This 1995 Pontiac Firebird Formula proves that you don’t have to spend a million dollars to get your hands on a low-mileage classic that is ready to be driven and enjoyed. It will cost you a whole lot less than that, and it offers the potential for some pretty respectable performance for a car that has clocked a quarter-century on our roads. Located in Meridian, Idaho, you will find the Firebird listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. You can drive this one away by handing the owner a mere $11,500.

The Firebird is finished in Bright Silver, and the paint has held up well over the last quarter-century. Silver paint can tend to become oxidized and patchy if the car isn’t treated with respect, but this is a classic that has avoided that fate. It still holds a good shine, with no signs of any problems or issues. The panels are straight, and all of the plastic and trim is free from cracks or other potential problems. The smoked glass panels for the T-Top are in good order, as is the remaining glass. The alloy wheels show no evidence of curb strike or staining, while the only non-original component is the radio antenna. This was replaced after the original one was snapped in a car wash. As the owner says, “Oops!”

The ’95 Firebird showed that manufacturers had clawed back a lot of the performance ground that had been lost during The Malaise Era. The Formula is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 that should be pumping out 275hp. This V8 is backed by a 6-speed manual transmission, while the car comes equipped with power steering and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS. Point this classic at the ¼ mile, and the journey should be over in 14.3 seconds. Couple that power with advanced aerodynamics, and this Pontiac should eventually run out of breath at 158mph. Those figures could never be considered to be shabby. Another aspect of these advances that proved interesting was fuel consumption. A 1980 Firebird would struggle to produce 150hp and achieve a fuel consumption figure of 15mpg. This car has far more power at its disposal and should easily top 20mpg. Those differences are quite profound and graphically demonstrate how technological advances can dramatically impact vehicle performance. The Pontiac has a genuine 21,000 miles showing on the clock and still rolls on its original tires. The owner says that it runs and drives perfectly, and the V8 sounds sweet burbling through its dual exhaust.

The seller is this Firebird’s second owner, and it seems that both parties have treated the car with respect. There is a small seam separation on the outer edge of the driver’s seatback, but that is about the only flaw to be found inside this classic. A competent upholsterer should be able to fix this, and I would be inclined to tackle it before it can deteriorate further. The charcoal leather on the seats looks supple and inviting, while the remaining trim, dash, and carpet are all in excellent condition. Besides dual airbags for safety, this is an interior that comes equipped with plenty of creature comforts. As well as air conditioning, there are power windows, power seats, power locks, power mirrors, cruise, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a premium CD stereo with controls on the wheel.

This 1995 Firebird proves two things. The first is that American manufacturers had rediscovered their mojo when it came to the question of extracting respectable performance from a V8 engine. The second is that it is possible to park a classic high-performance car in your driveway without spending a fortune. This is a car that needs little, and the asking price is very affordable. The proposition becomes more attractive when the vehicle in question is a low-mileage and unmolested survivor that has been treated with complete respect. That sums up this Pontiac and makes it a car that is worthy of a closer look.