A couple guys on another car channel were having a behind the scenes type chat about what a great business model these car giveaways are, and I know of at least half a dozen on channels of various sizes, just among my own subscriptions. I'm starting to think that if I entered enough of them for maybe 5-600 bucks, I could probably have a pretty nice car by the end of next year. Flip that, throw half the profit into entering as many of these as that would pay for, rinse and repeat for the life of the trend. I wonder what the real numbers are on that (lousy I'm sure). I'm just thinking aloud here, not really a commentary on the trend. I did enjoy the video!
See I would love to own a 2000's muscle car especially one that's not a tang or vette or a maro I absolutely love Pontiac's and it's very sad that they aren't around anymore I've been looking for a Saturn or Pontiac for my first car but I gotta work on getting the money for it and I wish I could have an attempt at winning this but I don't have money right now to throw at it ik that your not asking for much but the point is even if I had the chance I probably wouldn't get it anyways....
Bought a 2001 Trans-Am (non- WS6) is 2004. Had 18k miles at the time. Only mod I did was Borla catback exhaust. She was my everyday, all weather drive until 2015 when I literally parked her in the driveway and threw on a cover. Mechanically sound, cosmetically good but aging as expected. Had 98k miles. Thought she would become my project car. Life got in the way for the next six years and she sat. Last year I finally had the means to get her back on the road. Took the cover off, turned the key just to see what would happen, and she started right up as if she had only been parked overnight. The LS1 is a beast. Cost about $8k to get the rest of her road worthy and over the next six months another $3k as she proceeded to show me just how scorned she felt. A year later she purrs like a kitten and it feels like 2004 all over again like it was when we met for the first time. Yes, the Trans-Am is happiness.
Dude, I feel for you...spent almost the same amount (well about half really 7.5k) on my 94 RX-7 in a 2 year period. I advise NO ONE to buy an FD RX-7 regardless of how fun, rare, ans simply beautiful they are. It will end in heart break, trust me! Wish I had bought a C6 Corvette instead.
You trying to tell me it sat completely untouched for 6 years and it just fired right up? I gotta call BS…batteries don’t work that way. Did you just leave out the jumpstart you inevitably had to do for dramatic effect?
Watching the first minute of this video you guys already drove the car harder than I did, the hardest drive it got from me was to local cars and coffee shows. Gonna miss this car, but glad it went to you guys! Side note, I didn’t do that k&n, I only put on the SLP cat back
@Jimmy Two Times nope, car before me was a woman’s daily driver for 9 years. The car never saw snow, hardly saw rain and only got driven to local shows. Never raced or beaten on. The car also has the original paper work form the dealer like the build sheet and dealer price sheet, really a collectors example.
It’s too bad people part them and the fourth gen Camaros out for their drive trains because they don’t like the way they look. Because I don’t like the way I🤦🏻♂️
They really are. Sold my built fourth gen to get a current ZLE and while it's better and more capable in every way the fourth gen was just more "fun". Seriously miss the t-tops every time I drive too.
This is so true. As soon as I drove one it immediately struck me, "Oh, this is a muscle car." It just feels raw, and unrefined, yet does have a little bit of technology. Fuel injection, handles better than an original pony/muscle car. It really does feel like the natural progression or evolution of those old pony cars. I really love the level of technology in them-mine doesn't even beep at me when I don't wear my seatbelt. It just has a little light that goes out after a few seconds and comes back on periodically. The Trans Am is like, "I guess he didn't want to wear his seatbelt, I'll check back in a while." Which is such a Trans Am response. "No seatbelt? Ahhh, it'll be fine. Now push that gas peddle in a little more." lol
Had a black '99 Camaro with the 5.7L. Really did bring me joy every drive. I didn't know what feeling intoxicated by torque was until I got that car. Goosing the throttle in second gear from low RPMs was simply grin inducing. There are plenty of faster cars but not too many that pull from the bottom like that.
