1991 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am review from North America

Lets see here...

Driver seat came mildly worn (OK due to age)

Electric mirror switch caved in (probably due to age and use)

Leaks power steering fluid occasionally.

Blow-by getting worse.

Engine bogs down when warm.

Intermittent no start, possibly due to a faulty starter, or bad timing. Only happens after its been driven and the car is hot.

Battery died a week after I got the car.

Hatch and hood shocks replaced right after purchasing. (man that rear hatch is heavy)

I bought the car with the intentions of using it as a get around car until my `79 Trans Am is finished. I guess you get what you pay for. I spent $1000 on the car. I test drove it four different time on four different days, even had a mechanic check it out and someone else drive it.

The car was claimed to have a rebuilt engine, which after some more careful inspecting was not rebuilt at all. I attribute all problems to asinine maintenance and high mileage.

I replaced the battery a week after I got the car, the seemed to have solve the problem. Then I noticed the RPM's dipped WAY to low for a fuel injected car, which caused more battery draw at dive idle. Adjusted the idle screw and problem solved.

Then I did a full tune up, saw that the distributor cap was cracked, also causing charging problems, new cap, new rotor, new plugs, new wires, new ignition module, new idle air control valve. The car would still not start at times after it was run.

Moved my inquiries to the fuel delivery. Injectors checked and passed. Changed the fuel pick up assembly and filter, the pump was also changed. Same problem.

I decided to give up and sell the car, cut my losses and start over. I was emailed by a gentleman who had the same problem. He saw my crisis through the classified ad, and informed me the starter was the culprit in his vehicle. I thanked him and changed my ad. I'm not spending more money into this car.

After the tune up was done the car came back blowing oil from the dipstick tube. I'm not even going to investigate.

I estimate, minus insurance and gas costs to have spent an extra $400 over the purchase price. Although not a very high amount, the car is still in need of plenty of work which will bring me close to if not over $1000 in repair/maintenance.

The car is not all bad though, I must say, when she was running, she would do it well most of the time and was pretty gas conscious for a V-8. I don't have raw fact, but I expected worse, ballpark figure is about 18MPG.

The car has a few performance mods:

180 degree failsafe thermostat

Hedman Shorty Hedders

Flowmaster 3" Cat-back exhaust

and a custom burned ADS super chip.

The interior in the car is great, the front seating is roomy and in my opinion the red gauges look awesome at night and the layout is easy to read with accessories and radio controls easy to get to. The back seat, or lack there of is great also, as friend will think twice in asking you for a ride. I actually folded down the seat to make an amp rack since I have t-tops and didn't want to interfere with t-top storage.

These cars are awesome rides and part of American history, especially the 91-92 models, the front end is very aggressive and kind of resembles a Corvette from a distance. It's a shame people don't appreciate and care for cars the way they should be.

Final thought on the car if you're thinking about buying one:

Check very thoroughly, people tend to abuse F-bodies.