6 Pontiacs Under $5,000

Is your next Pontiac bargain in this photo? Sometimes great deals are hiding in plain sight at show fields and car corrals.

With the price of clean '60s and '70s GTOs and Trans Ams now topping $20,000 to $30,000 or more, and ultra-rare Pontiacs fetching from $100,000 to $650,000, what's a Pontiac lover to do? You just can't walk into your boss' office and say, "You know that Trans Am I want that used to be $8,000? Now it's $40,000; do you mind increasing my salary five-fold?"

Here's some good news: There are still deals to be had in the Pontiac market. All you have to do is look for them and be willing to buy a model that hasn't yet been recognized as a prized collectible.

We'll show you how to find six super-deal Pontiac models you can buy, drive, and enjoy for $5,000 or less. Almost all of them will provide nearly as much fun, looks, and excitement as that half-million-dollar GTO museum-piece you saw Donald Trump and Bill Gates fighting over at the latest auction.

'93-'97 Firebird Trans Ams And Formulas

'93-'97 Firebird Trans Ams And Formulas
The Hook
Hands down, this is the best find for a hot-performance, late-model Pontiac in this price range.

Advantages
The famed LT1 engine was available with the 4L60E four-speed automatic or the venerable T56 six-speed transmission. In 1996, the standard V-8 power rating increased to 285 hp from 275, and the Ram Air WS6 option debuted at 305 hp. A larger 32mm-diameter (versus 30mm) front stabilizer bar, stiffer springs, special shock valving, and a harder transmission mount and Panhard-bar bushings were employed with the Ram Air WS6, as were 275/40ZR17 tires on 17x9 five-spoke aluminum wheels. Ram Air became available on convertibles in 1997. Traction Control debuted on V-8 autos only in 1994 and all V-8s in 1995.

These LT1 Birds were the best-handling Pontiacs of the previous 20 years and could post 0-60 times of under 6 seconds, quarter-mile times in the low-14- to high-13-second range. They also knocked down 26-28 mpg on the highway with no modifications.

Had you bought one of these ponycars brand new, it would have cost $17,000-$30,000. Now you can find clean, unabused examples for $5,000 or less (WS6 and convertibles may cost more). Don't let the late-model label fool you-these are the collectible muscle machines of the future. Get yours now at "used car" pricing before they enter the insanity of the collector-car market.

Disadvantages
The LT1s are overshadowed by the LS1 cars. Rear-seat room is tight, and 125,000 miles tends to be the point at which factory components start to show signs of terminal wear-with exceptions, of course. Engine-oil leaks, the rear differential seal, and headlight motors are some common-fix items. The first fix can be expensive, but the latter two are easy and relatively low-cost. Optispark ignition is far from optimal. Check the interior for dash cracks and seat tears. On the convertibles, look for leaks that can leave puddles on carpets and rear seats.

Swapability
Mechanical parts interchange freely among '93-'97 Firebirds and Camaros, and upgrading some components from most '98-'02 Firebirds, Camaros, and Corvettes is popular. The '98-'02 fenders, nose, and hood will work on '93-'97 vehicles if replaced as a unit. On '99-up manual-transmission Trans Ams and Formulas, Hurst shifters were optional (identifiable by the "H" on the leather shift knob). The '96-'02 WS6 F-bodies offer many swappable suspension parts, as well as a wheel/tire upgrade (see "Advantages"). Larger-diameter disc brakes front and rear were found on '98-and-later models.

The LT1 went from a speed-density-based fuel-injection system to mass air in 1994. A set of 3.42 gears replaced 3.23s for six-speed cars in the same year.

Cool Factor: A+
The Fourth-Gen '93-'97 Birds can be winners at car shows, on the street, and at the races.

Where to Look:
Cars.com (www.cars.com) compiles auto classifieds from most major daily newspapers in the United States and is geared toward late-model searches.

These are some examples we found:
'95 Trans Am T-top coupe, 90,000 miles
Seller's Description: "This is a very strong-running Trans Am with the popular 5.7L 350ci V-8 motor and the very desirable six-speed transmission, brand new clutch job just a few hundred miles ago. It also has T-tops and leather interior, cold A/C and full power, $4,395."

'94 Firebird Formula hardtop coupe, 108,000 miles
Seller's Description: "'94 Pontiac Firebird Formula, 108K miles, A/C, affordable fun, head-turning performance car, LT1 V-8 power with 26 mpg. Loaded, clean, pop the T-tops and go, $4,777."