Is the WS6 Package Worth It?

**TRIROCZ** · 09-08-2008, 04:31 AM

I am in the process of purchasing a 98-02 Trans Am. I have found a few TA's that are not real WS6's, and I was wondering if it would be worth it to me to pay the extra for a real WS6, or would I be safe buying a clone. I found a true WS6 w/ 130,000 miles and a WS6 Clone with 50,000 miles for near the same price. The WS6 has all maintainance records and is highway miles w/some performance mods. The clone is all original with exhaust and functional ram air kit and looks exactly like the true WS6 (doesnt have the nice lumbar seats, just bucket leather). They are both black w/gray leather M6. I'm just curious if the "handling" portion of the ws6 is worth it....??

**ws-6gsx** · 09-08-2008, 05:08 AM

IMO
If you are going to mod it than get what ever you can afford, the difference in the handling package is minimal at best. I believe it's only the sway bars and the hood that differs. That said WS.6's seem to hold on to there value a little more.

**third_shift|studios** · 09-08-2008, 05:36 AM

Get the t/a and mod it-you'll end up replacing all the ws.6 "performance" stuff anyway.

**98T/Aformula.** · 09-08-2008, 05:38 AM

Go with the one with 50k on it, you dont get much more with the WS6pkg plus in the end you will most likely changing the WS6 parts anyways, except the hood.

**98T/Aformula.** · 09-08-2008, 05:38 AM

You beat me to it haha

**Rick99TAWS6** · 09-08-2008, 05:41 AM

Only the 98 & 99 LS1 WS6's got much better handling due to the use of 1LE suspension pieces over a regular TA, 2000 - 02 WS6's got regular TA pieces(excluding wheels/tires)

**97ramsst** · 09-08-2008, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by Rick99TAWS6

Only the 98 & 99 LS1 WS6's got much better handling due to the use of 1LE suspension pieces over a regular TA, 2000 - 02 WS6's got regular TA pieces(excluding wheels/tires)

Only half true. The springs on a 00-02 TA and 00-02 WS6 are the same, but the fact is the 00-02 TA got better springs than the base 98-99 cars. So the 00-02 WS6 didnt loose anything (all though they arent the same "1LE" springs used on 98 and 99 cars...they aren't the base TA springs either)...the base TAs just got better.

Also the WS6 cars got 32mm front sway bars vs the TAs 30mm.

With that said....the 150,000 mile car in question will need basicaly the entire suspension replaced anyway to handle well...so the factory handling package is a mute point.

**WS6ICK** · 09-08-2008, 08:21 AM

If your gonna do alot of Mods, get the regular TA. The WS6 hood is a must and you can put one on yourself with the ram air system too.

**ls1camino** · 09-08-2008, 08:26 AM

You're forgetting the taller Air Box that the WS6 has

**Orcus79** · 09-08-2008, 09:13 AM

The details on the WS6 are minor and easily made up with better after market components. Like others have said only the small parts are "improved" the rest of the basic set up is exactly the same.

Everything else is cosmetic pretty much.

Going on the information you gave though As stupid as it sounds I would be more comfortable going for the WS6 because of the paper trail for maintenance.

The structure of the suspention is still the flimsy stamped factory crap that comes on all the cars.

**0verkill** · 09-08-2008, 09:31 AM

its just personal chice coz if you buy it to mod it you will replace all the ws6 stuff any way. you just have to look at the candison of the cars in question and get the one you like the most.

**The Manalishi** · 09-08-2008, 10:06 AM

Get the regular TA.

**BIG GUNS** · 09-08-2008, 10:50 AM

I have a regular T/A and the only thing I might change out is the hood. I bought my baseline with 30,500 on it last year so, it was the best choice for the money. I've already done a lot of mods on it that wouldn't really matter if it was a WS6 or baseline. The mileage is what sold the car to me and the fact that it is black.

**JoshieDoom** · 09-08-2008, 10:18 PM

Dont get the high mile crap. Everything breaks at 150k on the dot.

**StuntmanMike** · 09-09-2008, 03:14 AM

No brainer. Go with the 50k mile T/A.

I've seen 1LE/WS6 swaybars on ebay for 50 bucks, so there's your handling package right there. If you lower it (as most seem to do) you end up with new springs anyway. You can get a Strano suspension for 1k that will blow away any stock package.

IMO nothing an original WS6 has can make up for a 80k mile difference. For the same price it's ludicrous to go for the WS6. Think of how long it will take you to put on that extra 80K. There's so much more life left in that T/A.

**1 Bad Ass Formula** · 09-11-2008, 05:35 AM

If you're going to mod the car I say buy a regular TA or Formula. The WS6 doesn't have anything more performance wise than a regular Trans Am. What's the price difference between the two? I think common sense is that if you just want the WS6 looks but could care less if it's a real WS6 then definitely buy the 50k mile TA.

**nhraformula** · 09-11-2008, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by StuntmanMike

No brainer. Go with the 50k mile T/A.

I've seen 1LE/WS6 swaybars on ebay for 50 bucks, so there's your handling package right there. If you lower it (as most seem to do) you end up with new springs anyway. You can get a Strano suspension for 1k that will blow away any stock package.

IMO nothing an original WS6 has can make up for a 80k mile difference. For the same price it's ludicrous to go for the WS6. Think of how long it will take you to put on that extra 80K. There's so much more life left in that T/A.

best reply of this post

**Ryanater** · 09-11-2008, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by nhraformula

best reply of this post

The only reason I paid the extra for the ws6 is because of resale value, it will be more of a collector car that way.

It's also nice to be able to say you have the real thing. Although I have yet to be asked if mine is a real ws6.

For me it was worth it and I would do it again, but as far a performance goes it's not worth the extra money.

**nhraformula** · 09-11-2008, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Ryanater

The only reason I paid the extra for the ws6 is because of resale value, it will be more of a collector car that way.

It's also nice to be able to say you have the real thing. Although I have yet to be asked if mine is a real ws6.

For me it was worth it and I would do it again, but as far a performance goes it's not worth the extra money.

ill agree that resale value will be better, but in this instance, the guy is getting a car that has 80k less miles than a ram air for the same $$, its the better choice in this case

**Ryanater** · 09-11-2008, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by nhraformula

ill agree that resale value will be better, but in this instance, the guy is getting a car that has 80k less miles than a ram air for the same $$, its the better choice in this case

I was talking in general it is worth the extra $$$ for the ws6 to me because of the mentioned reasons.

But in this case I wouldn't think twice about going for the sleek beak TA.