That's why I don't like him, he doesn't tell you about the car. The Ranting Raving Reviewer is much better because he actually tells you about the car and how good it actually is while still keeping it entertaining
@@adamspitfire rcr really gets into that juicy philosophy though. If you want a pure car review go check out Doug Demuro or one of the other many review channels. But if you want to really think about the car’s meaning, check out RCR
When I was 15 and lookin' for cool cars to "buy" (when I say buy I mean my mom had to basically buy it for me), I REALLY wanted a Firebird. She got me a Saturn SL1. Eh.
I had a 2000 WS6 but sold it in 2004. To this day, 12 years later, I wish I still had it. I had the 6 speed with the T-tops. The only way to go in my book.
I can't believe how much RCR has made me, a person who isn't all too caring of car culture, absolutely fascinated with cars. The way you present it all, and the way you carry yourselves, really makes it all so enticing. Even when your shouting out a business you make it interesting. Thank you, RCR. To me, you're one of the most fascinating channels on UA-cam.
I like this car because it's extremely vulgar, the Camaro looks great but this is the idealization of the pissed off muscle car, you see one of these in your rearview with it's bellowing exhaust I see it all the time people get the hell out of the way. I kinda want one
agreed about the look. I used to think they were ugly a few years back but looking at it now it's by far one of the most attractive vehicles I can think of
I still have my 1998 trans am... Any one that drives it, remarks on how much damn fun it is. They truly were a last ditch effort to make a muscle car, and it is a perfect blending of old, and new technology.
I remember one of these pulling up to me in my 1994 Integra GS-R on the highway at 90mph. Downshifted into 4th gear right in VTEC range at that speed and the Firebird downshifted and leaped ahead of me. Oh well, I still loved my car :)
yea I used to drive my buddy's 98 Integra gsr all the time like 10 years ago and they are definitely fun to drive when vtec kicked in especially since it redlined at 8000 it felt like forever b4 u had to drop it into the next gear , they definitely weren't bad for there time
Chevy introduced the LS1 in 1997 powering the new C5, in that same year Camaro and Firebird where using the LT1, but on 1998 they started using the same LS1 from the C5. So, both cars use a Corvette engine basically.
it's probably out of respect for the people at pypesexhaust. They probably wouldn't mind him doing a burnout, in their car, but it's just a matter of respect.
I remember there was an established guy (in his 30's) who would bring one of these to the street drags and let all the high-school kids duke it out in their Civics, Integras and Eclipses. He'd wait 'til they were done dicking around then challenge the fastest one and whip him every time. Poor kids.
I own one of these, my baby, and I was that senior in the high school parking lot. And guess who got me into the Firebird, my father. Everything you said was nail on the head.
Until you've driven one of these things, you have no idea how great they really are. Fast, handles well (no seriously, stock WS6 could pull 0.9g on the skid pad), reliable, cheap, practical, manual, LSD. Is there really much more you could ask for? I don't think so.
What are you talking about? The straight-leg sitting on a lawn chair driving position sucked, the clutch sucked, the shifter sucked and it was as girthy and ponderous to drive as a boat. Fast in a straight line, though.
@@kabob21 If you knew what you were doing, you put a B&M "ripper" shifter in it. The straight-leg, butt-on-the-pavement driving position is common to many sports cars; the clutch on my 2000 Camaro SS (same part as the WS6) was fine and lasted forever-same GM part # as the Corvette C5 clutch-and with some easy and not too expensive suspension enhancements (Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, shock tower brace, subframe connectors, tubular LCAs and Panhard rod, tubular torque arm), handled as well or better than many "real" sports cars. For a little perspective on your judgement: in 1992, I resumed competing in SCCA Solo II Autocross (New England Region). At the first event I raced in, I witnessed a slender and modest young woman name Lynn drive a 1989 IROC Z through the cones in A-stock class (no mods allowed except shocks and bushings) and achieve a time of less than 3 seconds off the FTD (Fastest Time of Day, if you don't race) from an open wheeled Van Diemen. She went on to win in her class in the SCCA Solo II Nationals -for the third time in a row, I believe. And that was in a 3rd Gen Camaro. So, don't tell me these cars "drive as a boat" and don't handle: maybe work on your driving skills instead? :-)
garrett koetter yup I had a 1999 trans am, SLP loudmouth exhaust, GM hotcam, C5R belt and timing chain, LS7 lifters, and much more. It pushed over 500whp until it was hit at a redlight. Best car I’ve ever owned to this day.
You are a great representative of our generation. Your pop culture knowledge and random tidbits of nostalgic references is outstanding and appreciated. Nice job brother.
There is a lifted gloss black Trans Am sitting abandoned in a field by my house. I always have this eerie feeling like it's the harbinger of the apocalypse and it's going to spring to life one day to complete it's evil mission.
1:03 Mr. Regular you perfectly summed up my first experience with this vehicle. I was 6, I was in a Plymouth Voyager and it indeed screamed by our van. I’ll never forget it. I had never seen something so fast- and of course, it was red.
Thinking about "looking up to other high schoolers", here's the opposite:At my high school there's some asshat with a green Miata featuring wheels that are way too wide, a rust hole thru the quarter panel, and a super loud fart can. He loves to rev it at crosswalks, and it sounds like Uncle Ben ripping down the street.
After the video I came across a Jalop article on this video and I couldn't help but notice all the hate for this car. This is one of THE best platforms for its price. They make Koni Shocks for these, Konis, Strano springs, Sway bars, (And some BMR bracing underneath), thicker tires, stickier compound tires on stock wheels and you've got a car that'll compete with MODERN Corvettes around corners. It's ridiculous what you can do with this car, you can do ANYTHING you want, road racer? Sure! Autocrosser? Absolutely! Drag Racer? Definitely! Drift car? Why not?! .... The performance of this car is so ridiculous for the price I don't understand how anyone can criticize its shitty interior or plastic body.
I guess it gets downplayed for not being as "exotic" as something like a Acura NSX or Porsche 993. Or for not having the "European style" of a 3-series or Audi. Or for not having the "giant killer" rally heritage of the souped-up econoboxes Subaru STis and Lancer Evolutions. Or for not being as humble and unintimidating as something like a Miata.
