Best Car Reviews - 1987 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am/Formula

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Introduction

The 1987 Pontiac Firebird family offered an accessible American sporty-coupe experience, spanning the base Firebird, V8-powered Formula, Trans Am and upscale Trans Am GTA. This review focuses on the supplied rear-wheel-drive, six-cylinder, five-speed-manual specification, which corresponds to the base Firebird rather than the V8 Formula or Trans Am models. Its low roofline, practical hatchback rear opening and unmistakable 1980s Pontiac character made it appealing to drivers who wanted style and involvement without stepping into the more expensive V8 versions.

Design and Exterior Features

Built on the third-generation F-body platform, the 1987 Firebird has a long, wedge-shaped nose, a broad fastback roof and a short rear deck. Concealed rectangular headlamps, a body-colour Endura front panel and a standard front air dam gave even the entry-level car a purposeful appearance. Formula and Trans Am versions added increasingly aggressive aero details, while the Firebird remained the cleaner, less flamboyant interpretation of the design.

Low, aerodynamic hatchback-coupe silhouette.
Electrically operated concealed rectangular quartz-halogen headlamps.
Body-colour resilient Endura front panel and bumper.
Standard front air dam and available exterior striping.
Trans Am and GTA models offered more extensive aero trim, extractors and spoilers.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is driver-oriented, with a low seating position, a broad dashboard and the large glass hatch helping rearward visibility. The 2+2 layout is best viewed as two usable front seats plus occasional rear accommodation. Materials and fit reflect the era and price point: durable rather than luxurious, with hard plastics in prominent areas. Available equipment varied widely, so a well-optioned car could feel considerably more comfortable than a basic example.

Supportive front bucket seats and rear folding seatbacks.
Driver-focused instrument panel and conventional analogue controls.
Available custom interior trim and upgraded seating on higher trims.
Hatchback cargo access adds useful versatility for a sports coupe.
Air conditioning, power accessories and removable hatch roof were option-dependent.

Performance and Handling

For the six-cylinder manual configuration, the relevant engine is the 2.8-litre multi-port fuel-injected V6, rated at about 135 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque. Power goes to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission, providing more driver engagement than the optional automatic. The supplied fuel-consumption figure is 16.53 L/100 km; real-world results depend greatly on condition, gearing and driving style. This V6 Firebird is more a stylish cruiser than a straight-line muscle car, while Formula and Trans Am V8 variants are materially quicker. Acceleration figures vary by publication and test configuration, so an exact time should not be assumed for every car.

2.8-litre multi-port fuel-injected V6 with six cylinders.
Approximately 135 hp and 160 lb-ft of torque.
Rear-wheel drive and five-speed manual transmission.
Supplied combined fuel-consumption figure: 16.53 L/100 km.
V8 Formula, Trans Am and GTA models offer stronger performance but generally higher running costs.

Technology and Connectivity

Technology in a 1987 Firebird was firmly analogue. There was no factory touchscreen, smartphone integration, navigation or modern driver-assistance system. Its appeal is instead in simple controls, a conventional radio and optional convenience equipment. Modern connectivity can be added discreetly through an aftermarket head unit, but originality-minded collectors may prefer to retain the period-correct equipment.

Conventional AM/FM audio systems, with equipment varying by car.
Analogue gauges and physical climate-control switches.
Available power windows, locks and mirrors on selected configurations.
No factory Bluetooth, USB, navigation or smartphone integration.
No contemporary automated driver-assistance technology.

Safety Features

The 1987 Firebird predates airbags and modern crash-test programs as buyers now know them, so safety expectations must be set accordingly. Pontiac listed front three-point belts, rear lap belts, an energy-absorbing steering column and instrument-panel features, head restraints, laminated windshield glass, a dual-master-cylinder braking system and a centre high-mounted stop lamp. A directly comparable modern NHTSA or IIHS rating for this exact 1987 configuration should not be assumed.

Driver and front-passenger three-point safety belts.
Rear seating positions equipped with lap belts.
Energy-absorbing steering column and instrument-panel features.
Dual-master-cylinder brake system with warning light.
Centre high-mounted stop lamp, hazard flashers and safety-glass provisions.

Pricing and Variants

Period pricing varied by destination charge, options and market. Contemporary documentation places the 1987 base Firebird at approximately $10,773 including destination, while the Formula package added about $1,070 to a Firebird and the GTA package added about $2,700 to a Trans Am. The range included the Firebird, Firebird Formula, Trans Am and Trans Am GTA. Main rivals included the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang and Nissan 300ZX; the Firebird stood out for its dramatic styling and broad choice of trim and engine combinations.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Distinctive third-generation Firebird styling.
Rear-wheel-drive layout and engaging five-speed manual.
Practical hatchback access for a sporty coupe.
Large enthusiast community and strong parts support.
More approachable purchase and ownership proposition than many V8 examples.

Cons

V6 performance is modest beside Formula and Trans Am V8 models.
Fuel consumption can be high for the available output.
Rear seats are cramped for adult passengers.
Cabin plastics, weather seals and interior trim can show age.
Safety equipment is limited by modern standards.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A trustworthy model-specific annual maintenance average is not consistently published for a vehicle of this age, so budgeting should be based on condition, mileage, corrosion exposure and the quality of previous repairs rather than a single fixed figure. A well-kept example may need only routine fluids, ignition components, brakes and tires, while a neglected car can require substantial restoration work. Common owner-reported concerns for this generation include aging electrical accessories, window motors and headlamp mechanisms, T-top or hatch-area water leaks where equipped, worn suspension and steering components, interior trim deterioration, and corrosion in the floor, rear hatch area or subframe-related structure.

Rating

Overall rating: 6.8/10. Design: 8.5/10 for its memorable wedge profile. Comfort: 6/10 due to limited rear space and period materials. Performance: 6/10 for the V6 manual, with V8 versions scoring higher. Technology: 3/10 by modern standards. Safety: 4/10 because it lacks the protection and active systems expected today.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly celebrates the car’s appearance, driving position and analogue rear-wheel-drive character, while stressing that condition matters more than odometer reading alone. Enthusiasts often view a well-maintained manual car as a satisfying weekend classic rather than a modern daily driver.

Owners frequently praise the unmistakable styling and pop-up headlamp character.
The manual transmission is appreciated for making the V6 feel more involved.
Many consider the hatchback more useful than its coupe shape suggests.
Electrical repairs and aged interior components are recurring ownership themes.
Buyers commonly advise prioritizing rust-free, documented examples over low initial price.

Best Cars in This Category

1987 Chevrolet Camaro Sport Coupe
1987 Ford Mustang GT
1987 Nissan 300ZX
1987 Toyota Supra
1987 Mazda RX-7

Summary

The 1987 Pontiac Firebird with the 2.8-litre V6 and five-speed manual is best suited to buyers seeking an affordable, hands-on 1980s American sports coupe with standout styling and rear-wheel-drive character. It is not the quickest member of the Firebird family, and it demands careful inspection for age-related repairs and rust, but a sound, original example can offer considerable classic-car charm. For collectors chasing outright performance, the V8 Formula and Trans Am variants are stronger choices; for a distinctive entry into Firebird ownership, the manual V6 remains appealing.