If you really liked your 3rd Gen, stick with it. I would recommend an '85-'87 IROC, because they handled awesome. They were some of the best handling cars GM has EVER produced. They would handle at 0.92g on the skidpad BONE STOCK.

LT1 cars are very affordable nowadays, and youcan get a very nice one for $5,000 or less. They're also faster than the 3rd Gen. Obviously, styling is subjective. I can't say that I like one over another. I'd love to have a 3rd Gen. In fact, when I found my 4th Gen, I was looking for a 3rd Gen, but they all pulled a huge premium, even on models that were not well maintained.

If you care the most about out-of-the-box speed, go with an LS1.

NJ said that 4th Gen Camaros suck in snow. I can't imagine ANY of them are good in the snow, but they surely DO suck, and my 4th Gen is WITHOUT A DOUBT, the WORST RWD car I have EVER driven in snow. However, I don't think you should own a Camaro in the first place, unless you also own something else, just because of the snow.

 

i think that any RWD car is bad in the snow, My RX-7 that i drive now is just as bas as my 83 camaro and my 79 Z28 which i gave to my brother!

 

shoulda gave me your 79....damn you boost!!

 

get an iroc, thats what I like in the third gens.

 

Personally I have little trouble driving in the snow, ( I'm 16 and live in Omaha,NE)just about 50lbs gave me plenty of traction. Although the tires that came on it ( I bought it in mid July) are definately a huge help. Anyways I have the 3.4 V6 in my '94 also, for someone my age I guess it has plenty of power, but if I given the chance, an older LS-1 is probably a good idea. My personal search for a Z or SS has really shown me some things. A decent, '97 z-28 (in nebraska, I don't really know if prices could vary nationally) goes for about 6500-8000$, and thats with a 6-speed and t-tops. As far as the LS-1 goes, I have no idea, generally I only reaserch things I might be able to afford after a summer of two full time jobs.