1995 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 5.7 L LT1

Summary:

A great looking car with incredible power, at a decent price

Faults:

One of the fog lights got busted, and to my surprise it cost $120 for a new light... Just the light which I installed myself.

General Comments:

I liked my first car, a 1983 Firebird. But my 95 WS-9 Trans Am is an amazing car. The WS-9 performance package includes Ram Air, which will push out some more horse power. This car is a power house. When you take off you will be put back in your seat. It can do 150 mph, but I've only had it up to 140 mph.

The handling is amazing, I will fly through curves at high speeds and the car will stay firmly on the road.

Amazingly the gas milage isn't too bad. You'll get about 20 miles to the gallon.

The interior is great too. The seats have many different adjustments, such as lumbar, side, and thigh support. I'm 6'2" and I'm comfortable in there.

But, I'm not too crazy about the costs. Insurance is terrible. It probably has something to do with the fact that I'm an 18 year old male driving a high performance sports car. But there's nothing like cruising the town with the T-tops off and the wind in your hair. You will turn a few heads.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th May, 2001

31st Mar 2003, 14:04

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but don't you mean Ws6, and didn't the Ws6 option appear in 96?

18th Aug 2005, 20:37

I have a 95 Trans Am and it's a Ws6 but, it doesn't have Ram Air, that option was added in 96.

10th Jun 2008, 11:26

Sorry WS6 means it's ram air. WS6 is the ram air option. I have a 94 Trans Am GT, and its WS6 (ram air). I purchased the ram air fiber glass hood, which saves weight from the factory hood. The ram air box I purchased actually came from the dealer from the first year option from a 96 Trans Am.

23rd Oct 2010, 21:28

Sorry, kids, they made WS6 before you were born, in the 70's. Back then it was a suspension package. They had a Ram Air package too. I guess they combined them in the 90's.

1995 Pontiac Firebird Coupe

Summary:

Well built American sports car, just needs better performance for a 3.4 V6

Faults:

Alternator 30k, tension pulley at 75k, engine check light at 100k comes on and off, fan motor at 120k, all pretty normal for an American car.

General Comments:

This car has been pretty reliable for 135,000 miles. I drive it daily and take it a lot to 105mph on back roads. It's only a 3.4 V6 auto, it is a shame my previous 94 Honda Civic DX was faster in 0-60 and in top speed - 118mph my Firebird on a good day can only do 110mph.

The Pontiac does good mpg - on the highway 29mpg and the city 20mpg. Just change your transmission oil every 30k and sparkplugs and engine oil at 5k with 5w-30w, and the car will be just a good as any import.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th March, 2001

25th Apr 2001, 16:48

Can any one tell me if is possible to exchange from a 3.4v6 to a 5.7v8 and what things should I have to change with it.

10th May 2001, 19:49

You know that Japan limited horsepower because they were afraid of starting a power war in between the extremely competitive Japanese car companies. A Skyline can easily be tweaked to run at its normal power level, around 400+ horsepower. American cars use displacement and the Japanese use technology.

23rd Nov 2001, 08:51

Yes, all cars can be tweaked to perform at levels higher than advertised, especially a low tech small block, but it all costs money. You can also tweek that little V-6 to outrun a V-8, it just takes money and knowledge.

As for swapping engines, sure you can. It's going to cost you though. Get rid of the car and buy a mid 90's LT1 car. I got my SLP Formula Conv for 8800 buck about a month ago. Look for the good deals, they are there.

20th Aug 2006, 14:04

The Firebird governor only allows 110mph. Higher speeds could be possible, but restricted in this vehicle. It is a very heavy car, however, and it has a small engine (3.4 v6) for it's size (about two tons with passengers), so I wouldn't recommend going any faster anyway.