Ive been trying to find a channel like this for a long ass time. I can now sleep at night, i lived litteraly 2 miles away from the building hes talking ab
I was born in 2000, so acording to what you said, I can finally get my hands on one in five years. Along with the '78 T/A, this is one of my dream muscle cars... or sports car, whatever it is.
I loved how this car looked back in the day. It def set itself apart from the styling of the late 90s early 2000s. And yes, my high school football QB had one in like 1999. I hated him so much. But wanted to be him.
I've been waiting months to see a later 4th gen Fbody review. Awesome job! Now lets see a 94-97 Fbody review, and your thoughts on the differences between the engines. Also, the Camaro and the Firebird only shared the same engine, chassis, interior and roof. Front and back panels are all different, so are the bumpers and the hood. Tail lights are completely different shape along with the spoiler.
As an F-Body enthusiast and owner, this car was the pinnacle, and still drool worthy to me. I still want one, but would settle for a Holden Monaro or Commodore, er GTO or G8.
Are you Australian? Cuz I'm from America and to be honest I would much rather have the cars you'll settle for. I can't imagine anyone being an F-Body enthusiast.
+Cykoid I'm curious. What 2001 car in Australia that is NA put out 0 - 60 in 5 seconds flat? Most 2015s don't even do that. Of course you have turbo/supercharged beasts, but a 5 second 60mph NA car is nothing to scoff at. Not to mention they will get quite a bit of attention due to the low quantity of em in OZ.
+David Zee I'm having to guess that he is refering to the Monaro, however the report of it was at 6.0 at best I could find. That being said, I'm not sure I'm completely buying all the numbers on this topic. They seem to be all over the place depending on where you like (as far as the bhp or hp of the LS in the Monaro)
cz75fanatic Yeah, I have no idea what makes him go saying that unless he's just making comparisons with the tuner monsters Australia has like the R34 GTRs, suped up Evos, Supras, and STIs. The numbers in this review seem pretty respectable, but like any domestic car.. good luck cornering that thing. Only the newer track versions GM has put out are built for that.
+David Zee Well that might have been the point in a round about way. The Australians drag but they also do more. They've been really serious about WRC and other course sports. SOOOO maybe he was making a jab at the Holden (affiliate owned by GM I think is how it worked) being better overall as far as a race car?
cz75fanatic It's possible, I don't want to say too much because, I've never found the performance put out by Holdens to be anything to revel over. Their Commodore line isn't even as up to snuff as the Chevy SS (the American re-badged/higher displacement model)...and the Chevy SS isn't really anything to brag about. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
One of the best cars ever made. I'm a Camaro guy, but I always looked at the firechicken as a brother. It had different friends but we always had each other's back and we're family.
I was in high school when this car was out. I saw it in the showroom and drooled whenever this or a black Camaro SS with the SLP package and SS grill drove by. I loved the LS1. My friend and I were going to buy Mustangs and Camaros when we got our licenses. We were damn sure of it. Fastforward almost a decade and I became a lot more practical of a person, but I finally got myself a muscle car.
Matthew Bailey 2016 (just got it at the end of November). GT 5.0 performance package, 3.73 gears, bigger radiator, Brembo brakes, etc. Race red, colour similar to the Trans Am. I was always more of a Chevy guy but this car spoke to me lol. Havn't been able to get on it much since it's raining like hell
I want one of these so badly. Clean examples of an LS1 Trans am/Camaro are hard to find at a reasonable price locally. The power ratings claimed by GM are way underrated. Dyno runs, 0-60 times, and quarter mile times have proven that HP levels were more like 340-360 hp, exactly the same as a base C5 Corvette.
I''ve had a lot of fast cars, 600hp cobras, etc. Nothing was as fun as my LT1 Transam. It felt like I was sitting in a bathtub but jesus the torque was incredible.
as a son of the early 90's, I can confirm everything he says about lusting after this car as a boy/teenager, this car was the first car I really loved and wanted
This car looks like the one I almost bought in 1999... I think it was a 98 or 99 model. A red ws6 manual transmission. I was about to sign the papers, and then I called the insurance company. The insurance for the car was going to cost more than the payment... I was 19 years old at the time. So I didn't buy it. Sigh.
Yes, the only change between 98 and 2001 was the door panels and fenders became fiberglass in 2001. The 01 is lighter. 02 got a horsepower and torque bump. Stock wheel choices changed too, otherwise it's practically the same.
My coworker has a 97 Cobra with pypes cat-back exhaust, and I think it's one of the best exhaust notes I've ever heard. Also, someday I'll buy my own ws6, one of my bucket list cars
Your demographic for who would have purchased a new one of these cars is completely or at least partially wrong. I purchased a brand new 2002 Trans Am WS6 6 speed with Hurst shifter prior to hitting my 30s let alone 40s. It was such a great car! I loved the handling, speed, performance and the outrageous looks. It was an attention getter and I mean that in a positive way. Nothing on the road could touch me as it was one of the best price vs performance cars you could get at the time. Mine was black with grey leather interior and sometimes compared to being like a bat mobile. The car put a smile on anyone's face who drove with me in it. I wish I still had it today, I had to sell it after 5 years. Maybe I'll get another one some day, and if I do I'd like to super charge it.
CALIN CAMPBELL that it does, it’s a flashy car. I also loved the whining sound it would make when coming to a stop, almost sounded like a jet engine powering down.
Okay it's a Transam, the WS6 refers to the suspension package which is on every Transam . You can get that suspension on a fire bird as well. Love those looks on that car.
@@getchasome6230 well.... they’re all firebirds, but the formulas and T/As are trim levels. WS6 gave you the ram air and the 1LE performance suspension
bought my 2000 WS6 new and never looked back, black on black..he failed to mention that the 2000 was the last year for the bigger cam, in 2001, they installed a better intake to compensate for that loss and never said anything about power gain or loss...anyone knows that GM fudged HP ratings for years...the LS1 actually had 350hp same as the corvette. and in GM high performance magazine and high performance pontiac, they both tested a camaro SS and 35th anniversary T/A and came away with high 12's showroom stock and the T/A had an automatic !..great video.
