I rode in a supercharged Firehawk today.... All I have to say is: damn.
It was in at my dad's shop to be fixed, so on the test drive it was only at like 50% power, but it threw me back in the seat... Anyways to make a long story short, there's amazing potential with the big V8's you get in Camaro's and Firebirds/TransAms/Firehawks, etc.
After that I must say, if you have the $$$ get a camaro or a pontiac if you want to create big power. Plus, if your a first time driver, the stock power of a V8 will be more than sufficient for you. I dont think it's wise to let first time drivers be behind the wheel of something they can't handle. Hell I've been driving for two years+ and I wouldn't want to touch the Firehawk I rode in. I drive a damned 80 billion ton 4cyl station wagon... 114hp beast
I'm gonna take my horse power in stages... Stage 1 = 100-199hp, etc. SO
Consider yourself lucky if you have th emoney to start out with such nice cars. PLUS, to go with what nohook said, LS1's,etc. are easy motors to miodfy. So you can get used to whatever you get with a camaro or firebird and then when your allowed to or you can afford to, you can get it tuned and crank out even more power.
Your car will go as fast as your wallet will let it....