Template:Infobox vehicles The Phoenix is a two-door muscle car that appears in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online. It is manufactured by Imponte in the HD Universe.
Design
3D Universe
In every rendition, the Phoenix is based on the Pontiac Trans Am (also known as Pontiac Firebird) and 1982-1992 Chevrolet Camaro but the round taillights are similar to 1970-1973 Chevrolet Camaros. The front portion was resembling 1973-1975 Vauxhall Firenza, especially the Droopsnoot version.
The Phoenix has been changed slightly throughout the games, with a rear deck lid blackout panel in GTA San Andreas, and a thinner stripe in GTA Vice City Stories. The car is distinctive by its hood scoop, where in GTA Vice City it was fully functional.
Grand Theft Auto V
The Phoenix returns in Grand Theft Auto V, having a near-identical appearance from the 3D Universe, although it now takes up resemblance as the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am.
The Phoenix is now depicted with a pointed front end, side skirts and, by default, lacks any sort of hood scoop or intake in it. On the underside, two exhaust pipes runs across the car and ends in two exhaust silencers, which both splits into two long pipes, resulting in four tail pipes that are seen under the rear bumper. The car prominently spawns with a ducktail spoiler.
It is now able to spawn either with a single body color or with a randomly colored stripe in the middle, where it is determined by the secondary color when modified at Los Santos Customs.
Current Design Gallery
Detailing
Version History Gallery
Performance
3D Universe
The Phoenix is acceptably fast, however has great acceleration and torque, offset by having somewhat of a loose rear end. It has a top speed of 200km/h, faster than other comparable muscle cars such as the Sabre, Clover, and Stallion, which all share a top speed of 160 km/h. This makes it a great vehicle for drifting with. The Phoenix drives and sounds as if it is powered by a large supercharged engine, and also features a large air scoop for the carburetor. It can also be modified in TransFender in GTA San Andreas with nearly all of the available options for customization, but most of the categories have only one option as with most car customization in San Andreas. Like most muscle cars, it has a two person capacity. On the downside, the brakes are not as good as the other sports cars in GTA San Andreas. According to the files, the mass is 1400kg in GTA Vice City and 1500kg in GTA San Andreas.
With the exception of GTA San Andreas, all of the Phoenix's 3D Universe appearances bear a sports/high end car's engine sound rather than the iconic V8 muscle car engine the car is associated with.
3D Universe Overview
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 124 / 200 | 5 | Petrol | RWD | 1400 / 3086 (GTA VC) 1500 / 3307 (GTA SA) |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V
The Phoenix in Grand Theft Auto V has a high top speed and decent acceleration. It also has excellent torque and can climb steep hills with ease. Unfortunately, it suffers from poor handling. Its poor weight distribution and light rear end leads to severe oversteer, especially at high speeds. Its back end is prone to fishtailing, and crashes and spin-outs may occur more often than usual in this car. The durability is below-par, and it is prone to frame loss (fenders, bumpers, hoods, etc.) in event of a rollover accident.
It highly benefits from customization, as its acceleration can be topped with the right modifications. In essence, the Phoenix is quite similar to another car based off the Pontiac Trans Am, the Ruiner (although the Ruiner is based off of a later-model Trans Am than the Phoenix), however the Ruiner is generally superior in all areas. Thus, the Phoenix is better suited to more mundane roles, such as cruising at intermediate speeds. Despite this, the Phoenix can still be a competitor in the right hands, especially in races with more straights than corners.
The Phoenix is powered by what is stated to be a V8 turbo, somewhat true to its engine model, which is coupled to a 5-speed gearbox in a front engine, rear wheel drive layout. Its engine sound is of a high-performance engine, similar to the Buffalo S, the Dominator and the Gauntlet in that aspect.
GTA V Overview
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
Fuel Tank Size (litres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 90 / 145 | 5 | N/A | RWD | 1700 / 3748 | 65 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | V8 Turbo (Badging) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 5.2 Seconds | 110 / 177 | 5 | FR SOHC V8 (In-game model) | RWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
Modifications
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
The Phoenix can only be modified in a TransFender garage.
