1995 Pontiac Firebird Targa from Finland - Comments

Power window motor burned.

Replaced new break front pads.

Rearmost muffler needed to be replaced.

EGR-valve had bad connection.

I was going to buy a Porsche 944 or 928, but once I test drove this Firebird, I was sold. Yes, it's the V6 which compared to 928 lacks power and doesn't corner as well as 944. But this Firebird was by far the most comfortable to drive.

I was impressed how roomy the driver's area is (198 cm tall) and I still have space for my shoulders and my head isn't scratching the roof. It is a bit of work to climb out of the car, but I've yet to meet a low-cut sports car that's easy. And if you're even average fit, it's no issue. Only problem are the doors. They are VERY long, and you need to always take extra care to have ample parking space.

I love the targa-roof! On a nice day you can take the roof-bits off and store them in the trunk. And you can drive highway speeds with them off, even with widows down it's OK. And on rainy or cooler days the glass roof panels let you enjoy the trees overhead as you pass under. I do have the covers, but never really used them. Maybe if I lived in the tropics...

The engine is not the most powerful (160hp), but has nice torque and is enough to pull the car about nicely. The revs stay nice low 2300rpm at 120km/h and the converter locks up to save fuel. The aerodynamics is sleek, specially with headlight down. I can actually drive on highway with barely 8l/100km (with air-co off). In the city she drinks about 12l/100km. The automatic transmission is smooth, but computer control firms up the shifts if you press the pedal harder.

It's very comfortable on highways, but unfortunately catches the crosswinds too easily. In the city you are naturally sitting very low, so you only see the end of the car in front of you. (Saying this coming from Jeep Wrangler...) Also you have to really know your car's corners (which are very rounded, because you cannot see any of them - not even the hood. Only way to judge the front is to raise the headlights, but even they are about 50cm from the front and 20 cm from the sides...but haven't scratched her yet!

Makes me wonder why I'd even consider selling this one, but I usually change cars at least yearly. (Owned over 50 cars to date.) So I guess having this car for two years in a row, is kind of a record for me...

First of all I believe the correct term for the type of sunroof you have is T-Tops. Secondly, if you wanted a real performance car, you should have purchased a Trans Am or Z28.

Those 2 cars have engines that produce 315 HP.

Guess what the T-Top stands for? Targa-Top. =)

"targa |ˈtɑːgə|

noun (usu. as adj.)

a type of convertible sports car with hood or panel that can be removed, esp. leaving a central roll bar for passenger safety : a targa roof.

ORIGIN Italian, literally ‘shield,’ given as a name to a model of Porsche with a detachable hood (1965), probably suggested by the Targa Florio (‘Florio Shield’), a motor time trial held annually in Sicily."

You're absolutely right about buying a V8 Firebird/Camaro for more power. Should you want a real sports car should have bought the 928. But the power was outweighed here by the comfort and room of the driver's "working" area.