I enjoyed the intro concept where Roman attempts to give a longform video essay on automotive history while Mr. Regular goes full imp mode on the throttle in the background. Add in random brake checks and high speed U-turns and I think you have a solid video format. Looking forward to _Roman Explains Renault: Live from the Monte Carlo Rally_
Watching Mr.Regular “presenting” in front of a camera I realize what a long way we came from the beginnings & that he definitely should do this more often. You’re a presentable presenter Mr.Regular. So glad I’m an internet user in the same era as you
These cars were (are?) cult legends. Way back when, I had a 1998 WS6 T/A in black with a 6-speed manual. It wasn't put together very well but it drew attention everywhere I went. On one Halloween night as I rolled through a parking lot, I heard somebody nearby say, "Holy shit, it's the Batmobile!" My dad bought a red WS6 the same year, and he still has his...with all 15,000 miles on it.
Only 15,000 miles!?!? Kindly request that he get out and enjoy driving it! To each their own, though. If he gets more joy from it being a garage queen with low miles, then all the power to him.
@@rjkStudios Keeping an ugly-cool Camaro garaged for posterity is just stupid and a waste of a fun car, and that's a fact. I'll judge the hell out of that.
@@yamahaguy1732 Hahaha, same. People love this car. But the people I get the most attention from? Women my mom's age lolol. They're always like, is that a Trans Am?! I went to high school prom in a Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am. But seriously, young dudes, old dudes, teenagers, people of all ages like this model. OP is right about the cult cool status.
RCR hits it out of the park. Again. The car, the review, the humor, the nostalgia, the psychological introspection and study of the zeitgeist of the car and the times it was made. Then you throw in Kim Mitchel and "Go for a soda" and it's 1986 and I'm driving my 73 Z/28 with my girlfreind on a warm spring night and the world makes sense again. You made made my day. Thanks.
I had not heard go for soda in years until a day ago when riding my 87 fiero it came up in my Spotify.... Now you reference it in this video for another Pontiac product. The Stars have aligned. Love your content and humor.
First heard that tune in Trailer Park Boys. It totally makes sense, I guess today I'll rip my T-tops off my Formula and get her going on the mitchell around town!
@@RegularCars Being Canadian, I have a soft spot for Kim Mitchell. If you're looking for more, give "A Million Vacations" a try by Max Webster (Kim Mitchel's former band). Also, Rockland Wonderland, Patio Lanterns, I Am A Wild Party, etc. Kim Mitchell is truly the musical version of this car - it's meant to make you happy, like the feeling you get with friends on a Saturday night at the local bar with a solid live band. It's just fun, and not to be taken too seriously.
98-02 Firebirds are my absolute favorite cars. They're so damn unique and aggressive looking. I own an all stock red 98, W68 Y87 Firebird that has chrome rims and a gray leather interior. The car gets so much attention and in my area Firebirds are not common at all, so when she's on the road, she gets a lot of admiration. One of the things I got a kick out of back in the late 90's/early 2000's was how every other person was putting ram air scoops on their cars and or trucks. My high school parking lot was full of modified hoods on nearly every make and model of vehicles, that resembled the Trans Am's ram air hood. 😄 I enjoy your wit on your videos. You're very clever and creative. I get some good laughs from your jokes, comparisons and analogies.
"Firebirds, energy weapons Both of these things are interesting to me I don't care how you get them I need them both and I need them urgently" - Neil Fallon of Clutch
I miss these days. Early 2010s seemed like the natural progression of the 90s, and the early-mid 2000s was my adolescent and early college years. I'm now old enough to reminisce about whatever was 20 years ago.
Also nothing really sums up life like falling in love with the Corvette, fiending after it, and then coming to accept the Firebird. And not only accepting it, but being truly happy with it. Telling yourself it's "actually better if you think about it" in some way or another even if it really isn't. I just made myself sad lol.
@@louiearmstrong c5 corvette is so good it's wild. The best looking corvette to my eyes. Cheap, easy to fix, reliable anyway, very tunable, and as our host pointed out you can even get 30 mpg on the highway (or more if you baby it). The c4 was a big disappointment to me, and the c6 was ok, but c7 especially leaves me cold. The c8 looks like an electric shaver even if I'm sure it's fantastic. But as a family man I can't buy any two door two seaters for a while. If I could though I'd be hunting for a clean c5 or a 370z like I had until recently.
