I wouldn't rule out a 3rd-gen. Despite the earliest models being almost 40 years old now they're still cheap. A nice example can be had for under $3,000. Most of the time it takes a seller to go under $2,000 to actually find a buyer. The MPFI V6 and feedback carb/TBI 305 V8 engines are reasonably reliable and easy to get parts and work on. All of them are well under 200HP that a 4th-gen V6 Firebird makes.
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1971 Trans Am 455 H.O. - Cameo white
1982 Recaro T/A 305 - Black
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