Essentially the same configuration I had without paying for a firehawk... Anyone remember the limited edition 1995 BF Goodrich Trans Am sold that year? Same same.
Firehawk was just a package added to any V8 Firebird. What you mean is the Formula version. V6 looks, V8 underneath. And the Firehawk package could be added to it, but that gave it a more aggressive hood.
+clutchthepearls Yes but not quite. The SLP model was one step removed from even the WS6 in regard to performance. Full cat-back, functional forced air and LS6 intake mani were added from 99-02. No huge advantage but the upgraded trim was a bonus for less than $2k.
I well remember meeting up with a Firebird club in upstate New York in 2000 or 2001 when I had just bought a brand-new Camaro SS; my club, the East Coast Camaro Club, was meeting them to convoy jointly down to Englishtown, NJ, for a weekend F-body event -1/4 mile track, car show, etc. We got on the road, all mixed together, and I recall a black WS6 being the car behind me as we all drove the Garden State parkway. Even though I had the same BHP and torque in my Camaro (maybe even more, after some mods I'd done), the sight of those angry twin nostrils in my rear-view mirror made me a bit nervous! LOL
Love my 02. Wanted a Trans Am since seeing Smokey And The Bandit with my brother and grandmother in 1977. Couldn't afford one that could not be a primary driver and pay cash until 2001 at age 34. I kept mine as I bought it. The only transmission it came with in 02 was 6 speed manual Hurst shifter. 3861 miles on it.
Try changing the shocks, I have a 1995 Trans Am with a 389 Stroker I also have a Porsche Boxter. The Boxter is one of the best handling vehicles ever built. Comparatively speaking, the Trans Am is bigger and feels bigger, Is not as nimble but it has the ability to power through the corners with very little body role. It is built with the track in mind, If you can drive it or know how to drive on a track it will perform for you all day. It’s Fun, fast and it looks amazing. This is the first attempt at an American pony car built with the track in mind, an honest true track car. I’m in a racing club, we are just a bunch of wanna be Steve McQueen’s but we can drive. Either you can’t drive or B: You have a mechanical /Suspension issue’s
Intimidator Ss I laughed when I saw his comment, mines the same way, you called it, the suspension is shot. I have a base model 2000, have any advice on what to get? I don't care about ride quality as much as I do the car staying attached to the pavement. I plan to LS/T56 swap it as soon as I find the parts at a reasonable price. The last set I found, they wanted $5,300.
Axt Axt. That seems to have been the standard GM damper failure mode for decades lol. The 3rd gen was infamously hard riding but any you drive today with original or high mile suspension bobs around like its on switches!
00 WS6 here with I believe the original suspension and it drives fine, stiff but fine. When I first got it I just it all the time and it drives great. Is it a new CTS-V no but not a boat. Now my Camry on the other hand.....
awesome review dude. as a male in my 30's I had the privilege of owning my first Trans am when I was 19, and had several more through my 20s until I settled on more reasonable transportation. I will own one again someday...ws6 still looks awesome today
I had a 99 WS6 when I was in college and sold it in my senior year. Been wanting to snag another for years and I’m picking up an 02 with 51k miles in two days. Both were signal red like this one.
I own a 2001 Trans Am identical to the one pictured. It is flawed for certain, however, it's the only one I've owned that has causes small children (male and female) to stop, point, and say, "Daddy, that's the car I want when I grow up." I'm pretty sure this car deserves more than a 10-minute monologue filled with stereotypes, and which offers no objective information besides a brief comparison to the acceleration ability of cars 15 years newer.
I remember when these came out and we're pricey (mid 30's). Now performance cars like this are 80's on average. Glad I now own a ws6 with only 600 origional miles. This and the viper are the only two 90's cars that still look agressive and not dated these days. Now I jut have to find a viper :)
I had one of these new in 1998, the year they introduced the LS1 into it. Black, 6-speed, T-top, silver rally stripes on the linebacker nostrils. Driving this car in the late 1990s was like knowing, however briefly, what it is to be a celebrity. I was part of Group One: Keep It Like It Is. I sold the car in 2005 to a guy who absolutely could not believe it was still stock.
"Time for history on the WS6. Initially, this car was intended to be- *stops and shifts to slow piano chords playing while filming random objects in a dark house with a flashlight-camera for 20-25 seconds before continuing*" These are the moments I love the most in RCR's videos.
i have a red 93' thats still very clean as the one in this video all stock. I've been contemplating on starting a channel to show mods & the experience. Love these cars
This car was for the guys that wanted corvette performance without getting grouped into the "typical corvette owners" club. I have an 01 WS6 and it still gets looks from everybody.
LMAO I was born in 90 and I did see these in the Plymouth Voyager and thought it was teh coolest car ever. I bought my first one in the same Signal Red in 09 and I'm about to buy a second after a few years in a MKV GTI. The commercials for these were the best, first time I saw one I was watching Monday night RAW lol.Yeah I bought mine off a dad hahaha, was the second owner. Don't know how I didn't kill myself in college with this.
My grandpa bought one new back in 1998. Bought a 1998 Pontiac Trans Am Ws6 Ram Air Metallic Gold. Literally the only thing he didn’t get was a CD player. This car made my childhood. Found the original sticker in the glove box after he passed away and it was originally purchased for $27000. My grandpa babied this car because it only has 18,000 miles and still smells like a new car
THIS video is why I love RCR. He doesnt just tell you the specs and what's going on with the car, he tells you *what the car means as a statement*
And what kind of person is likely making that statement TO you while driving it.
And he gets it right most of the time, exactly how I remember it
That's why I don't like him, he doesn't tell you about the car. The Ranting Raving Reviewer is much better because he actually tells you about the car and how good it actually is while still keeping it entertaining
@@adamspitfire rcr really gets into that juicy philosophy though. If you want a pure car review go check out Doug Demuro or one of the other many review channels. But if you want to really think about the car’s meaning, check out RCR
“The screw it, my second kid isn't going to college Car" haha
I got one IT IS my 2nd kid lol
This guy is hilarious!
