Worth 2X The Price? Should You Buy a Cheap Pontiac Trans Am or a More Expensive Corvette?
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- čas přidán 19. 03. 2023
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In this episode it’s corvette vs trans am!
In this video we compare a 1995 Pontiac Trans Am to a 1988 Chevy Corvette to see if it is worth TWICE the price!
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Depends upon the Corvette or the TA. and if you need a backseat. that's the real issue.
Chevy blazer had those exact handles that year as the corvette
Holy crap... $6600 for a Comp T/A is a killer deal for such a rare car! I've only seen 1 or 2 of these in person. On my TV screen, that car looks to be in really nice condition and I'm surprised it sold for such a low price, given how inflated the used car market is or was a few months ago.
That was my immediate first thought... the Comp T/A is a pretty special car to those who know what they are.
I remember those brand new coming off the trailer at Schaumburg Pontiac I didn't know what a Comp TA was However I was ordering A96WS6 formula M6 all black Problem was mom was selling the house and I had to buy one to have a garage to go next to my 68 4 4 2 Well I bought the house instead of the formula I always feel bad after knowing how rare the 96 formula WS6 was But now I have A794 speed WS6 and a 73 transam and I did have a 99 navy blue metalik standard ttop transam miss that LS1
Yeah - there were a couple of these sell on Mecum or Barrett Jackson for around $20k!!!
i had one come into my old work. mind u this is in the middle of bfn lol
What!? Who in their right mind would say that Trans AM was ugly!?!? That was the pinnacle of not just Trans Am design but muscle car design in general.
love both cars. Before vettes i had Z28s and Trans Am's back in the day and that TA front end is still badass
TRANS AM !!!!! Especially in the 90's. It's basically a Vette but with 4 seats & some luggage room.
I love the Tin Indians, I had a 85 TA 305, and a 01 TA LS1.
The LT1 F-Bodies were slower than the LT1 C4 in the 90s.
275hp vs 300hp
My 92 C4 was always faster than my 95 Z28.
I've always found the f bodies be slightly faster than the Corvettes in a straight line because the solid-axle provided less drivetrain loss and better traction around the racetrack Corvettes were always considerably faster because the independent suspension allowed to handle much better
@@fastls1ep they’re pretty close. Some say the 275hp rating in the 93-97 F-Bodies was a lie on paper for insurance purposes.
Gearing makes a huge difference. I put 3.73 gears in my 95 Z28, really woke it up.
The WS6 was a car I always wanted. It's funny how the 1990s cars were fast back then but are slow today compared to newer cars. What is shocking are the prices. Look at what a low mileage 1993 Cobra Mustang sells for ($60K). A few years ago I bought a low mileage 2007 GT500 for under $30K. Now they are almost $40K. If you find a older muscle car buy it because the prices are only going to go up.
Yeah man I grew up as a teen in the early 2000s when Fox Body 5.0 Mustangs and LT1 Camaros and Firebirds were $2k-$3500 all day long… SN95 Mustang GTs were dime a dozen… funny how now 20 years later they all go way up in value and become collectible… if only we could keep all the cars from our past.
It’s sad in a way. It reminds me of when my dad tell me he’s smashed every classic car a guy could ever want, he said they were a dime a dozen back then and no one wanted them because of gas prices. I think we are reliving that again except it’s our generation. You couldn’t give me a lt1 camaro/firebird or an sn95 but people are paying a lot for them, the c4 corvette I like a lot but you should be getting a 1995 mint anniversary 6speed for 10k, the 87 c4 I had in high school in 2016 was only 3k and I drove the wheels off that thing delivering pizzas.
@@speedracerjeff ww
You’d be lucky to get a low mileage 93 Cobra for only 60k
@@speedracerjeff 😂👌 2-3k
No start on the Firebird could be the ignition tumbler, the tiny wires wear through and eventually break but before they break you get a random no-start condition for awhile, these cars were notorious for it. Happened to my ‘94 Z28 on the day of my first wedding, should have taken it as a sign lol
You can fix the hatch rattle in the T/A. Replace the screw in bumpers.
I’ve had an all black hatchback 91 Vette for 13 years , it handles so much better than a ‘64 Vette I owned for 5 years , and a ‘69 Vette I owned for 10 years . The suspension in the C4’s is what makes it such a fantastic sports car
Two beautiful cars. Being a 90s kid, I love GM cars and trucks from this era. I’m a huge Chevrolet fan but I still have soft spots for the other brands. Can’t wait for the drag race. Great video, TFL.
