Any one know of any future plans to bring the firebird back, I think they should, when the camaro comes back. With pontiacs already not-selling GTO that weighs 4000 lbs! I think a new firebird would be perfect for Pontiac. I would buy it, as long as it doesnt look like any other pontiac sedan, and its not $30,000

Who else wants to see the good ole Firebird back?

 

There aren't any, and I wouldn't hold you're breath.

Actually it's selling quite well right now.

Doesn't really bother me much, as long as the Camaro comes back and they keep the GTO

 

I'd say GM aren't blind to this, but it'd probably at least a year behind, based on how well the Z does.(MO...I know some don't agree..)

 

I wouldnt count on it. The head of Pontiac has been quoted as saying the firebirds day is past.

 

I agree with 90rocz, if the new Camaro is a hit, you could probably see another Firebird over at Pontiac. Lutz's new vision of what Pontiac should be isn't exactly giving Pontiac the kind of business it has been needing, and given the fact that Pontiac still seems to get a rehashed version of everything every other division gets, I don't think this is entirely out of the question.

It has been mentioned before here, but if the Camaro goes retro, which seems like a very real possibility, it would be nice to have an aggressive modern Firebird ponycar alternative.

 

Pontiac will never get a Firebird because common sense says that the excitement division should only have one token roadster and a bunch of cars that are only halfway exciting rehashes of what are available at other divisions.

 

I saw some quotes recently by Mr. Lutz speaking to the issue of 3 letter names, and how the next iterations of vehicles like the GTO, HHR, and SSR would likely get names.

Hmm, the next gen GTO renamed "Trans Am?" I don't see "Firebird" happening though. Not a performance halo car sounding name. Trans Am, Grand Prix, Le Mans ... all race prestigous race terms.

Doesn't the latest rumour have the next gen GTO coming after a possible 5th Gen? That would follow history to introduce the Trans Am after Camaro, albeit a completely different car this go-around.

The way things are shaping up with the rumours on GTO production, it looks like it will have held to being a stop-gap car, Camaro bowing right after production ends on current GTO. History then possibly repeats itself with a new halo Pontiac coupe (Trans Am) coming in shortly after the Camaro.

 

Yeah, but the exciement division should also be composed primarily of exciting cars. Quite contrary to the situation at hand. If GM thinks there would be money in a Firebird, they will change their philosophy to fit it in there.


I am very relieved to here that. This alphanumeric nonsense really bothers me, regardless of the car brand doing it. Having a Pontiac with nothing but letter or numeral strings attached to it was not something I thought was a very thought out business maneuver. Regardless of where GM thinks the brand should be, where the brand is currently is what is more important.

 

Interesting corperate line coming from Pontiac lately. Previously, when asked about the future of GTO, the line went something like "The GTO will play an important role in Pontiac's line up for the forseeable future".

Lately, it's changed somewhat. In questions of late regarding GTO's future, words to the effect are: "Pontiac will continue to be committed to having rear drive performance as part of it's lineup in the future".

Not saying Firebird will return (personally, I think the name is dead). But unless Holden is able to get a "Monaro-like vehicle" into production as quick as the old one and GM-NA sits on it's RWD program too long, the Chevrolet "Mustang" coupe by one accounts is now likely ahead of the next "GTO" coupe on the road to production

Not betting the farm on this, but in the event Pontiac either loses the GTO after 2006, or has a shortened 2007 production year, Pontiac may end up with a small Chevy based coupe.

It seems logical in that instance that Buick and Cadillac would end up with the big coupe.

Just speculation on my part in the last 2 paragraphs.

 

The Firebird is dead and Im happy. It was always a notch uglier than the Camaro, especially the third gens. Ask the question "Why does Pontiac need another Firebird at this time"

 

I have to ask the question, how are you so sure that it is permenantly dead. Didn't you just read anything Guy wrote. It is all speculation, but there could be something in the pipeline if the GTO gets canned. I guess you are probably just going on your gut on this one, huh? Sorry if I am not so inclined to take that as the final word on this subject matter.

About your question "Why does Pontiac need another Firebird at this time." How about because at the moment the excitement division is pretty far from exciting, and the brand needs a halo car. The GTO isn't exactly drawing huge crowds in, and the interest it does actually get could completely go away if the car stops being built. There is more excitement at Chevy these days then Pontiac.

 

That what I was getting at with my outlandish comment. A Firebird not fitting into the image of an excitement division sounds to me like if someone from Mazda said that the RX7 didn't fit into their sport division image.

Would someone like to explain why anyone should care about Pontiac if Chevy is going to slap an SS package on everything and if their only independent car design in recent history gets stolen by Saturn?

 

The Camaro is dead and I'm happy. It was always a notch uglier than the Firebird, especially the 4th Gens (where it was 10 notches uglier).

 

1998-2002 TransAm... I think proves otherwise. 3rd gens? I agree.

"Why does Pontiac need another firebird at this time?" A: They dont, but if the GTO is bowing out due to issue's with holden. Then beleive there will be a reskinned Camaro on Pontiac dealerships.

This is history repeating itself.

 

GM doesnt need Pontiac at all.