Worth 2X The Price? Should You Buy a Cheap Pontiac Trans Am or a More Expensive Corvette? 

Check out David’s truck HERE: www.tflbids.com/product/1990-gmc-3500-5-9l-cummins-swapped-davids-truck/

Holy crap... $6600 for a Comp T/A is a killer deal for such a rare car! I've only seen 1 or 2 of these in person. On my TV screen, that car looks to be in really nice condition and I'm surprised it sold for such a low price, given how inflated the used car market is or was a few months ago.

What!? Who in their right mind would say that Trans AM was ugly!?!? That was the pinnacle of not just Trans Am design but muscle car design in general.

love both cars. Before vettes i had Z28s and Trans Am's back in the day and that TA front end is still badass

You can fix the hatch rattle in the T/A. Replace the screw in bumpers.

TRANS AM !!!!! Especially in the 90's. It's basically a Vette but with 4 seats & some luggage room.

No start on the Firebird could be the ignition tumbler, the tiny wires wear through and eventually break but before they break you get a random no-start condition for awhile, these cars were notorious for it. Happened to my ‘94 Z28 on the day of my first wedding, should have taken it as a sign lol

The trans-am's don't all rattle from the back. The seals may need to be replaced, the stops might need to be adjusted, or the latch might need to be adjusted.

The WS6 was a car I always wanted. It's funny how the 1990s cars were fast back then but are slow today compared to newer cars. What is shocking are the prices. Look at what a low mileage 1993 Cobra Mustang sells for ($60K). A few years ago I bought a low mileage 2007 GT500 for under $30K. Now they are almost $40K. If you find a older muscle car buy it because the prices are only going to go up.

Two beautiful cars. Being a 90s kid, I love GM cars and trucks from this era. I’m a huge Chevrolet fan but I still have soft spots for the other brands. Can’t wait for the drag race. Great video, TFL.

I love Firebirds, prefer the 2nd Gen 71-76 period . . . but this era caught my eye and I almost bought a '95 . . . still sad about not buying that car. Awesome car, guys! Hmmm that handle does look like the one I had on the '85 Camaro. Ohhhhhhhhh can't wait for 'track day' at the airstrip! Brendan, stats for the Firebird verses C4 Corvette . . . the Firebird is 2.5 inches wider and about 5 inches taller than the C4.

I’ve had an all black hatchback 91 Vette for 13 years , it handles so much better than a ‘64 Vette I owned for 5 years , and a ‘69 Vette I owned for 10 years . The suspension in the C4’s is what makes it such a fantastic sports car

Might be worth putting a few grand into the Trans Am (shocks, bushing, etc..) if the chassis is in good shape. Would let it last longer, and even if the engine dies, it's got to be one of the easiest engine swap cars out there, ripe for an LS or LT.

Hurst Shifter wasn’t exclusive to the Comp T/A…it was an option all V8 F-Bodies

Come on guys!!! Was hoping for some drag racing in the quarter mile.

It's nice to see reviews that appreciate these cars and compare them with respect to the time they were made. Most reviews just trash them and compare them to modern cars.

Wow the shot of the two noses of the car look awesome! The fact that these cars go so cheap is crazy. People cant stop talking about jdm legends in the 90s really need to take a look at what the US was producing. Truly great attainable classics!

I daily my 99 Firebird and love the practicality without needing a sedan. I can get groceries and pick my kids up from school

wow that is the first time i saw the lights rotate on the c4 ! i had no idea ! and the trans am is very beutiful

I would buy the Trans AM 1000 times before I would buy the corvette.

Both are icons made in US. Don't waste your time for pointless chat, what is more coll. Let's focus on joyride and fun you can have while driving these gorgeous vehicles. Regards from Poland.

You guys stole that WS6. Here in Vegas, LT1 WS6's are selling for $10k+. LS1 WS6's sell for over $20k. My '97 WS6 used to smoke C5 LS1 'Vettes. Brenden, if you decide to sell the T/A, let me know. ;)

The Corvette is probably a better platform for a track car but I’ve wanted a Trans Am for almost 40 years so the Trans Am would be my choice.

