1989 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am 3.8 turbo

Summary:

Very nice, very quick

Faults:

When purchased, the A/C compressor was leaking freon, so no A/C.

Heater core had been bypassed, as it had started to leak.

Power antenna was stuck in the up position, and the fuse had to be pulled as the motor would constantly run.

Previous owner had the engine mounts replaced.

Previous owner had a bad MAF, replaced. The bad MAF was causing all manner of rough-runnng symptoms.

Boost gage is non-functional.

Rust on the t-top center bar.

Missing two exterior badges, the front clip badge and one of the winged tire emblems. All others look mint.

General Comments:

Previous owner ran the car at the track for a bone-stock 13.8 quarter-mile time. Pretty good for 1989 technology. Ran 13.2 with just an aftermarket chip.

Interior is immaculate, as the car was loved and taken care of.

Same on the exterior, except the front clip, which wasn't re-painted very well.

Suspension is stiff, but the car is free from the typical F-body rattles I've found when dealing with these type of cars.

Brakes are solid and grab nicely - 1LE brakes are very cool.

The exhaust is quiet, for such a fast car.

The t-tops are glass and in perfect shape.

For a 'mere' V6, this car definitely is faster then my 5.7 liter Trans AM GTA.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 2005

8th Apr 2006, 04:12

Please tell me what did you spend on this car, I hope below market price!

23rd Aug 2010, 00:06

Yeah, they are the fastest of the F body's of that time, outrunning even the Formula Firebirds. They had the 3.8 turbo Buick engine out of the Grand National. However, parts can be VERY expensive.

1989 Pontiac Firebird 5.7 350

Summary:

No other car like it!!

Faults:

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with my car.

Accept once it ended up in a ditch and the idiot that pulled it out ripped the break line. But that's not the cars fault.

General Comments:

An amazing car! Fast, handles great, and looks awesome.

Once I was cruising down the street when I came to a stop light. It was about a month after I got my car and these two rice burners come up on each side and started rewing up. I'm like OK... What ever, you're cool I guess. As soon as it hit green I slammed the gas pedal as hard as I could and I took off. I looked behind me to see how bad I burned the two morons, and they were way the hell behind me and I turned around and realized I was going 95 in a 35. First time I floored it in my car.

The car is in great condition. I take that back, It looks like it just got out of the factory, accept one little scuff on the back bumper.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th December, 2004

14th Dec 2004, 14:27

My, what an exciting life you have!

1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350 5.7

Summary:

I love it more than the wife!!

Faults:

Paint is faded and peeling.

Oil pump went out at 100000 miles rest is history.

Crank shaft destroyed.

Head gasket blowed.

Block etched form head gasket blowed.

Timing chain stretched.

Tires replaced after every weekend rear only.

General Comments:

It was very fast untill someone decided to have fun one weekend and destroyed the engine.

The car is still in perfect condition other than the engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th May, 2004

13th Oct 2004, 20:09

I have now rebuilt the engine. All better still having problems with the ignition.. some reason it will not always rev up past 3500 rpm still working on that problem.

The car finally has new tires and is still in the break in period. It will have to be put away real soon for the winter. I hope to enjoy it when it becomes warmer again. Still needs to be painted... doing that when it gets warmer. The Tranny now is built with Kevlar race clutches and a new 2300rpm stall converter.