I thought that I had everything figured out...untill I found this website. I want a black WS6 between 98-02. Now iam not so sure. In your opinion, "What is the best TA money(15-22,000) can buy"?(Looks, performance, mutual respect) Your opinion counts. Thanks

 

FWIW all of the LS1 cars perform about the same, so any one you get will be good there, now it just comes down to looks and what you can find for the money you can spend.
If you want a black WS6, then get one, if all you can find is plain T/As that's not so bad (you can add the hood and wheels) of course there is always the Firehawk (but they're kinda rare)
Look in the cars for sale section, might be the perfect car for you in there

 

Looks: Comes down to pure taste. Some people like the clean, simple lines of the Formula (myself included). Some like the more aggressive look of the T/A. Others like the WS6, and some like the Firehawk. Buy whatever you like the most.

Performance: A Formula, Trans Am, and Firehawk will perform the same. 2001 and 2002 models have the LS6 intake manifold, which outperforms the LS1 manifold on the 1998-2000 cars, but not by a huge margin. You probably won't notice a difference if you drive a stock 2000 T/A and a stock 2001 T/A back-to-back. If you do, it'll be slight. The LS6 manifold will show its benefit as you add more and more mods though. Another plus about the LS6 manifold is that you don't have and EGR system to put up with. It doesn't cause problems at all, but you have to buy headers that have EGR fittings, etc.
There are 345 HP packages that were optional on Firehawks, but if you get an air lid and catback (which basically everybody does), you have the same thing. The main performance difference between the WS6/Firehawks and regular T/As and Formulas is the suspension. You get wider tires and beefier sway bars and sometimes springs and shocks with the WS6 and Firehawk. Engine-wise, it's basically a paper difference, in that it's listed as a 20+ HP difference, but it really isn't.
Technically, a Formula is the lightest V8 Firebird because it doesn't have all of the body ground effects, spoiler, and all of the standard equipment (power equipment, etc) that comes on T/As.

Mutual respect: That also kind of depends on taste. For anyone who actually knows anything about an LS1 Firebird, they will respect every model about the same. Some respect Firehawks more because they are less common than the WS6s or regular models. Personally, I don't really care if other people respect my car or not. I took the badges off of my Formula, so the only way you can differentiate my car from a V6 Firebird is the wider tires and the exhaust note (I also sanded off then polished the bird on the rear filler piece between the taillights, similar to the 93-97 Formulas).

Whatever you decide on, you won't have anything to regret. Trans Am, Formula, Firehawk, WS6, manual transmission, auto transmission, hardtop, t-top, convertible, any LS1 car is a blast to drive and a very quick car.

 

Defintly the choice is up to you! If you want a black one get it. I settled when i bought my first trans am (still a beautiful car) but i wanted a six speed and SOM in color but there was a great deal on an automatic in pewter. I just recently bought a second which is a 6 speed in SOM and i LOVE this car!! The only other thing id like to add is this: ive looked at a lot of these newer trans ams and maybe its just me but the WS6's and the firehawk's seem to be holding their valued much better (at least in my area) over the regular ones. So if you've got the money and you find a good deal i'd say get the WS6 or a firehawk. Formulas, and regular trans ams are still very nice cars though. Good Luck!

 

Also, one piece of advice I'd give you is to be patient and buy the exact car you want. If you want a Black WS6 Trans Am with t-tops and a 6-speed for instance, don't buy a black WS6 with an auto. You'll be a lot happier in the long run.

 

If you have 20 grand you should be able to find almost exactly what you want. Just find out whether you'd like an auto or a manual with a rear end that will likely break (I opted for an auto.) Then find out which one you find most pleasing aesthetically, and what kind of mileage you want on it. Personally, I'd also look for a car that has been lightly modded so I could save some money. But I wouldn't buy a car with H/C cause thats telling the last owner most likely put a few passes on it, street races, gave the engine hell, etc. I got my car from a granny so I'm pretty safe there, but then again it's bone stock. I would've liked to buy a car with at least a catback and lid. w/e.

 

If i had the funds i'd get a Black, NBM, or SOM (in reverse order for some reason) WS6, but since school commits day light robbery on me im stuck with this car, which is ok! Good luck

 

When I do it again, I will be going with an 02 TA.

 

If you can find one it always pays to have a Firehawk. They WILL hold value better and will be worth a bit more than comparable f-bodies in the future. Mark my words on that.

 

i have no mods(besides the free ones) and i had my rear end rebuilt twice and a new 10 bolt finally put in and its a 3.23 auto. The rear ends are just shitty thats all. And buying a car that was never driven hard(floored once in a while) is a bad proposition too. Carbon can build up in the upper cylinders and cause issues as well.
Just get what you want. If something breaks buy something aftermarket to replace the weak link till the next weak link is discovered and so on and so forth till the end. If I had the money and the knowledge about this car then(when the rear end went south) I would have hunted down a 12 bolt instead(putting a ford rear end is like selling your soul to the devil to me). Read the FAQ's in the noob forums. Lots of good info. An when in doubt use search!

 

If you are looking for the best TA to buy then it would have to be my 89 TTA. I would sell it for around 13k. It only has 56k miles on it and runs and drives as well as a new WS6, maybe handles better.

 

If your budget is as much as 22k like stated then I wouldn't settle for anything less than an 01/02 model with low miles, the color AND tranny you want.

As far as respect goes, I agree that you should respect ANY and ALL LS1 cars. But IMHO, the WS6 and Firehawks are just sooo much more intimidating.

Good luck man!