Faults:

I tend to have trouble with the new alternator draining my new battery in extremely cold weather.

The right pop-up headlight motor is obviously a nuisance, but it can still be raised manually.

Aside from that I can't say much about defects since I bought this car in a very much used condition.

Since then I have replaced just about every worn out part as it burns out from the smallest fuse to the transmission except for the engine itself which still runs.

So far I have not had any major issues. The money I have invested into it including purchase price is still a bargain.

General Comments:

After all the repairs so far, all stock parts no fancy performance parts yet:

This car is simply a dream to drive. And since it's black I get the usual "Knight Rider" and "Smokey and the Bandit" comments despite its desperate need for a paint job.

It doesn't like to idle, but racing down the thruway is an awesome feeling.

The V8 engine is a gas guzzler. I refuel every 4 days, but it's worth it. I wouldn't forgive myself for paying those prices if it were any other car.

The body is solid cold steel! A few weeks ago I accidentaly plowed into a car's rear door. I pulled out of the dent without a groove in my baby's nose. Barely felt the impact!

The built-in speakers boom with the $50 CD player I got at Wal-Mart.

Faults:

Front flip up headlights give me grief, the switch burns out a lot. Trying to figure out if it's a short.

Rusting in all the usual spots.

Bit of a rattle in the back hatch.

Struts needed replacing. Hood and hatchback.

Fuel pump likes to blow.

General Comments:

Overall this is a great car. I've had a few little issues here and there that are very annoying and on occasion persistent.

You can't beat the look with that sharp front nose. The lines are great from front to back.

The thing is fast and easy to modify. Working on it is generally easy with the odd "why the heck did they put that there?" but that's pretty normal.

Comfortable and SUPER fun to drive.

When you hit the highway it likes going fast. The ride is super smooth the faster it goes.

As long as I take care of it, it takes care of me.

Faults:

Although this is a low-mileage pampered car, the drivers seat is badly worn, which is not uncommon in Third Gen Firebirds.

Heater blower motor expired at 54000 miles. Cheap and inexpensive to fix, I just haven't got around to it yet :)

Pinion bearing had collapsed just before I bought the car. It was a days work to repair, but one full set of new bearings later and its perfect. Cheap parts too... even here in the UK.

General Comments:

Not a common car in the UK, and it turns heads wherever it goes. I get stopped and asked questions about it all the time.

It will beat just about anything the UK 'performance' market can throw at it...period.

Handling is remarkably good, for a 20 year old car. Lethal in the wet though!

Driving position is comfortable, and all controls are in easy reach. Optional electric seat helps in this matter though. The previous 84 I had didn't have this option, and it wasn't quite so comfortable.

You can insure one of these in the UK for well under £200. Try doing that with a 'hot hatch'!