I have a 2002 WS6 convertible. You have summed it up perfectly!!! Dropping the top, cranking the classic rock tunes and mashing the gas pedal to the floor on the highway while the LS roars, the wind blows and the music blares is 100% pure joy and happiness!
My '99 base Trans Am does daily duty, all I needed was to swap out the radio for modern a infotainment system. It feels like a classic car while providing modern car dependability, all while being fun to drive.
The performance value of these was unreal. They should have sold well enough to keep Pontiac around. I liked the look too. I didn't know the nostrils were not that great. I lived in Germany in the 2000s. I mostly saw these in the hands of American junior officers stationed there. I wanted one, but none of them ever put one up for sale.
The trans Am we're really expensive compared to the mustangs, granted they were more of a luxury vehicle and even produced more horsepower, that you would pay a premium to own one, it was cheaper to buy a mustang and just add boltons and you could outrun one of these. The sales dropped that's the reason they stopped making them,
When I was in college, and still living at home, there was a bunch of town houses across the street from me. There was a guy who lived in one who had one of these in black. At the time I was 18-19 years old, and I thought that was the coolest car ever. You couldn't convince me otherwise at the time. It's a damn shame GM axed Pontiac.
Bought a pewter 2000 WS6 with Hurst 6 speed. Sold three years later with 9k miles as my daughter was on the way. Looking to replace it.. the car not the daughter. First T/A I bought was an '85 purchased in '86. Second was a '76 I restored factory appearing with upgrades to the 400. Love and missing Pontiac. Thanks for the memories.
I know its strange but this is one of my top dream cars, everything I want in one package, V8, rear wheel drive, T tops, 6 speed manual transmission and pop-up up and down headlights!!
I always loved the tail light design on this car. The 4th gen TransAm was so much better looking than the Camaro. I was a huge fan when Pontiac had the 1998 Purple colour. Somewhere packed away, I have the 1998 Firebird / TransAm brochure from the local dealership - the best I could do when my parents were buying a 1998 Grand Am instead of the Trans Am. :p
Back in 2002, my best friend's Dad would pick us up from elementary school in his silver, always freshly waxed WS6. I hated crawling into the cramped back seat and the car reeked of cigarette smoke. My friend's parents were going through a nasty divorce at the time. I never liked or understood the car back then, but in retrospect the car fit the situation perfectly. Now I kinda want one.
Didn’t they do this already? I love that Regular speaks on camera the same way he does in voiceover. The fuss about the filter had me cracking up.😂 Another great review!
A boss I had at a cabinet shop in around 2004-5 had one of these in black. It was a stick like this one, 2001 model and all, and was just absurdly quick, borderline scary for a completely factory car. Well, almost, it had a cool air intake, headers, exhaust, and some computer tweaks. Great, GREAT car.
I've had a few F-Bodies... 2000 Camaro 2000 Z28 1999 Trans Am (years later) 1999 Camaro SS. Not an F-body, but I also had a 2011 Camaro. None of those cars stayed with me the way the TA did. The Trans AM was far and away my favorite one. Drove it to the Outer Banks on my honeymoon. As dusk was approaching, I was driving through Nags' Head, and turned the headlights on. A kid took notice, pointed it out to his dad "wow, that was cool!" It was the only car that I had that had chrome wheels. I don't like Chrome wheels, but it looked good on that car. Absolutely loved this review. Thanks Mr. Regular.
This review reminds me so much of my 2001 Mustang Roush Stage 2. It’s not supercharged, it’s not a late model 5.0, so the expectation of it to be this world beater isn’t there. But it is fun, and nothing takes me back to high school faster than it.
Man i am loving these reviews and im impressed you keep getting funky and interesting cars to give away. All desirable and fun! Like im not a big muscle car guy but always thought these where funky and i do appreciate them, even more now! Just a big angry American s2000 right? Sorta? Haha
I own 2000 ws6, hurst shifter, articulating bucket seats and the 10 disc changer. Waited 9 months when I ordered it. Has 45,000 miles, never seen snow and three times in the rain. Love the car. Still drives like I left the dealership. Only upgrades are SLP bolt on subframe connectors, hotchkis strut tower brace, flow master cat back exhaust and a k&n air filter. I still have the original exhaust in my basement.
the late 4th gen firebird/ transam is by far my favorite car, I have been wanting one since I was a kid. Even now in my 30's i dream of owning one and sometime next year I hope to finally have mine.
