1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula 5.7 V-8 from North America

Summary:

Wow

Faults:

The ignition switch was preventing me from driving it, but the wires were broken.

The chip in the key was also very worn.

The only other bad thing is that it is SO tempting to spin the tires down to nothing.

General Comments:

Not to long ago I rode a Firebird with a V-6 in it, it was pretty useless compared to mine. My dad was big into cars when he was my age and he doesn't really like the newer cars, but when he drove mine he was actually having some fun with it. He used to have a '68 Firebird Convertible 400.

I would recommend this car to anyone... if you can control your throttle foot.

It's a great looking car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th July, 2001

1989 Pontiac Firebird from North America

Summary:

A dangerous bargain, but a fun ride

Faults:

Well the other day while I was driving down the road (I was not speeding) I hit a pot hole and the tire blew and I started spinning. When I mashed the brakes the car started jerking and then I ended up in the ditch.

The problem I had with the car was the fact that I was going 57 miles an hour and when the tire blew and I hit the brakes and started spinning, was the fact that I ended up 1 mile down the road. I don't understand how that could have happened when there are new brakes on the car and I wasn't speeding.

General Comments:

The one thing I did like about the car was that it didn't get a single scratch on it. It spun 5 times and ended up in the ditch and there is nothing wrong with the car except for a blown tire and a messed up rim.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st May, 2001

22nd Jul 2001, 03:07

When you've just got new brakes it's normal that the car doesn't stop as fast as normal. The brakes must be worn down.

The spinning is the fault of the blown tire (you could have this with any car). When your tire is blown you should always avoid braking too hard because the wheels will stop harder at one side of the car and this will probably started you spinning.

10th Nov 2006, 10:02

It might also be helpful to try and AVOID pot holes. I don't know why this is such a big problem for people. When I drive on the interstate, I make a habit of checking the road to make sure I am not headed for a hole or a chunk of blown tire or anything else. Just look, and if you see a pothole, don't hit it! Just make a minor steering correction and avoid damage to your car.

23rd Sep 2007, 13:46

The fact that a person is not speeding has no affect on the outcome in the way you suggest. If the speed limit is 90 and you were going 57 you are correct you are not speeding. The speed limit could be 35 and you were only doing 25. The fact that you were doing 57 and not 35 may have an affect on the outcome, but the fact that you were not speeding is immaterial. Avoid potholes at all costs. And by the way, if you can prove the city or state knew about the pothole and failed to fix it, you can ask for compensation.

12th Nov 2007, 17:19

A couple of the comments are helpful. New brakes and a blown tire can cause a loss of control. While it may be true that the pothole contributed to the blowout your resultant loss of control was simply failing to maintain control of the vehicle. As to chasing after the local jurisdiction to provide compensation - I guess you can, but they only have to maintain "reasonable care" to the roadway. Just like you, as the driver, must maintain control of your car. Chalk it up to experience learned.