tarheel

I was thinking about how the new 3rd gens felt new back in the day...and well ...
First new thirdgen was:

1985 IROC black/tan contour seats with the 'camaro camaro camaro' interior. TPI, T-tops and 4 wheel disc. Made me fall in love with the 3rd gens. Too much money so i bought a used 85 z28.

1988 Sport Coupe...black/grey T-top and V8. Drove awesome and handled well. Remember it wasn't fast but handled like on rails.

1991 Formula...again V8, but not the TPI engine so it was so slow, but i loved the interior. Burgandy/grey

1991 Z28...350 Red/grey leather ...it was fast and gorgeous on the lot. Too pricey for me so i bought a LX 5.0.

ssean92

iTrader: (10)

88 sport coupe, was very slow but a very pretty car

TOM-1LE

My uncle had an '83 CFI WS6 Trans Am which I had driven, so I was somewhat familiar with these cars.

But my first test drive of a NEW F-body was a 1987 bright red GTA. This was in the spring of 1987, and this particular GTA was the first one to hit our small town. It was a hardtop, L98/auto with black cloth interior. It also had the paddle mirrors. What a head turner that car was. I don't remember the sticker price, but it seemed like a VERY expensive car to me at the time. Unfortunately, when we got it back to the dealership, the power hatch pull-down failed and they had to take it back to the service department to fix. On a brand-new car!

Next one was an '87 Camaro Sport Coupe. LG4, automatic, F41 suspension, rally wheels, maroon with grey base cloth interior. Pretty basic, but a nice little affordable sporty car.

I also test drove a '90 Formula new. Bright red, black cloth, hardtop, I believe it was a 305TPI/auto. I don't remember much about this drive; I wasn't seriously car shopping at the time. Nice looking car though.

Brennan

unfortunately i was born in 1989 so i never got to test drive any thirdgen new i cant even remember seein em on the lot but i really wish i couldve driven my 84 z when it was brand new

TTA 1387

Beige 84 Z28 HO automatic. Ran pretty good but ended up ordering an 84 Monte Carlo SS. That was on Dec. 31, 1983.

Also did a 86 Sport Coupe with a LG4. Didn't buy that one either.

chevyowner02

iTrader: (3)

When the last of the 3rd gen's where made I still wasen't old enuff to drive.But I do rember ridding in my aunts new 1991 RS.

f1ls1

iTrader: (2)

I test drove a **** load. And if we broke them we got paid to fix them.

z-man92

I worked for a company in the fall of 1987 and had a company van. My boss had just taken delivery of his brand new 1988 IROC Z and had to borrow the van for a week, so he left me the IROC. Wow...too kewl! It had 112 miles on it when I got it. Up until now, all I ever drove was old Chevelles, this was gunna be a treat! I recall thinking that the sporty IROC was a strange color for a car like that, a darker brown with black stripes, if I remember correctly. It was a 5-speed car, very fun to drive. I drove the car on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC (very curvey road) and was impressed how it handled and took the curves at speed. After a couple of hours of playing, it started to rain, so I turned on the wipers....nothing happened, no wipers! I pulled over, checked the fuses, they were all good, so I figured that maybe the plug on the wiper motor was off or something. I popped the hood in the now pouring rain. The wiper motor was never installed at the factory and was missing! So much for the dealer checklist! Fortunately the rain stopped and I made it home. I was bummed to give that car back for my van.

JohnnyT
1992 Z-28 Convertible, 5 speed

RPOZ28

In 1983,I test drove a red Z28 5-speeder.It was the end of the model year as the 1984 models were coming around.It drove soooooo sweet.Actually much nicer than my '85 700R4.Charcoal interior,relatively few options,I wish I had the money to take it home!..................BILL

tavert91

iTrader: (1)

I first looked at buying a Firebird in '85, drove one, and ordered mine to taste. At the time I was driving a '73 Lemans Sport Coupe that I had also bought new and had a hard time letting it go (350, 3spd on the floor, "sport" suspension, no AC but also - back then - no horsepower). Once I drove the bird, there was no choice. The "for sale" sign went in the Lemans!