| Type | Upgrade | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Car Color 1 (body, 64 different colors) | $ 150 |
| Car Color 2 (stripe, 64 different colors) | $ 150 | |
| Vents | Oval Hood Vent | $ 150 |
| Square Hood Vent | $ 100 | |
| Exhausts | Large Exhaust | $ 250 |
| Twin Exhaust | $ 300 | |
| Upswept Exhaust | $ 350 | |
| Lights | Square Fog Lamp | $ 50 |
| Nitro | 2x Nitrous | $ 200 |
| 5x Nitrous | $ 500 | |
| 10x Nitrous | $ 1000 | |
| Roof | Roof Scoop | $ 80 |
| Spoilers | Win | $ 550 |
| Fury | $ 350 | |
| Side skirts | Side Skirt | $ 500 |
| Wheels | Import | $ 820 |
| Atomic | $ 770 | |
| Ahab | $ 1000 | |
| Virtual | $ 620 | |
| Access | $ 1140 | |
| Off Road Wheel | $ 1000 | |
| Mega | $ 1030 | |
| Grove | $ 1230 | |
| Twist | $ 1200 | |
| Wires | $ 1560 | |
| Car Stereo | Bass Boost | $ 100 |
| Hydraulics | Hydraulics | $ 1500 |
NOTE: Las Venturas Transfender will charge 20% more (except for colors)
Grand Theft Auto V
| Type | Upgrade | Cost (Story) | Cost (Online) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armor | Armor Upgrade 20% | $500 | $4,500 |
| Armor Upgrade 40% | $1,250 | $7,500 | |
| Armor Upgrade 60% | $2,000 | $12,000 | |
| Armor Upgrade 80% | $3,500 | $21,000 | |
| Armor Upgrade 100% | $5,000 | $30,000 | |
| Brakes | Street Brakes | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Sport Brakes | $2,700 | $5,400 | |
| Race Brakes | $3,500 | $7,000 | |
| Bumpers | Extended Chin Spoiler | $500 | $1,000 |
| Custom Chin Spoiler | $750 | $1,500 | |
| Engine | EMS Upgrade, Level 1 | $900 | $1,800 |
| EMS Upgrade, Level 2 | $1,250 | $2,500 | |
| EMS Upgrade, Level 3 | $1,800 | $3,600 | |
| EMS Upgrade, Level 4 | $3,350 | $6,700 | |
| Exhaust | Big Bore Exhaust | $375 | $750 |
| Titanium Tuner Exhaust | $899 | $1,800 | |
| Grille | Iron Mask | $375 | $750 |
| Hood | Cowl Induction Hood | $325 | $650 |
| Triple Intake Bug Catcher | $750 | $1,500 | |
| Single Intake Bug Catcher | $875 | $1,750 | |
| Lights | Xenon Lights | $300 | $3,000 |
Main article: Los Santos Customs/Lights |
- | - | |
| Loss/Theft Prevention | Tracker | N/A | $2,000 |
| Full Coverage | N/A | $2,500 | |
| Respray | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Respray Colors |
- | - |
| Crew Emblem | N/A | $25,000 | |
| Roof | Glass Roof | $350 | $700 |
| Sell | Sell Vehicle | N/A | $2,000 |
| Skirts | Custom Skirts | $415 | $830 |
| Spoiler | Mid Level Spoiler | $275 | $550 |
| High Level Spoiler | $350 | $700 | |
| Suspension | Lowered Suspension | $500 | $1,000 |
| Street Suspension | $1,000 | $2,000 | |
| Sport Suspension | $1,700 | $3,400 | |
| Competition Suspension | $2,200 | $4,400 | |
| Transmission | Street Transmission | $2,950 | $5,900 |
| Sports Transmission | $3,250 | $6,500 | |
| Race Transmission | $4,000 | $8,000 | |
| Turbo | Turbo Tuning | $2,500 | $30,000 |
| Wheels | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Wheels |
- | - |
| Windows | Light Smoke | $200 | $1,500 |
| Dark Smoke | $450 | $3,500 | |
| Limo | $700 | $5,000 |
Prominent Appearances in Missions
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- A Home in the Hills - CJ has to chase and kill the Vagos leader Big Poppa that owns a Phoenix.
- Race Tournaments - The player has to race with the Phoenix through San Fierro Hills.
Notable Owners
Image Gallery
Locations
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Commonly driven throughout the region of Vice Beach.
- Parked at the north-western mansion on Starfish Island, as well as commonly found around the rest of the island.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
The Phoenix is an extremely rare car, akin to the Euros, Berkley's RC Van and Hotknife.
- A Phoenix can be found by entering the San Fierro Hills street race located at the checkered flag behind Wang Cars. Take the Phoenix to a garage and store it, then instead of completing the race, fail the race to keep it.
