2 gal racing 100 fuel mixed with the rest 91 octane. These four improvements have really improved the already excellent performance. Now, I have little tire spinning (even with the tires a little wet), no hesitation or knocking (because of the fuel mix), and with the improved air flow the car is really explosive now. I find the car handles better than most of the reviews I read.

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  The hot rod has arrived! - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By Mach 5 - June 28 - 3:53 pm

  This car is awesome! It is my first car and I would not trade it. there is zero room in the back. The T-tops are awesome, but they can get cumbersome and annoying to take out and put back in. But this car is Amazing, if you can, get the Ram Air version. This is a fun and sweet ride.