[Untamed]

Stick with the stocker 3rd gen. Don't put any more money into than you have to, to keep it running. It's screaming "daily driver" to me, so keep it that way. You are young, have no job, and really need to worry about school while having fun on the side - not dropping tons of money into something you can't even drive yet.

Here's a suggested plan:

Buy the items you need - over the next three years - to get the car running just fine. Rust removal, a few cosmetic changes maybe, but stick to whatever you need to make it safe and reliable. Enjoy the Firebird for what it is, not what it could be on a track or racing some schmuck from a red light. You don't need that kind of expense and trouble right now with the insurance the way it is in this state.

Next, at age 15, apply to work as a parts monkey in a parts store or warehouse. You aren't looking for a glamorous job - you are looking for experience, a chance to pick up the lingo, and learn more about cars from the stories you'll hear from fellow workers and customers. Work this job for two years until you can drive. Working at a parts store might get you discounts or the occasional freebie.

By the time you are ready to drive, you will have money, parts, and a better understanding of what it means to cruise and what it means to race. Depending on your other interests, cruising might be your best option - costs less and gives you more time to enjoy other things.

Yeah, sorry to be the rolled newspaper of reality to the nose, but bring the dreams a little closer to reality so that you can actually attain them. You have the rest of your life ahead of you to own multiple cars, race faster than the space shuttle, and be the object of affection by blond race circuit women everywhere.