I have been wondering why certain people like thirdgens. The sole reason why I chose a thirdgen Firebird is because I like the style, and it was affordable. So why do you own, drive, appreciate thirdgens?

 

i find they look better than 4th gens....
powerwise though :hail: LS1

 

Love the looks, handling, just one of the best styling cars there is.

Stock they lack in power, but I'm fixing that.

 

I don't like my thirdgen but I like other peoples thirdgen on this site The body style, spacious engine bay compared to other cars, and the ability to easily swap in 350 or a any other small block engine for more power

 

I was a teenager when the 82-92 3rd gen body styles came out, so you can say I grew up in that generation. Plus I really loved Night Rider, who didn't! My brother got an 82 camaro v4 as his first car & I fell inlove with the interior & exterior. It was so sporty compared to my moms station wagon. So as I got older I thought of Camaro/Firebird as true American Sport Cars. And I also loved their body styles & special editions(IROC/TTA/Ann. etc..)So when it came to buy my classic car that was affordable & has the potential to appreciate in a few years, if not now, I bought two. TTA #373 & 91 TA Convertible. Now I love just looking at them & knowing that they are mine.

 

first car i ever bought! I absolutely love the 82-84 body style on the bird. My bro, dad, and I fixed it ourselves. Great sentimental value.

Plust being a 4 banger its a great conversational piece.

 

I like mine because it's quick(not FAST, just QUICK), it has the name of an American icon(Z28), and it's affordable. It's perfect for the high schooler/teenager.

V8 rumble
handling/performance
style

 

After the camaro i had died, I bought this car from my neighbor and it just kinda grew on me.

 

I agree, unfortunately as teenagers, we also abuse them a little more than than older generations.

 

What's not to like? Just loking at them te car seems to yell, "Want some?"

 

Well....the reason I like 3rd Gen's is because you can pick them up for a reasonable price.....they have plenty of power....and they make quit a few aftermarket products for them (hoods, spoilers, ground effects, rims, tires)....so you can modify them to fit your tastes....

 

It was the car I wanted in my youth and I couldn't afford it. Now that I own one fixing it has become the issue...

 

My Dad bought the T/A back in 81.. He was always working on it (still has the herb adams heim joint panhard bar and trans am specialties 150 mph speedo). He had it idling in the garage once and sat me behind the wheel, scared the hell out of me at 10 years old.. well over time it became a bit neglected and in 95 it was handed down to me.. Since it was his car it just has seemed special.. It will never be sold, totalled maybe, but never sold. So the modifications began.. suspension, baer brakes, and soon an LT1.. I want to take it home and show him the car he always wanted it to be. Sappy yes, but true.

 

Before I owned a 3rd gen, I didnt know much about them. I had seen them around and stuff, and I thought they looked cool, but I had never been in one, and didnt plan on buying one. I was into trucks at that time. I'll never forget the first time I started my 90 RS up. It sounded to sweet!! I was in the 10th grade and I made $4000 doing a website for somone. I really needed a car to get to school, so my mom took me out looking for a car. I didnt fit comfortably in most cars (being 6'5" and all) so I needed something big. The 3rd dealer we went to had this maroon 1990 Camaro RS with exhaust (2.5" pipes and flows) sitting there. I thought it looked really cool, but what sold me was the sound. When I started it up and it started rumbling I thought it was the best sound I've ever heard (if I had known what I know now I wouldnt have let a L03 impress me hehe). Unfortunately the sticker price was $5999 and I only had $4000 (and no steady job) so I couldnt get it. I was so crushed!! That was the only car I saw the whole day that I liked. So I went to McDonalds (all sad) and bought a double cheeseburger to eat while I read the paper. Low and behold there was an add in there for a 90 Camaro RS for $3999. I couldnt believe it!! I called the number and it was the same dealer I just came from!! To make a long story short I went back and bought the car for $3999 outright. Because of Hawaii State law they had to honor the price in the paper (someone at the dealer had called it in wrong to the paper). The salesman was pissed!! hahahah!! Anyway, it was the best deal ever, and now 6 years later I still own the car. I will be swapping a L98 in this winter. So to wrap it up, I like 3rd gens because of the space, the sound, the affordability, and now most of all, the style and look that has grown on me for 6 years. I like the body style so much, even after I do an Evo II, I still want a stock bodied 3rd gen on the side.

