Faults:

Alternator Bearing went pretty early, had to replace.

Seats are wearing badly.

Paint is poor.

Overheating problems, had to replace radiator.

Gauge lights inside car burned out, had to take apart half the car to change them.

General Comments:

This car is a tremendous handling car. You will pull away from your opponents on the turns, though they will catch you on the straight.

The 2.8 liter engine is way to small for this car. Yeah, the car pulls pretty good, but most mini vans today would beat it.

Maybe the 350 V8 would be a lot more powerful, I don't know.

Faults:

The woman who owned it before me never changed the oil, and as a result, I had bearing wear by 60,000 miles. But I don't blame that on GM... the car was abused by its first owner. An engine rebuild was OK with me because it gave me an opportunity to add on some "go-fast goodies" to make the car much more powerful than stock.

The horsepower today is now around 325HP (up from 225 stock), and it runs like a banshee!! I destroy any Mustang GT that gets in my path!

Other problems have been minimal... alternator, brakes and lots of tires. Interior is still immaculate today after 15 years. I just recharged the R-12 freon for the first time since the car was new! I've replaced some rubber parts due to dry rot, but overall since the rebuild, it has been a very fast, solid and reliable ride.

General Comments:

The car is still a head-turner today.

I recommend that if you buy any Firebird from the late 80's, you make the investment to modify the exhaust system. Go with headers and a 3 inch Cat-back system. SLP Stainless System or Flowmaster would be the products you need to check out. Throttle response is very noticeably improved!

Faults:

Nothing out of the normal for a car with high miles. Paint doesn't hold up as well on the plastic parts. The drive-train has held up nicely. Interior has probably seen better days.

General Comments:

The beauty of third generation F-bodies in my opinion is that they take to performance modifications well. There are so many ways to make these cars quick. Yes, they need the help. Even the 350 TPI wasn't as quick as a 5.0 back in the day. But most of these cars are pretty cheap now.

The Trans Am has style, better aerodynamics than a Lamborghini, room for a big block, and they handle great.

Faults:

Windshield wiper motor died.

Driver's seat is torn.

Spoiler, faded.

Power antenna stopped working.

Pop-up headlights work, when they feel like it.

Air conditioner compressor replaced.

General Comments:

With performance suspension parts added, the car launches in a straight line.

Car has power to spare.

With modified air intake flow chambers, it breathes better.

So far the drive train has been reliable.

Engine and transmission coolers keep the operating temperatures cooler.