I ordered it with the TPI V6, and a 5 spd. Drove it until I saw the '91 TA Convertible I have now at a dealer. Again, once I drove the TA the Bird got the "for sale" sign. The added power and drop top sold me in a minute.

IROC212

iTrader: (1)

Drove a 92 Z28, in 1992. It wasn't even PDI'd yet. Still had plastic bags on the interior. I can't say I test drove it, I just drove it across the lot.

scottmoyer

I test drove and "Joy Ride'd" many IROC-Zs from 1987 - 1990. I also test drove a few Formula 350s and GTAs. I looked at buying an 87 Formula 350 that was red on top and silver down below. Almost bought the car, but the dealer screwed up the numbers and I walked. I also test drove a 1989 RS in grey. I trashed the car when I floored it on a back road to see what the acceleration was like and the throttle stuck wide open. Before I could shut it down, the salesman with me threw the car into neutral so we didn't crash into another car in front of us. I left the car on the side of the road and walked back to the dealership. I spent my weekends on dealer lots when I was in high school.

lunaticinaZ

i never got to test drive a new 3rd gen but i remember the first one i drove was a 90 ta 305 5speed bright red w/t-top. i loved the feel and look of the car but i didnt buy it due to the blue smoke coming from the rear when the tires were and were not spinning on the test drive that consisted of doughnuts in k-mart parking lot.

Arizona IROC

iTrader: (4)

In '89 I had a used '85 TA that I drover around and liked but had to take it in to Sun Pontiac for the seatbelt recall. While waiting I checked out the showroom and a rookie salesman talked me into trying out a new GTA.
Just couldn't believe the difference. My 4bbl car was fun but that 350 TPI with the level 3 suspension was a comepletely different animal.
I brought it back in one piece but the manager came down trying to accuse me of wasting their time and telling me I probably didn't even own a Pontiac or have a job for that matter.
Honestly don't know what I said for him to go ballistic like that but I do remember that GTA. Nice car....

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I testdrove a 89 formula 305 auto. A friend of mine now owns that car.
I also drove a 92 formula 350 with TTOPs and those nifty crosslace wheels.
My cuz now owns that car which im trying to buy from him..

CamaroGuy71

i wasnt even born when they started making them... couldnt drive til 1999 with a permit. Born in 84. Never test drove a new f-body though.

jrhaus76

Test "rode" in a 1988 or 89 (can't remember exactly) IROC with my dad, I was like 12. It was white, 305 with red interior and t-tops. Actually bought the car only to have the deal fall through. Never test drove another. Went to another dealer and ordered a 1989 blue 350 with black interior without t-tops... very similar to the car I have... oh wait, it is THE same car! Never even test drove a 350, just ordered it.

I didn't actually get to drive the car until 2008, after other people put about 60K on it. It had 25K on it when we sold it in 91 and 87K on it when I bought it back in August 08. There is a full story floating around here, maybe you read it...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cama...d-you-get.html

Check it out for pictures and story and reply if you haven't already... Thanks!

BLACK92B4C

Test drove a 1988 Formula 350 brand new...I was 19, new in the military. I had the finacing all setup, my dad talked me into checking insurance. It was going to be more than the car payment! Nice car though.

Ls2 GTO

In 1984 when the 85 models come out I test drove and bought a 85 blue and gold z28 with a 5 speed and ttops, I was 16 and that was a fun car than but it had the lg4 305. I did get to test drive a 85 red and gold iroc with tpi motor. That was the first car that I drove that would chirp the tires going to second gear and I thought it was fast, but there was no way to get insurance for a 16 year old and a iroc. But 5 years down the road I got a 86 tpi iroc then a 87 tpt iroc. I have had a 85 z28 , 86 iroc , 87 5.7 iroc , 89 5.7 iroc , 90 5.7 iroc. I have also had a 89 5.7 gta in the mid 90's and just recently bought another 89 5.7 gta. I have always had a thing for thirdgens.

tarheel

Hey, i owned a 1986 blue Z28 with gold trim and wheels. Great car...you rarely see that color combo even back in the day.