 

Let's see, You don't see alot of them that are modified and nice...........

Also they have a V8 which is good, look cool, DO BURNOUTS, reckless driving, look cool, and once again they look cool..........

 

I like my IROC cuz it's just a great car. Great handling, somewhat nice power, great styling, and a great piece of American engineering. These cars are among the greatest ever made, in my opinion. You get a lot for a little money, and hell, they are a blast to work on! Well, sometimes . And, I think there will always be that factor of feeling like a total badass in a cool car.

 

Good Looks, reasonable performance on pump gas, lots of available options, inexpensive compaired to 60-70's muscle cars.

 

I love mine, I very, very, very rarely see any other 91-92 Formulas and TA's on the road.
They are awesome american muscle cars....
The 350 is just a beautiful thing.....






:lala:

 

All the trashy girls love it!

really, I bought mine when I was in high school and have had it for 8 years and 80000 miles. By far it was the best choice for the money. I wanted a car that handled with fighter plane styling. Camaro was the only way to go. Mine has been incredibly reliable, except for the paint all through college. Third gens are the best looking fbodys ever. There are a lot of camaro haters out there, but I'll never give up my camaro.
I'm gonna do a full restoration one day, LT5 twin turbo/alcantara and mink interior/HREs/richmond 6 speed/chrome and nickel planted everything. one day.

 

Bought the car for $900. I love the car. The way it looks, the fact that it can move when I want it to, get good gas milage and have a REAL motor. Great car and I am very glad I bought it.

 

Girls do seem to love thirdgens though. Ive gotten a LOT of compliments from females.

 

I hope you make more money then the GNP of Ethiopia........

 

well it started out a few years back when i was with my dad his friend and my dads friends son... confusing huh. well we were comming back form boy scouts and he owned and was driving his 87 (i think) IROC Z and jsut says, you want to go to 100. my dad doesnt have time to say yes when he punches it and the dam car shoves me into the seat, since then i just love the power and the sleek lines of these cars.

 

I wouldn't exactly call them great pieces of American engineering, not as good as a Vette in IMO, but for the price, yes it is good engeering. I'm still upset over the fact that I have to switch tools because half the car is in metric and the other half is SAE.

 

I haven't seen a car like mine in person, ever. I know there are some on the boards that are very similar (91bird305 for example) but the rarity is awesome. Everyone knows its me when I am cruising around. I get compliments on the way it looks all the time. I have been flagged over to talk about the car numerous times.

The power and handling are kick *** for the price. But you can't beat the look of a 91-92 Formula

 

Let's see if I can name ALL of the reasons.

1. fun to drive
2. Good looking car
3. the car causes a lot of attention
4. girl's love them
5. T Tops
6. 350's or 305's both work
7. The power to accellerate at will
9. The ability to mod both the interior or exterior
10. We look better in them than Mustang owners look in their cars
11. Makes the police wonder how fast we are going
12. Looks fast even when it is standing still
13. No one ever asks"What kind of car is that."
14. Everyone asks "How fast will your car go".
15 Easy to find parts and easy to fix
16 Lot's of room for subwoofers and amps
17 $3000 and you are on your way to a piece of Americana
18 It's a chevy, not a Ford(Thank ***)
19. I love the fact that ricers hate them
20 The interior is perfect
21 the engine bay is very big, not cramped like those imports
22 I can fold the back seat and have a 2 seater
23 More bang for my buck
24 the sound once I turn my key is so, so sweet.

there are probably more but that is enough to make me never sell.:lala: :lala:

 

gets all the ladies, mustang owners cant match the f-body

 

Well, it doesn't apply to all thirdgens, but this is why I like mine:

Its black, in good condition, no rust, loud, turns head, 350, t-tops, didn't kill me to buy it, doesn't kill to mod it.