The trans-am's don't all rattle from the back. The seals may need to be replaced, the stops might need to be adjusted, or the latch might need to be adjusted.
I love Firebirds, prefer the 2nd Gen 71-76 period . . . but this era caught my eye and I almost bought a '95 . . . still sad about not buying that car. Awesome car, guys!
Hmmm that handle does look like the one I had on the '85 Camaro.
Ohhhhhhhhh can't wait for 'track day' at the airstrip!
Brendan, stats for the Firebird verses C4 Corvette . . . the Firebird is 2.5 inches wider and about 5 inches taller than the C4.
Hurst Shifter wasn’t exclusive to the Comp T/A…it was an option all V8 F-Bodies
Might be worth putting a few grand into the Trans Am (shocks, bushing, etc..) if the chassis is in good shape. Would let it last longer, and even if the engine dies, it's got to be one of the easiest engine swap cars out there, ripe for an LS or LT.
Put on new sway bars, poly busings/mounts and powerstop brakes and Jesus what a change
Wow the shot of the two noses of the car look awesome! The fact that these cars go so cheap is crazy. People cant stop talking about jdm legends in the 90s really need to take a look at what the US was producing. Truly great attainable classics!
It's nice to see reviews that appreciate these cars and compare them with respect to the time they were made. Most reviews just trash them and compare them to modern cars.
Come on guys!!! Was hoping for some drag racing in the quarter mile.
I daily my 99 Firebird and love the practicality without needing a sedan. I can get groceries and pick my kids up from school
I just went through this I was looking for a corvette. But got a 2002 6 speed z28 instead.. for 5500 I had too. You don’t get much for 5500 if you’re buying a corvette..
You guys stole that WS6. Here in Vegas, LT1 WS6's are selling for $10k+. LS1 WS6's sell for over $20k. My '97 WS6 used to smoke C5 LS1 'Vettes. Brenden, if you decide to sell the T/A, let me know. ;)
Both are icons made in US. Don't waste your time for pointless chat, what is more coll. Let's focus on joyride and fun you can have while driving these gorgeous vehicles. Regards from Poland.
I would buy the Trans AM 1000 times before I would buy the corvette.
The Corvette is probably a better platform for a track car but I’ve wanted a Trans Am for almost 40 years so the Trans Am would be my choice.
Trans am! I've owned fourth gen Firebirds for 23 years and absolutely love them. They aren't perfect, but I still love them.
Amen brother...96 WS6 here💪🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The trans am sporty versions seem to be more rare. I had the 86 Iroc Z in 86'-87' 5.0 TPI. Then I had a Mustang 88' GT 5.0 and then a 1990 LX notchback 5.0 Mustang. All new cars. All white colored.
wow that is the first time i saw the lights rotate on the c4 ! i had no idea !
and the trans am is very beutiful
Great video…nice coverage of these cars, fun fact…the Corvette has a button on the door to open the rear hatch. Keep the content coming!
Two awesome cars. I've owned a 1990 'vert Corvette and a 1998 Trans Am (and 2000 Z28). The LT1 and its OptiSpark issues are well documented. The L98 is a great engine, despite its low redline.
As a daily driver owner of an LT1 C4, I can say there are some foibles...
1) it's pretty hard to find the MT cars for them- and the Auto certainly is comparatively lacking, since it's only a 4 speed (it just doesn't have the gear ratios to choose from!).
2) I don't know what part of the country you're in, but in the Mid-Atlantic region, the V8 Trans Am is definitely more than $6k average; people are pretty well not listing them for less than $10k.
3) Without summer perf. Tires, the 'Vette can run out of traction really, really quickly if you try to push it hard... And it's almost guaranteed to run out in the rear end first. This makes for a fun and exciting... But also dangerous car, if you're not being careful. Ask me how I know! XD
Trans Am all day everyday. The Corvette has never done anything for me. It's styling is so bland. Even the new C8 Corvette is just ok. I've got a loaded 1998 Y87 Firebird and I love the styling of the 4th gen birds.
Y'all got good tastes! I have owned 3 different Firebirds (at one point I had all three at once!) and a Corvette ZR-1. Currently I have the 1984 H.O. L69 Trans Am and the 1990 Corvette ZR-1 LT5. Firebirds are always my number one but Corvettes are right up there as well.
The c4. I never could get past the looks of that bullet nose on the firebird. The only one I thought looked decent was the last couple years it was produced.
Great video guys 😎
The big thing that made a Comp T/A a “Comp T/A” was the BFGoodrich Comp T/A tires
No the horsepower on the Comp T A L T1 was bumped up to 315 that was a big advantage from the 275 standard L T1
@@duanenicpon8024 that was a bonus of the induction, but the whole point of the Comp T/A was to celebrate the anniversary of the BFGoorich and use the Comp T/A tire.
I love them both. Not a big Camaro fan between 93 to 97 years. The 98 to 2002 looks like a cat fish. I think the iroc z is the best looking body.
I owned the trans am GTA. I loved that car😎
Personally, I'd rather have a TransAm than a Corvette, especially a 98 TransAm😍
Currently waiting to see the drag race to see what one to buy personally 😅
Me too and I'm also thinking about these cars... 😁
Man I love those pre face lift trans ams
I have a 86 trans am autoform with the 305 a 91 formula with the tuned port and a 96 with the v6. All fantastic vehicles. 96 v6 with a manual is just as fast as the older v8 models. But, nothing has been more reliable than the old carbureted 305
I love the newer trans ams, my attainable dream car is a yellow ws6. Given a choice between an earlier model and a c4 I would pick the c4.
Yeah the 98-02 WS6 is a great looking car. IMO the 93-97 F-Bodies weren’t as good looking and not as refined. I had a 95 Z28 and my 01 TA blew it away in ride, handling, and comfort (and Power of course).
Even though I'm a Ford guy, I'd take the Trans Am over the corvette....Pontiac was always a better built car!
Ur crazy, the c4 is a badass car, shortest wheel base of any corvette, don't let the hp fool u cause its got torque for days,the suspension is amazing, I've owned plenty of sports cars n driven even more n the c4 is very impressive compared to anything.
I agree! I have always preferred Pontiacs to Chevys.
I owned a 1999 z28, it had a LS. And i am confident saying, trans am had the same motor.
All 98-02 Z28s and TAs had the LS1. SS and WS6 had 20-30 more HP.
I had a 01 TA.
Can you do a CZcams short showing us how to shift a Borg Warner 4+3 transmission?
That's a good idea!
Love the 4th gen T/A and Camaro but I'd look for a few years newer with the LS1
love the Canadian Trans Am and I love the Vette as well. Tell the Vette guy that he has his wheels on backwards rendering them functionless for cooling hiss brakes.
I would take either one. I'm almost always by myself so I don't care about seats. I love the LT1 engine. Wish I had that 6 speed in my 96 Buick Roadmaster sedan
I had a car missing a couple teeth on the flywheel. I carried a pull handle with a socket to turn the crank sometimes to make it catch.
I have a 93 Corvette and a 95 Z28 Camaro, I thoroughly enjoy both of them.
I've always been a Pontiac fan though and will eventually as a TransAm to my stable.
My very first car was a 1967 Firebird with the 400 and a 4 speed.
Next was a 1969 Firebird I would love to have them back 😢
Ok see the Trans Ams going for more than the C4s. I love C4s, but the Trans Am is the only car I believe that tops the vettes.
All 4th gen Trans Am's had t-tops, but some Formula's and V6 Firebirds didn't (Formula was based on the V6 body and interior). The t-top shades were a dealer option, so not all cars came with them.
I love the channel... Just really wish it wasn't shot in CO lol... Too bad it couldn't be texas or Oklahoma or even Kansas (where I live)... Sad that y'all have to be at such a Altitude... Killing the performance of these beautiful rigs
Trans Am!, but as the owner of a 97 that I have owned for almost 15 years it's a weekend toy/ Hotrod that will never be put back to stock, I have received numerous compliments over the years and would not trade it for any new car made today, let alone a C4 Corvette!
I have lots of experience with the C4 and worked at the Pontiac dealership when the 4th gens were out. Both are performance car bargains and can be made fast no matter which one you get. It depends which one you are most comfortable in as well. The high C4 sill is a bitch for older people and women's dresses and I had to pull many a person out of mine. The C4 has superior suspension with forged double wishbones in the front and a five link out back but a weak chassis. I wasn't a fan of the raked windshield of the G4 F body at the time after I smacked my head getting into the convertible. But both fun cars even though compromised a bit.
I'd actually take the trans-am over the c4... Now if it was c5 vs c4... That's a harder choice.
