Trans Am vs Formula - differences?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Trans Am vs Formula - differences? Damn guys, I never thought that the insurance rates could be so different between the Trans Am and the Formula. Im only 18, so insurance is going to be a little high anyways. But the difference is huge. Honestly, im new to the ls1 world and I am very attracted to the T/A, but maybe i should look into getting a formula. I know that they have the same ls1, but are the interiors different, suspension, options (pw, pdl, etc.). as far as identical years go, a t/a and formula should run identical times right. ANy help would be awesome.
yeah depending on a4 vs. m6 and how well you drive, identical times - or fairly close. how much of a difference is it? the formulas use the v6 body, while the t/a has a meaner looking raised spoiler. they just look better IMO.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
my friend has a 98 ss and he pays $$$ for it. his is a 6 spd. he is the one that told me about the insurance rates and how much of a difference it was. im calling my insurance company tommorrow to get some quotes. i'll let you guys know. by the way, im definitley getting an A4. had enough of the mt cars, for now.
... I find it hard to believe there is any difference in insurance between a firebird formula or a trans am, even a V6 firebird would be pretty close I think. Its more about the TYPE of car (sporty or not) and the age / sex grouping you fall under.
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Luna
... I find it hard to believe there is any difference in insurance between a firebird formula or a trans am, even a V6 firebird would be pretty close I think. Its more about the TYPE of car (sporty or not) and the age / sex grouping you fall under.
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Got a 96 Z28 for my first car (16 years old) and payed right under $300 a month with a clean record! When I got the Vette @ 18 my insuance rates dropped to $205 a month! Crazy world we live in. If I were you I would get a Firebird Formula. My brother has a 2001 and its a lot lighter than a T/A plus the look will grow on you if you ever see one with some fat tires tucked into the back of it! Personally Ive driven both and just like the Firebird a lot more, its a look that you have to get used to and they are more rare than Trans Am;s
Last edited by Vettish; Apr 13, 2006 at 02:04 AM.
Trending Topics
There will not be any difference in insurance prices between a formula and a trans am. It's the exact same car with a few different style body panels. I find extremely unlikely any insurance company would differentiate between the two. I have a formula and my insurance card even says the car listed on the policy is a pontiac formula/trans am.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Tempe, AZ
I don't know about you guys but for me with State Farm the rate on the car is determined by the car's value. Obviousley age and driving record are factors but the "performance" of the car has nothing to do with it. When I went from my first car a 2003 Celica GT-S to the 2001 WS-6 my rate only increased about $18, and thats from a I4 to a V8!
~Alex
~Alex
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario Canada
Yeah, i'd go with the Formula. I've got a soft spot for those and one day i'll hopefully own one as well! I had a 98 Firebird V6 and it cost me more in insurance than my 96 Camaro SS. Wierd!
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: McKinney (Summer)/Stillwater (school)
Originally Posted by 777
Formula's are lighter. I think I like them better as well. Although I didn't at first
I agree, I didn't like them at all when I was first looking at getting an LS1, but now that I have the T/A I wish I had gone with the formula. You just don't see that many of them, they are different and I like that.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
I love my Trans Am, I could never trade it for a formula because I absolutely ****ing love my wing, but I wouldn't be dissapointed with a formula because you get to pull off the sleeper look well, you can even get an electric cut-out and install a sleeper switch. I'd only open it when it's far too late.
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,807
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
TRANS-AM for me. My insurance is the same as vette or porsche or any other high performance car. Regular bird or a formula is cheaper ins. here. I asked last time.Same with camaro vs SS or Z28...doesn't make much sense. These were all V8 cars quoted.
Get the Formula, I'm glad I did. IMO a Formula with a ram air hood, and WS6 or equivalent 17"+ wheels is the hottest looking f bod. Classy yet not overdone. Not a fan of the TA sideskirting, but I have seen a Trans Am wing on a Formula and it looked pretty neat. I am a fan of the v6/formula flat wing though.
I special ordered mine in 02. Only 901 produced the last year (2002). Mine is 1 of 11 Red/Tan leather M6's.
http://www.gotstang.com/photodisplay...&showimage=283
Insurance will be the same as a TransAm. My AAA insurance card says 2002 Pontiac FRB FORM/TA.
I special ordered mine in 02. Only 901 produced the last year (2002). Mine is 1 of 11 Red/Tan leather M6's.
http://www.gotstang.com/photodisplay...&showimage=283
Insurance will be the same as a TransAm. My AAA insurance card says 2002 Pontiac FRB FORM/TA.
When i was talking to my company recently i ended up talking to one of the bosses for a while cause i was having issues with teh regulear idiot i got at first.. They told me they go on a HP to weight ratio mainly to determine how to rate the cars. That being said the same company charged me barely anything more for full coverage on my 99 SS vs my 96 impala ss. They were both secondary cars for me and i added the impala to full coverage storage insurance when i got the 99 SS put on the policy. So a bigger multi car discount may have gone into play?