 

Those are the best reasons of all to like a thirdgen.

 

The main reason is because it's tougher than chit.

For the past 15k miles it's seen redline atleast 50 times a day and it still runs strong and doesn't burn any oil.

I've had it airborn a countless # of times and it still rides just as good as any 3rdgen I've ever rode in.

Twice I launched it over a curb at 30+ and all that happened was one of the rims got chipped.

A couple months ago I bought a Dodge Ramcharger that didn't run, and I didn't feel like paying 50 dollars for a tow truck to have it towed 1 mile. So I hooked it up to the Z and towed it home with ease. Followed the 35mph speed limit and the basically stock LG4 saw no more than 2,000 rpm.

One time I was waitng to make a turn and some dumbass in a late 70's Buick plowed into the back of the car so hard that it knocked it completely sideways. The result was a smashed tail light, bumper cover, and a dented 1/4 panel. The frame rails went unharmed. The Buick, even though it was a much larger car, was mangled beyond repair and would no longer start, turn, or roll.

 

The style, avalibility of 3rd gens in decent shape, and cause I totally restored my 85 SC. And I hope on getting another to fix up

 

All of the above reasons but also, the GTA hood with the louvers looks real agressive and for such a small engine my 3.1 is still pretty torquey. Also being able to mod the engine with stuff I make myself is a blast.
David

 

Here's my list.....

1. Starts every morning.
2. Tough as nails (not fingernails........the hard ones)
3. Starts every morning.
4. Easy to work on.
5. Starts every morning.
6. Very useable power (stock)
7. Starts every mornng.
8. Handles better than anything else on the road.
And most importantly..............
It starts EVERY morning.

 

That's interesting because here at SIU Carbondale, I see a lot of them.

 

It's the most bang for the buck that you can get. I bought one because of looks, stayed for the fun factor, and was quite satisfied with the reliabilty.

And of course....Knight Rider. Who wasn't influenced by that bad azz show?

 

I never really knew much about Fbodies, L98s, LB9s, tbfi blah blah blah until I happened across the 92 Z29 L98 I have now. I was looking for a 2nd car 45 min from my house and was going to look at a white T top Z28 instead I found this MINT 92 Z28 hardtop. I figured Id atleast stop and see and when I saw it was a 350 and had 27.8k miles I figured it to be out of reach. As luck would have it the car salesperson worked at my place of employment before getting into car and cut me a sweet deal of $6800 out the door back in fall of 97 since then its been 6-7 great years of ownership and a few things I love about the car is the wing and hood and overall design which IMO is tastefully done. I love the fact the car is a 25th anniv and only 3038 made with the L98 if my numbers are correct and you dont see many around especially in my area, you see that car its me driving it and Im sort of known by it. Back in the day when I was a little more stupid and I street raced, the car had a rep that continues to this day even with people telling me theyve heard ive gone deep 12s(I wish lol). My Stang buddies used me as a testing mule and some went home with bruised egos that Im not sorry for . Laslty I like the fact that with easy bolt ons and a mild stall the car can surprise SOME LS1s at the track with its mid 13 sec ETs on tire and on a stock L98 with 103k miles. A more subtle thing I like is the dimly lit mirror light at night, I know its stupid but you asked so..

 

Main reason i love my third gen is because of all that it is, stylish, cool, powerful & great looking too. But most of all is because you just dont see too many really nice third gens on the road today. Nothing like having that 4th gen pull up next to ya at the light & say " Thats the cleanest GTA i have ever seen! " How about just because I do........

 

Good question. I've put a decent amount of $$$ into it and it still run's mid 15's!!!!!

Just kidding. I like my IROC because I've yet to drive a car that handles like it, I think it looks sweet as hell, T-tops are the bomb.....and it was the first car I bought myself. I've got so many damn memories with this car, I don't think I'll ever sell it.


No, I KNOW I'll never sell it.


And I'm taking care of that mid 15's thing next summer.....Good bye LG-4, hello TPI Vortec Headed 350 anyone?

