2005 Honda Civic vs. 1981 Pontiac Firebird
To start off, 2005 Honda Civic is newer by 24 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1981 Pontiac Firebird. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1981 Pontiac Firebird would be higher. At 5,012 cc (8 cylinders), 1981 Pontiac Firebird is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1981 Pontiac Firebird (145 HP @ 3800 RPM) has 78 more horse power than 2005 Honda Civic. (67 HP @ 5500 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1981 Pontiac Firebird should accelerate faster than 2005 Honda Civic. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1981 Pontiac Firebird weights approximately 417 kg more than 2005 Honda Civic. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.
Because 1981 Pontiac Firebird is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1981 Pontiac Firebird. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 2005 Honda Civic, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1981 Pontiac Firebird (324 Nm @ 2400 RPM) has 189 more torque (in Nm) than 2005 Honda Civic. (135 Nm @ 4200 RPM). This means 1981 Pontiac Firebird will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 2005 Honda Civic. 2005 Honda Civic has automatic transmission and 1981 Pontiac Firebird has manual transmission. 1981 Pontiac Firebird will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 2005 Honda Civic will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
2005 Honda Civic | 1981 Pontiac Firebird | |
Make | Honda | Pontiac |
Model | Civic | Firebird |
Year Released | 2005 | 1981 |
Body Type | Sedan | Coupe |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 1493 cc | 5012 cc |
Valves per Cylinder | 4 valves | 2 valves |
Horse Power | 67 HP | 145 HP |
Engine RPM | 5500 RPM | 3800 RPM |
Torque | 135 Nm | 324 Nm |
Torque RPM | 4200 RPM | 2400 RPM |
Engine Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 | 8.6:1 |
Drive Type | Front | Rear |
Transmission Type | Automatic | Manual |
Number of Seats | 5 seats | 4 seats |
Number of Doors | 4 doors | 2 doors |
Vehicle Weight | 1125 kg | 1542 kg |
Wheelbase Size | 2690 mm | 2750 mm |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 50 L | 79 L |