buying a firebird

Hey all. I've recently been looking around for a good, decent, looking car with some horsepower for cheap. I've looked around and i really like the formula and the trans am. What are the differences between the two? also, around what kind of year should i be looking at? I've found two that i really like.

1994 Pontiac Firebird Formula $5,000 83,000 miles
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/modelinfo.jsp?vehicle_number=1189&&dealer_id=55628295&end_year=2006&address=07470&make2=PONT&start_year=1990&fuel=&certified=&car_id=174537350&isp=y&search_type=both&max_mileage=&drive=&min_price=3000&engine=8+Cylinder&distance=100&body_style=CONVERT&body_style=COUPE&body_style=HATCH&body_style=SEDAN&transmission=&lang=en&bkms=1129226678840&make=PONT&model2=FORMFBIRD&sort_type=mileageDESC&car_year=1994&doors=&cardist=33&max_price=8000&advanced=y&make3=sel_one&model=TRANSAM&color=#vdptop

1993 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am $3,700 99,700 miles
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=188734989&dealer_id=56863069&car_year=1993&search_type=both&make=PONT&model=TRANSAM&make3=sel_one&transmission=&distance=100&make2=PONT&address=07470&advanced=y&certified=&model2=FORMFBIRD&max_mileage=&max_price=8000&bkms=1129226678840&sort_type=mileageDESC&min_price=3000&end_year=2006&color=&start_year=1990&drive=&car_year=1994&isp=y&engine=8+Cylinder&body_style=CONVERT&body_style=COUPE&body_style=HATCH&body_style=SEDAN&doors=&lang=en&fuel=&cardist=93

Are these good prices? what can i haggle it down to?

Also, what are aprox 1/4 and 0-60 times for these cars? The first link says it has a supercharger engine, is this like turbo for supras? how much effect does this have, and aprox how much did this mod cost?

How do firebirds compare to camaros in terms of insurance costs?

QUOTE]
I don't know about you but i HATE the way thoes body styles look. Get a 98 and up one. Unless you buy a camaro then they all look good.

I happen to think that 93 - 97 Trans Am and Forumula's are hot :thefinger , the 94 is the quicker of the two and IMO the better buy. 93 was a speed density fuel management system which does not react as well to modifaction so if you plan on doing that I would go 94, also 94 used 24.9 LB injectors and 93 used 22 lb injectors. The transmission on the 94 was electronically controlled for optimum shift point and the 93 is mechanical. There are more difference's such as the PCM on the 94 - 95 are the most saught after but I think you get the picture. As for performance both are right around 0-60 in 5.3 - 5.5 seconds and 1/4 mile on average is 14.0 - 14.2 with a decent driver. Good luck to you and it will be nice to have another F-body Jersey member.

John

Edit- Also that 93 is not a Trans Am, its a formula

yea i think the body looks good.. and ok ill look for a 94-95 model. You sure the second is formula? the autotrader says its a trans am. Can you show a pic of each so i can tell the difference?

Oh also, how many miles can i expect the firebird to run for without breaking down? Like for example, most say the average camaro will be good till 150,000.

This is a LT1 Trans Am
http://www.american-custom-ni.org.uk/classifieds/col-ta-2.jpg

And this is a LT1 Formula
http://www.cardigest.com/cars/1995firebird1.jpg

If the vehicle was serviced regularly and not beat on. 200k+ is definetly not heard of and besides a few body panels and slightly different interiors, the camaro and Firebire and Trans Am are the same exact car.

those are stock exteriors?

im with formulalt1...i prefer the cleaner lines on lt1 trans ams to the ls1 trans ams. The formula i would like more if they all had the raised trans am wing.

those are stock exteriors?
Looks stock to me besides the fog lights on the formula. Formula's didn't come with foglights.

i would say those are damn good deals.. theres a 97 ram air trans am here in town. it's completely trashed. high miles, hood scratched real bad and damaged, dent in side, interior filthy and just tons of body damage. they were asking 8k for it. so those cars there are in good condition and cost half as much. i'd jump on that 94.

im with formulalt1...i prefer the cleaner lines on lt1 trans ams to the ls1 trans ams. The formula i would like more if they all had the raised trans am wing.
Not me. :icon16: