Probably gonna get flooded with the "same car just a different body" replies but surely some of you must have a reason for buying a Firebird over a Camaro.

 

Cause in my opinion they are a little more refined than a Camaro.
Nicer interiors, wheels, spoilers etc.. Not to mention they always had the speedo and tach in the right spot unlike the camaro sibling. Lol

My first car was a 91RS, then upgraded to a 92Formy.

My 92Formula was the car I regret ever selling. As much of a PITA the headlights are, you gotta love the sleekness of the flipping headlights.

 

My first 3rd Gen was a Teal 92 Camaro RS. I bought it at the time because I wanted a GM 8 cyl engine. I had 2 previous cars that were 6 cyl and both motors died before 200K.
I was not a 3rd Gen fan at the time, I only wanted a car with a motor I knew and trusted. When I bought the Camaro it had 62K miles and when I sold it, it had 300K on the original motor and tranny. I loved that car and had plans to replace the motor train and was preparing for paint when 2 idiots hit my car within a month of each other. I fixed the first accident but gave up after the second accident. Neither of which was my car moving at the time of the accident.

I lived for a year and a half without a 3rd gen before I could stand it no more. I started looking at Camaro's when a friend suggested I buy a Firebird instead. He told me that he never buys the same car twice. Even if its the same car, buy a different year. His thought was you will always compare the new car to the old if you buy the same thing. And if you loved it, the new one will never seem as good. So I started looking for a Firebird.
I looked at quite a few, but none really caught my attention. Then I saw the ad for the one I bought. It was like the Camaro but different. I fell in love with the body style of the 91-92 Formula's and after that, I no longer wanted another Camaro. I still love the Camaro look but I will take a Firebird Formula over it every time now.

 

Personally I like the 3rd gen Camaros over the TA's, but the Formulas have grown on me. Not really a fan of the 87 but only because of the wheels and although I never used to like the two tone paint scheme that has grown on me over time as well.

1st gen - liked the birds & the Camaros the same
2nd gen - liked the birds
3rd gen - liked the Camaros again, ordered my 87 IROC
4th gen - liked the birds again, thoroughly enjoyed my 97 Firehawk
5th gen - well, they only make the Camaros now but I like those and will probably own one soon.

 

85 TA WS6
88 GTA 5.7
89 TTA #464
00 WS6 R/A LS1
00 TA Firehawk #701

IDK, I guess Firebirds/Trans Ams

 

my brother has a 92rs that my dad painted black from the factory teal. the car just hit 100,000 since he daily drives it. the suspension, vats, and rear end are giving him huge problems but the motor and trans are stock and run like a clock. he bought a rear end from Hawks Thirdgen but it ended up being in way worse condition than what they said. part of the reason I bought a Trans Am was because he already had a thirdgen camaro so if I came home with a Camaro he would of freaked out lol. now I love and prefer the Birds

 

Quote:

5th gen - well, they only make the Camaros now but I like those and will probably own one soon.

You could always buy one of the 5th gen Firebird TA Kits. I've seen a couple that look really Sweet!

 

With the changes in car mfg laws for small operator's, we might see a Firebird again. As I understand the new law GM will be forbidden from making cars under the new designation because they sell more than 5000 cars worldwide. But they could license the name to another company. Quantities would be low (under 500?) but it does allow small custom car manufacturers lots of options without the normal testing and safety costs.

 

Before the 5th gen Chevrolet Camaro arrived late in 2009 as a 2010 model year vehicle
Bob Lutz, from GM made the comment to the public regarding the Pontiac Firebird. His comment was pretty much along the lines of, if not per word...."we ain't doing that thing again".
Which was a very sad day when I read that......and THAT'S too bad.

 

I've owned both over the years, 2nd gens, 3rds and 4ths. I probably favor the birds overall, but I really like all the F bodies in general. I think the Firebirds/TA's are more refined in styling though.

 

Don't get me wrong i like Firebird/TAs and Camaros alike. Maybe the hidden headlights, wrap around spoiler, power bulge hood, PW7 wheels, maybe those things just put the firebird/ ta a step ahead in looks. As a kid once I asked a guy what that GTA badge stood for.. He said "bad mother f%#$er". I had to agree.

 

what a shame, I personally think the sales would sky rocket. Everyones so used to the 5th gen/6th gen styling of the Camaro now that if they did a Firebird people would be blown away.

 

I own one of each a GTA and a Vert Iroc, both look great to me.

I enjoy them both. In the past I've owned a 69 Camaro, 78 Trans, 84 Trans ... sampled all the flavors. My Son has a 4th gen Camaro.

 

I like both, but have a preference for the 'Bird.
I like the styling of the 'Bird a little better, and LOVE the instrument cluster of the 'Bird compared to the Camaro style.

 

Love'em all. But..... for some reason, the 5th Gen Camaro just doesn't trip my trigger - too modern looking I guess, kind of loses that "Pony Car" feel. I might be more inclined to get the new Mustang if I had to choose. But if any of you 5th Gen Camaro owners want to give me yours I wouldn't turn it down.

 

My first car was an 83 Camaro SC, black and basic V6
then my dad got a 86TA for me for sr. year in HS - (in 85). The 95 and up TAs were just more refined in the interiors and exteriors. I did like the sound of the irocs with a freer flowing exhaust back then but now I have an 88 GTA and it sounds just as mean.
I think the interiors and the areo wing won me over. I liked the 82-84 TAs but not the interiors (except the anniv edition).

Things started to change towards birds when they went to the ground effects (83/84?) and in 85 they changd the front end with the fogs and bigger ground effects and it just looked meaner.. and the interiors.. sigh... subs from factory anyone? lol had em back then.

 

I like them all - IROCs, TAs...

But to be honest, I dont TRUST people who don't like a Formula.

 

I've always wanted an iroc but somehow i ended up with 3 birds.... It must be a sign.

 

I like both but I've always been more drawn to Firebirds. The headlights, the long flat taillights, wraparound spoiler, wheels and ground effects of the GTA all gel perfectly for my taste. I vastly prefer the instrument cluster as well, as others have stated.