lets talk about the trans am

PONTIAC SLP · 12-14-2007, 10:37 PM

hi guys how are u

We know all the Camaro will arrive in 2010 , i heared from people the factory will stop building ( trans am ) for ever !! are this really , if yes why , what is the reasons

Detoxx03 · 12-14-2007, 11:46 PM

I don't really know the reasons but it is very likely. I wish it was coming back but only if they did it right. I like the new camaro but don't love it like I do the 4th gen bird and camaro.

2_Huge146 · 12-15-2007, 01:36 AM

I had heard somewhere that one of the main reasons they might not bring the bird back is because while the Camaro was simply discontinued, the Firebird namesake was actually retired, which is what made the 'Last of the Breed' edition cars the actual last firebirds.

wabmorgan · 12-15-2007, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxx03

I like the new camaro but don't love it like I do the 4th gen bird and camaro.

Ditto.... while it is an OK looking car... and I'll even grant that it looks better that the Mustang, I will NEVER love it like I LOVE my 4th gen.

ads_99ta · 12-15-2007, 08:14 AM

i'd be willing to put money down that there will not be another bird for awhile. and pontiac will have another GTO. makes little sense to me considering the Firebird is well known by everyone and the GTO is well known by "carguys." In all honesty i'd rather not even see a new bird if it's the same as the camaro. they need something that builds off of the 4th gen, kinda like a C5 to C6 transitition, with a base LS3 and a LS7 option, while keeping the weight under 3500 lb. the consumers want it but GM in all of their infinite wisdom doesn't seem to be listening.

wabmorgan · 12-16-2007, 02:10 AM

I just hope it doesnt make a return as a FWD piece of crap like the carpi did.

pheonix_rising · 12-16-2007, 10:20 AM

I heard that GM bought back the rights to the Firebird. I doubt they would have spend the cash on buying back the rights if they were not planning on using them.

ads_99ta · 12-16-2007, 12:08 PM

i think they had to buy back the name to the "trans am" and not the firebird. because they paid a small fee to the trans am racing series for use of the name. if that actually happened then our hopes just got a lot better. but they still gotta build it right. and that doesn't mean taking bits and pieces of the camaro and slapping TA badges on it. if they were already planning on building a GTO separate from the Camaro then they should scrap the goat build the TA. position the Camaro to directly target the mustang, and position the TA to be an all out straightline performer. not that it's realistic but wouldn't it be badass to see a 454 LSX as an option on a TA? ok maybe an LS7.

ramairroughneck · 12-17-2007, 11:21 AM

If you look at it from GM's perspective, It would be smarter to wait until the initial Camaro hoopla dies down before bringing back the bird. Firebird sales would surely rob sales from Camaro. I bet they'll wait until after the Camaro comes out then they'll tell us a new trans am is coming in two years so they can build hype.

Zero4488 · 01-13-2008, 02:04 AM

I really hope they come out with a 5th gen....but I will always love my 3rd and 4th Trans Am's....

LS1 FORMULA · 01-14-2008, 01:33 AM

[quote=ramairroughneck;8319663]If you look at it from GM's perspective, It would be smarter to wait until the initial Camaro hoopla dies down before bringing back the bird. Firebird sales would surely rob sales from Camaro. I bet they'll wait until after the Camaro comes out then they'll tell us a new trans am is coming in two years so they can build hype.[/QUOTE

The only problem with this is by 2012 the new FED mandates of 35 mpg will be in place.

ramairroughneck · 01-14-2008, 02:13 AM

Whats that mean? Gas guzzler tax or no go?

Evilways · 01-14-2008, 02:19 AM

Bob Lutz publicly stated his distaste for the Firebird/TA around 2001 when annoucing the cancellation of the F-Bodies.He said there will never be another one...period. The Camaro , while cool, is little more than a retro craze publicity stunt to try and squeeze a few bucks out of the craze while it's still happening. The Camaro will be only a one generation car, maybe lasting between 3-5 years with many,many varients such as SS,RS,convertables,special editions,etc. My advice, if you love Firebirds,get a nice one and hold onto it.I still regret selling my 2000 WS6 TA.

Formula350 · 01-14-2008, 04:18 AM

Well I can't find the info on it, but I read that the Firebird wasn't able to be resurrected due to the fact that GM closed down the Canadian plant early, even though they had a contract with them. And somehow this plant had the rights to the Firebird name, so GM would have to pay out a huge royalty for it. This wasn't from some no-name site, I read it in a reputable magazine while waiting at the Doctors office.

406 Q-ship · 01-14-2008, 12:26 PM

A better topic would be will the firebird ever reappear, cause the Trans Am is dead. GM has said it repeatedly, they will not pay the licensing fees to SCCA for the Trans Am name any longer (5 bucks a pop last I heard). The only hope is that SCCA is considering dropping the Trans Am series due to lack of interest, so maybe just maybe GM can pick the rights to the name cheap, but if they have to pay for the use of the name then Trans Am Firebird is dead.

hc8719 · 01-14-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1 FORMULA

The only problem with this is by 2012 the new FED mandates of 35 mpg will be in place.

Are you sure? I thought Bush signed it for 2020, I doubt we'll average 35 MPG in 4 years

LS1 FORMULA · 01-15-2008, 04:46 AM

[quote=hc8719;8494173]Are you sure? I thought Bush signed it for 2020, I doubt we'll average 35 MPG in 4 years[/QUOTE

Maybe it is 2020. I could be wrong. Maybe I got the Mien Indian calender on the brain. If I am wrong. Please forgive.

Formula350 · 01-15-2008, 11:05 AM

All the new V8 RWD cars GM's putting out (not to mention trucks), I can't see us making 35mpg ANYTIME soon heh.

Wing Zero · 01-15-2008, 01:30 PM

Then again in 2009; it will be the T/A's 40th birthday. My be GM is looking to try to do something at that time. Plus see how well the market does for the new camaro.

LS1W66 · 01-15-2008, 03:12 PM

All this talk of a possible 5th gen Firebird just makes me laugh sometimes.
All pipe dreams aside I did hear from a reputable source that GM did have a Firebird mockup based on the new Camaro, but that was so long ago it probably got scrapped by now. Chances of a Firebirds return are very slim to none considering the new CAFE requirements. GM already scrapped RWD Monte and Impala models because of possible V8 sales that would of put them way over the edge as far as CAFE numbers.
Are they making a mistake ? In our eyes "Absolutely"
Don't get me wrong I love the Firebird I've owned 3 of them and it will always be my Favorite Pontiac. I just get tired of the pissing and mouning about how you think your being shortchanged cause it's Not coming back. I would rather you Celebrate the fact of having something special that will not come this way again.

Rant off