Currently waiting to see the drag race to see what one to buy personally 😅

Trans am! I've owned fourth gen Firebirds for 23 years and absolutely love them. They aren't perfect, but I still love them.

I just went through this I was looking for a corvette. But got a 2002 6 speed z28 instead.. for 5500 I had too. You don’t get much for 5500 if you’re buying a corvette..

The trans am sporty versions seem to be more rare. I had the 86 Iroc Z in 86'-87' 5.0 TPI. Then I had a Mustang 88' GT 5.0 and then a 1990 LX notchback 5.0 Mustang. All new cars. All white colored.

Man I love those pre face lift trans ams

The big thing that made a Comp T/A a “Comp T/A” was the BFGoodrich Comp T/A tires

I owned the trans am GTA. I loved that car😎

As a daily driver owner of an LT1 C4, I can say there are some foibles... 1) it's pretty hard to find the MT cars for them- and the Auto certainly is comparatively lacking, since it's only a 4 speed (it just doesn't have the gear ratios to choose from!). 2) I don't know what part of the country you're in, but in the Mid-Atlantic region, the V8 Trans Am is definitely more than $6k average; people are pretty well not listing them for less than $10k. 3) Without summer perf. Tires, the 'Vette can run out of traction really, really quickly if you try to push it hard... And it's almost guaranteed to run out in the rear end first. This makes for a fun and exciting... But also dangerous car, if you're not being careful. Ask me how I know! XD

Two awesome cars. I've owned a 1990 'vert Corvette and a 1998 Trans Am (and 2000 Z28). The LT1 and its OptiSpark issues are well documented. The L98 is a great engine, despite its low redline.

The c4. I never could get past the looks of that bullet nose on the firebird. The only one I thought looked decent was the last couple years it was produced.

Can you do a RU-vid short showing us how to shift a Borg Warner 4+3 transmission?

Y'all got good tastes! I have owned 3 different Firebirds (at one point I had all three at once!) and a Corvette ZR-1. Currently I have the 1984 H.O. L69 Trans Am and the 1990 Corvette ZR-1 LT5. Firebirds are always my number one but Corvettes are right up there as well.

Great video…nice coverage of these cars, fun fact…the Corvette has a button on the door to open the rear hatch. Keep the content coming!

I love them both. Not a big Camaro fan between 93 to 97 years. The 98 to 2002 looks like a cat fish. I think the iroc z is the best looking body.

Love the 4th gen T/A and Camaro but I'd look for a few years newer with the LS1

Great video guys 😎

I had a car missing a couple teeth on the flywheel. I carried a pull handle with a socket to turn the crank sometimes to make it catch.

Personally, I'd rather have a TransAm than a Corvette, especially a 98 TransAm😍

love the Canadian Trans Am and I love the Vette as well. Tell the Vette guy that he has his wheels on backwards rendering them functionless for cooling hiss brakes.

I owned a 1999 z28, it had a LS. And i am confident saying, trans am had the same motor.

The T-tops weren't the best option for the Trans Am, because you got a stiffer suspension on the hardtop version.

I love the newer trans ams, my attainable dream car is a yellow ws6. Given a choice between an earlier model and a c4 I would pick the c4.

I would take either one. I'm almost always by myself so I don't care about seats. I love the LT1 engine. Wish I had that 6 speed in my 96 Buick Roadmaster sedan

@10:14 the hatch has adjustable rubber stops on it. Adjust it properly and the rattle stops.

I have a 86 trans am autoform with the 305 a 91 formula with the tuned port and a 96 with the v6. All fantastic vehicles. 96 v6 with a manual is just as fast as the older v8 models. But, nothing has been more reliable than the old carbureted 305

That big rectangular passenger dash pad, in the C4, is referred to as the "bread loaf."

I'd actually take the trans-am over the c4... Now if it was c5 vs c4... That's a harder choice.

