As much as I'd like to recommend a Fox, I can't for your situation. These old cars need a lot of love, patience, and a backup ride. If you can't afford two cars, get a decent car that you can drive in the snow and a Fox later for cash. Your going to be hating on the car when it is broke, you can't get to work, and you have to make payments on it.
OP, as a long time fox guy, I have to say that LarsD has the right answer. If you were in the south where it didn't snow and fox mustangs were 10 years newer, then I'd say you were probably ok.
These cars had reliable drivetrains, but old worn ones will see lots of the peripheries break: electronics, interior parts, etc... Now, at 20-30 years old, these cars are not for someone to who doesn't have the time and money to keep up. I think this really applies to any car that's worn, as opposed to a low mileage say 60-80k mile car. If you can afford a rust-bucket fox, you can afford a better 4cyl sedan with cheaper insurance and better gas mileage. If you can afford a nice fox, you can afford both the sedan and a cheaper fox you can build on. It sounds like you are not in the right position for this car.
I think the difference between this thread and the one on moddedmustangs is that you seemed more focused on reliability and primary vehicle here, whereas you seemed more focused on getting 250rwhp reliably there.
Then you'll have two cars to work oni am actually getting a beater CIvic this week, so then i can start to hunt for a 5.0 and it won't have to be in DD condition.
If ya wanna go faster for cheaper try this http://www.carsforsale.com/used_cars_for_sale/1999_Pontiac_Firebird_155282524_21
Without being biased you don't think the motors/trans in the firebirds n camaros held up very well? I'm not arguing I dunno I haven't ridden in one since its was new in '01. I can imagine they might be rattle traps by now but I dunno bout the drivetrain. All I was thinking was if he's gonna spend 4k on a 200 horse 20 yr old car why not 5k on a 13 yr old w 285 if its performance he's after on a budget. It'd take a $3k topend kit on the fox just to get em on an equal playing field w the stock gm. If he was to drop a topend kit on the gm he'd really have something.No offense, but talk about going from the pan to the fire. A POS GM product that has over 100k miles is more reliable than a fox? By the way this dealer has another ad where he will take $4500 cash..lol
http://dannyautosales.v12soft.com/inventory/view/6817301?1999 Pontiac Trans Am Firebird Black $5000 Cash Today Dallas TX
Here's the VIN 2G2FV22G1X2201601
Really guys I think it boils down to this: he's looking for a 3500-4k reliable, quick, daily driver and well there is no such car. However I just think he'd be disappointed w a fox. He thinks he's getting something quick and well its just not. I know it can be made to be but someone who is spending 4k on a dd will never get there. The kind of $ he can save when not making repairs will be bolt on stuff like exhausts n pulleys. (How do I know what he can save? Just taking an educated guess due to 3500$ dd) and that's going to be another disappointment to the list bc he'd spent his hard saved $ and is still getting spanked by the minivan. The he might run into trans probs or maybe nothin that major lets say a rear main leak but to the guy w a 3500 dolla dd a rear main leak is a lot of money. So now he has a loud slow car w dim lights that leaks oil. Man I'd pass. Mustangs are cool don't get me wrong but fixing one up to where its respectable isn't for the faint of wallet
if you're wondering how I know all this well I was kinda in your shoes. If you're looking to be quick on the cheap I think I'd look at the firebird formulas or T/A. The z28 would be the same but I think the trans Am's were more adult owned when new so they'd prob be in better shape. With the Ls motor you're starting with more power and I believe aftermarket cylinder heads are cheaper than the mustangs. Hell even the older lt motors have a deal more power than the small 4.995 302 in stock trim. I'm not trying to sound like a mustang hater I'm just trying to save you some heartache. Now don't get it twisted, you'll have some reliability issues with the GM's as well, same goes with any 10-20 yr old car you'll always have some kind of maintenance part to replace but if its performance you're after you'll get more for less if you go w the car w the larger displacementPoint taken
Same car just different skins. The ta had more creature comforts thoughI could possibly drive a Trans Am. I could never drive a Chevy tho haha