To much Govt. regulation in the car industry. I'm not some Randian worshiper, but for Christsake all the manditory bumpers, specs, backup cams, ad infinum... has made cars LESS aerodynamic and heavier, ergo less MPG. And uglier to boot!
@@drownthepoor Yes, your right. American Blue Collar workers should all be living on 20 Grand a year. It would help make the US economy even better. Blaming trade unions is a tired old trope.
@@seththomas9105 the unions did a great job preserving the auto workers then right? I've known people who were union who couldn't even do the trade proficiently. They were paid and had same benefits as the workers but their job was to go and sabotage non union worksites. They would remove nuts and pins in such a way that when work resumed there would be an accident. I also know people who make good salaries working in unions. But in the auto Union it didn't work out to their advantage.
Love these types of cars..90s and early-mid 2000s seem like the MOST regular cars to me. As cool as the varied types of reviews RCR does have been, THESE types of cars are the ones I love the most.
Also- @3:17 you mentioned the power. In fact all LS1s regardless of car made the same HP. GM deliberately underrated the F-body models to drive trim level sales and to protect the image of the Corvette C5. Put a stock LS1 F-body on a dyno and you’ll get ~ 345 at the crank just like a same year Corvette.
Good shit rcr, sometimes I skip the Monday vids to try to disassociate myself from the fact it’s Monday but man when I feel I need a rcr vid , all the words correspond with whatever I’m thinking. From a Honda Fit to like the 6th giveaway car? Congrats rcr you have won (sent from 2 surge white claws)
A friend of a friend had a WS6 around 2008 that only had an exhaust, a cam, and a 28" tire. He ran low 11s in the quarter mile. Thing was so cheap to buy and make fast back then
@@bwofficial1776 Yeah they definitely can, they just don't make the top end power generally. I wasn't used to having a V8 pull at the higher end coming from my IS500 now, having a V8 with top end is actually a lot of fun
I used to sell these when I was in my 20s. Some of the best test drives ever. Nothing better than fishtailing around a corner and climbing effortlessly to 135 in 5th gear to show what this gem could do!
GM didn't nerf the LS1 on F bodies. People dyno them with 308-318 to the wheels. A simple intake, headers, cat back exhaust and tune will get you 350 hp and 350 tq to the wheels. They're the most responsive to mods, way more power per dollar spent than a thing else.
I mean, the small-block Chevy is probably the most used engine in performance and sports. I've seen them in BMW's, Land Cruisers, Racing boats, and even planes.
I absolutely love your videos! You hit on all the existential parts that makes a proper gearhead. Of which I am one. I've seen been a long time subscriber and all your content is on point and well entertaining! As far as you coming out, bad ass! You do you, good sir. I've watched you clips for years now, and you just get it! You are a true Gearhead! And for that, I salute you! =)
I'm currently building a heads cam intake one. Such a fun and beautiful platform. Also mustangs and fast ford's magazine was running high 12s with these
You may not want to hear it- some of your vids are better, than others. This one was fantastic! Great information on the car, great commentary. Do you ever review data on which vids generate the most views? most comments? most viewing time? Does it affect your choices?
I just read yesterday that the last Pontiac ever made, that G6 you mentioned, was totaled at 60k miles, and was a lame rental fleet spec white example. Shame.
In reality, not surprising. When GM discontinues a model, I think the last parts go to make fleet cars (think 2001 Chevy Lumina, 1990 Chevy Celebrity, 2006 Cavalier, etc...).
15:09 - Well done sir. That hit the feeling I have towards my bone stock 2011 WRX. The experiences in and with it make it unique and worthwhile without being perfect.
2001 😂😂😂 I remember a girl literally telling me on a hay ride on 10/30/01 at 13 that her dad's friend just bought one of these and it could do 75 in second gear. Wound up meeting the guy last year -20 years later and he confirmed lol