I'm the 2nd kid and going to college
When I was 15 and lookin' for cool cars to "buy" (when I say buy I mean my mom had to basically buy it for me), I REALLY wanted a Firebird. She got me a Saturn SL1. Eh.
+PushingUpRoses If you want a firebird, have a firebird! chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/5338887249.html
+RegularCars Just letting you know, the description says Exgaust instead of Exhaust.
+RegularCars faaak it's AUTOMATIC D":
+PushingUpRoses Bro did you really have to say "eh". Basically screaming I'm CANADIAN!
I currently drive a 1994 saturn sl1 lol
I had a 2000 WS6 but sold it in 2004. To this day, 12 years later, I wish I still had it. I had the 6 speed with the T-tops. The only way to go in my book.
Hanson Fam how long did you have the ws6? is it a common break down car?
Hanson Fam nice...thanks for responding man... Cheers
Hanson Fam I had a 98z28 01 ss ..... sold them all I got pissed and found a 02 35th anniversary never gonna sell it lol
@@panzerwaffen2873 My 2000 Camaro SS was as reliable as hell, so I imagine the Pontiac was the same.
@@PaulZink exactly the same ... I do love both
That was one of the most underrated powered cars from the factory, they HAD to lie about its power so its sales didn't undercut the corvette
Big facts my mom had one & she ate a couple💯💪🏽
@@syritagray1656 you have a cool mom
@@syritagray1656my grandma had one haha
Ich hab einen 2002 WS6, einfach geil und das schon seit 12 Jahren. Hab den Wagen 2012 gekaut und würde es gleich wieder tun.
I can't believe how much RCR has made me, a person who isn't all too caring of car culture, absolutely fascinated with cars. The way you present it all, and the way you carry yourselves, really makes it all so enticing. Even when your shouting out a business you make it interesting. Thank you, RCR. To me, you're one of the most fascinating channels on UA-cam.
+RIPCompanionCube OMG I love you!
I love you too.
+RIPCompanionCube only thing I love around here is BIG AMERICAN TRUCKS WITH V8S FORD F150 BUILT IN DETROIT SUPER HEAVY DUTY STYLE
+RIPCompanionCube I totally agree.
Agreed
That in-video comments section... yup
+Lazy Game Reviews Yeeeep
+RegularCars This might be your best work yet.
+Lazy Game Reviews LGR watches RCR hooray! love both your channels keep being amazing!
+Lazy Game Reviews You forgot to mention [x].
+PushingUpRoses "I had [x] and it wasn't [x], plus I LIKED [x].
I like this car because it's extremely vulgar, the Camaro looks great but this is the idealization of the pissed off muscle car, you see one of these in your rearview with it's bellowing exhaust I see it all the time people get the hell out of the way. I kinda want one
+Jermaine Riley Exactly. This car looks inappropriate and disrespectful. I love it.
+Brandon Saunders Yes it does. I've owned three of these, amazing cars.
+Jermaine Riley it will be the best decision of your life if you get one.
a phrase Fbody guys like to say is "An SS Camaro looks like it can kick your ass. A WS6 looks like it's on it's way over to do so."
agreed about the look. I used to think they were ugly a few years back but looking at it now it's by far one of the most attractive vehicles I can think of
14 years later, this Pontiac is still the baddest
pontiacGXPfan looks gorgeous
panzer waffen it does!
I'd prefer a 1970 2 door Catalina with the 455 HO
FirebirdCamaro1220 I don't know anything about the Catalina because it was way before my time
@@pontiacGXPfan that's a shame, the 60's and 70's were Pontiacs prime years
I still have my 1998 trans am... Any one that drives it, remarks on how much damn fun it is. They truly were a last ditch effort to make a muscle car, and it is a perfect blending of old, and new technology.
Still have it?
that WS6 is soooooooooo clean!
+AMDX1325 Yeah, it's impressive how nice it is. Most Firebirds from that era that I've seen are absolutely trashed.
an aftermarket mule with under 15k on the clock it better have been.
SpecialKLSX Testing mules are rarely treated this well.
powermatt Pypes doesn't "technically" own it, either.
I have a 95’ Formula with 54k miles and it has a clean interior and a clean exterior. It is awesome!!!
I remember one of these pulling up to me in my 1994 Integra GS-R on the highway at 90mph. Downshifted into 4th gear right in VTEC range at that speed and the Firebird downshifted and leaped ahead of me. Oh well, I still loved my car :)
My friend was in a Contour SVT, downshifts on a 1969 Firebird 400 Ram Air III, 330 HP.
@@aaronkryder6186 what happened
@@mauer594 i know wtf starts to tell a story and stops right before the endind
They both have their charm. For having 1/2 the amount of cylinders, the GSR was pretty quick for it's time.
yea I used to drive my buddy's 98 Integra gsr all the time like 10 years ago and they are definitely fun to drive when vtec kicked in especially since it redlined at 8000 it felt like forever b4 u had to drop it into the next gear , they definitely weren't bad for there time
I want to see "Mr. Regular goes to the junkyard"
+Roy Case this should be upvoted more
He's done something similar looking for a rear end for the Falcon.
+clutchthepearls wait.
that was THIS Channel?
I have been searching for that since 5 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great car, awesome rear lights, has fucking nostrils. The beauty of GM styling
GM got a lot of things right during that era.
Before retro showed up and made muscle cars look contrived
Old gm
Jesus christ this shit is fugly
Nostrils that can also breathe.
I'd like to say that the Corvette had the Camaro/Trans-Am engine. ;)
Chevy introduced the LS1 in 1997 powering the new C5, in that same year Camaro and Firebird where using the LT1, but on 1998 they started using the same LS1 from the C5. So, both cars use a Corvette engine basically.
I'm keeping my 2000 t/a forever.
I've got an '02. 69,000 miles on the car and about 54k on a procharged LS3 swap in it...
Same man I got a 02 with 24xxxmiles I’ll have it forever
Get a honda accord, you'll go just about as fast
I have an 01 WS6 with 240XXX on it haha. Had it since high school but it’s miled out, probably going to drive it to the scrapper before the winter.
@@99thpeanut59 drive it till it goes boom, then sell Al the good parts and scrap the rest, or just sell the car to me
Trans Am. Manual. Open parking lot. And not ONE burnout or donut? WHAT IS UA-cam COMING TOO??
