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2000 Pontiac Firebird
Date Published: 7/31/08

2000 Pontiac Firebird
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MSRP:
$18,690 - 31,050

Invoice:
$17,101 - 28,411

Class:
Sporty/performance Car
2000 Pontiac Firebird
Expert Rating Summary
Category Base conv, auto. Rating (See All
Ratings)
Sporty performance Car Average Rating
Acceleration 5 5.7
Fuel Economy 5 6.2
Ride Quality 4 3.2
Steering/Handling/Braking 6 6.8
Quietness 2 3
Controls 5 5.4
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 4 4.2
Room/Comfort (rear) 2 1.3
Cargo Room 1 2.8
Value within Class 3 3.2
Total Score: 37 41.8
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
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2000 Pontiac Firebird Review
Pontiac's performance leader survives into 2000 despite rumors of its imminent demise due to declining sales. Changes are limited to colors, the addition of rear child-seat anchors, and new-design 17-inch aluminum wheels for the high-performance WS6 package. Firebird offers hatchback coupes in base, Formula, and Trans Am trim, plus base and Trans Am convertibles with standard power top and glass rear window. Firebirds ladle unique styling around the same platform and powertrains used by Chevrolet Camaros.

A 3.8-liter V6 powers base models. Formulas and Trans Ams have a 5.7-liter V8 derived from the Chevrolet Corvette engine. The WS6 Ram Air option boosts V8 horsepower by 15 and includes a functional hood scoop. All engines meet low-emission vehicle standards for 2000. V6 models have a 5-speed manual transmission or optional automatic. V8s get the automatic or a 6-speed manual at no extra charge; a Hurst-brand shifter is a stand-alone option with the 6-speed. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard, traction control is optional. A returning option is the Firehawk Package. Though still a regular production option, it is produced by SLP Engineering and includes a unique hood, a 327-horsepower engine, upgraded suspension, and special wheels and tires. Firebird's performance and accommodations are similar to those of like-equipped Camaros.
Competition
This class features an interesting mix of hard-core performance models and more luxurious touring convertibles. Our Best Buys give you a little of both worlds. The Chevrolet Corvette is fast, comfortable, and reasonably affordable. Unlike previous models it doesn't beat you up with a hard ride, and it will cruise quietly at highway speeds. Our other Best Buy, the Mazda Miata, is a bare-bones roadster with few frills and average acceleration, but for weekend fun on a twisty back road it's hard to beat.

If you don't mind spending a few more bucks, we recommend you take a look at the BMW Z3 and Mercedes-Benz SLK. Both are two-seat convertibles. The BMW is more sporty and the Mercedes is more luxurious.

If you are interested in bang-for-the-buck our Budget Buys include the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. At any given price or equipment level the Camaro is a faster car, but the Mustang might be a little more user-friendly as a daily driver.
News
Firebird has been on lengthy sales slide, well behind sister ship Chevrolet Camaro and even further behind the Ford Mustang. All were born in the 1960s as sporty compact "ponycars," and are the only members of that rear-drive breed to survive with anything like their original character and performance. Interestingly, Firebird year-to-year sales took a modest 6 percent spurt in calendar 1999, only to give it back in the first four months of 2000. Though any gain, however fleeting, might hearten Firebird fans, the '99 total was still less than 34,000, versus nearly 41,000 Camaros and nearly 167,000 Mustangs.

With all this, plus whispers from General Motors suppliers and other sources, Firebird seems almost certain to join Camaro in automotive Valhalla after the 2002 model year. However, talk persists that it may be spared to give Pontiac an exclusive with the GM family, leaving Corvette to be Chevy's lone performance icon. The only trouble with that line of thought is that the current Firebird/Camaro, born 1993, is now overdue for replacement, and building a new model with a unique platform and powertrains would be economically wasteful at Firebird's current sales level.

The bottom line? If Firebird continues beyond '02, it will probably be as a specialty version of a higher-volume Pontiac. Right now we think the midsize Grand Prix the most likely basis for such a car, especially as it will be redesigned for the 2003 model year, which would dovetail nicely with Firebird planning. Still, none of this can be confirmed. Indeed, GM may already decided to axe Pontiac's ponycar for good. We'll keep you posted.
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