Mongoose

iTrader: (2)

I test drove an IROC,Z28,Formula,Trans Am and GTA from each model year starting in 1985 through 1992. I did A LOT of test driving during the 1990-91 model years when I was serious about buying.

DAVEY420

I never got to test drive a new one because I was too young. But my freinds parents bought an 87 T/A in 93 it was a 305 tpi 5spd. They swore it was a 350 but I knew it couldn't have been. Man did his dad run that car good. And I also remember calling cars when I was young and I wanted every Third Gen. I couldn't wait to own 1 after I finnally got to drive their 87, the first turn I took I almost spun it. Gotta love torque.

Mr. TurboTA

I pretty much test drove one for every year of the thirdgens.
All Trans Ams of course.
From the 305 Crossfires, to the 305 HO, to the GTAs with the 350 and paddle mirrors.
Including the later '91-'92 body styles.
Pretty much every engine/tranny combo too.
Only one stood out.
I got to test drive the magazine test car 1989 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am!
In October of 1988.
I knew Carl Shafer of the Pontiac West Coast Public Relations at the time.
Both his secretary and him knew I wanted to buy one, as I bothered the hell out of them for months, calling and asking questions.
Heck, I even would show up there, and they would give me tons of Pontiac posters and Press Kits.
Helps that I was dealing with the West Coast Public Relations for a long time, since the late second gens.
Pam Franklin (Carl's secretary) called me one day, and said that I was to go down to El Monte and I could test drive the new car.
Man, was I excited big time.
Grabbed my buddy (my Trans Am Club buddy, kevin Young, who now, I haven't seen in over 10 years), and my camera, and out the door I went!
I get there, and meet my contact, who after we meet, tells me that there is a problem.
Uh-oh, I don't get to drive the car?????
No, I can drive it, just not on the street, because of insurance.
No biggie, the dealership is huge.
I didn't expect to get it up to speed anyway.
So, we walk out back, and I see it.
After walking around it, and lookin gunder the hood, he lets me get behind the wheel to start it.
I start it, rev it, and bust up laughing.
Why?
Because all my other cars are big V-8 Trans Ams.
1970 Trans Am Ram Air IV
2x1974 Trans Ams 455
1 1979 Trans Am 403
2x1981 Turbo Trans Ams. 301 Turbo.
He lets me drive around to the back real slow.
(My buddy is in the back seat.)
When we get to the back of the lot, we exchange places.
Me in the passenger seat, him behind the wheel.
He starts off slow, then punches it.
I really do sink back into my seat.
He gets up to 85 in the back, slams on the brakes, and takes the turn down the other lane of parked cars.
Did I tell you that the back lot was full of new cars, and customer's cars?
Down we go again to where we started.
We get out, and change places.
Now, I'm in the driver's seat.
He says go for it.
I do, no burnout, but I hit 80 in the back straightaway.
I had sunk into the seat, and almost lost my hands off the steering wheel!
Both feet on the brake, and stop at the end.
I start off slow, take the turn, and while laughing the whole way down the back, punching it again.
Only 65 this time.
Man, what a rush!
I could not believe it!
I shake the guys hand, and we leave.
Later, I was mad at myself.
I didn't even take a picture of it!
And my buddy didn't even get to drive it!
That next week, I went down to the dealership where I was buying it, and put down $26,000.00.
Too bad when the car finally came in, it was over $31,000.00!
I had to finance the difference.
I got it April 1, 1989.
Lucky for me, I had an "in" with Pontiac.
Pontiac had the West Coast Zone office call me, and tell me that I will be very happy with my car.
They were going to get me a special one.
It wasn't until two months after I got the car, that I found out what special meant.
I got car number 231!
Same number as the engine size.
I don't ever intend to get rid of this car!
Oh ya, I also got to drive my 20th TTA new as well.