+CJ DASHCAM Realizing that he doesn't want lawyers or cops called on him. (Just like how he had to put a big disclaimer in the Cammaster video)
it's probably out of respect for the people at pypesexhaust. They probably wouldn't mind him doing a burnout, in their car, but it's just a matter of respect.
+CJ DASHCAM The answer to this is probably found in his POV drive of thatdudeinblue's Smurrf Mustang.
+CJ DASHCAM One in that condition is so ridiculously rare, I wouldn't want to do a burnout in it either.
Luigi de Guzman #Oppo
I remember there was an established guy (in his 30's) who would bring one of these to the street drags and let all the high-school kids duke it out in their Civics, Integras and Eclipses. He'd wait 'til they were done dicking around then challenge the fastest one and whip him every time. Poor kids.
idriwzrd Wow he sounds cool and well adjusted.
one of the meanest looking cars
I own one of these, my baby, and I was that senior in the high school parking lot. And guess who got me into the Firebird, my father. Everything you said was nail on the head.
Still have it?
@@Ballsack44 5 years ago, but yes I do lol. Had it for 10 years now
@@PhlippinPhilstill holding up?
I still love how these look... I wish T-tops would be brought back. They are so bad ass!
Until you've driven one of these things, you have no idea how great they really are. Fast, handles well (no seriously, stock WS6 could pull 0.9g on the skid pad), reliable, cheap, practical, manual, LSD. Is there really much more you could ask for? I don't think so.
Unbearable Pain A diff not made of cardboard
What are you talking about? The straight-leg sitting on a lawn chair driving position sucked, the clutch sucked, the shifter sucked and it was as girthy and ponderous to drive as a boat. Fast in a straight line, though.
A t-top that wasn't always leaking
@@kabob21 If you knew what you were doing, you put a B&M "ripper" shifter in it. The straight-leg, butt-on-the-pavement driving position is common to many sports cars; the clutch on my 2000 Camaro SS (same part as the WS6) was fine and lasted forever-same GM part # as the Corvette C5 clutch-and with some easy and not too expensive suspension enhancements (Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, shock tower brace, subframe connectors, tubular LCAs and Panhard rod, tubular torque arm), handled as well or better than many "real" sports cars.
For a little perspective on your judgement: in 1992, I resumed competing in SCCA Solo II Autocross (New England Region). At the first event I raced in, I witnessed a slender and modest young woman name Lynn drive a 1989 IROC Z through the cones in A-stock class (no mods allowed except shocks and bushings) and achieve a time of less than 3 seconds off the FTD (Fastest Time of Day, if you don't race) from an open wheeled Van Diemen. She went on to win in her class in the SCCA Solo II Nationals -for the third time in a row, I believe. And that was in a 3rd Gen Camaro. So, don't tell me these cars "drive as a boat" and don't handle: maybe work on your driving skills instead? :-)
Only issue was tune up problems and struggles
I have a 2002 Camaro Z/28 with the LS1, tube headers and a borla muffler plus a Hurst shifter moving a T56 manual six speed. Great car.
garrett koetter yup I had a 1999 trans am, SLP loudmouth exhaust, GM hotcam, C5R belt and timing chain, LS7 lifters, and much more. It pushed over 500whp until it was hit at a redlight. Best car I’ve ever owned to this day.
Arlen Burgin ?
CamCustomsRP shit
No one cares.
Still have it?
You are a great representative of our generation. Your pop culture knowledge and random tidbits of nostalgic references is outstanding and appreciated. Nice job brother.
There is a lifted gloss black Trans Am sitting abandoned in a field by my house. I always have this eerie feeling like it's the harbinger of the apocalypse and it's going to spring to life one day to complete it's evil mission.
Buy and fix it!
1:03
Mr. Regular you perfectly summed up my first experience with this vehicle. I was 6, I was in a Plymouth Voyager and it indeed screamed by our van. I’ll never forget it. I had never seen something so fast- and of course, it was red.
I paused the video to read everything you posted on the screen :)
+JediMindTricks183 JOHN CENA
+spessarterlandei dun dun dun dun!!!!
Undertale blows!
+blackstar 666525 True, it was so good, it blew my mind.
+blackstar 666525 yeah undertale blows hard. I would never play that pandery fandom garbage
Saw one of these in person, parked. Beautiful car
Andre Gross they are. In hoping to get one this fall
My neighbor has one
I play this car on Forza 4....awesome
I think all uncles have older camaros or trans ams.
Yay
This is the first RCR video I've ever seen. With how stressful life has been of late, it's nice to come back to good times. Stay weird RCR
Thinking about "looking up to other high schoolers", here's the opposite:At my high school there's some asshat with a green Miata featuring wheels that are way too wide, a rust hole thru the quarter panel, and a super loud fart can. He loves to rev it at crosswalks, and it sounds like Uncle Ben ripping down the street.
Is it Rudnik from Haggard Garage? Cuz that's who it sounds like it is
MoldyLowmaine Probably his long lost cousin.
It's rudnik man let him do him 😂😂
+MoldyLowmaine "what's goin on guys"
+Cy Burkhart you don't happen to live in north texas do you lol
After the video I came across a Jalop article on this video and I couldn't help but notice all the hate for this car. This is one of THE best platforms for its price. They make Koni Shocks for these, Konis, Strano springs, Sway bars, (And some BMR bracing underneath), thicker tires, stickier compound tires on stock wheels and you've got a car that'll compete with MODERN Corvettes around corners. It's ridiculous what you can do with this car, you can do ANYTHING you want, road racer? Sure! Autocrosser? Absolutely! Drag Racer? Definitely! Drift car? Why not?! .... The performance of this car is so ridiculous for the price I don't understand how anyone can criticize its shitty interior or plastic body.
I guess it gets downplayed for not being as "exotic" as something like a Acura NSX or Porsche 993. Or for not having the "European style" of a 3-series or Audi. Or for not having the "giant killer" rally heritage of the souped-up econoboxes Subaru STis and Lancer Evolutions. Or for not being as humble and unintimidating as something like a Miata.
