At first glance, this 1988 Pontiac Firebird looks like a tidy survivor with no great surprises. However, the original owner’s decision to order it with the V6 engine means it can still gallop comfortably at freeway speeds while providing excellent fuel economy. It is a user-friendly vehicle that could be an ideal candidate for an eye-catching daily driver. The time is right for it to find a new home, with the seller listing it here on Facebook in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It could be yours for $7,995, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Lothar… of the Hill People for spotting it.
First impressions can count for much, and the one made by this Firebird is positive. It belongs to the seller’s father, and it appears he has treated it respectfully. It spends its winters safely squirreled away in a garage, only appearing when spring is in the air and the baby lambs are frolicking in the fields (sorry, but I think I spent too long looking at the background in the supplied photos!). A sheltered existence has allowed it to remain rust-free, while its Medium Gray paint shines beautifully. There are no signs of patchiness or prior repairs, and none are mentioned in the listing. This Firebird’s panels are laser straight, the gaps are consistent, and the stripes look crisp. The glass T-Top should make life pleasant on sunny days, and there is no evidence of leaking seals. The glass is excellent, and the shining Rally wheels perfectly contrast the darker paint shade.
The positive vibes continue inside this Firebird, and while I hesitate to describe it as perfect, it doesn’t seem to miss that mark by much. The seats feature Gray cloth covers with matching vinyl on the remaining upholstered surfaces. The lack of wear, especially on the outer seat edges, is particularly noteworthy. There are no marks or stains on the seats or carpet and no crumbling plastic. The current owner has preserved this classic, meaning there are no aftermarket additions. Whether the interior scores air conditioning is unclear, but the buyer receives an AM/FM radio/cassette player, cruise control, and a tilt wheel.
The seller supplies no engine shots, which is disappointing since I consider it one of this classic’s strongest attributes. The original owner ordered this Firebird with the 2.8-liter V6 that sends 135hp to the road via a four-speed automatic transmission. That doesn’t sound like a recipe for excitement, and a 17.6-second ¼-mile ET would seem to confirm that. However, it is worth placing that figure into perspective. This car features the most conservative drivetrain combination offered in 1988, but its performance demonstrates how far technology had advanced in a short time. A 1980 Trans Am equipped with the 4.9-liter V8 could match this car, while the 305-equipped car took a neat 18 seconds to complete the same journey. If you wanted a 1980 Trans Am that could show this entry-level Firebird a clean set of heels, you needed to hand over the significant slab of cash required for the turbocharged version. Considering the Turbo’s reputation for being cantankerous under certain circumstances, this 1988 Firebird looks pretty tempting. It is also fuel efficient, meaning the low fuel consumption and auto transmission could make it a perfect daily driver. The seller claims it has a genuine 65,000 miles on the clock but doesn’t mention supporting evidence. They also provide no information on how this classic runs and drives. If appearance counts, the news should be positive.
This 1988 Pontiac Firebird won’t appeal to everyone, but it has some strengths worth considering. Its presentation is hard to fault, with sparkling paint and no evidence of rust. It is unmolested and isn’t loaded with optional extras that may prove unreliable in the future. However, its mechanical specifications could be its ace, especially in an environment of rising fuel prices. Buying some bland and unappealing new car as a daily driver is the obvious choice for some people, and even entry-level models today are generally well-equipped. However, most have almost no personality, leaving genuine enthusiasts feeling empty whenever they slip behind the wheel. The price of this Firebird is barely ⅓ of a new Corolla, with its engine and transmission making it an ideal candidate to fulfill the role some might envisage for Toyota’s finest. It comes down to a choice. You could opt for the new model and sink into anonymity, or buy the Firebird and stand out in the crowd. Which would you choose?
A pretty clean Firebird that would make someone a great choice for getting into the weekend car show scene. I’d prefer it without t-tops myself. We had an 85 Camaro sport with the same powertrain and never had an issue in 130K miles other than an injector cleaning. Never heard of those wheels referred to as rallys though. Cool Firebird and a solid highway flyer
Early 1980’s Firebirds had an optional four cylinder engine too.
TomP: Would that be ’82 and up for the 4 banger? I don’t think the 80 or 81 had a 4 option, based on what the Camaro had.
2.5 was in the F Bodies from 82 thru mid 85
Correct those cars changed in 82. Standard 4 cyl.
Four cylinder 2.5 Iron Duke 90 hp available from 1982 to 1987. Not available for 2nd gen 1980 or 1981 models.
I think this is a very good and affordable find and glad that Barn Finds features them. Not a power house, but a very nice car that gets you into the hobby for the first time, or back into it, whatever the case may be.
I’ve been throwing cars like this at Barn Finds lately and glad that they are picking up a few of them.
Lovely, good looking little beast. My only shade is that I own a 1988 Chevy S10 with the same motor and transmission, and I am on my 3rd motor and 2nd transmission in 130k miles. The 2.8l is notorious for throwing crankshaft bearings. After the 2nd fail, I replaced it with a 3.4l which replaced the 2.8l design flaws. Still, drive it gently and you’ll probably be fine, and get a great looking and driving car in the bargain.
Those rims were called we slot