1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula Trans Am Coupe 5.7l Lt1 350 Drive Home No Reserve on 2040-cars
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Engine:5.7L 350Cu. In. V8 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated
Vehicle Title:Clear
Body Type:Coupe
Fuel Type:GAS
For Sale By:Private Seller
Exterior Color: Black
Make: Pontiac
Interior Color: Dark Gray
Model: Firebird
Trim: Trans Am Coupe 2-Door
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Drive Type: RWD
Options: Leather Seats, CD Player, T-Tops
Number of Cylinders: 8
Safety Features: Anti-Lock Brakes, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag
Power Options: Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats, Power Hatch Release, Power Mirrors, Tilt Steering, Delay Entry Illumination
Mileage: 101,000
1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula Trans Am for sale. I really was not planning on selling, but I've settled with the bank on the amount owed in my Fraudclosure case and I'm forced to sell so I can pay off my house to keep it.
Factory Equipment:
350 LT1 engine, 4 speed automatic overdrive, cruise control, power steering, power brakes, power windows with auto-down on driver door, power door locks, power hatch release, power mirrors, leather seats, center console, T-tops, tilt steering, A/C, factory security system, AM/FM CD, delay entry illumination, twin map lamps, rear defroster, spoiler and 16 inch alloy wheels.
I've owned this car for about 5 years now and drive it often in the summertime. It is very fun to drive since it handles so well and damn quick for a stock, unmodified Trans Am. From what I've seen from owning it, it's mainly all original and no mods have ever been done that I have found. Unmolested by aftermarket add ons!
It's always been an Ohio car, so yes, the floors are rusted as pictured. Being a Trans Am with T-tops, the rockers and backing rails are tripled and they have NO rust. Raises on the hoist as pictured with no crunching noises. Structurally sound. Does 85 MPH in "dead mans curve" on I-90E in Cleveland no sweat when there is good rubber under it.
Engine runs fine, has decent oil pressure, no ticks, knocks or smoke and the cooling system has no leaks of antifreeze and has never run hot on me. The transmission is still original, shifts fine, has no leaks but you do "hear" when it's in second gear.
Brakes stop smooth and fine, front pads are 60 percent and the rear are at 2 percent left. Yes, that means rear pads needed real soon. Rotors are fine. Suspension rides tight like it should. Both outer tie rod ends are original and should be replaced.
One new outer tie rod still in the box comes with the car. The rear tires are correct (P245/50ZR16) for the TA but are shot, but hold air fine. The front tires are good, but not the
correct size or speed rating. Yes, that means this TA needs proper sized speed rated tires at all 4 corners to be correct and safe.
All lights/signals work, including the fog lamps. One cool feature on this Trans Am is that it allows you to turn on just the parking lights and then the fog lamps. Looks cool that way with the headlamps down in what I call "stealth" mode. lol.
When you start the car, Traction Control is automatically engaged. The Traction Control works and keeps the handling stable as it should when you get lead footed. The TC disable switch in the console will work, but it occaisionally takes a few tries to get it to shut off. When you want to peel the rear tires, you have to shut the TC off. When you shut the TC off, this car can pretty much endlessly fry the rear tires with every gas punch. Best to just leave the TC on when driving around unless you're racing 1/4 mile or feel the need to punish a pair of tires to death.
Almost everything works on the dash except for the temperature gauge which has never worked since I've owned it. The speedometer works fine, but the odometer stopped back when it was rolling over from 100,999 to 101,000 miles. The last time I checked in my scan tool, the mileage was reading around 146,985. When the fuel gage says 1/8 tank, it is bone empty, so it's best to refill when the fuel gauge reads a quarter tank or sooner.
The heat is hot and the air blows out where you direct it too as it should - defrost, bi-level, floor, etc. The tilt wheel is nice and tight. Steering wheel radio controls work fine.
I never got the remote for the car, so to start I insert the chip key and switch it on and wait for the security light to blink twice. Then it either goes off or stays on steady. At that time it will crank over and start up quickly in 2 seconds. If you do it too quick, not waiting for the 2 blinks, it won't crank and you have to turn it off and try again.
Check engine light for a P1440 code - canister purge solenoid. I had replaced the purge solenoid with a good used one a few years back but I guess it's going to need changed again. It's right on top of the engine on the right side of the plenum. Very easy to switch out. If I find a suitable one I will change it out.
The radio/CD player works, but the light for the channel/track is burnt out. The radio buttons and knobs all light up. Equalizer has some of the LED cover-knobs missing. The original speakers all play, but the foam is shot on them all. The car had a power antennae at one time, there is none, just the hole in the top of the quarter for the antennae.
Drivers seat is well worn, but not uncomfortable yet. Rest of interior is good for it's age. T-tops do not leak, but in a heavy rain the door glass will drip from a spot on the door weatherstrip towards the front where the curve ends. The power door locks work, but the driver's door will not lock, you have to do it manually. Key works in driver door and the hatch. The passenger door lock key cylinder is seized up.
Since I've had this Trans Am, I've done the following other than what was mentioned above:
Replaced the spark plugs with AC Delco plugs.
Changed the oil and filter several times, most recently on Tuesday (11/20/12).
Changed the fuel filter.
Installed the front tires.
Replaced the burnt fog lamps.
Replaced the rear stabilizer bar links with polyurethane bushing links.
Reglued the drivers door shell to inside at the hinge end with the proper fiberglass adhesive/sealant (stills needs finish body work to be perfect).
Replaced the driver's window lift motor this spring of 2012.
Drives 100 percent, but has need of a few things like many used cars. The muffler rattles inside if you bang on it like all the baffles collapsed, but the car is still quite quiet. The rear differential makes noise that changes pitch or stops when accelerating, turning left or decelerating or coasting. The noise shuts up on right turns. Been that way ever since I've had it, and it's never been a problem to cause a break-down on any of the out-of-town trips I've taken with this TA. The diff fluid was low when I got the car, I filled it and years later it's still full and doesn't leak out of any seals. From what I read on Firebird/TA blogs, these differentials where not the greatest ones GM ever made, and many left the factory with an improper fill level.
The Opti-spark ignition is original and my understanding is these should be replaced after 100K miles. Still works, so I never pissed with it. Also the ignition wires are original as well. So the idle isn't the smoothest I feel it could be. Still performs rather well considering these OEM ignition parts.
The A/C worked up until this last summer when the compressor locked up during the heat wave we had. A/C system still holds it's freon charge.
Body has a small crack on front edge of the right fender, front bumper has 2 drilled holes on the right side (??IDNW??) and a small crack on the left side, hood has paint chipped spots, the left quarter is damaged by the fuel door and the passenger door window seal sticks up, all as pictured.
Well, that's what I can tell you about this TA that I can think of, if you have a question about something I forgot to mention that you feel is important to you, please use the ask seller link above. Thanks for considering buying this TA and help me save my house, you can drive it home. If you have to travel really far or for many hours at freeway speeds, I strongly suggest bringing 2 tires on rims for the rear!
Previewers welcome to see this TA in person, please contact me through eBay. No joy rides. No tire kickers without funds. No end auction early requests. No reserve, high bidder wins just like a real auction. No deposit. No return. No warranty on used vehicles. No overpay and ship overseas money order/check scams. Thanks for looking!
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