TheHm3 how much you think that cost you? I have a 98 and all I would ever do to it is upgrade suspension and about an inch lower in the back.
You guys were literally down the street from my house. That's crazy!
+Legon751 I'm everywhere man!
+Legon751 no, liar
+Protoss Zerg alright, I lied, technically Pypes is 10 minutes away.
+RegularCars Hey buddy you mentend a Plymouth voy, now you'll have to cover one lol
@@Legon751 same pypes isn't far
just seeing this video nearly 6 years later and its timeless
Ive been trying to find a channel like this for a long ass time. I can now sleep at night, i lived litteraly 2 miles away from the building hes talking ab
This is one of my dream cars! I bought a 2002 Trans-Am WS6 in Pewter with 51,000 miles on the clock last month and I'm loving it!
I also run the Pypes catback on my cammed LT1, love it.
+Chris Harner word.
RegularCars mmmmmPYPES MMMMMMMPYPES
I was going to finish a paper but then this came on. Thank you RCR!
I was born in 2000, so acording to what you said, I can finally get my hands on one in five years. Along with the '78 T/A, this is one of my dream muscle cars... or sports car, whatever it is.
You got it yet?
I loved how this car looked back in the day. It def set itself apart from the styling of the late 90s early 2000s. And yes, my high school football QB had one in like 1999. I hated him so much. But wanted to be him.
i would say ws6's are still looked at a lot more than even new camaro's
I've been waiting months to see a later 4th gen Fbody review. Awesome job! Now lets see a 94-97 Fbody review, and your thoughts on the differences between the engines.
Also, the Camaro and the Firebird only shared the same engine, chassis, interior and roof. Front and back panels are all different, so are the bumpers and the hood. Tail lights are completely different shape along with the spoiler.
As an F-Body enthusiast and owner, this car was the pinnacle, and still drool worthy to me. I still want one, but would settle for a Holden Monaro or Commodore, er GTO or G8.
gto all the way. awesome cars but they're getting quite pricy here
You say F-body owner. What do you have now?
I was an F body owner, and I still hold esteem for the 70-73 Firebirds with the 455
Good taste. I drive a G8GT and have a '02 Trans Am Firehawk. Pontiac rules.
Are you Australian? Cuz I'm from America and to be honest I would much rather have the cars you'll settle for. I can't imagine anyone being an F-Body enthusiast.
The official car of "........ I let you win" (in australia anyway)
+Cykoid I'm curious. What 2001 car in Australia that is NA put out 0 - 60 in 5 seconds flat? Most 2015s don't even do that. Of course you have turbo/supercharged beasts, but a 5 second 60mph NA car is nothing to scoff at. Not to mention they will get quite a bit of attention due to the low quantity of em in OZ.
+David Zee I'm having to guess that he is refering to the Monaro, however the report of it was at 6.0 at best I could find. That being said, I'm not sure I'm completely buying all the numbers on this topic. They seem to be all over the place depending on where you like (as far as the bhp or hp of the LS in the Monaro)
cz75fanatic Yeah, I have no idea what makes him go saying that unless he's just making comparisons with the tuner monsters Australia has like the R34 GTRs, suped up Evos, Supras, and STIs. The numbers in this review seem pretty respectable, but like any domestic car.. good luck cornering that thing. Only the newer track versions GM has put out are built for that.
+David Zee Well that might have been the point in a round about way. The Australians drag but they also do more. They've been really serious about WRC and other course sports. SOOOO maybe he was making a jab at the Holden (affiliate owned by GM I think is how it worked) being better overall as far as a race car?
cz75fanatic It's possible, I don't want to say too much because, I've never found the performance put out by Holdens to be anything to revel over. Their Commodore line isn't even as up to snuff as the Chevy SS (the American re-badged/higher displacement model)...and the Chevy SS isn't really anything to brag about. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
One of the best cars ever made. I'm a Camaro guy, but I always looked at the firechicken as a brother. It had different friends but we always had each other's back and we're family.
2001 Pontiac: "Hey, I still exist."
2011 Pontiac: "Well, shit."
2010
I was in high school when this car was out. I saw it in the showroom and drooled whenever this or a black Camaro SS with the SLP package and SS grill drove by. I loved the LS1.
My friend and I were going to buy Mustangs and Camaros when we got our licenses. We were damn sure of it. Fastforward almost a decade and I became a lot more practical of a person, but I finally got myself a muscle car.
Practicality is how you become bored with life
Scott Brixey I know. Hence why I just bought a race red 5.0 Mustang
+Jimmy870 what year?
Matthew Bailey 2016 (just got it at the end of November). GT 5.0 performance package, 3.73 gears, bigger radiator, Brembo brakes, etc. Race red, colour similar to the Trans Am. I was always more of a Chevy guy but this car spoke to me lol. Havn't been able to get on it much since it's raining like hell
Hot damn dude nice. Can't wait for the day I get to buy that car I've always wanted.
"the safe word is 'knob creek'" that's the best thing I've heard in my life! I seriously can't breathe 😂
This is the car I was cross shopping when I got the Solstice GXP. I hate good interiors apparently.
ConeDodger240 Dude im literally trying to choose between the same 2, for my first car, its a hard decision
I want one of these so badly. Clean examples of an LS1 Trans am/Camaro are hard to find at a reasonable price locally. The power ratings claimed by GM are way underrated. Dyno runs, 0-60 times, and quarter mile times have proven that HP levels were more like 340-360 hp, exactly the same as a base C5 Corvette.
I''ve had a lot of fast cars, 600hp cobras, etc. Nothing was as fun as my LT1 Transam. It felt like I was sitting in a bathtub but jesus the torque was incredible.
Yay for Archer reference
+Roger Toledo Missed it. Time stamp?
+Mandanara 8:04
Highway to the danger zone
+Justin Updyke thx
+MoonBeamLaser DO YOU WANT ANTS?
15k original miles?? I want it!
I've got a black 6 speed 02 ws6 with 600 origional miles... may sell for the right price.
