"Our cover this issue features both the first and current examples of Pontiac's exciting Trans Am. For 19 years the T/A has survived through thick and thin as an American performance car. Now, on the verge of its 20th anniversary, it is better than ever. The GTA is a true thoroughbred in the Pontiac tradition. The list of standard features reads like a who's who of automotive options, and it has more for less money than its Chevy counterpart, the IROC-Z.
The exterior design of the GTA is super-sleek and uncluttered with graphics. The
hideaway headlights and small hood vents clean up the nose of the vehicle, and
the body-integrated rear wing is unobtrusive but always visible. Attractive
metal GTA badges on the front quarters and nose provide sufficient
identification, and there are no exterior clues to the potent under-hood
package.
Our test vehicle was equipped with the 5.7-liter tuned-port fuel-injection
engine. It produces 225 horsepower from 350 CID, and is pretty peppy. The 5.7
engine is only available with the four-speed automatic trans and standard 3.27
Posi rear end. We used the GTA for short hops, long cruises and in commuter
traffic, and with minimal use of the air conditioning, averaged 16 mpg. With a
15.5-gallon gas tank, that's approximately 250 miles per tank. Not the greatest
range, but the performance more than makes up for the so-so mileage figures.
The GTA comes standard with the WS6 performance suspension, which includes 36mm
front and 24mm rear stabilizer bars, gas shocks and struts, and quick 12.7:1
power steering. Coupled with the P245/50 VR 16-inch Goodyear tires, this is a
formidable handling package. Gold-center aluminum wheels add a yuppie touch and
four-wheel disc brakes halt the horses.
Interior appointments are cold, as are most current GM dash layouts. Everything
is either black or gray, which lends a very somber mood to a sporty machine.
C'mon Pontiac, people live inside cars and like a warm little nest. All this
high-tech stuff belongs on computers, not fun cars. We would prefer some
woodgrain and some interior color coordination or other appliqué to brighten
things up a bit. We do, however, like the four large, round gauges in the
instrument cluster. These easy-to-read gauges have become a Pontiac tradition,
and provide a nice decorative touch to an otherwise austere interior.
The radio controls in the steering wheel at first turned us off, appearing to be
just another computerized contraption. But our test-drives changed our minds.
It's more convenient and safer than reaching all the way down to the unit itself.
The GTA comes standard with power everything, including an electric rear deck
closing feature.
The $19,299 base price ($19,812 as tested) indicates that you get more machine
for less money with the GTA. Having thoroughly enjoyed our test car, we
concluded unanimously that the GTA is ahead and shoulders above its competitor,
the IROC-Z, in the $20,000 modern muscle category."
1988 FIREBIRD GTA SPECIFICATIONS
WHEELBASE: 101.0"
LENGTH: 191.6"
WIDTH: 72.4"
HEIGHT: 50.0"
FRONT HEADROOM: 37.0"
REAR HEADROOM: 35.6"
FRONT LEGROOM: 43.0"
REAR LEGROOM: 29.8"
FRONT HIPROOM: 56.3"
REAR HIPROOM: 42.8"
CARGO VOLUME: 12.4 CU. FT. (REAR SEAT UP)
31.0 CU. FT. (REAR SEAT DOWN)
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 15.5 GAL.
CURB WEIGHT: 3406 LBS.
STANDARD ENGINE: 5.7L TPI V8 (B2L)
AVAILABLE ENGINE: 5.0L TPI V8 (LB9)
STANDARD TRANS: 4-SPEED AUTO
AVAILABLE TRANS: 5-SPEED MANUAL
STANDARD AXLE RATIOS: 3.08 (5.0L TPI/5 SPEED MAN)
3.27 (5.0L TPI/4 SPEED AUTO)
3.27 (5.7L TPI/4 SPEED AUTO)
AVAILABLE AXLE RATIOS: 3.45 (5.0L TPI/5 SPEED MAN)
STANDARD TIRES: P245/50VR16 BW
