90's "muscle car" choices?

I do appreciate the input. Here is the dealio. If I lived in town I'd still be driving my 440 Dart Sport. But at 40 miles a day to get to work and back and the fact that I'd like at least 20 MPG.

Trucks don't do much for me since I already have a couple.

Picture a car nice enough to lay a nice patch, run down the track once a year and still throw the keys to your wife for $2500 +/-.

I still think it comes down to the 5.0 or the LT1. To me it feels like comparing a known variable (the 5.0) and the LT1. Not sure I like some things about the LT, window motors, Opti's, hard to work on etc.

There is a 96 and newer GT sitting about a block from my work that has some minor issues but is all stock and a mid-90's Firebird LT1. Both haven't moved in quite a while.

Thank you for your thoughts and any more are welcome. I am going to consider them and weigh the options.

ROB