@@naldi3923 I can't buy but cool save it it'll be worth it
@@naldi3923 how much
as a son of the early 90's, I can confirm everything he says about lusting after this car as a boy/teenager, this car was the first car I really loved and wanted
im lookin at one of these and thinkin about getting it as my first car
Pontiac is better then Chevrolet
XGN Horizon Rex ofcourse
My Firebird is best Camaro
a z t e k
@@Kerouha *The WS6 is the best Corvette.*
Lets not forget the aztek
I should go to bed, but fuck it, new review, must watch.
+qmto
same boat. 5:00am
+qmto YOU WATCH RCR!?
qmto holy shit
This car looks like the one I almost bought in 1999... I think it was a 98 or 99 model. A red ws6 manual transmission. I was about to sign the papers, and then I called the insurance company. The insurance for the car was going to cost more than the payment... I was 19 years old at the time. So I didn't buy it. Sigh.
I would've taken it without insurance or just signed the insurance under my mama's license if it makes it cheaper.
I paid 350 dollars a month when I was 24 for the pleasure of driving a 94 LT1 trans am .
LS1 was in the V8 F-Bodies since 1998 not 2001. WS6 is a handling package not an engine package. So much editorial misinformation here.
wow ur cool
good for you buddy
WS6 was a complete performance package. Intake and suspension upgrades.
Yes, the only change between 98 and 2001 was the door panels and fenders became fiberglass in 2001. The 01 is lighter. 02 got a horsepower and torque bump. Stock wheel choices changed too, otherwise it's practically the same.
Actually, WS6 cars got the Ram Air, like the SS trim Z28 Camaro, which did give a 20hp boost
It just got real! Not a GM guy by heart, but well-kept anything is hard to come by. This made my day!
My coworker has a 97 Cobra with pypes cat-back exhaust, and I think it's one of the best exhaust notes I've ever heard. Also, someday I'll buy my own ws6, one of my bucket list cars
That mail truck was tailgating like FUCK.
Your demographic for who would have purchased a new one of these cars is completely or at least partially wrong. I purchased a brand new 2002 Trans Am WS6 6 speed with Hurst shifter prior to hitting my 30s let alone 40s. It was such a great car! I loved the handling, speed, performance and the outrageous looks. It was an attention getter and I mean that in a positive way. Nothing on the road could touch me as it was one of the best price vs performance cars you could get at the time. Mine was black with grey leather interior and sometimes compared to being like a bat mobile. The car put a smile on anyone's face who drove with me in it. I wish I still had it today, I had to sell it after 5 years. Maybe I'll get another one some day, and if I do I'd like to super charge it.
Ben7seven7
Ben7seven7 blog it
I had a 1973 Z/28 RS/LT model that I bought when I was 17. Had to sell it when I was 24 cause I needed the money. I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
Seth Thomas finances were the reason I had to sell mine as well. I miss that car, had some fond memories in it.
CALIN CAMPBELL that it does, it’s a flashy car. I also loved the whining sound it would make when coming to a stop, almost sounded like a jet engine powering down.
Okay it's a Transam, the WS6 refers to the suspension package which is on every Transam . You can get that suspension on a fire bird as well. Love those looks on that car.
Wrong, the ws6 is badging and a ram air hood/intake.. also the firebird is called a formula when it has the trans am guts, not a firebird
@@getchasome6230 well.... they’re all firebirds, but the formulas and T/As are trim levels. WS6 gave you the ram air and the 1LE performance suspension
@@thebandittransam9191 All you got were thicker sway bars
@@getchasome6230 and firmer shocks, springs, and bushings……
@@thebandittransam9191 Not so much.
bought my 2000 WS6 new and never looked back, black on black..he failed to mention that the 2000 was the last year for the bigger cam, in 2001, they installed a better intake to compensate for that loss and never said anything about power gain or loss...anyone knows that GM fudged HP ratings for years...the LS1 actually had 350hp same as the corvette.
and in GM high performance magazine and high performance pontiac, they both tested a camaro SS and 35th anniversary T/A and came away with high 12's showroom stock and the T/A had an automatic !..great video.
My neighbor had one of these things when I was in high school.....probably a 1999 model. What a sick car.
Pretty accurate. Born in 95, and a red Trans Am like this was my high school car.
Im a senior in high school and i drive a 4th gen Trans Am. I also leave the numbers on the windshield from the drag strip. :D
Well, at least you are more adult than the other people that are getting seriously butthurt in the comments. :)
The real sleeper of this generation was the SLP Firehawk with the lower profile v6 front and spoiler, but all the ls1 goodies underneath.
Essentially the same configuration I had without paying for a firehawk... Anyone remember the limited edition 1995 BF Goodrich Trans Am sold that year? Same same.
Firehawk was just a package added to any V8 Firebird. What you mean is the Formula version. V6 looks, V8 underneath. And the Firehawk package could be added to it, but that gave it a more aggressive hood.
+clutchthepearls Yes but not quite. The SLP model was one step removed from even the WS6 in regard to performance. Full cat-back, functional forced air and LS6 intake mani were added from 99-02. No huge advantage but the upgraded trim was a bonus for less than $2k.
your are talking about the formula not the firehawk
You could also do the Formula.
I well remember meeting up with a Firebird club in upstate New York in 2000 or 2001 when I had just bought a brand-new Camaro SS; my club, the East Coast Camaro Club, was meeting them to convoy jointly down to Englishtown, NJ, for a weekend F-body event -1/4 mile track, car show, etc.
We got on the road, all mixed together, and I recall a black WS6 being the car behind me as we all drove the Garden State parkway. Even though I had the same BHP and torque in my Camaro (maybe even more, after some mods I'd done), the sight of those angry twin nostrils in my rear-view mirror made me a bit nervous! LOL
Love my 02. Wanted a Trans Am since seeing Smokey And The Bandit with my brother and grandmother in 1977. Couldn't afford one that could not be a primary driver and pay cash until 2001 at age 34. I kept mine as I bought it. The only transmission it came with in 02 was 6 speed manual Hurst shifter. 3861 miles on it.
I want this car. I want to own this car. I have to.
Loving your show! Fellow PA UA-cam channel!
Josh
Driving this thing is like captaining a boat on a choppy day.
