"The Firebird was born in the spirit of competition. The first generation cars of the ‘60s saw the first Trans-Am with some prompting by John Z. DeLorean and John Schinella, and a very performance oriented stance. Through the years, with EPA and DOT regulations getting more stringent, the Firebird has had to adapt along the same lines, as have the drivers. Now we see a car more adept to road surfaces. Handling more characteristic of European bred vehicles rather than the lethargic designs of the ‘70s era. "The Times they are a changin"’ said a famous poet, although I don’t think he was referring to the automobile market.
Although the Trans-Am of the seventies was a low-drag design, the third generation Firebird introduced in 1982 saw a new stance in automotive design. Theories of aerodynamics were actually being used and the Firebird had become in its normal evolution, a drivers car.
- Upon driving our test car, we found out how Pontiac is moving into the next
decade. The body remains basically the same with an 8 year old dated design, and
drastically needs an update (come on 1992). Handling on the 1990 model is
nominal. Since the major market of the GTA is female in nature, Pontiac has
taken the suspension and tuned it in more for comfort than all out handling. The
steering on the other hand is very stiff and rigid, and at some points difficult
to maneuver. The 1990 models also receive a drivers side "supplemental inflation
restraint" (air bag) that reduces the total visibility of the dash and makes the
tilt feature almost ineffective. In the dark, the turn signal combination switch
is almost impossible to find due to the large area taken up by the air bag. A
larger diameter steering wheel with a thicker rim girth is definitely in order
for this car. The interior surrounds you with an abundance of electric-creature
comforts that are best left in a Parisienne'; leave the performance… remove the
accessories, and you’ll get the basic performance Firebird we’ve always known.
Our test vehicle was equipped with a 350-cid engine with the 700 R-4 transmission. Although the transmission held up respectively, we were under the impression that the car had a 305 engine installed. We knew of a horsepower decrease this year, but we think they may have gotten a little over board. Acceleration and pick-up were nominal, and with the high stall speed converter, the car freewheeled from a rolling start till about 3000rpm. Pontiac is just now introducing the 1991 Firebird. The new Firebird has a fascia update as well as a new aero package and rear wing. Although we haven’t had the opportunity to drive it yet, the car shows us that Pontiac is on the right track for the ‘90s.
All in all, if your looking for a sporty car, with good flowing body lines that can still turn a head or two, the Firebird GTA is a good buy. Granted the $20,000 + sticker price is a tall order, but the amenities make up for the cost."
