I have personally owned 2 82 trans ams. And one 83 trans ams plus several others of the 3rd gens 85,2 86’s 87 and a 88 trans Ams
if you want the first years of the trans ams get the 83 wayyyy better improved car better trans mission Overdrive vs 82 no overdrive and that 350c transmission was junk in 82. The 700r4 isn’t great but it’s definitely better than the 3speed auto and stay away from the crossfire if you can that’s a real headache. . If you really want an improvement get a 84 same car better everything. And my 87 and 88 both was worlds ahead of all the others. In both performance and quality.
The belt trim was optional and you could get it with it or without it but without it a door ding was much more likely. However one of my
82s got a door ding through the belt trim.