Better Than New
Better Than New
Gary Crenshaw
4th Gen Pontiac Firebird With A V8 - The Devil On Your Shoulder
25 minutes Posted Mar 31, 2023 at 4:00 am.
OPEN: The 4th Gen Pontiac Firebird With A V8 is The Devil On Your ShoulderThe focus of today’s episode is a car that can bring out the inner hooligan in all of us. And for those who aren't certain if an inner-hooligan lurks just below the surface of their personality, rest assured that if it's there, this car will find it, yank it loose and set it free.  01:15 - INTRO Looking for Fun? Get a Firebird With A V8 and a Manual TransmissionSo what is this car that makes good people do bad things?  It’s the 1993-2002 4th Generation Pontiac Firebird, and in the case of today’s episode, I’m suggesting you get your 4th Gen Firebird with a V8 and a manual transmission, not a 6-cylinder engine and an automatic.  05:25 - You Might Want One If...You always wanted a V8 muscle car, but you keep putting it offYou like the idea of driving something different that still offers up serious driving fun and performance at a great price You have a bit of a wild streak and you’re looking for a way to express it. 07:00 - 4th Generation Firebird DetailsSPECS – 1993 Pontiac Trans Am with 5.7-liter V8Engine: 5.7-liter V8Output: 275-hp/325-lb.ft of torqueCurb Weight: 3455 lbsTransmission: Borg Warner 6-speed manual (4-spd auto optional) Tires: 245/50-16 Brakes: 4-wheel Disc with ABSAxle: Live axle rear end PERFORMANCE - 1993 Pontiac Trans Am w/5.7-liter V80-60 mph: 6.2 (Motorweek) & 5.5 (Car and Driver)Quarter Mile: 14.7 @ 98-mph (MW) & 14.2 @ 99-mph (CD) 60-0 Braking: 111-ft (MW) 70-0 Braking: 172-ft (CD) Road-holding: on 300-ft skidpad, .89 G (CD)Road test fuel economy: 22-mpg (MW), 20-mph (CD)EPA Fuel economy rating: 17-city/25-highwayEXTERIOR STYLINGThe long, low and sleek aero-look of the 4th Generation Firebird drew inspiration from the design of the 1988 Pontiac Banshee IV show car and from the later California Concept Camaro. INTERIOR APPOINTMENTSThe 4th Generation Firebird has a functional cockpit that doesn’t compromise driving fun.  Up front it has comfortable bucket seats for driver and passenger that offer good support with leather or cloth seating surfaces. On the downside, the interior plastic material won’t win any awards. Slick and cheap-looking, it won't win any awards.  In back, 2+2 seating with a folding rear seat back adds to carrying capacity under the rear hatchback, while also offering seating for two additional passengers for short trips. 13:00 - What's Great And Not So Great About The 4th Gen Firebird WHAT'S GREAT: Quick Loud Seriously fun to drive Decent enough ergonomics One of the last affordable V8 pony cars WHAT'S NOT SO GREAT: Serious on-throttle over-steer, so pay attention Not safe for novice drivers… especially in the rain Don’t buy one for your newly minted 16-year old driverRequires a healthy dose of mature executive function to stay upright13:50 - What To Look For In a 4th Gen Firebird With A V8 Adult OwnedMinimal ownersWell maintained (no deferred maintenance)No wrecked/rebuilt examples    Store indoors out of the elements   Unmodified stock examples are best Relatively Low milesGet the manual transmission. 16:55 - What Should You Pay For a 4th Gen Firebird With A V8?These cars are still affordable, but prices will go up over time, especially for...
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00:00 - OPEN: The 4th Gen Pontiac Firebird With A V8 is The Devil On Your ShoulderThe focus of today’s episode is a car that can bring out the inner hooligan in all of us. And for those who aren't certain if an inner-hooligan lurks just below the surface of their personality, rest assured that if it's there, this car will find it, yank it loose and set it free.  01:15 - INTRO Looking for Fun? Get a Firebird With A V8 and a Manual TransmissionSo what is this car that makes good people do bad things?  It’s the 1993-2002 4th Generation Pontiac Firebird, and in the case of today’s episode, I’m suggesting you get your 4th Gen Firebird with a V8 and a manual transmission, not a 6-cylinder engine and an automatic.  05:25 - You Might Want One If...You always wanted a V8 muscle car, but you keep putting it offYou like the idea of driving something different that still offers up serious driving fun and performance at a great price You have a bit of a wild streak and you’re looking for a way to express it. 07:00 - 4th Generation Firebird DetailsSPECS – 1993 Pontiac Trans Am with 5.7-liter V8Engine: 5.7-liter V8Output: 275-hp/325-lb.ft of torqueCurb Weight: 3455 lbsTransmission: Borg Warner 6-speed manual (4-spd auto optional) Tires: 245/50-16 Brakes: 4-wheel Disc with ABSAxle: Live axle rear end PERFORMANCE - 1993 Pontiac Trans Am w/5.7-liter V80-60 mph: 6.2 (Motorweek) & 5.5 (Car and Driver)Quarter Mile: 14.7 @ 98-mph (MW) & 14.2 @ 99-mph (CD) 60-0 Braking: 111-ft (MW) 70-0 Braking: 172-ft (CD) Road-holding: on 300-ft skidpad, .89 G (CD)Road test fuel economy: 22-mpg (MW), 20-mph (CD)EPA Fuel economy rating: 17-city/25-highwayEXTERIOR STYLINGThe long, low and sleek aero-look of the 4th Generation Firebird drew inspiration from the design of the 1988 Pontiac Banshee IV show car and from the later California Concept Camaro. INTERIOR APPOINTMENTSThe 4th Generation Firebird has a functional cockpit that doesn’t compromise driving fun.  Up front it has comfortable bucket seats for driver and passenger that offer good support with leather or cloth seating surfaces. On the downside, the interior plastic material won’t win any awards. Slick and cheap-looking, it won't win any awards.  In back, 2+2 seating with a folding rear seat back adds to carrying capacity under the rear hatchback, while also offering seating for two additional passengers for short trips. 13:00 - What's Great And Not So Great About The 4th Gen Firebird WHAT'S GREAT: Quick Loud Seriously fun to drive Decent enough ergonomics One of the last affordable V8 pony cars WHAT'S NOT SO GREAT: Serious on-throttle over-steer, so pay attention Not safe for novice drivers… especially in the rain Don’t buy one for your newly minted 16-year old driverRequires a healthy dose of mature executive function to stay upright13:50 - What To Look For In a 4th Gen Firebird With A V8 Adult OwnedMinimal ownersWell maintained (no deferred maintenance)No wrecked/rebuilt examples    Store indoors out of the elements   Unmodified stock examples are best Relatively Low milesGet the manual transmission. 16:55 - What Should You Pay For a 4th Gen Firebird With A V8?These cars are still affordable, but prices will go up over time, especially for...