1988 Pontiac Firebird Reviews

- Leaking heater core (replaced one on my previous Firebird too).

- Broken radiator neck; plastic was brittle with age.

- Water pump failed, twice.

- Clogged catalytic converter.

- Motorized hatch release failed.

T-top car, very flexible in the body. Fun to drive when gas is cheap -- getting a bit pricey these days :)

Winter tires are a must, they make a big difference, even just in the rain. Speaking of rain, sometimes it finds its way into the car and puddles on the floor. Seems to leak somewhere around the hatch. I have taken this car on logging roads, and it does fine. Just watch out for the airdam on the bigger potholes.

Overall, it has been a very reliable car, still runs strong with regular maintenance. Twenty three years old, and still turns heads.

Trunk pull down motor, fuel pump, coil/distributor, driver's exterior door handle, and convertible top pull down motor failed.

Great overall looks, can't beat the body style, love the convertible conversion.

Enjoy the digital dash, steering wheel radio controls, and 5 spd transmission.

Lots of torque!

On the third motor. Run them hard; if they were meant to run, they will hold together.

Fuel pump went out, that's about all.

Fun, fun, fun, love it to death. Has WS6, will leave posi for more than 1 block long with no prob.

Nice tight ride, corners great, outruns almost all Mustangs!!!

Over the 20 years that I've owned this 1988 Firebird Formula 5.7 Litre V8 muscle car I've had to replace the alternator about 10 times and I only have a factory stereo and speakers. Only major flaw I guess.

It was hard to roll with the posi rear up north in New York when I bought it. Anything over 6 inches of snow I had to call in sick.

Now living in Florida I have to use a higher viscoscity motor oil, due to the year round heat demands on an already hot running engine.

Had to replace the headliner due to the HEAT in Florida to.

Great car all around and would blow away any Ford Mustang that met me at a light, due in part to the 350 V8 350 Chevrolet engine that Pontiac went with in the Firebird Formula in 1988.

I changed the oil every 3K miles and it still runs like a champ.

When I got the car I bought it knowing that an older car was going to have problems so far I've changed the valve seals, shocks, struts, tail light bulb sockets, steering wheel, idler arm and I had an oil leak. I know it may sound like a lot, but once I took care of everything the car became indestructible. And well worth it.

This car has some sick power. It picks up fast from 0-100 but starts to fall off after a that, but I'm sure some engine work will solve that little dilemma. It handles remarkably well for its age and I'm surprised...I've taken 80mph turns in this car and I'm sure I can do it faster if I change my front tires because they wearing down. Just peeling out is effortless and you can't help, but punching the throttle every time you get in. I have Flowmasters on that thing and the exhaust note is mind blowing for muscle car lovers. All I really need is a paint job and some minor interior work which I can do on my own... I haven't driven it in the snow just yet, but I'm pretty sure it sucks in those situations as do all sports cars. Could have done without the t-tops though they do tend to leak although they are fun in good weather. All these cars need is some TLC and they will run forever and you will have fun driving.