1988 Pontiac GTA 350/ 5.7 Liter from North America

Summary:

Bad @SS Knight Rider

Faults:

Although I have only had the car two months I did have to replace the exhaust. This was expected considering it was still the original.

The doors tend to freeze quite easily. Also, the power lock doesn't always work for the passenger side.

The seat was worn badly on the drivers side from getting in and out, but was fairly cheap to fix.

The windows also have a little leak, but nothing to worry about. It just barely drips.

General Comments:

I would never want any other car as my first. The look on peoples faces when you roll by is just unbelievable. The car runs just like it looks smooth and bad to the bone. The cornering is unbelievable and the acceleration is great for a car of it's size. The thing has balls and I don't think a lot of people can believe it. It's funny to see their disgust when they're left in the dust. The best car of the 80's.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th December, 2003

11th Jan 2006, 09:21

I was the proud owner of the first 1988 GTA delivered in South Florida in September 1987. I test drove the 1987 version and I was sold on the thing. It was jet black with camel interior. I wanted the convertible, but at the time they did not offer the 5.7 liter engine on convertibles. I kept it for 4 years until I had to get rid of it because of poor handling (actually no handling) in the snow. Those very wide tires that keep you on the road while driving at speeds above 100mph, are the same that make you hydroplane in the snow or heavy rain. I have no complains about this car. I used to have Mustangs for dessert and Camaros as appetizer. I locked horns more than once with a Vette or two and I was able to hold my own. The car looked fast even when it was parked, I loved it. The down side of that is that 90% of the time you will have a police car in your rear view mirror and they will follow you for ever. Maybe it seemed that way to me, but all in all it was a great fun car. Come to think of it there was one down side. That was with the black paint they used on that year. It oxidized something awful. After three years I had to have the hood and top refinished because of very bad oxidizing. The handling, the performance... it was a dream car. By the way don’t even dream about doing a standard wheel rotation... IT CANNOT BE DONE.

1988 Pontiac GTA 5.7 from North America

Summary:

Awesome

Faults:

The front end needs to be replaced due to rust and the car sitting for so long. I had to replace the rear spoiler due to sun damage. I have to fix some rust spots on the car mainly because the car has been sitting for so long.

General Comments:

This car was a great improvement from my last car. It handles like a dream and accelerates great. I plan on putting a cold air intake system into it and improving to flow master exhaust. I have big dreams for this car and plan on being one of the last trans am owners of this year car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th September, 2003

1988 Pontiac GTA 5.7 liter/350 ci from North America

Summary:

A high performance bargain

Faults:

The only mechanical problem I had was with the starter. I have had it changed 6 times along with 2 flywheels. I had genuine OEM parts put in this time and it seems to have fixed the problem.

General Comments:

The car fits like a glove and handles like it is on rails. It is quick, but top end is more empressive... the faster you go, the better it smooths out. I had her up to 130 before I realized it. It does surprisingly well in the snow too as long as you are light on the pedal. I have the rare notch-back and it adds to the looks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2003

24th Nov 2004, 11:02

Hey whats up your comment is very true and I have the same problem with my 88 Gta, but they are quick by the way don't ever take the cat. conv. off it will screw it up.

1987 Pontiac GTA 350 from North America

Summary:

There is no substitute for cubic inches

Faults:

It had a tendency to over heat so I installed an auxilary switch to control the fan and provide more air to the radiator.

Buying the low profile racing tires made it handle and hook up great, but they were very soft and didn't last long. They averaged about 16000 miles.

General Comments:

This car was better than I even imagined it would be.

It handled like it was glued to the road.

The construction was heavy yet the added weight didn't slow it down.

The only draw back with tuned port injection was when the tank was down to the last quarter and you went around corners fast, it would actually run out of gas.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th August, 2002

26th Jul 2004, 20:50

Actually the last 1/4 tank stalling problem wasn't because of Tuned Port Injection, the Throttle Body Injection had the same problem. I have an '89 Formula that does the same same thing. It's because of a stupid fuel tank design.

They actually had an optional fuel tank with baffles in it to prevent the fuel pump from losing suction. It was standard on the '89 GTA and optional on others.

Try to think positive though. It's kind of convenient, it acts like a kind of low fuel warning light, that shuts off your engine. Then you know that your getting low, and can't take any corners fast until you fill up.

The top half of the tank is actually closer to 2/3rds. So you may as well fill up as soon it hits half full.