Firebirds and Mustangs in Austria?

[SLP]

By the way, are you guys sure Firebirds have a bad stereotype in Austria?

Because I showed pictures of 4th generation Firebirds and New Edge Mustangs to the same couple of guys who said the AMG was a "Zuhälterauto" and they had nothing bad to say about it. They actually didn't know the cars. They said the Firebird looked like a sports car of a rich guy and the Mustang they asked if it was a Ford Sierra, which surprised me but I kind of can see where they are coming from. Then I showed a picture of another 4th generation Firebird, this time black and they said KITT. I said, right car, wrong generation.

But I guess if I had shown the picture of a black Corvette or any low profile black sports car they don't know they would also have said KITT.

Then since they didn't have any bad stereotypes for the cars I showed it to a few other Austrians and nobody knew what the Firebird was and had no stereotype for it. The opinions ranged from sports car, cool or futuristic. One asked if it was a Corvette. But nothing bad. The Mustang a couple of people knew though.

So is there really a stereotype for the Firebird 4th generation in Austria? It doesn't look like it. Or the Mustang for that matter. But somehow the Mustang seems more obviously an American car for people. The Firebird they don't seem to know what it is. But nobody said anything bad about it.

Thanks guys.

[rosso400]

Did you hear that?
Few weeks ago they found a coffin on the ground of the "Wörthersee" - yes really! After salvaging this coffin from the sea they wasn´t able to open it - they try hard but it doesn´t work - so the only answer is: inside there must be a "Zuhälter".....

[grant]

i would drive a Firebird (only 1st / 2nd generation) too..

[SLP]

Did you hear that?
Few weeks ago they found a coffin on the ground of the "Wörthersee" - yes really! After salvaging this coffin from the sea they wasn´t able to open it - they try hard but it doesn´t work - so the only answer is: inside there must be a "Zuhälter".....

No, I didn't hear anything about it. But you can't be serious..or?

[SLP]

i would drive a Firebird (only 1st / 2nd generation) too..

No love for the 3rd and 4th generations? Why not?

I think like the Mustang, all Firebird generations are nice in their own way.

OK. The Mustang 2nd generation is not really that nice.

[rosso400]

No, I didn't hear anything about it. But you can't be serious..or?

No, but I ask myself is your question serious - who cares?

[SLP]

No, I didn't hear anything about it. But you can't be serious..or?

No, but I ask myself is your question serious - who cares?

Not a matter of really caring. It's just educational.

It's always fascinating to see the different ways people perceive the same cars around the world.

Like Mercedes in the UK and US are status symbols. In Austria they seem to be grandpa cars.

In the UK Rovers would be grandpa cars. But in Austria they are probably considered luxury. I know people who confuses them with Jaguars.

So to me it's interesting to learn about the perceptions and stereotypes of the different cars. That's all.

[SLP]

So, I've been looking at some 4th gen birds for sale in Austria and Germany and I have noticed that some of them have the standard side mirrors but most have some ugly square ones that don't match the car lines. Is this some European law? Which years come with the original ones, since there seem to be some out there?

Also, we have talked about body modifications. But what about mechanical modifications? If I get an automatic, can I make a manual gearbox swap or do I have to ask permission too? What about engine modifications or even interior modifications?

Thanks guys.

[badass454]

haha....yes in the 80s and 90s the ösi law kicked off the beautiful speedline mirrors on corvettes and birds to screw on some really big bmw mirrors,
they also paint the sidemarkers black!! no choke......

we all live in Ösiland......haha

[SLP]

But there are some cars for sale in Austria which have the original mirrors. So do you think the owners changed it back? Is it allowed or will it also need to be inspected first?

Do you drive a Firebird?

Thanks for replying.

[badass454]

most of the people change the mirrors back and activate the sidemarkers, nobody cares.

10 years ago i had a c4 corvette and changed everything back to original

[SLP]

This is good to know. What about mechanical modifications? Engine etc? Or if I get an automatic, can I make a manual gearbox swap without any problems?

Thanks.

[ownor]

eu spec cars have the ugly porsch style mirrors because mirrors here have to be foldable. if they were sold new by a dealer they probably have it if not changed back to us style. if they were imported used the buzzkills who checked the car did not know this or did not care so the cars were registered with the us style mirrors.

if you swap in a manual instead of an automatic you have to let the buzzkills know and let them check the car again. they will inspect the whole car for everything and make you wish you never went there. so most ppl just drive it with the mods, nobody will notice it if done properly.

[morli]

what a topic. Austrian US Car enthusiasts talking 'bout austrian car stereotypes.

Let's talk 'bout 4th Gen Birds and Stangs. More so on Birds, as i prefer them over Stangs.

Some people really do think, that all of those 90s and early 00s should be buried, as they are too much of a ricer. This is once again a very austrian point of view, especially amongst those guys around here who own US classics of the 50s, 60s & 70s or a late model corvette.

But - It's fun to drive 4th gen Trans Ams. Pure childish fun, if you like playing around with the RWD and auto tranny on the road. Even more fun if it's got manual transmission.

Keeping her in good technical shape is no great deal as the parts are easy to get and she's easy to repair. The only thing is to find an almost rust free specimen with austrian registration and to get a triple "A" rust protection job done on it, if you plan to take it out there in winter.

So, if you give a damn on our stupid outrageous taxes, go for it and keep us posted.

[SLP]

:lol: what a topic. Austrian US Car enthusiasts talking 'bout austrian car stereotypes.

Let's talk 'bout 4th Gen Birds and Stangs. More so on Birds, as i prefer them over Stangs.

Some people really do think, that all of those 90s and early 00s should be buried, as they are too much of a ricer. This is once again a very austrian point of view, especially amongst those guys around here who own US classics of the 50s, 60s & 70s or a late model corvette.

Seriously? Who thinks a 4th gen Firebird is a ricer? U.S. car fans in Austria? Because the everyday Austrian doesn't even seem to know what it is. You never see a 4th gen on Austrian streets. Seems very rare.

But why the snobbery against the 90's and early 00s birds? They are the best Firebirds ever built, for obvious reasons. Old American cars look nice. But they are death traps. The late 60's early 70's muscle cars were actually dangerous and drive like poopoo compared to a Mustang or Firebird from the 90's or 00's. They are great if you are going straight. But the engineers only thought about how to make a lot of power and forgot to think how they would work on curves and how they would stop.

I have had and driven old muscle cars and I like them as much as the next guy. But they are bad cars. So much body rolling, they brake badly and on curves you can forget all that useless power. But I will not bash them because they have their own appeal. Just like Mustangs and Firebirds from the 90's and 00's have their own appeal. I'm sorry but anybody who bashes the 90's and 00's birds and stangs are not real cars fans. They are just snobs. Sorry.

But - It's fun to drive 4th gen Trans Ams. Pure childish fun, if you like playing around with the RWD and auto tranny on the road. Even more fun if it's got manual transmission.

Keeping her in good technical shape is no great deal as the parts are easy to get and she's easy to repair. The only thing is to find an almost rust free specimen with austrian registration and to get a triple "A" rust protection job done on it, if you plan to take it out there in winter.

So, if you give a damn on our stupid outrageous taxes, go for it and keep us posted.

Is it really important to find one with Austrian registration? With the E.U., is it not ok to buy one from Germany etc?