1998 Pontiac Firebird TransAm Test Drive

With its updated styling, improved high performance powertrain, and more refined yet still muscular sound, the Pontiac Firebird appealed to those who wouldn’t be satisfied with an ordinary coupe or convertible. The Firebird offered more variations than its cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. The coupe was available in base, Formula, or Trans Am trim levels; the convertible came only as a base model or Trans Am. New for 1998 was a 5.7 liter engine delivering 305 hp in standard dress or 320 hp with the ram air option. It was available only on the Formula or Trans Am models. If you needed a little relief on your insurance rates, the base Firebird had a 3.8 liter V6 good for 200hp. If you didn’t need the ultimate in V8 power, the V6 still offered decent performance.