You can buy the "Sun shades " aftermarket. ,.I like mine . I have the Hurst shifter in my 99ss

All 4th gen Trans Am's had t-tops, but some Formula's and V6 Firebirds didn't (Formula was based on the V6 body and interior). The t-top shades were a dealer option, so not all cars came with them.

I have lots of experience with the C4 and worked at the Pontiac dealership when the 4th gens were out. Both are performance car bargains and can be made fast no matter which one you get. It depends which one you are most comfortable in as well. The high C4 sill is a bitch for older people and women's dresses and I had to pull many a person out of mine. The C4 has superior suspension with forged double wishbones in the front and a five link out back but a weak chassis. I wasn't a fan of the raked windshield of the G4 F body at the time after I smacked my head getting into the convertible. But both fun cars even though compromised a bit.

U should have a second cup holder that Stowe’s away passenger side center console slides out

Trans Am all day everyday. The Corvette has never done anything for me. It's styling is so bland. Even the new C8 Corvette is just ok. I've got a loaded 1998 Y87 Firebird and I love the styling of the 4th gen birds.

My 1995 TA I always kept my back seat down because the backseat was useless.

I love the channel... Just really wish it wasn't shot in CO lol... Too bad it couldn't be texas or Oklahoma or even Kansas (where I live)... Sad that y'all have to be at such a Altitude... Killing the performance of these beautiful rigs

Ah that was my mistake I thought you were comparing them performance wise. That said interior wise the vette wins everything else it’d be the trans am for me

I have a 93 Corvette and a 95 Z28 Camaro, I thoroughly enjoy both of them. I've always been a Pontiac fan though and will eventually as a TransAm to my stable. My very first car was a 1967 Firebird with the 400 and a 4 speed. Next was a 1969 Firebird I would love to have them back 😢

I'd have to fact checked, but I'm pretty sure those handles were shared by GM pick ups as well

Ok see the Trans Ams going for more than the C4s. I love C4s, but the Trans Am is the only car I believe that tops the vettes.

I'm actually looking at both of these right now

C4, sounds explosive. Love the Pontiac.

I love that Corvette dash too 🤘🤘🤘

Here in central Florida the TA would probably cost more than the C4. I like the Vette. Would prefer a later model with the LT1 but I’d still take the L98 version over the TA. That generation F bodies have the cheapest interior. Back around 2000 my brother had a LT1 Firebird and it was falling apart only being 5-6 years old. Currently have a 91 Mustang and it’s interior is about 90% complete and holding up just fine. The Fox Mustang had a cheap interior too but there is no comparison to the 4th Gen. F bodies.

I just picked up a 2002 Trans Am for $7000… i’ve never had more fun in my life. The Trans Am is overall a more practical car and honestly better looking! This comes from someone who also owns a C5!

Even though I'm a Ford guy, I'd take the Trans Am over the corvette....Pontiac was always a better built car!

👏👏👏👏.... I will take Kase and the Vette 😇😇😇 lol .... Have a beautiful day Everyone ✌️

My vote has to go to the c4 vette. I own an 87 and not only do they look better, they handle better too and definitely turns more heads.

Strange comparison… a LT1 4th Gen F-Body to a L98 C4…? The LT1 Trans Am is faster. But the L98 C4 is more fun to drive and handles better. L98 falls on its face at higher rpm. The LT1 keeps pulling hard up top.

Trans Am all the way. I'm at a toss up between a 97 WS6 or an 02 Firehawk.

😂😂😂 he said the Trans-Am has a cup holder 😂😂😂🤣🤣... You left out a bunch of stuff on the TA... For instance wait till you have to change out the spark plugs and wires especially on the passenger side it took a week to get feeling back in my hands , and changing out the optispark boy is that fun. And wait till you have to clean the inside of that front windshield and the back glass, you don't have to be a contortionist but it helps.. now I have a built 383 in my 96 WS6 so trying to plant 440rwhp /476rwtq is like trying to roller skate on ice somtimes😳

I like both cars, very much! ❤

Trans Am!, but as the owner of a 97 that I have owned for almost 15 years it's a weekend toy/ Hotrod that will never be put back to stock, I have received numerous compliments over the years and would not trade it for any new car made today, let alone a C4 Corvette!

The 1st gen and 4th gen are my favorite Firebirds.

I looove how the c4 looks

Trans Am! Still miss my 94.

Man. In my area, Trans Ams (in good condition) sell for more than C4s

How much on reparis did you need to invest to keep these running after the review was through?

Another thing that i have noticed looking at these cars: F-bodies are generally more abused than Vettes. I had a 94 T/A when i was a teenager, wouldnt mind having ine again but its so hard finding one in good shape thats not a very expensive collectors car. Thats why I went for a Vette instead.

I think I read they stopped making Pontiac Engines in 1979, after that the Pontiac performance cars got the Corporate GM Engines (Chevy or Buick). so the T/A is basically sporting the Corvette /Camaro Engine so there Tons of aftermarket go fast Add-ons.

When is the show down??

Trans am's are awesome way nicer than the corvette ive had both and i love the TA way more not even close TA's are absolutely gorgeous to look at.Proud owner of a pewter 2002 WS6 TA with 10,000 miles.

Just bought a 88 corvette with 47,000 miles on it perfect garage kept condition for 10,000 its my first car i bought myself in cash any tips for someone trying to daily drive it?

When I had my ‘85 Corvette, I would tell people it made a funny sound while driving. When they put their ear close to the “pillow” dash, I would hit the breaks… 😜😜😜

Can't find no Trans am north east near this price only projects

When's the drag race going to happen?

Owned both, the 4th gen f body is a better buy especially if it's cheaper. I even prefer them to c5s due to simpler electronics and space. The c5 handles better and is a little lighter (not much though) while the f body makes more power to the wheels due to no torque tube. It's a lot easier to find a nice Vette than trans am though and the prices are starting to reflect that. Go ahead and find the nicest c5 and nicest trans am in your area if you don't believe me. If you can find a 4th gen f body that hasnt been abused, buy it. Especially if it's a Pontiac. The Pontiacs were much more rare, have a nicer interior design and seats and look way cooler. Don't pass a catfish because it's ugly though, it's the same damn car

The T/A has the LT1 That C4 has the L98, the LT1 has quite a bit more power! In a straight line the T/A is probably a lil faster but the C4 definitely handles better! Depends on which one you want! I have an LT1 C4, the LT1 C4 is way better than that T/A!! hands down not even close!!

That "growth" on the Corvette was supposed to be an airbag.

Well the C4 was actually pretty damn cheap up until every car RU-vidr made videos saying "Wow! These things are so cheap! Why aren't people asking more for them? You'd be insane to sell a C4 for the price we paid! They're worth twice as much!"

I don't believe the transmission itself has anything to do with Hurst. It's a standard GM 6-speed. The Hurst part is the short throw shifter

I heavily lean to the 'Bird, unless we're talking a '96 LT4.

I'd say the classic Pontiac trans Am is a better deal as Corvettes are still made today while Pontiac was discontinued in 2010 after the great recession hell some classic cars can fetch a pretty penny ex a 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible is worth 1/4 of a million dollars or a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Super bird in concours condition is worth about 700,000 or a 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z11 is worth over 1/2 a million dollars only 57 were made and only about a dozen survive in modern time though only 6 have come up for Auction in the last decade including one named old reliable that sold at Mecum Kissimmee auction in 2017 for 525,000 dollars

The wing on the Pontiac actually creates downforce. If you know anything about aircraft wing lift, you can see that.

Rear hatches don't rattle from the factory on 4th gens...that's from miles on rough roads.

That is a beautiful car ! Both are beautiful

Just bought a 97 Trans Am for $250

You can't go wrong either way since the Trans Ams are practically the same as the Corvette have fun either way.

Can’t stop noticing panel gaps