1990-1992 Pontiac Firebird: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
1992 Pontiac Firebird
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1990-1992 Pontiac Firebird ▼
- Price Range: $800 - $3,100
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1992 Pontiac Firebird and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Handling
- Acceleration (V8)
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Ride
- Passenger room (rear)
- Wet-weather traction
Vehicle Highlights
A restyled Firebird (and similar Chevy Camaro) went on sale in spring 1990 as an early 1991 model. The new rear-drive Firebird was mechanically unchanged, but sported new front and rear fascias, smaller retractable headlamps, and a restyled rear spoiler. Firebird was available in both 2-door hatchback and convertible form with four engines. They included a 140-horsepower 3.1-liter V6, a 170-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, a 200-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, and a 235-horsepower 5.7-liter V8. The 5.7 V8 came only with an automatic transmission, while the other engines offered both an automatic and a 5-speed manual gearbox. A driver-side airbag was standard on all Firebirds, but antilock brakes were not offered.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Pontiac Firebird convertible 5.0-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 9 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 8 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 42 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1992 Pontiac Firebird. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1992 Pontiac Firebird.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Pontiac Firebird:
New for the base model is a Sport Appearance Package that mimics the look of the pricey Trans Am/GTA. Also, Trans Am models trade last year's standard 15-inch tires for 16s, mounted on the GTA's lacy spoke wheels. Both the 5.0-liter V8 and the 5.7-liter V8 provide more performance, adding five more horsepower than last year. But that's only a start. A new Street Legal Performance package for the 5.7 and high-output 5.0-liter V8s provide up to 50 additional horsepower.
1992 Pontiac Firebird:
Very little changes for Pontiac's 2+2 rear-drive sports coupe as it awaits a redesigned 1993 model.
Our road test for the 1990-1992 Pontiac Firebird includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1992 Pontiac Firebird and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1992 Pontiac Firebird is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Firebird celebrated its 25th year in 1992--the 11th model in the then-current generation--and its age was beginning to show. All models can pack a strong V8 punch and carve corners with the best of them--as long as the pavement is smooth and dry. But a light rear end, wide performance tires, and a powerful engine can add up to real trouble in rain or snow. Also, the Firebird's firm suspension tuning on sportier models results in flat cornering, but a bone-jarring ride. Inside, leg and head room are adequate in front, but forget about carrying adults in the back seat. The instrumentation consists of large, round gauges that are easy to read, but the airbag-equipped steering wheel sticks out far from the dash, crowding the driver's chest.
Value for the Money
Firebirds can deliver plenty of performance, and the ragtops certainly have eye-appeal, but you'll pay a high price--in high insurance premiums to start with, followed by the lack of comfort and poor fuel economy.
Firebirds can deliver plenty of performance, and the ragtops certainly have eye-appeal, but you'll pay a high price--in high insurance premiums to start with, followed by the lack of comfort and poor fuel economy.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Pontiac Firebird convertible 5.0-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 9 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 8 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 42 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Pontiac Firebird includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Pontiac Firebird .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Automatic transmission:
TH-700-R4 automatic transmissions may shift late or not upshift at all. The problem is a stuck throttle valve inside the transmission. (1990-92)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $365 |
| Alternator | $200 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $745 |
| Brakes | $200 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $515 |
| Exhaust System | $340 |
| Radiator | $360 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $360 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $285 |
| Universal Joints | $150 |
Our price chart for this generation Pontiac Firebird details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1992 | |||
| Convertible | $2,400-3,100 | $1,700-2,200 | $500-600 |
| Firebird coupe | $1,800-2,700 | $1,200-1,800 | $300-400 |
| Trans Am conv. | $3,200-4,000 | $2,500-3,100 | $800-1,000 |
| Trans Am coupe | $2,600-3,300 | $1,900-2,400 | $500-700 |
| 1991 | |||
| Convertible | $2,000-2,600 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| Firebird coupe | $1,500-2,200 | $1,000-1,400 | $200-300 |
| Trans Am conv. | $2,800-3,500 | $2,100-2,600 | $600-800 |
| Trans Am coupe | $2,200-2,800 | $1,600-2,000 | $400-500 |
| 1990 | |||
| Firebird | $1,300-1,800 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| Trans Am | $1,800-2,300 | $1,200-1,600 | $300 |
|
|
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This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Pontiac Firebird include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | 2-door hatchback |
| Wheelbase, in. | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| Overall Length, in. | 195.1 | 195.1 |
| Overall Width, in. | 72.4 | 72.4 |
| Overall Height, in. | 49.8 | 49.7 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3280 | 3121 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 12.4 | 31.0 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.1 | 37.0 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.9 | 43.0 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.1 | 35.6 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 28.3 | 28.9 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Pontiac provides its entry-level Firebird with a 3.1-liter V6 that offers 140 horsepower at 4400 rpm and 180 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm. The step-up Formula models receive a 5.0-liter V8 that provides 170 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 255 pound-feet of torque at 2400 rpm. The Formula's V8 is optional for the base model. Standard on the Trans Am and optional on the others is a High Output 5.0-liter V8 that delivers anywhere from 200 to 230 horsepower, depending on the exhaust system, transmission, and other equipment. The high-end Trans Am GTA features the 5.7-liter V8, which is an optional engine for both the Trans Am and Formula. Its horsepower ratings range from 235 to 240 at 4400 rpm, and torque figures reach 340 pound-feet at 3200 rpm. The 5.7 V8 comes only with an automatic, while the other engines offer both an automatic and a 5-speed manual gearbox.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V6 | 3.1 / 191 | 140 | 180 | 5-speed manual: 17/27 4-speed automatic: 18/27 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 18.2 |
| ohv V8 | 5.0 / 305 | 170 | 255 | 5-speed manual: 17/26 4-speed automatic: 17/26 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv V8 | 5.7 / 350 | 235-240 | 340 | 4-speed automatic: 17/25 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv V8 | 5.0 / 305 | 200-230 | 285-300 | 5-speed manual: 16/26 4-speed automatic: 17/25 |
5-speed manual: 16.5 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Pontiac Firebird include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1992 Firebird |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1992 Pontiac Firebird directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990:
Fuel return hoses on 5.0- or 5.7-liter V8 engines may break at either crimped coupling.
1990:
Plastic components of seatbelt-buckle assemblies could be weakened by exposure to direct sunlight and high interior temperatures.
1991:
Metal latchplates of seatbelts may not engage buckle assemblies.
1992:
Automatic-transmission shift control cable can separate.
1992:
Fuel-filler neck's solder joint can develop cracks or leaks.
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