C5 would be an easy pick for me… better looking and the LS1 is amazing.
Here in central Florida the TA would probably cost more than the C4. I like the Vette. Would prefer a later model with the LT1 but I’d still take the L98 version over the TA. That generation F bodies have the cheapest interior. Back around 2000 my brother had a LT1 Firebird and it was falling apart only being 5-6 years old. Currently have a 91 Mustang and it’s interior is about 90% complete and holding up just fine. The Fox Mustang had a cheap interior too but there is no comparison to the 4th Gen. F bodies.
The T-tops weren't the best option for the Trans Am, because you got a stiffer suspension on the hardtop version.
Subframe connectors are a quick and easy solution for that.
You can buy the "Sun shades " aftermarket. ,.I like mine .
I have the Hurst shifter in my 99ss
Strange comparison… a LT1 4th Gen F-Body to a L98 C4…?
The LT1 Trans Am is faster. But the L98 C4 is more fun to drive and handles better.
L98 falls on its face at higher rpm. The LT1 keeps pulling hard up top.
Very true. I kept the large tube TPI on a 1990 vette convertible adding LPE ported heads and cam. It felt like a 454 freight train down low and was a blast. The best I could get it in the quarter was 13.0 at 107MPH. I could blow up new mustangs off the line and they would pass me at the last 1/8th mile, lol. The new owner loves it and calls me all the time. But for me the opti is sketchy with the aftermarket so would rather go Gen 1 SBC vette and change the intake or LS in the 4th gen.
@@3.2Carrera Nice! 13 flat ain’t bad for a modified L98. A stock LT1 C4 was a high 13 sec car. I had a 88 Z52 coupe, fun car, torquey, just outgunned by todays standards. Yeah these days I would go 383 R stroker or LS for sure.
Another thing that i have noticed looking at these cars: F-bodies are generally more abused than Vettes. I had a 94 T/A when i was a teenager, wouldnt mind having ine again but its so hard finding one in good shape thats not a very expensive collectors car. Thats why I went for a Vette instead.
@10:14 the hatch has adjustable rubber stops on it. Adjust it properly and the rattle stops.
😂😂😂 he said the Trans-Am has a cup holder 😂😂😂🤣🤣... You left out a bunch of stuff on the TA... For instance wait till you have to change out the spark plugs and wires especially on the passenger side it took a week to get feeling back in my hands , and changing out the optispark boy is that fun. And wait till you have to clean the inside of that front windshield and the back glass, you don't have to be a contortionist but it helps.. now I have a built 383 in my 96 WS6 so trying to plant 440rwhp /476rwtq is like trying to roller skate on ice somtimes😳
I'd have to fact checked, but I'm pretty sure those handles were shared by GM pick ups as well
I like both cars, very much! ❤
👏👏👏👏.... I will take Kase and the Vette 😇😇😇 lol .... Have a beautiful day Everyone ✌️
Trans Am all the way. I'm at a toss up between a 97 WS6 or an 02 Firehawk.
When I had my ‘85 Corvette, I would tell people it made a funny sound while driving. When they put their ear close to the “pillow” dash, I would hit the breaks… 😜😜😜
Well the C4 was actually pretty damn cheap up until every car CZcamsr made videos saying "Wow! These things are so cheap! Why aren't people asking more for them? You'd be insane to sell a C4 for the price we paid! They're worth twice as much!"
I love that Corvette dash too 🤘🤘🤘
Man. In my area, Trans Ams (in good condition) sell for more than C4s
Ah that was my mistake I thought you were comparing them performance wise. That said interior wise the vette wins everything else it’d be the trans am for me
That big rectangular passenger dash pad, in the C4, is referred to as the "bread loaf."
C4, sounds explosive. Love the Pontiac.
My vote has to go to the c4 vette. I own an 87 and not only do they look better, they handle better too and definitely turns more heads.
I'm with u, I also have a 87 with 19x11 wheels n it's impossible to loose front grip. People don't realize the torque the tpi makes either, get a 2 step n trans break n they'll launch hard as hell stock.
@@skotstreeter5896 2 step on a stock l98? Thought u needed forced induction for 2 step to be useful
I just picked up a 2002 Trans Am for $7000… i’ve never had more fun in my life. The Trans Am is overall a more practical car and honestly better looking! This comes from someone who also owns a C5!
How much on reparis did you need to invest to keep these running after the review was through?
