shanezam203

How's it going? I'm Shane I have a 2000 Lightning and I am looking to store that in the winter. I am in the market for a 2nd car. I am looking to get something I can drive in the winter, but also something I'll like to drive in the spring/summer if I can't drive my truck.
I used to have a 94 trans am, so I love firebirds. I am looking to get information on the v6 firebirds.
Any year better than the other? (in 98-2000)
How are the 3.8L motors?
Can I get leather interior?
I am interested in 5 speed, how would that do in the winter?
I'm not looking to do any mods to it, but I'm curious, how much slower should this v6 firebird be than my 94 ta?
What's a good price to pay for a used 98-2000 firebird with low miles on it? Any more info on the topic, I'd really appreciate it, thanks, Shane

nothingeined

All in my opinion:

First off, nice truck

If they are the same as my Camaro, I would say at least try to get a 2000 because of the way the throttle body is a lot better and you get the 3.42 gears. At least on the auto. The manual I think 3.23's. Very few V6's had the leather option. You could always swap one in though. In terms of slowness compared to your TA, stock form will be slow. Not super slow, but compared to other cars out now, be ready for a lot of close races. If you mod it, then it will help you a lot. With the mod's in my sig, I was able to take down plenty of stock Mustang GT's. Suprised them a lot at our local raceing spot. The motor itself can be made decently a lot faster for half the insurance costs of an LS1 via Tiago's Turbo Kit. I sold my Camaro, but am looking for another F-Bod. I wanted a V8, but the insurance is way too much down
here even if the car was under my parent's name. Depending where you live, you can have a super tuff time finding one like me, or there could be plenty in your car lot. So far the mid priced range I have seen on a 2000 Firebird was in SA for $7900, all options, t-tops, 39k. I think I am gonna go look at that one next week if it is still there. There are zero to be found down here. There is only one black one at a lot for 6000, but has like 100,000 something miles. So just keep looking and you will find one. Just do a little search and more info should pop up. Once again, all IMO. Feel free to correct.

shanezam203

Thanks for the reply. I am not looking to make it go crazy fast. I've got my truck to put money into.
A few more questions I have. How does the 3.8l firebird do in the winter?
Also, does any special firebird come with the exhaust like this?
firebird exhaust pic
I am looking to spend around $8,000 to $12,000. I want to find something nice, with low miles. I'd like 5 speed and leather interior if I can find it. I need t-tops.
any suggestions? thanks, Shane

nothingeined

That exahust is the stock dual exhaust on most Pontiac's. SLP sells the WS6 take off for like 80 bucks that should bolt on to the V6 with an adapter. For your price range, you will find one for about 8500. I have seen some LS1's in that price range, but you mentioned insurance reasons so that is out of the question. In the winter time, I had zero problems with my car. Then again the coldest it gets down here is only about 35 As long as you let it warm up and stuff, you should be fine.

shanezam203

The firebird drives ok in the snow right? I still haven't found a 5 speed with leather. I know I won't be able to get everything I want, but it doesnt hurt to try.
Red
Chrome rims
5 speed
T-tops
Leather Interior
Under 65,000 miles.
What should I expect to pay for a 98-2000 with the above options?
Thanks, Shane

nothingeined

That is gonna be a tuff one. Most of the ones I found in my area were either everything you wanted minus the color and 5 speed.. They were either black or a dark navy blue. The going price with the 39k-45k range was about 7995-8995. I say don't pay more 9500. just check autotrader.com and punch in your zip to find if there are any close to you. Now about the snow part, that is a tuffy. If you go to our lounge section, do a search on snow, and countless posts will come up with people losing control. Just becareful with it. Put some snow tires and stuff and I would say stay from chrome rims since I heard that salt messes em up pretty bad. Maybe have like an extra set of rims. They usually go for like 200 bucks here on our for sale board. Not much and will save the hassle. Good luck with your car buying. Just try to not settle with "oh i guess this will do." Pretty sure it's out there.

shanezam203

thanks for the help. I found two real nice ones I'd be interested in, but they are half way across the country!

2000 Firebird w/ manual tranny

Real nice 2000 Red Firebird

I wish I could find something like that around my area here. I dont mind traveling a little if the car meets my needs.
Any other suggestions other than autotrader.com?
Thanks, Shane

nothingeined

Your local newspaper ad. My paper has a website and I just search through there. Also look on our for sale section. They usually have there's for sale. That last one as nice, but oo much for the mileage.

shanezam203

yeah the first one is nice. with the manual tranny. it is a 2000 and has only 22411 miles.
Shane

shanezam203

exhaust pic with slots in body for tips

No slots in the body for exhaust tips...
Exhaust pic 2
Is that a body kit, or ground effects that need to be bought, or does that come with some firebirds?
thanks, Shane

nothingeined

Maybe it was just Trans AM's and the Formula that had the back molded for it. Hmm...I could of swore that even the V6's had a space for em. Let me look.

Edit:This is a V6. It has em, so I guess it was just how the person took the picture.

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/245276/4

99blackSS

The V6 would be 1.5-2 seconds slower then a 94 trans am in the 1/4 mile. The 3.8 is very reliable and leather is a option. Why do you want t-tops on your winter car?

shanezam203

Because I will be driving it in the spring/summer also if I can't drive my truck. I like t-tops.
Shane

shanezam203

It will be my 2nd car, not just a winter car. That's why I am so picky about it. I still like this 2000 Red one the best. But it is in Georgia. I am near Chicago, Illinois. Also it is an auto and has 60,000 miles. If anyone finds anything like the above firebird in a 5 speed, with less miles, closer to Illinois than Georgia, please let me know.
Thanks, Shane

shanezam203

I found some pics of my old trans am. I loved the exhaust on it, I loved the tips. Man I loved that thing.
The new ones are awesome! My one friend has a 98 trans am, and my other buddy has a 99 ss. They are real nice cars.
94 trans am
Shane