Which F-body?

[glockyman]

Since I'm finishing up my senior year of high school, I've agreed to give up my GA to my younger brother, since I won't be needing it as much in college. However, I am starting to begin the search for a new car already, since it won't be that long from now.

I'm looking at an F-body, either Camaro or Firebird. Of course a 8 banger, since it would be embarrassing to only have 6 under the hood. But after hours of searching, I can find nowhere that effectively compares the two, or even gives the best years for each one. So I figured who better to ask than people who are domestic car owners.

Anyone have any info from personal experience about Camaros v Firebirds/TA's? Or even better, what year of each would be best?

[Subtle_Cynicism]

I owned a V6 1999 Firebird and I am not ashamed of it in the least. For an at the time 16 year old, I'd say that's not damn bad.

Ok, here's the thing. You need to decide what you like the looks of more. As a fellow teenager who just sold his Firebird (sad), I can tell you that most teenagers (spare Cory) like the looks of the late 4th gen Trans Am's over the Camaro.

To me, the 98+ Camaro's looked like the older 300M's rolling down the street.

I would shoot for a 2000 Trans Am, and nothing but a six speed and T-Tops (with black leather) is acceptable.

There are a few sites I used to look at that listed what changed over the year, and whilst I dislike the firebirdv6.com boards, I would highly recommend checking out the information there. However, don't flaunt that you're a teenager getting a WS6 or a V8, as they're mostly V6 owners, and they will eat you apart.

Good luck!

[kickarsgrdam01]

i would get a TA, the looks are better and i am pretty sure on adverage the TA's are faster. the only reason i am saying that is because i have 2 friends who have manual 2002 or so WS6's and they always womp on Z28's.

[Cipher]

Add three letters in that description. WS6 ;) Ram Air Hood Manditory

[92CamaroRS]

all depends on what year your going with.

82-92? Camaro, Hands down
93-97? Camaro, but a TA isnt bad
98+? TA Hands down for looks, Formula for that sleeper effect.

anything older, and its pretty even.


power wise a 98+ is gonna be your best option, followed by 93-97 and then lastly the Thirdgens.

All bodies have MULTITUDES of things that can be done with them. None of them are a bad option.

if i had enough cash, id go for a 98+ WS6

but nothing beats the looks of a 92 Z28

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Like Corey, I LOVE my 2nd Gen T/A.... his more than mine, lol. And I really don't think a stock 98+ will whomp on a stock '68 - '79. Hmmm.... I wonder, stock for stock, what would win.... an olds 403 or Pontiac 400 vs a 5.7....

Also, I bought my 80 Turbo T/A 2 months after HS.

[Ackbar00]

Dont get a 6-speed, those things suck ass. And they are a bitch to work on. Get a Auto, they are almost as fast.

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by Ackbar00
Dont get a 6-speed, those things suck ass. And they are a bitch to work on. Get a Auto, they are almost as fast.

... I disagree as it totally depends on how fast the car is as to how much difference the standard versus automatic transmission will make ... basically, the faster the car the more benefit an automatic will become but for an everyday car with limited performance modifications, a standard will generally outperform an automatic in stock form

[Chain]

68 Firebird

http://www.egocars.net/archive/ego_archive/images/uc10_68_firebird.jpg

http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/royalpont/images/dragseries/02/AUG-1/P8301701.jpg

http://findthebesthere.com/68Firebird.jpg

http://firebirdgta.republika.pl/pics/68fmod.jpg

http://www.noneckschevelle.com/images/carpics/JosephTerryGriffin68RamAirFirebird2.jpg

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by Ackbar00
Dont get a 6-speed, those things suck ass. And they are a bitch to work on. Get a Auto, they are almost as fast.

Sorry, you are greatly misinformed. What is better than a mid to low 13 second car and 30 mpg? plus they can take about twice the amount of torque(what really kills trannies) than the auto, hell the auto in them isnt a bit different than the auto in my 92 other than the electrical upgrades.

[Ackbar00]

I am not misinformed, I have had to work on these ****ing cars. The 6-speeds and or Clutchs break with little or no modifications done to the motors. Ive NEVER seen trouble with their autos and have seen some damn fast ones.

But hey, buy what you want, just be prepared to work on it...

[LargeFish]

Way to go Chain on posting the 1st gens. My favorite would be a '69 black Z-28 with the 302 motor.

[Rayz]

I say buy the newest you can afford. 4th generation F-bodies probably are the best handling. You have a better chance of getting a one-owner car.

[Rayz]

Originally posted by LargeFish
Way to go Chain on posting the 1st gens. My favorite would be a '69 black Z-28 with the 302 motor. for about $65,000 dollars????

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by Ackbar00
I am not misinformed, I have had to work on these ****ing cars. The 6-speeds and or Clutchs break with little or no modifications done to the motors. Ive NEVER seen trouble with their autos and have seen some damn fast ones.

But hey, buy what you want, just be prepared to work on it...

yea, thats the clutch, not the transmission. put a bigger cam infront of a stock stall converter and see how long it lasts. and if you havn't seen trouble with the autos, you havnt seen much then.

[RocketFast321]

I say a 82 trans am with the knight rider kit :)

[Cipher]

Originally posted by 99grandamse
... I disagree as it totally depends on how fast the car is as to how much difference the standard versus automatic transmission will make ... basically, the faster the car the more benefit an automatic will become but for an everyday car with limited performance modifications, a standard will generally outperform an automatic in stock form

:agree:

[Ackbar00]

Originally posted by 92CamaroRS
yea, thats the clutch, not the transmission. put a bigger cam infront of a stock stall converter and see how long it lasts. and if you havn't seen trouble with the autos, you havnt seen much then.


Like I said, I have seen both. Buddy took out 3rd gear with headers and exhaust. Put a brand new from GM in there. Broke it again in 4 weeks. I dont worry about it though, I drive a Ford, it never brakes....

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by Ackbar00
... I dont worry about it though, I drive a Ford, it never brakes....

Just keep fishing, eventually you catch something :roll:

[92CamaroRS]

Originally posted by Ackbar00
Like I said, I have seen both. Buddy took out 3rd gear with headers and exhaust. Put a brand new from GM in there. Broke it again in 4 weeks. I dont worry about it though, I drive a Ford, it never brakes....

tell that to the last 3 ford's ive had.

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by 92CamaroRS
tell that to the last 3 ford's ive had.

.. leave it alone Cory ;)

[sunrunner_pei]

:troll: