If you are looking for the LX, you have 3 different body styles.
Coupe - Lightest and most rigid.
Hatch - Most common, 50lbs heavier, weight's over the rear.
Vert - Heaviest, least ridgid, it has it's up's and down's, hehe, pun intended.
Now for differences in engines, since you are in California.
1987 Speed Density. Faster stock, less able to handle big cams and forced induction. Rated at 225hp 300tq
1988-1992 Mass Airflow. Slower stock, better when you really begin going crazy with it. Carry over ratings used from 1987, dispite revisions made at 225hp 300tq, although the engine was never technically rated.
1993 Mass Airflow. Hypereutic Pistons, weaker than the 1987-1992 Forged parts. Re-rated at 205hp. Weak computer. Probably the same real hp as 1988-1992.
Tranny's.
T-5. Much superior stock for stock in performance. Less expensive to make your car run 12's. Below that, you're pushing the stock T-5. 75lbs lighter.
1987-1989. 265lb/ft
1990-1993. 305lb/ft
AOD. Significantly slower than T-5, stock. Can be made to run with T-5 car, maybe a little better with a little more gear than the manual and otherwise equal setups. Requires shift kit, and converter, but converter hurts fuel economy a little. Adds 75lbs. Needs to be upgraded before other mods are made, as the car will not respond nearly as favorably to higher powerbands and the tranmission itself will rob 5% more power.
Looks.
1987-1990. 10 Hole "phone dial" 15" aluminum wheels. Not exactly the favorite choice.
1989 or 1990. GT Style "Turbine" 15" aluminum wheels. Look quite badass on the LX if I do say so myself. Limited Edition 7up convertables in Deep Emerald Green Metallic with white interior and white top only. Known as the 7up car. Only a few hundred ever made. Most people with these cars are idiots and trick them out for some reason. They will be worth a FORTUNE.
1991-1993. 5 Star "Pony" wheels. 16" aluminum. A huge improvement in style. Slightly enlarged front wheel inner fender area to accomodate larger aftermarket tires.
[This message has been edited by Unit 5302 (edited 09-08-2001).]