A clean 3rd-generation Pontiac Firebird or Chevrolet Camaro remain some the cheapest entry points to vintage muscle car ownership, but the tricky part is finding a nice one. When it comes to collector or enthusiast vehicles that remain cheap to buy, you are always going to be up against the rash of owners who fail to realize the importance of spending the right money on maintenance and avoiding tacky modifications. Fortunately, this 1990 Pontiac Firebird Formula listed here on craigslist has managed to survive in better condition than most, and the seller is asking $20,000 for this 23K-mile example.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader numskal for the find. The 3rd-generation models were introduced at a crossroads for the automotive industry, with many considering this era a dark period for the classic muscle car. The aerodynamic shape you see here, along with the headlights that stay closed and flat until flipped into operation, reflects the efforts of the Big 3 to grapple with changing expectations over fuel economy and performance. By giving its iconic muscle car a wind-cheating design, Pontiac and Chevrolet could perhaps address some of the shortcomings under the hood. It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it at least delivered one of the best-looking eras of the Camaro and Firebird.

There were a number of engine options over the years, with one of the obvious highlights being the limited-production models that had the turbocharged mill from the Buick GNX under the hood. Those are few and far between today and quite pricey, and this Firebird is available for far less thanks to its less exotic powerplant. This Firebird looks quite tidy all around but the seller discloses several issues that make the asking price seem somewhat ambitious: the heater core and valve stem seals needs replacing, the passenger headlight is inoperable due to a failed motor, the headliner is falling down, and the muffler baffle has rust and needs replacing. The good news is both the interior and exterior cosmetics are in excellent condition, and the cabin certainly looks like it belongs in a 22K-mile example.

The 305 5.0L fuel-injected V8 wasn’t the most powerful engine offered at the time, but it was respectable: around 190 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. The manual transmission cars make slightly more power but are all but impossible to find. The seller notes that recent maintenance includes a new fuel pump, recharged A/C, four new tires, and fresh fluids. There’s a lot to like here for a basic summertime hobby car, especially given how rare it is to see a Formula package on the street with low miles like this one. I do think the price is a bit high for a car with some issues, but the price isn’t that far off considering the condition on display here.