zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $14,999, Is This 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am A Smokin' Good Deal?
At $14,999, Is This 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am A Smokin' Good Deal?-January 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:34

Image for article titled At $14,999, Is This 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am A Smokin' Good Deal?

Today’s Trans Am may not turn you into either Burt Reynolds (R.I.P.) or Sally Field, but that doesn’t mean it won’t elicit fond memories of Smokey and the Bandit. Let’s see if this Firebird’s price is just as memorable.

I’ve always had a disconnect with Audi naming its TT model after the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race. That’s because whenever I envision the event, I picture two-wheel café racers and riders with lots of form-fitting leather. Mmm, leather.

There was no similar disconnect for most of you over last Friday’s and its aggressive $6,900 asking price. That, in fact, earned the car a solid 67 percent Nice Price win.

Naming cars after racetracks and racing series is a long tradition. Over the years we have seen cars named for the likes of Le Mans, Daytona and Monza, as well as IROCs and, of course, the Trans Am.

Image for article titled At $14,999, Is This 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am A Smokin' Good Deal?

The Trans Am was the hottest version of Pontiac’s edition of GM’s corporate pony car. And, while the Firebird was named for the Trans-American Championship road racing series, what the model is most likely remembered for is starring alongside Burt Reynolds, Sally Field and Jackie Gleason in ’70s good ol’ boy comedy, Smokey and the Bandit.

That was a black, T-topped second-generation coupe, and while today’s is both a different color and a convertible, it still rocks the model’s iconic screaming chicken decals, albeit in more subtle, modern form.

Image for article titled At $14,999, Is This 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am A Smokin' Good Deal?

This fourth (and last) generation car also rocks a 305 horsepower LS1 V8 and a six-speed stick making it far more of a rocket than the Bandit’s smog-strangled ’70s car.

The ad claims this Trans Am to be one of just 236 built. I don’t know where the seller is pulling that from since the only listing with that number that I can find in the is for the run of coupes in Bright Red.

Image for article titled At $14,999, Is This 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am A Smokin' Good Deal?

I think it’s sufficient just to acknowledge that they didn’t make a heck of a lot of Firebirds in the model’s waning years (apparently only 589 manual-equipped convertibles this model year). It’s also important to note that with both the model and the marque now having Xs on their eyes, there likely aren’t going to be any more of them ever again.

This one is claimed to come with a clear title, new old stock chromed alloy wheels and just 83,000 miles on the clock. The LS1 under the pointy prow is stock, although the ad notes that a Flowmaster exhaust has been added. It doesn’t go into detail as to how much pipe has, in fact, been laid.

Image for article titled At $14,999, Is This 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am A Smokin' Good Deal?

The bodywork appears clean and without major issues. Of course, you get a proper old-school sports car experience here via the pop-up headlights and convertible top. That top fits under an included flexible tonneau when dropped.

The cabin beneath that top also looks to be in decent shape, with no issues apparent other than the fact that these were not the best quality interiors GM could do back in the day. Still, you get most of the modern amenities, including a/c, airbags and power windows and locks. Mechanical pluses include traction control and ABS brakes, a feature that was apparently so notable that it was celebrated on the center cap of each wheel.

Image for article titled At $14,999, Is This 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am A Smokin' Good Deal?

Even if you’re not a fan of Smokey and the Bandit — and honestly, what’s up with that? — you still can appreciate the Trans Am as an important bit of American automotive history. The Firebird had played second fiddle to its Camaro platform-mate for years. That was until Burt Reynolds made it a cultural icon. Today it’s long gone, its Camaro cousin is almost an afterthought in the withering pony car class, and the Ford Mustang remains the car of choice for those wishing to exit their local Cars & Coffee in a dramatic and dangerous fashion.

Image for article titled At $14,999, Is This 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am A Smokin' Good Deal?

Owning this Trans Am could upset that status quo. The question at hand, however, is whether it might be worth it is $14,999 asking price to do so. What’s your take: is this well-kitted Trans Am worth that much money? Or, does that price extinguish your interest in this Firebird?

You decide!

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Michael Beaty for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
How Does CarFax Really Know How Many Owners A Car Had?
How Does CarFax Really Know How Many Owners A Car Had?
As Jalopnik’s resident car buying expert and professional car shopper, I get emails. Lots of emails. I’ve decided to pick a few questions and try to help out. This week we are talking about multiple “owners” on history reports, paint protection film, and where to sell a car if...
Jan 30, 2026
At $8,750, Is This 1984 Mazda B2000 A Small Truck That's A Big Value?
At $8,750, Is This 1984 Mazda B2000 A Small Truck That's A Big Value?
The reason given for the sale of today’s Mazda B2000 is that it is a redundant member of the present owner’s stable. Let’s see if its condition and price will make it worth adding to a new owner’s collection. A reputation is a hard thing to shake. Just ask...
Jan 30, 2026
What Do You Want To Know About The Jeep Grand Cherokee L?
What Do You Want To Know About The Jeep Grand Cherokee L?
I drove the Jeep Grand Cherokee L a whole bunch over the weekend, and I’ve got a lot of thoughts. But, before I put together my second review, I want to know what you want to know. Let’s get a few things out of the way: it’s big –...
Jan 30, 2026
Toyota's GR Corolla Is Coming This Thursday
Toyota's GR Corolla Is Coming This Thursday
We’ve seen after for the upcoming GR Corolla, but Toyota hasn’t given us much in the way of firm information. The company has hinted at the Yaris’s G16 engine, its 268 horsepower, and its GR-Four AWD system making their way to the Corolla platform, but those hints have come through...
Jan 30, 2026
The Price Of EV Charger Installations Is Shocking Car Dealers
The Price Of EV Charger Installations Is Shocking Car Dealers
Car are in for a rude awakening as because in order to sell EVs, dealers will obviously want to charge them. The installation of at dealer locations is proving more costly and complicated than expected. In some cases, fast charger installation can take up to two years and cost...
Jan 30, 2026
Automakers Need To Adopt Clothing Sizes For Vehicles
Automakers Need To Adopt Clothing Sizes For Vehicles
As there has arisen a semantical conflict between how automakers want to categorize their various makes and models into different sizes and how consumers perceive the size of these vehicles. As a professional car shopper I end up in almost the same conversation every week and it goes something...
Jan 30, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved