Faults:

Considering it's 20+ years old...

Distributor, new speaker system, all ignition/ spark plug wires. Intake manifold gaskets wore out. New wheels. Steering control pump, various old rubber hoses in engine bay.

Overall for 20+ years old, it's been surprisingly cheap and low maintenance.

General Comments:

Car is fast for stock. Plenty more in potential alone. Every day I learn something new about my car that makes me smile. With 3,000 in mods, you can make this car a 500+ HP racer.

I've got the GTA (top of the line, aside from the turbo model) back in the day with WS6 performance package for better suspension, handling, drive-ability, etc.

Seats are camel leather, very luxurious, interior after 20 years still smells new. Not so much room in the back seat, but it's not a 4 seater kind of vehicle. Trunk space is lacking for every day convenience usage, but still fits what is needed when it's needed.

Car handles very well, easily handles turns and bends with no body roll whatsoever. Four wheel disc can bring you to a stop real quick.

Acceleration and fuel economy –

SPEED. 140mph top speed, 0-60 in around 6-8 seconds (stock everything). Enough power to spin the wheels if not left in check. Fuel economy on 93 Sunoco Ultra is still lacking, but V8’s are not fuel efficient. Would only recommend 92+ unleaded to compensate for the older engine. Transmission could be revamped with a different ratio of gears. First gear seems all too short, second and third seem to last forever, and fourth is an enigma unless driving 80+mph with overdrive ON.

Deceleration and handling –

Emergency stopping power even with four wheel discs is lacking (for me at least). The car feels too heavy for the brakes to stop effectively. Normal every day braking is fine. I’d hate to see drum brake versions of this car. The car with its WS6 performance package hugs the corners and rips through bends. Very little noticeable body roll, even in intense steering maneuvers. Before replacing the steering pump and tires, the car would follow lines in the road or try to turn itself (very scary at higher speeds). The problem was resolved with above fixes.

Interior and sound system –

Real camel leather seats with power adjusting lumbar, contour features. Even at 20 years old, leather is still healthy and looks great. Storage compartments are lacking, but it’s not a car for hauling your junk. Plenty of room for driver and passenger. No room for rear seats, but rear seats fold to make useful shelving for storage. Doors are extremely heavy, and hard to open/close, but are simplistic with no maintenance needed ever. All controls are on the center console and are easily reached without taking your eyes off the road.

T-Tops leak due to age, but were easily remedied with some hardware store materials ($10.00 to fix), and are great in the summer to remove and enjoy the sun. Trunk space is also marginal, but functions for light trips. Power trunk pulldown keeps things nice and tight, but I had to replace mine recently.

Maintenance and repairs –

Considering its age; very little has needed to be repaired with this car. Reliability; it's like a rock, and considering it shares a lot in common with its Chevy Camaro cousin, parts are easy to come by and quick to replace. Due to its popularity, plenty of veteran mechanics know the ins and outs of this car.

Overall experience –

When I am not worrying about my paint job or every rattle I hear; EXTREMELY FUN to drive. I was not a car guy before setting eyes on this beauty.. I’m now learning everything about it! Car looks gorgeous and really roars like a lion when you punch it. I have no qualms about washing it weekly and giving it a fresh coat of wax. I will be extremely upset when (IF) it ever dies on me.

Faults:

2 MAF sensors failed in one year, MAF burnout relay, alternator and power steering bracket randomly failed on start-up one morning, smashing the alternator. Needed to track down a new one from a junkyard. PROM failed. Needed custom one burned since it wasn't carried anymore. Trunk and headlight motors stopped working.

General Comments:

Not sure what to say. I've owned 13 different cars or trucks of various makes, this has to be the worst car I've ever owned.

I bought this car with all service records from the previous one owner, who kept it in a garage. This car was in good shape. It ran and sounded great as well.

I got it with the intention of building it and tightening up a few areas. I never got a chance.

I spent all my time and a lot of money just keeping the thing on the road. I even bought a second vehicle with the anticipation of it breaking down (it did a week later). Mind you, I didn't drive the car hard at all. I've gassed it now and then, but nothing out of the ordinary for a car like this. No burnouts or redline shifts.

Maintenance was meticulous. The Tuned Port is a poor design. While I understand this car is older with older technology, it's still very bad and expensive to get anything out of.

I don't like Mustangs, but a Fox body would be a better bet than a 3rd gen as far as potential. Handling was fairly good and better than expected. The transmission never gave issues as well. If you want to buy one of these cars, do it with the expectation that the quality will be typical of a GM older car and immediately yank that boat anchor of a Tuned Port engine. Heck, take the wiring harness and ECU while you're at it.

I eventually threw in the towel and bought a 1995 Lexus SC300 with a 2JZGTE Supra swap. I now have a reliable and much more powerful car with 205k on the chassis and interior that still holds together and looks great, while the Firebird falls to pieces at 70k.

While I still love American muscle in some regards, this car certainly pushed me further to the other team. The 3rd gen F body is born for the junkyard and it becomes very clear when you visit your local wrecker. Often times you will see complete cars. I couldn't get more than 3500 for my Firebird so I did the next best thing: I parted it out. A complete car with a clear title. Sold just about every part off the car and made about 3900 total. When there was just a shell, I cut that up with a torch and saw and sold the scrap.

All in all, the styling is decent for the era, but if you buy a 3rd gen, buy it with the intention that it won't be a powerful or reliable daily driver with the Tuned Port. Convert it to Carb or yank it and put something more worthwhile in it.