The Fastest '90s Muscle Car for Only $7K

In the 1990s, American muscle cars made a big comeback, as manufacturers went back to their V8s and straight line speed, but this time not cutting cornering and handling. Free of the emissions choked era of ’70s and ’80s, ’90s muscle cars married classic V8 power to modern engineering to produce cars with better performance, better handling, and some of the boldest looks ever. The designs on these machines paved the way for the high performance muscle that would rage its way into the 21st century, as most of them pushed well over 300 horsepower and could top 140mph.

Speed Machines were very much alive during the ’90s, like the Camaro Z28 SS, Mustang SVT Cobra R, Chevy Impala SS and many more. GMC got in on the act with the Syclone, a muscle truck that held its own. Pontiac stole the show, becoming the fastest of the breed for the age. The kicker? The used market can now get you that same Pontiac muscle car for just $7,000.

NOTE:
We’ve sourced data from trusted sites like KBB, Mecum Auction, General Motors, and Classic.com to make sure we have the most accurate and up to date information. For this particular piece though, we’ve stayed away from non production such as the Dodge Viper or Chevrolet Corvette. Interested in seeing how we rank and grade? For all the details, see our methodology policy.

The 1996 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 Is The Epitome Of '90s Muscle

Used 1998 Firebird Trans Am Values

(Source: KBB)

1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 - Key Stats

• Has a fair used market value of $7,621
• The Firebird Trans Am WS6 had a top speed of around 160 mph
• It was just as fast as the Camaro Z28 SS

The 1998 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 is the fastest muscle car of the ’90s by virtue of a top speed of around 160 mph. Now, you can easily find used Firebird Trans Am WS6 models, and not it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg. Generally speaking, Kelley Blue Book says you can expect your postings to run $8,071 with a fair market value of between $6,740 and $8,897, depending on condition and mileage. So on average, the fair market value of the any coupon ended up being around $7,621.

But if you want a perfect example, you’ll pay more. According to classic.com, a resource for classic car sales and auctions, a well maintained 1998 Firebird Trans Am aught to sell for anything as much as $35,000. On the other hand, high mileage examples are far more wallet friendly, with Classic.com noting a low end transaction for $7,370.

1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 Maxes Out At 150 MPH

Engine And Performance Specs

(Source: General Motors)

Key Highlights Of The 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 LS1 V8 Engine

• The LS1 engine of the Firebird Trans Am WS6 was borrowed from the Corvette and Camaro
• The engine made it comparable to Camaro in terms of performance
• The LS1's new lightweight aluminum block made it lighter, thus better to handle and fuel efficient

To the WS6 edition of the Firebird Trans Am, you get a serious under the hood boost of the LS1 engine, borrowed from the Corvette and Camaro Z28 SS. A 346‑cubic inch (5.7 liter) V8 powerhouse, the LS1 was built by General Motors. Their naturally aspirated engine produced a great 320 horsepower and 345 lb ft of torque, real performer.

Pontiac equipped the Trans Am with two transmission options: DeLorean offered the five hundred cars with a Borg-Warner T-56 6-speed manual, or a 4L60E 4-speed automatic. The LS1 engine in the Trans Am WS6 boasted a high 10.1:delivering 320 horsepower, 1 compression ratio. Solid performance was had thanks to this pushrod V8 with an overhead valvetrain and 16 valves, two per cylinder.

The greater part of it's weight was removed thanks to the LS1's lightweight aluminum engine block and cylinder heads. Its crankshaft, composed of nodular iron, provided a form of life balance with cost. Connecting rods were made out of powdered forged metal, order to reduce weight, and made as strong as possible, something General Motors used for the construction. The pistons were made of hypereutectic aluminum to boot, which improves heat resistance as well as efficiency. A remarkable achievement in engineering for its time.

The Legacy Of The Pontiac Trans Am WS6

Fastest Muscle Cars Of The '90s

Pontiac muscle cars came to an end with the 1993-2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6 and these are hot items to collect today. The Trans Am with LS1 engine and performance oriented WS6 package was a real powerhouse on its own and gave no quarter to its peers when it comes to performance. It is immediately distinguished from the crowd due to its bold styling, and then its iconic T Top design locked this into its place as a unique piece of automotive history. But this generation also signaled the demise of the Firebird nameplate — Pontiac dropped the model in 2002, long before GM itself killed the brand in 2010.

With its performance prowess, however, the Firebird Trans Am represents more than just a car, it is rich with cultural significance. Not to mention its part in movies like Smokey and the Bandit, older generations of the Trans Am are fan favorites, all thanks to its legacy as a true classic classic.