alright peeps, convince me

[NismoDrifts]

Heres the deal, everybody here knows that im all about imports. But i was talking to a friend, and he suggested i buy a newer firebird as my next car.

I know its nice in a straightline......i looked at some today, the newest ones looked good, but the early 90s looked cheap......

well, my question for the owners....whats the handling? i know it has power in a straight line, its affordable to work on compared to import performance.......and that although its not a honda, ill actually keep my car well maintained........so to sum it up

1. hows handling, is it roadcourseable?

2. what years are good for what models? im on a budget coz im still in high school

3. can ya post some pics of interiors from different years that i can afford, coz ive only seen a limited few firebirds.....

sorry the post was all jumbled, im in a hurry and typing as i think, anyway, thanks a lot

[Blackbird01]

The new F-Bodies are very "road courseable"....
A few suspension "tweaks" they are a formitable opponet for most any car.

I think the late 80s - early 90s Iroc Z28 would be best.
Room for any motor you choose to throw in it (later on down the road) and has a STIFF suspension...More so then my Trans Am at least.
I think a 94-97 Formula would be great also.

[Firebird]

I got a 90 it handled pretty good stock but with the addition of the Eibach springs and new bushings it is awesome. I drive pretty hard and only had it break loose one time (a 90 degree intersection style turn) plus I was doing 35-45mph. However it was a controlable (sp) slide and was easily corrected. so yes they handle very well.

[NismoDrifts]

awesome aight, thanks guys, now one last issue

hows their reliability........

i know a girl that has an iroc, and she said it wasnt too reliable, but i heard that they were from some people. Ive heard the engines in the f bodys have problem history and arent susceptible to mods, and on the flip side ive heard that the engines were flat out awesome.....

the deal is, if i spend all this money modding this car i want it to last me a lil while...........

so.....thats my last issue, and thanks again

[Firebird]

Never had a single problem with mine. and there are tons of mods out there for them especially(sp?) 350 models (i have a 305 ) it loves to be moded every mod i've ever put on it either met or exceded my expectations they are very well buit reliably cars. if you get one I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[87bluebird]

I still have my '89 with a 305TPI, I had valve guide seals that were replaced (under warrantee) at 26K miles. Still now (at 162K miles) no problems, not burning oil, not even a puff of smoke at balls-out throttle. Point being, they've been stamping out 305's for many years and should have it down to a science by now. However, I did use Slick 50 at 50K miles and at 100K miles.

Same story of having made these engines for quite some time, I would suspect, with the LS1/LT1. Those engines were in the Corvette for several years before they put them in the Camaro/F-bird. Isn't that right? I think that just as any other car, there will be some "lemons", but for the most part I think you'll be in good shape. The biggest thing will be, even if you drive it hard, is to MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR MAINTENANCE; CHANGE OIL, OIL FILTER, and AIR FILTER regularly to keep the crud from screwing up you shit! :smoker2:

[swedish]

well, this is just my account, but i test drove a '89 tpi that had i think 158K miles on it. it was beat to hell (even the power window buttons were worn through), it got up and went like my friends '95 3100 grand prix, but it still handled great, so basically, dont buy a beat up one, but dont worry about handling, they're pretty good there