did the GTA come with a 305? i always thought they jsut came with 350's, but i was looking at the readers rides and a lot of the GTA's there have 305's.....

 

This answer should be obvious
350 was the standard powerplant.
UNLESS you wanted the stick shift, then you got the 305.
Since GM would not put the 5 speed stick and the oh so powerful 350 together, knowing that transmission could not handle so much power.
Who says technology isn't good?
Now in the modern age you get a 350 with 305 to 330 hp and 6 speeds! But it comes in the uglier 4th gen body.

 

To clear up some issues...

1) 4th gens are only uglier until you own one. Then you'll understand. Take it from people who have owned both. I love third gens, but the 4th gen is a better car, and once you own one, the look will grow on you very quickly. My 30th I thought was a more attractive car than the '89 RS I used to own. 3rd gens are starting to look somewhat dated...a '93-'97 Camaro has beautiful lines if you take the time to look at one. Hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion...but I wouldn't call a 4th gen ugly by any stretch.

2) 305 AUTOMATICS were available in GTAs. They were somewhat more popular in '90-'92, when supposedly you could not get a 350 with t-tops. As 92GTA learned, some wanted t-tops so bad they ordered the 305 tpi/auto then added SLP parts to them! 305/autos were available in '89 as well (maybe earlier...not sure), but were not as popular because for only $300 more you could get the 350, and still get t-tops with it.