1985 Pontiac Firebird 2.8L V6

Summary:

High performance dependability

Faults:

The rear end went out at 150,000 miles.

The transmission went out at 175,000 miles.

The dashboard has been cracked since I've owned the car. Nothing a dashboard cover couldn't fix though.

The center console covering has pulled away, but I've heard this is a common problem with most years of the Firebird.

The paint is flaking. I've been told it was a primer problem at the GM factory.

The driver side door sags a little making it frustrating when it doesn't close on the first try. I had the door re-hung in 1997, but the weight of the door is just too much and it started sagging again in late 2000.

General Comments:

This car is very fun to drive.

From front to back this car has excellent styling. It looks fast.

Handling is exceptional.

The 200,000+ miles has really surprised me. I have definitely gotten my money's worth.

I have considered trading this car in for something newer/faster, but so far I haven't seen anything that catches my eye like my Firebird.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th June, 2001

1985 Pontiac Firebird Sport Coupe/Hatchback 2.8L MPFI v6

Summary:

One of the best sports cars for the money

Faults:

Rebuilt transmission (partially my fault, let clutch go and burnt gears out, whoops, LOL).

Headlight relay and motor.

Clutch (see above... just age and mileage).

Computer electronic spark/ignition module thing.

Electronic speed sensor (I ran over a big rock which knocked it off).

Engine has nearly 250,000 kms now, runs strong, idles a tad off though (V6s do that eventually) so I had to raise the idle speed slightly so it didn't dip down to the stall range... fixed the problem perfectly, I can drive this still like a sports car and it doesn't complain!

General Comments:

For the age and mileage it runs phenomenally. Still has decent peeformance (for what it is), gets good gas mileage, and don't really have many/any unexpected problems popping up.

The looks on this car are awesome, it's still hard for me to find cars I like aesthetically better.

Fun car to drive, I like the 'feel' of this car much more than other comparable cars I have driven.

Note about the dealer marks, I don't get work done at dealerships, why don't I just flush my money down the toilet, heh.

If I had to redo it I would get a Trans Am (GTA) because of the increased power.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th March, 2001

8th Aug 2001, 08:53

I have the exact same engine in my 87 'Bird - I have changed the ignition module about 4 times now - it fails every 5 months or so!! Have had the car for 3 years. Worth it though, definitely.

1985 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5.0L 4bbl

Summary:

Very fast

Faults:

New eadiator because of a small leak.

Seats are worn (got seat covers).

Motor has gotten weak from racing around a lot.

Needs a paint job (small blotches of rust are showing, especially on the drivers side door).

Some electrical problems with turn signal/brake lights.

Steering column became loose.

T-tops leaks slightly and seals around the door windows are not too great.

General Comments:

This car, although getting old, is still very fast and very sharp if not looked at too closely. I still have not maxed the speedo out. Rips out of second gear!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th March, 2001

2nd May 2005, 13:01

I've been all the reviews of the 85 Trans AM and most said it is very fast.. are we talking about accelerations or top speed? The one that was given to me only has 85mph on the speedometer..

21st Jun 2008, 01:58

To the above comment (even though from 3 years back) the speedometer in a car is no gauge of it's performance; at least not in the late 70's/early 80's era. As I understand it, back then the car companies were petitioned by some special-interest bleeding-heart facet of the government with this idea of the 85 mph speedometer to try and keep people from getting into 3 digit speeds. I guess the logic was that if you couldn't tell how far above 85 you were going, you'd back off the gas pedal or naturally assume that the car's mechanical limit was 85mph.

Truth is, these cars can usually get up around 130mph with the stock V8, acceleration all depends on how the car is geared. Some are neck-jarring at lower speeds, some tear it up at higher speeds.

BTW, if anyone seriously knows how to handle a car at those speeds, they won't be busy looking at the speedometer, anyway. Too bad they stuck the tach on the wrong side of the display.

1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0

Faults:

The car has 120,000 miles and has only had general maint. problems such as alternator, starter, brakes, tires etc.

The engine and transmission have never needed any work but the electronic controlled carb has caused a few problems,

General Comments:

I used the car for autocross competition until 1990 and in that year won the SCCA south Florida ESP championship. Quit as champion because the newer Mustangs and Firebirds were just too powerful for this car to be able to compete against.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th October, 1999

26th Jun 2023, 16:09

Old but interesting review. I'm guessing the 5.0 in this car was the lower horse power V8...

Either way, probably still better than a V6, and I was surprised to learn recently these cars also had 4 cylinder engines in them!