Try changing the shocks, I have a 1995 Trans Am with a 389 Stroker I also have a Porsche Boxter. The Boxter is one of the best handling vehicles ever built. Comparatively speaking, the Trans Am is bigger and feels bigger, Is not as nimble but it has the ability to power through the corners with very little body role. It is built with the track in mind, If you can drive it or know how to drive on a track it will perform for you all day. It’s Fun, fast and it looks amazing. This is the first attempt at an American pony car built with the track in mind, an honest true track car. I’m in a racing club, we are just a bunch of wanna be Steve McQueen’s but we can drive. Either you can’t drive or B: You have a mechanical /Suspension issue’s
Intimidator Ss I laughed when I saw his comment, mines the same way, you called it, the suspension is shot. I have a base model 2000, have any advice on what to get? I don't care about ride quality as much as I do the car staying attached to the pavement. I plan to LS/T56 swap it as soon as I find the parts at a reasonable price. The last set I found, they wanted $5,300.
Axt Axt. That seems to have been the standard GM damper failure mode for decades lol. The 3rd gen was infamously hard riding but any you drive today with original or high mile suspension bobs around like its on switches!
00 WS6 here with I believe the original suspension and it drives fine, stiff but fine. When I first got it I just it all the time and it drives great. Is it a new CTS-V no but not a boat. Now my Camry on the other hand.....
awesome review dude. as a male in my 30's I had the privilege of owning my first Trans am when I was 19, and had several more through my 20s until I settled on more reasonable transportation. I will own one again someday...ws6 still looks awesome today
Did you get one Joel?
I had a 99 WS6 when I was in college and sold it in my senior year. Been wanting to snag another for years and I’m picking up an 02 with 51k miles in two days. Both were signal red like this one.
the face you make with your face when your friend gives you flour instead of coke to snort...
I own a 2001 Trans Am identical to the one pictured. It is flawed for certain, however, it's the only one I've owned that has causes small children (male and female) to stop, point, and say, "Daddy, that's the car I want when I grow up." I'm pretty sure this car deserves more than a 10-minute monologue filled with stereotypes, and which offers no objective information besides a brief comparison to the acceleration ability of cars 15 years newer.
chriswerneresq couldn't agree more
good car in got a 1995 firebird formula six speed i love it
a lot of people see old trashy car
i see treasure:)
This is the first Regular Cars video I ever watched.
I bought one New in 2001 at 28 years old. I really miss that and the 1978 6.6 I had in high school back around 1991.
I always liked these better than Corvettes.
I always wanted a ws6. I will get it one day
I remember when these came out and we're pricey (mid 30's). Now performance cars like this are 80's on average.
Glad I now own a ws6 with only 600 origional miles. This and the viper are the only two 90's cars that still look agressive and not dated these days. Now I jut have to find a viper :)
I had one of these new in 1998, the year they introduced the LS1 into it. Black, 6-speed, T-top, silver rally stripes on the linebacker nostrils. Driving this car in the late 1990s was like knowing, however briefly, what it is to be a celebrity. I was part of Group One: Keep It Like It Is. I sold the car in 2005 to a guy who absolutely could not believe it was still stock.
Im without doubt sure taht this channel will get 1-million+ subs in 2016 if they keep posting quality videos likes this!
"horsepower is what you brag with; but torque is what you feel" I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO'S NOT A DUMBASS
0:56, RCR needs to do the mail truck. Make it happen.
Funny thing is I own one of these and I'm a senior in high school lol
I am silently judging you behind the wheel of my Nissan versa
I had to get rid of my 2000 Malibu cause maintenance was too much. I deeply envy you.
+Dmax734 I had one in high school and still do to this day. I am 25 now. Best car I've ever owned
Well I have a CETA WS6, so no i am not lol *****
Its funny you say that because I was actually in the market looking for an 89 TTA, but then found my CETA lol ***** they really are though.
"Time for history on the WS6. Initially, this car was intended to be- *stops and shifts to slow piano chords playing while filming random objects in a dark house with a flashlight-camera for 20-25 seconds before continuing*"
These are the moments I love the most in RCR's videos.
i have a red 93' thats still very clean as the one in this video all stock. I've been contemplating on starting a channel to show mods & the experience. Love these cars
I have a grand prix GT 2008 but I also want a trans am ws6 and a G6 GXP. I am fascinated by Pontiac a bit too much lol
Me too man 😀
You should come drive my Buick Boring.
exactly why i call it the Buick Boring. Nice stereo and nothing else
they should have kept pontiac and screwed buick, or mereged them as one, callling it a pontiac, of course
spaz gurgla i agree
Buick sucks ass and swallows everything coming out of it
The 2017 lacrosse and 2018 Enclave have nice styling tho
There's 3 types of people. People who like the clean Camaro, people who like the crazy evil WS6, and fools who drive camrys...
This car was for the guys that wanted corvette performance without getting grouped into the "typical corvette owners" club. I have an 01 WS6 and it still gets looks from everybody.
This is some of the best work I've seen on the channel. Keep up the satire. Loving it.
What are the chances of you getting your hands on a Pontiac G8?
I have a G8 GT and live about 2 miles away from where this was filmed, haha.
+Mark Pitis Volunteer or we will steal your car and park it in front of Mr. R's house.
+dafiltafish I volunteer, haha. How do I formally do that? :-P
gldneyemstr
email them at regularcars@gmail.com
+dafiltafish cool, thanks, I definitely will.
LMAO I was born in 90 and I did see these in the Plymouth Voyager and thought it was teh coolest car ever. I bought my first one in the same Signal Red in 09 and I'm about to buy a second after a few years in a MKV GTI. The commercials for these were the best, first time I saw one I was watching Monday night RAW lol.Yeah I bought mine off a dad hahaha, was the second owner. Don't know how I didn't kill myself in college with this.
Mr. Regulars PIANO!!!!!!!!!!!! REVIEW THE PIANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My grandpa bought one new back in 1998. Bought a 1998 Pontiac Trans Am Ws6 Ram Air Metallic Gold. Literally the only thing he didn’t get was a CD player. This car made my childhood. Found the original sticker in the glove box after he passed away and it was originally purchased for $27000. My grandpa babied this car because it only has 18,000 miles and still smells like a new car
We didn't get a pull?