The perfect car if you love convertibles
Nothing as long as I've had it.
I bought this car to drive on the weekend and boy did I make the right choice. If you buy a sporty car like this I guarantee you will love it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 12th May, 2004
There is no better car than a late model Firebird!
The number 6 plug wire burns once a year.
The first three years replaced the alternator 3 times.
The Dexcool II Antifreeze (?) turned to gunk at 60,000 miles.
The daytime driving lights shorted because water could get in, but not get out.
The window seal leaks under high water pressure.
Headlight sticking in the standard Fbody wink position (one stuck open).
Given all of the above. I must say that I love my car!
To address the above mentioned problems :
#6 plug wire - My mechanic (when I don't do it myself) changed the routing of the wire to be away from the exhaust manifold and so far it seems to be working well.
Dex-cool II - JUNK! - had it removed, the radiator rodded out and completely flushed. Now running the good old "green stuff" - no problems!
Daytime driving light shorts - drilled a drain hole on the light housings - no problems since.
Window Seal leaks - I stay away from high pressure water.
Headlight motor problems - There is a nylon gear inside of the headlight motor. This gear connects to a metal gear... (the nylon wears out, Duh!).
Replaced the nylon gear with CNC machined brass gears (available on the web) at a cost of about $40 each motor (A replacement motor runs about $150.)
I have had absolutely no problems since)
From a performance perspective it needed some tweaking and tuning in the airflow area. The addition of an SLP Cold Air Induction and a FlowMaster exhaust REALLY added to the Seat-Of-The-Pants kick that this car has.
I drive my car hard and fast all of the time (it is my daily driver). I maintain it meticulously (pure synthetic oil and high grade filters).
When the engine and/or tranny finally let go, I will put either a short-block 350 or an LT1 in it and just keep going.
This is simply the best car I have ever owned!!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd March, 2004
Will never buy another
I have to replace the number 6 plug wire every 6 months or so.
I've had to replace both headlight motors.
I've had to replace each headlight.
I've had to have the timing belt replaced.
The driver side door fell and cracked the left front quarter-panel.
The driver side door-lock button has been replaced.
T-tops leak.
Center console has recently cracked.
Radiator had to be flushed of gunk from the dealer.
The car handles excellently, but is very undependable. In the two years I've owned it, I've put over $8K in repairs into it to keep it looking like new. I only paid $9K for it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 8th April, 2003
Better than sex!
I just bought my car and am loving it. It has given me the feel of the yesteryear sport car where it sits you back in your seat. So far the only problem I have had is the power windows. The switch went bad and the dealer replaced it. Not a fun thing when your window is down in winter time. I was able to pop the switch area on the door and get it to raise by jumping the wires. Otherwise I am a kid in a new toy and loving it.
This car will smoke the tires and let loose easily if you don't have good speed rated tires on it. But if it is a car you want to drive in wet or snow then you need to compermise and get a set of good muti tires. If you are a muscle car buff or one who wishes that they had one again... this is the car!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 31st March, 2003
First off, welcome to the Firebird club my friend. I own a 95 convertable Trans Am which I've had for a couple years now, and am still loving it. I have had problems with the power window switches too, and is a common problem from what I gather. Usually the contact 'nub' wears out so when you press the button, it doesn't make contact. I replaced the plastic 'nub' with a custom piece of metal, but if the dealer fixes it, just as well. Just go easy on the switches. And as for your tires, get a good pair that's are designed for longevity, as you'll wear them down quite fast.
Besides that, enjoy your car. I had the opportunity to buy a 97 Ws6 when I was Firebird hunting, but the car was sold before I got to the dealer. But I ended up with my convertable, and with some performance mods added, everything ended up great. Got style and speed.
Ps. does your car really only have 322 miles on it???
I own a 97 WS6 Coupe with 20,000 miles on it. I just started having trouble with my drivers side power window. I was wondering exactly what problem you were having? Mine started out going down, but did not want to go up all of the way. It may have taken 2 or 3 button pushes to get it all of the way up. Now it doesn't want to go down properly and only goes up about 1/2" at a time. I don't know whether I should change the switch or the motor. Your help would be appreciated.
11th Apr 2003, 06:46
Your car sounds like a re-build or something man. How the hell did the door fall off and the console crack? As for the door button, ya that happens on all Firebirds/Trans Ams. I'd replace the plastic contact nub inside the button with a piece of metal.
If the same plug keeps needing replacing, i'd find out why instead of just replacing it all the time. Check your optispark (the distributor).