George

tarheel

Great story George..i'm old enough to see the 89 TTA in a showroom. Great experience. Also remember seeing a 89 Mustang SSC in a showroom. Boy, would i love to have both in the garage.

thanks for sharing.

burnout88

I have alot of memories of new Z28's and IROC's on test drives, and in the dealerships. I was about 12 when the 85 IROCS came out and remember standing in the showroom floor in a Chicago dealership with my Dad looking at a bright red one with TPI.

The day after my Dad begin a search for two years to find the "right one". I was in the passenger seat for every test drive. We drove so many I can't remeber all of them, but remember a few in particular. He drove a black 85 with gold IROC decals/stripes and wheels (looked really sharp), an 84 Z28Grey HO 5-speed with 373 gears (we were flynin in that test drive), an 87 IROC TPI 5-speed electric blue, and the one he bought an 85 Z28 TPI it was off-white, with tan interior and gold wheels, and stripes.

He still has it to this day in his garage with 38,000 orginal miles on it.

mexicanknight

i was 4 when the last third gen was sold so none

bluethunder28

iTrader: (1)

82 Pace Car and 82 Z28 at my cousin's lot. Didn't like the low horse power. Tried a 85 Z28 and went to my cousin's lot and ordered a blue 85 IROC. Still have it.

tarheel

so...you still have the 85 IROC? Wow...how have you kept it...in the garage ,etc. Seems like there would be times in your life you were tempted to sell for cash or other toys.

I'm impressed!!

David M

Started working for a Chevrolet dealer in 1988 so my first new one I got to drive was a Black '89 RS V8 auto with the black wheels fresh off the truck that was about to go to PDI. My very first time I got to drive a third-gen was back in 1986. A friend had a red 1984 Z28 LG4/5spd car. The thing that sticks out in my mind about that car was how close I had to pull the seat up to get the clutch pedal to go to the floor. Other notable test drives were a Dk. Gold/Gold '84 Z28 L69/5spd car in May 1987, 20,500 miles on that one. And a Yellow '87 350 IROC in November 1989 at the same Chevrolet dealer I started at. Almost forgot, doesn't count as a test drive but I did get to "ride" in a '92 Black RS V8/5spd car on the roller test at Van Nuys on August 7, 1992 when we flew out there and toured the plant. Thats as new as it gets! Have the build sheet on that car too.

Guest

I've been trying to remember but its been a while... I do remember the following for sure:
87 Formula 350
88 Camaro Sport Coupe with a 2.8
89 TA LB9/5-spd
89 GTA 350 vert

I may have driven 85 and 86 TA's new, but I dont remember for sure.

cs2000

The first 3rd gen I test drove was in July 1982, My mother was looking at a '82 4cyl sport coupe (and bought it), In 1985 I got a job at a Pontiac dealer and I test drove a V-6 '84 Firebird that was new but left-over, I could'nt even come close to paying the payments on $3.35 an hour, let alone the insurance, In 1988, when I could afford a f-body, I test drove a '88 V-6 sport coupe (I still have the build sheet out of it) I did'nt buy that one, later that fall when the '89's came out I drove a RS with a L03/5-speed, and Then I ended up buying a '89 RS with a V-6, In the spring of '90, I drove a '91 Formula with a 350, I went out with the salesperson, who was a young women, we were a couple of blocks from the dealer and we pulled up to a red light, to my right was a 5.0 Mustang GT, when the light turned green, the Mustang took off with the tires squeeling, expecting me to race, Of course I was being good, because I was in a dealership car with the salesperson sitting next to me, I said kind of jokingly to her, I should have run him, and she said, '' why did'nt you? '' Then I drove a '91 Z28 with the 350, and finally, I test drove a '91 RS L03/5-speed loaded and that one I traded my '89 RS for. Chris