 

Oh yeah, one more thing. I get TON'S of compliments on my car, and EVERYONE thinks it's a bullet, even though it's slow as hell. At least twice a month I've got little kids pointing at my car and telling me to smoke the tires.



One time I was driving through a construction site and I had a COP and a bunch of workers motioning to me and telling me to, "Just smoke 'em". Needless to say, I did. How many times can you do that in front of a cop?!?!?

Lastly, my GF of four and a half years was the first person to get a ride in it. She's definitely like's it better than my 95 GSX, and she told me if I ever sell it she'll kill me. First time she rode in my GSX she was like, "It's nice, but where's the T-tops?"

Good girl...and that's why we've been together four and a half years...

 

well, it is my first own car, it is easy to work on, it handles very well, looks great and is pretty rare here. even though it is just a v6 i love it. i'm pretty sure that i'll buy another thirdgen in a year or two

 

they look awesome!!
easier to work on than a 4th gen!!
easier to make faster for less money!!

alot of mods/after market stuff available for them...

you can buy them cheap....

they seem to be great american old school daily driver sport cars!!!!

 

Well, I bought mine just for another project car but after I got it back on the road, I found out it was a fun car to drive Before getting it I had a lowered Nissan pickup with the big boomin' stereo which was fun in highschool. The truck didn't stay around long after the car was on the road Key points now I guess are, it's loud, tons of parts avalible cheap since it's a Chevy, easy to mod and the list goes on.

 

A multitude of reasons really...

I loved Knight Rider as a kid, who didn't. However, what really got me hooked on Thirdgens was when one of my best friends Robert (RMK on the boards) bought his IROC. It was so incredibly different from any car I'd be in before. They are so exclusive over here also. The performance blew me away and I decided that I just had to have one. The bangs per buck, even at inflated UK prices are second to none.

It ended up taking me over a year to find one that I deemed good enough to buy. No rust, full history, all options etc.

Such great fun to drive, you get attention where ever you go(can be bad though), it looks fast even when it is standing still, and the sound when I turn my key is beautiful.

I can't see myself selling it to be honest.

 

it's a car that nobody can ignore.. not cops, not ricers, not mustangs.. nobody.
i was all into getting a mustang because of the 5 people i regularlly hang out with 4 drive mustangs.. the 5th drove a camaro. even tho the camaro was slower (L03 vrs 2 EFI 5.0's, 1 carbed 5.0 and a '99 v6) it still outhandled them all and the looks from chicks by just driving down mainstreet was sweet.. so i wanted one.. HAD to have t-tops cuz they just sweet, but after sitting in a firebird, i couldn't imagine myself in a camaro so that's how i picked out what kind of car i wanted.. (altought an 88 supra turbo targa top still was looming around)

so it's mainly superficial.. it's all cuz of the look of it.

 

I like the looks,it was affordable(4thgen Zs $25K+ for the"poorman's affordable musclecar" is rediculous),handles great,fast and 4thgen Camaros are ugly. ,well the 98+ are anway, the 93-97s are ok but they desperately need ground efx.:lala:

 

My Dad was a chevy guy so of course guess what i grew up to be. 3rd Gens always caught my eye but when the 4th gens came out... i was like "*** damn i want one" ... now im really into the old school look/feel of a 3rd gen ... just the little things suck about them (windows, headliner etc etc) other than that they rule

 

I love irocs.

They have the perfect styling (next to an f40/360 spyder) imo
Handle extremely well
enough power to hold thier own, but definatly lackign aginst the ls1 contigent.




Best fbody ever..3rd gen's!!

 

VERY STEALTHY ON THE FREEWAY

Especially a white one like my "Babe Magnet GTS", hehe

Gets alot of the "right" attention at school too

 

Are you kidding?

 

I have to be the first one to mention it!

THE SEATS! Where else are you going to find seats that recline ALL THE WAY BACK in less than 1 second??? It's SO USEFUL!!

(Remove the rear seats... and you have even MORE room...)

Oh... and the shape of the thirdgen. It's angular, unique, and American steel!