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:

• 

  Keeps on Ticking... - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By TreyT - October 15 - 12:10 pm

  Well this is an update to a prior review of mine. Ive owned this car for almost 3 years now. So far my list of repairs that are not routine are: Headlight Motor, Wheel Speed Sensor, Pinion Seal and a water pump. All in all not bad at all for having owned it for 3 years and put 35,000 miles on the car. It has been far more reliable than my mazda 626. Nearing 100,000 miles now and there is more windnoise and rattles than there used to be. Im not looking forward to having to sell it in spring of 07. If youre looking for an F body buy one that has been well maintained. If taken care of theyre very reliable, but if you get a bad one your life will be a livin hell as many can attest to.

• 

  sweet - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By ws6 - October 9 - 10:00 am

  this bird can fly.

• 

  95 t/a - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By 95ta - September 9 - 10:00 am

  This car is great I bought from A guy in Florida, who recently moved here (pa.). Body is in excellent shape to date. People ask me all the time is that a new car? No, I tell them its a 95 (8 years old) and they say "NO WAY". Overall I like the car but it does have its quirks, I owned 3 GM F-Bodies (85 camaro 2.8, 84 z28 - 5.0 h.o., 95 t/a 5.7L)and have the same complaints. Rattles and creaks everwhere, power windows are slow and always need adjusting, rides poorly on a bumpy road (shakes and rattles). No good in snow even with the posi, front air dam is to low, it bottoms out on almost anything.

• 

  WS6 Trans Am - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Vulturez - September 4 - 10:06 pm

  Extremely powerful, fun to drive, last of the true muscle cars! Interior could be styled with less plastic, however has true cockpit feel. Turns heads at every stoplight due to aerodynamic exterior. Sorry to see this classic go out of production.

• 

  98 Review - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By justin lemhuis - September 3 - 12:33 am

  Good horsepower, outruns most stock. Good buy vs any 93 to 02 Camaro, Firebird, and Mustang. Great style over all the others mild performance mods will crush the competition. The last Pontiac will ever make.

• 

  Sad end of an era - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By psuturt;e - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought my TA in 9/01. Mine has the famed WS6 package, definately worth the extra cost. Great looks, decent interior (still has GMs plastic-itis), and most importantly,unsurpassed performance. I drove several mustangs, from the V6 putt-putt-mobile to the GTs to the Bullit, all claiming headsnapping acceleration and power. Although impressive, headsnapping is a joke; and the TAs 0-60 time proves it. I have yet to find a high volume production mustang that can catch the TA, more or less keep up with it. Its a shame GM marketing has let this car reach this point. Truly the end of the affordable sportscar/muscle car era. Glad I got mine before theyre gone.

• 

  Trans Am - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By blk2000ws6 - August 15 - 12:40 am

  I own a 2000 Trans am WS-6 and it is a great car it handles very well has awesome power and I have never had a bit of trouble from it.

• 

  Still loving it after 6 years! - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By Cindy - August 4 - 11:56 am

  My husband and I drove into the dealership "just to look". An hour later we had a black Trans AM WS6. We had looked at BMWs but like my husband said, I didnt giggle when I drove it. That was in May of 2001. I am still loving every minute I drive it! It still gets looks and comments. The stereo is out of this world. One of best purchases we have ever made in our lives.

• 

  2002 Pontiac Firebird Collectors Ed. - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Quentin Thomas - July 21 - 1:43 am

  The drive of this vehicle was great, but the performance and reliability were not that great at all. It was a automatic and it had transmission trouble, it had brake problems numerous times. The electrical system was messed up. and the t-tops leaked. In the short time that I did own this car, it was in the shop a good fourth of that.

• 

  I love this car! - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By BP - July 18 - 7:53 am

  Gas mpg on the road right now is really nice! It is very fun to drive! Love the pop-up lights and the power of the engine! 3.8 L with 200 hp whats not to love? If I wanted to I could easily boost the hp on this thing. Why do that though when it gets such great mileage for a sporty car (we aint talking about a honda civic or anything this is a firebird). If you dont want one or dont like the one you have sell it! someone else will though!