considering 82/83 trans am

hi
im from england and am seriously considering buying either an 82 or 83 auto trans am, basicaly need some info whats the ride like? do these cars go wrong much? whats the main things to look for? i realise rust can be a major problem! i have never owned an american car before currently own a GTO twin turbo had a ford probe. Someone told me trans ams are the best starter cars to get into american ownership, + i want to do it up like kitt from knight rider (love that show) also have looked at late 80s corvettes which are equally as gorgeous but i have heard VERY expensive on parts etc.
cheers for your help
craig
also out of curiosity is there much room in the back of an 82 trans am? isnt much in the probe or GTO!!!

I think there awsome cars man.girls like em,parts r readily available,cool looking,aerodynamic,leg and trunk room,fast.The thing I dont like about them is that they will put a toll on your back getting in and out of them.I say if u see a good running one with the right price u should pick it up.

The 80's firebirds have a fair amout of space considering they are sports cars. I have loaded the hatch back of mine with a vacuum cleaner, steam cleaner, about 10 medium sized boxes and some misc. clothes and crap, in the back area behind the seats as well as the hatch area, and still was able to close the hatch. With the seats up and only the back hatch area, it is fairly sizeable depending on what you are trying to put there as it slopes down toward the back.

When I moved I had stuff filled in the hatch all the way to the top of the hatch in the open position!I just tied it down good and hung yhe required RED FLAG when stuff is sticking out farther than the body of your car.