Danny Soroudi
Treadwell
English 1
10/16/99
ESSAY #2: Chevrolet Camaro vs Pontiac Firebird
The Pontiac Firebird and Chevrolet Camaro, two legendary sports cars with an incredible history. From the early days of the American Muscle car era, these two vehicles have gone up against each other in heated battle, fighting for the crown of the greatest sports car ever built. Again, in the 2000 edition, these two cars compete against one another, in style, performance, and price. Each car comes in several variations: the Pontiac Firebird has its base car, the mid-level formula, and the top-end Trans Am, while the Chevrolet Camaro has its base car, the mid-level z28, and its top-end SS. And so we shall see which of these cars is superior to the other this year.
The Pontiac Firebird is a car meant to convey sex appeal. Its blend of angular greenhouse lines and softly bulging sheetmetal creates the automotive equivalent of a supermodel in a silk nightgown. Unfortunately, the bespoilered Trans Am (with its aero skirting, decklid "batwing" and louvered side scoops) ruins the effect. Not to worry; the midlevel Formula provides all of the T/A's hardware and go-fast goodies in a more restrained-looking, lighter, less-costly package.
The Firebird's cockpit is a futuristic blend of style and function, and is better executed than that of its corporate twin, the Chevrolet Camaro. Dual airbags and antilock brakes are standard, and the optional traction-control system can be ordered on all models. Additionally, convertible versions of Firebird and Trans Am are available (but not as a Formula), for a corresponding boost in price.
Performance from the Corvette-derived LS1 V8 is nothing short of astounding, providing enough grunt to get the Firebird to 60 mph faster than your 10-year-old can get to 40 yards. The pushrod 5.7-liter that comes standard on Formula and Trans Am makes 305 horsepower, and more-important 335 foot-pounds of tire-blistering torque. Want even more? A Ram Air WS6 performance and handling package for the Formula Coupes and T/A is available, featuring twin hood scoops that force cool air into the engine, resulting in 15 extra ponies. WS6 suspension tuning and 275/40ZR-17 rubber keep the Ram Air Firebird planted to the ground, while a dual-outlet exhaust system is the last thing most poor souls trying to catch you will see.
All V8 models come standard with a four-speed automatic transmission; a six-speed manual is a no-cost option. Base Firebird's are powered by a 3800 Series II V6 that makes a peppy 200 horsepower, and can be optioned with a performance package of their own. This "insurance special" includes bigger tires, a limited-slip differential, dual exhaust and uplevel steering. A slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission is standard on the V6.
If this powerful pony car legend has been on your wish list for a while, the time to act is now. The current F-body's days are numbered. If the Firebird nameplates live on into the new millennium, look for them to be reborn in a vastly different form on an all-new platform. MSRP pricing on the base Firebird comes in at $18,490, Formula pricing begins at $23,520, and the Trans Am start with $26,630.
"From the country that invented rock 'n' roll" claimed the advertisements for this Quebec, Canada-built sport coupe when it was redesigned in 1993. A small technicality, but there are no technicalities when it comes to the Camaro's performance abilities, particularly in Z28 or SS forms. These Camaro's are blazingly quick, hold the road tenaciously, cost less than the average price of a new car in this country, and get decent gas mileage when they're not being hammered along a twisty, two-lane road.
Two trim levels are available for 2000 in either coupe or convertible bodystyles. Base Camaro's are powered by a 3800 Series II V6 that makes 200 horsepower. Mated to a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission, this sufficiently strong motor makes a strong argument for avoiding the higher insurance rates and prices of the Z28. An optional performance-handling package puts dual exhaust, tighter steering, and a limited-slip differential on the V6 Camaro.
The Z28 is the go-faster Camaro. Equipped with a detuned Corvette 5.7-liter V8, the Z28 makes 305 horsepower. Opt for the SS performance package and you get 320, thanks to forced air induction through an aggressive-looking hood scoop. The SS gets to 60 mph from rest in a little over five seconds. SLP Engineering - known for working magic with GM's F-Bodies since the late '80s - supplies the parts to turn a Z28 into an SS.
For 2000, revisions are few. New interior colors and fabrics, along with steering wheel-mounted stereo controls, freshen the passenger compartment. Engines meet LEV standards in California and other low-emission states, and one new exterior color is available. These changes are welcome. The new, more intricately laced alloy wheels that look like wheelcovers are not. They look difficult to clean, and those beautiful, fat, five-spokers on the SS have been sacrificed for the sake of change.
The interior of the Camaro is functional, but cheap in appearance. Visibility is nothing to brag about either. The Camaro holds a respectable amount of gear in the cargo hold (more than 33 cubic feet of space with the generally useless rear seats folded down), and airbags and antilock brakes are standard.
Rumors are flying that GM is set to kill the Camaro, and since no product is scheduled for the Canadian Camaro plant after 2002, those rumors are likely true. Steadily declining sales are to blame, and the company is eager to slice non-performing models from the lineup. If the Camaro dies, it would be a real shame because - from a bang-for-the-buck standpoint - the Z28 is unbeatable. More mature drivers can order traction control, but that option defeats some of the fun of Chevy's pony car: smoky, adolescent burnouts that leave the drivers behind choking on charred Goodyears. Pricing for the Chevrolet base Camaro commences at $16,840, the z28 enters at $21,165, the SS model is by special order only, and costs approximately 4,000 to 7,000 more than the z28.
Although style tastes vary from person to person, I would have to pick the Camaro body over the Firebird’s, which I believe is too flashy, and somewhat cheesy looking. The Camaro models are also significantly faster than their Firebird equivalents, as well as being slightly less expensive. The only drawback for the Camaro is the higher insurance costs you will likely have to dish out, and slightly higher expected maintenance costs for the SS type engine. Both cars hold their own, and have built quite a saga for themselves, which will not be forgotten anytime soon.
