Will there ever be another Trans Am?

Question

I have a confession: I've loved Trans Ams since I was a kid. Smokey and the Bandit was great and I saw every episode of Knight Rider right on up until I was old enough to get a driver's license.

Naturally, my first car was a '78 Firebird, followed by a '79 Trans Am (the car I wanted to begin with). I bought a 2000 Trans Am WS6 as soon as I paid off my student loans from college, and it's the best car I've ever driven. My face hurt when I bought it from grinning so much.

Now it's got 100k miles, and I'm faced with a painful reality. It won't last forever.

I can't bring myself to buy a Ford. And the Dodge Charger is just too heavy. The GTO is out, not that it mattered. It looked too much like a Grand Prix and had poor handling. I might be able to settle for a Camaro in 2009, but why should I have to settle?

Am I going to have to look at a Subaru WRX STi or Mitsubishi Evo? Have things gotten this bad? Pontiac, tell me you're listening.

Answer 1

I am the proud owner of a 2000 NHRA Special Edition T/A.

I was just having this very conversation with a friend at work today...he's a Mopar fan, but we'll forgive him. I'm afraid I can't source this, but the Vice President of GM gave an update to this subject.

Already you know that the GTO has been built on the Holden Zeta platform that it's Monaro coupe and ute are built on. This will be the platform for the new Camaro in 2009. In 2008, Pontiac will re-introduce the GTO yet again with some redesign on the same Zeta platform. The GM VP also said that the next Impala and Monte Carlo will also be made from this Zeta platform. He even hinted that Chevy could put a front fascia on the Monaro utility vehicle, and re-introduce the El Camino, although he said that there were no immediate plans as such. While he did not mention the Firebird, it stands to reason that with the resurgence in popularity of old nameplates and styling, that we will see the Firebird in the future from the Zeta platform. As I told my Mopar friend, the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum, Charger, and yes, even the 2008 Challenger will all share the same platform, so the fact that GM is going the same route of using one platform for many different vehicles indicates to me that they plan to use this cost-cutting technique to bring more quality and variety into their cars. After all, there are MANY more T/A fans out there than Camaro fans, and if we shout loud enough, the Bird will rise again!

Answer 2

While Chevy is bringing back the Camaro, GM will not allow Pontiac to bring back the Firebird. There will never be another Trans Am. That is regretable, but face it, the GM car divisions are just clones of each other, especially with the advent of "corporate" engines and transmissions......the cars really have lost some of their heritage and individuality.

I would go with the new Ford Mustand GT if you can afford it. THAT car has the best styling of any musclecar out there and it looks like a Mustang.....not an import from Australia (ie, new GTO is a "Holden" made in Australia).

Answer 3

Never settle! I join in your confession, I too have loved most of the firebird line. I had a 1980 Formula and now have a 1981 T/A.
NEVER go from a Pontiac to a Ford!! Never!!! That is just sick (LOL). I agree, the GTO is gutless and plain. Please do not cross over to the dark side (Subaru or Mitsubishi). Once you go Pontiac you never go back!! LOL

A little birdie told me that Pontiac was looking...so there is hope! I would see, if the body and frame is in great shape, maybe look at a new crate engine. It would still keep the smile on your face!

Answer 4

Yea , they were my favorites too. I built the Camaro and Firebird(including Smokey" Bandit cars" and a special gift from Burt Reynolds to Jerry Reed in the Norwood O assemby plant I worked on these cars from 1975 till 1987 when they shut us down due to downsizing According to my friends at Advanced Design in Detroit YES they are working on a T/A that resembles the first ones from 1969 with plans to advance them into the mid 70's(like the Dodge Challenger) only we al know the Pontiacs were cooler

Answer 5

I think that Pontiac is going to bring back the Trans Am shortly after Chevrolet brings back the Camaro in 2009

Answer 6

Would'nt it be cheaper to install a modern engine, transmission and diff assy from say a '99 Camaro into your T/A? You can buy a 'donor' vehicle that has collision damage for cheap and make the swaps (providing you can do some mechanical work).
Subaru?
Mitsubishi?
You are in need of a visit to a muscle car show VERY soon, my friend.

Answer 7

I'd bet the new Camaro will spawn a Firebird in 2008 or 2009....GM needs to sell more cars than what Camaro buyers will purchase

Answer 8

I miss my 79' T/A, but I love my 72' GTO. If they dont make another Firebird give the new GTO a chance. Drive one and that smile will come back all over your face again. Sure, they dont have the look at me value, but what a ride.

Answer 9

GM finalized it. Camaro=yes. It is to be built in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Sadly, the other bash brother will not be around. But the Camaros are to be price under $25,000 (CND) to be competitive with high horsepower imports. I guess they're not going after the older people like Ford and Dodge did with their muscle cars.

Answer 10

http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/hotnews/hppp_0607_2008_pontiac_trans_am_concept/photo_01.html this should help you all drule for a while. Though I have benn trying to get on the waiting list for the next Camaro ss or z28 off the Canadian assembly line, I got side tracked back to my roots!!! I just bought my third T/A!!! a 1999 convert. w/ Ls1 etc. It made me remember how I loved my first (1978) and second (1987 GTA). I hope if enough of us band together, we can have our birds back!!! I have cash and am willing to wait for it. until then, I will continue to give my loyalty to GM in my USED car.