It was only a few years ago that it was hard to classify any cars produced at the turn of the century as genuine classics. However, when a vehicle is inherently desirable, and the manufacturer is a distant memory, such cars have earned that tag. This 2000 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 is a perfect example of the breed, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting it. Faulting its presentation is virtually impossible, and with 29,000 genuine miles on its odometer, it should provide years of motoring pleasure to its new owner. The seller has listed the Trans Am here on Craigslist in Phoenix, Arizona. They set their price at $23,500 and are firm on that figure.

Regular readers will know that I have a leaning towards Ford models, but that I hold a fond affection for the Pontiac Trans Am. However, I find the styling of the Fourth Generation not quite as appealing as its predecessors. These cars aren’t ugly, but they simply don’t tick as many boxes for me as the earlier models. Of course, that is a personal opinion, and I appreciate and understand if your view differs from mine. The first owner ordered this classic in Code 11 Pewter, and describing it as a high-end survivor is a fair assessment. The car has spent its life in a dry climate with harsh UV rays, but the lack of fading and paint patchiness seems to confirm the seller’s claim that it has spent its downtime squirreled away in a garage. The panels are laser-straight, the plastic shows no evidence of deterioration, and the dry climate has protected this Pontiac from rust. It sits on its original and flawless 17″ wheels, while the hood scoop hints that this Trans Am is more than just a pretty face.

This Trans Am’s hood scoop feeds gallons of fresh air to the car’s 5.7-liter V8 via a Ram Air setup. This allows the motor to churn out an impressive 320hp and 345 ft/lbs of torque in WS6 form, with both figures higher than those available on lesser examples. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed automatic transmission, while power-assisted steering and four-wheel brakes with anti-lock were standard equipment. Was the Trans Am WS6 fast? Hmm, the ¼-mile ET of 14 seconds and a top speed of 162mph provides a resounding “yes” as the answer to that question. The seller indicates that this is a numbers-matching survivor that is in excellent mechanical health. It has a genuine 29,000 miles showing on its odometer, which equates to just over 1,200 miles covered per year. It is safe to say that nobody has gone out of their way to wear out this classic!

This Trans Am is about more than pure performance, with its interior designed and equipped for total safety and comfort. From its pair of airbags to the climate-controlled air conditioning, power operation for the windows, locks, seats, mirrors, and hatch release, to the cruise control and premium AM/FM radio/CD player with wheel-mounted controls, this classic covers every base. Its Black leather trim is in exceptional condition, while the lack of UV exposure has protected the dash and plastic. There are no signs of abuse, and although an in-person inspection might reveal flaws, potential buyers can consider it comfortably acceptable for a high-end driver.

The demise of Pontiac has motivated a band of dedicated enthusiasts to strive to preserve some of the company’s more desirable models. This 2000 Trans Am WS6 is an ideal candidate for that honor as a beautifully preserved survivor. Values haven’t climbed significantly during the past year, but they are heading in the right direction for those considering this car’s investment potential. It will provide the buyer with excellent performance, while its automatic transmission and interior features virtually guarantee that any journey will be effortless and comfortable. That sounds like a winning combination to me, but do you agree?