- Appears in A Home In The Hills where Big Poppa escapes Madd Dogg's mansion driving one. The player can kill him with a headshot and enter the car once the door is opened, as it will lock if the door closes again. This is difficult, however, as Big Poppa is set to drive recklessly and ignore stationary objects.
- Rarely found inside of the impound lot of the San Fierro Police Headquarters. Use a Police Car or stealth abilities to enter the lot and avoid a three-star wanted level.
- May spawn if the "Fast Cars" cheat is activated.
- Can be obtained in Vigilante side-missions.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
- Parked along the road that extends along the beach on Ocean Beach.
- Parked behind Malibu Club in Washington Beach.
- Parked on the side of the road in front of a building, northwest of the Vice Point Mall in Vice Point.
Grand Theft Auto V
- Notably more popular when driving a Fusilade.
- The Phoenix can spawn in the Paleto Bay area at the Clucking Bell Farms.
- May spawn in the near vicinity of Vinewood Racetrack.
- Can spawn in Grapeseed and Harmony.
- Can be obtained from the Eastern Motel in Harmony during the police shootout random encounter.
- May spawn in South Los Santos around the Vanilla Unicorn.
- Commonly found spawning around Pillbox Hill and Textile City.
- After replaying the mission Trevor Philips Industries, it will spawn on the eastern highway, that leads to Sandy Shores. Once the mission ends, the player have to get into the white Phoenix near the ice box, and drive away, as the game will continue automatically. Then, it will start spawning on the highway.
- If the player is doing the mission for the first time, just steal the Phoenix, then simply take it to the garage in order to keep it.
- Often spawns around Rancho being driven by the Los Santos Vagos.
- Sometimes spawns in strawberry being driven by the Families.
- It is mostly seen in Carson Avenue after Franklin has taken Liz for a Booty Call.
Grand Theft Auto Online
- The Phoenix may occasionally spawn around the docks, near the drop-off point for Simeon's missions.
- May spawn near the Maze Bank Arena area.
- May spawn in and near the Cypress Flats area.
- Frequently spawns in the parking spaces near the East Vinewood soccer field area (where the gang attack is located) when driving a Dominator.
Trivia
General
- The default radio stations for the Phoenix are:
- GTA San Andreas: Playback FM.
- GTA V: Channel X.
- A Phoenix is a legendary mythical bird said to set fire to itself and arise from its ashes in a new form. It is also one of six vehicles in the series to be named after a mythical creature, the other five being the Hydra, Leviathan, Banshee, Valkyrie and the Kraken.
- Phoenix is likely a play on "Firebird", the car it is based on throughout the series, as phoenixes are "firebirds" due to their association with fire.
- The Phoenix was originally going to be called the "Roadblazer". [citation/verification needed]
3D Universe
- In GTA Vice City, the butterflies in the supercharger's hood scoop open when accelerating. However, in GTA San Andreas, they remain in a fixed position, and in GTA Vice City Stories the butterflies are removed altogether. It is also noteworthy that the GTA San Andreas version of the Phoenix has been made with three-dimensional butterflies in the scoop, while the ones in GTA Vice City were only two-dimensional.
- In GTA San Andreas, the car was meant to spawn regularly through all the affluent areas of the state, as shown in the cargrp.dat file, but a coding error prevents it from spawning around. The same happens with Euros and Tornado.
- When the health cheat is activated or when the car is taken to a garage, the butterflies will be fixed open, due to a glitch.
HD Universe
- In the first trailer for GTA V, the car lacks a rear spoiler and side-skirts.
- This vehicle cannot be purchased legally.
- Once all of the customization options have been unlocked in Los Santos Customs, the Phoenix has the option for a high level spoiler, modeling a high level rear wing. It is possibly a reference to Richard Petty's 1970 Plymouth Superbird
- Another customization item, the iron mask for the grille, can be used with the single intake bug catcher to make a vehicle resembling the Pursuit Special of the Mad Max film series.
- The enhanced version of the game was supposed to feature a permanent, traffic available spoiler-less version of the vehicle. This was quickly changed before the release of the enhanced version, however spoiler-less versions could be obtained via glitches in Los Santos Customs.
- This was eventually changed for the Cunning Stunts update, allowing players to steal spoiler-less Phoenixes in traffic, or have it modified at Los Santos Customs to remove its spoiler feature.