I'm actually looking at both of these right now
Trans am's are awesome way nicer than the corvette ive had both and i love the TA way more not even close TA's are absolutely gorgeous to look at.Proud owner of a pewter 2002 WS6 TA with 10,000 miles.
I think I read they stopped making Pontiac Engines in 1979, after that the Pontiac performance cars got the Corporate GM Engines (Chevy or Buick). so the T/A is basically sporting the Corvette /Camaro Engine so there Tons of aftermarket go fast Add-ons.
My 1995 TA I always kept my back seat down because the backseat was useless.
The 1st gen and 4th gen are my favorite Firebirds.
The T/A has the LT1 That C4 has the L98, the LT1 has quite a bit more power! In a straight line the T/A is probably a lil faster but the C4 definitely handles better! Depends on which one you want! I have an LT1 C4, the LT1 C4 is way better than that T/A!! hands down not even close!!
I looove how the c4 looks
U should have a second cup holder that Stowe’s away passenger side center console slides out
Trans Am! Still miss my 94.
I'd say the classic Pontiac trans Am is a better deal as Corvettes are still made today while Pontiac was discontinued in 2010 after the great recession hell some classic cars can fetch a pretty penny ex a 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible is worth 1/4 of a million dollars or a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Super bird in concours condition is worth about 700,000 or a 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z11 is worth over 1/2 a million dollars only 57 were made and only about a dozen survive in modern time though only 6 have come up for Auction in the last decade including one named old reliable that sold at Mecum Kissimmee auction in 2017 for 525,000 dollars
When is the show down??
Just bought a 88 corvette with 47,000 miles on it perfect garage kept condition for 10,000 its my first car i bought myself in cash any tips for someone trying to daily drive it?
I heavily lean to the 'Bird, unless we're talking a '96 LT4.
That "growth" on the Corvette was supposed to be an airbag.
That is a beautiful car ! Both are beautiful
You can't go wrong either way since the Trans Ams are practically the same as the Corvette have fun either way.
I don't believe the transmission itself has anything to do with Hurst. It's a standard GM 6-speed. The Hurst part is the short throw shifter
Just bought a 97 Trans Am for $250
Owned both, the 4th gen f body is a better buy especially if it's cheaper. I even prefer them to c5s due to simpler electronics and space. The c5 handles better and is a little lighter (not much though) while the f body makes more power to the wheels due to no torque tube.
It's a lot easier to find a nice Vette than trans am though and the prices are starting to reflect that. Go ahead and find the nicest c5 and nicest trans am in your area if you don't believe me. If you can find a 4th gen f body that hasnt been abused, buy it. Especially if it's a Pontiac. The Pontiacs were much more rare, have a nicer interior design and seats and look way cooler. Don't pass a catfish because it's ugly though, it's the same damn car
Having had both in manual I can assure you that the fbody does not make more to the wheels and that 300 lbs of weight difference is quite noticeable
@@BlackRam17 yeah it does lol the torque tube is not as efficient as a tiny 7.5inch S10 rear end. The weight difference isn't 300 lbs either, it's about 150-200 depending on trim. My 01 formula weighs 3345 and my C5 weighed 3210 on the same scale on the same day. My 99 t/a weighs 3420
@@BlackRam17 for what it's worth, I ran identical ETs in my 01 c5 as my 01 formula. The c5 trapped 1mph higher
Trans ams look so much cooler than the vettes of the same from someone who dailys a 95 t/a when weather permits you can never go wrong with t tops hes not wrong either i think i a 20k mile collectors trans am would probably have a sqeaky hatch lmao
I'm really surprised that the T/A is that affordable. You would think with less than 200 made, and the body not showing any rust. Is the 107,000 miles hurting this car.! I would advise a cosmetic restoration, new tires, and starter, fix any other problems, and maybe try to flip it.? The 97 Firehawk had 320 hp. As far as the Corvette, I'd save your money and upgrade to C5. More hp, better styling, and better handling. Plus even better interior. I will say, my boss, many many years ago had a C4, with the 4+3, manual claimed he got 32 mpg on the hwy. With cruise set at 78 mph. Hell, most 4 or 6 cylinder cars of today don't get that.!!
That's an extreme generalization. Everything I've seen, has a Trans Am nearly double the C4. That said, I'd take the Corvette :) Love me some TPI low end grunt
Rear hatches don't rattle from the factory on 4th gens...that's from miles on rough roads.
T/A all day!