Dude, your asking a bunch of people on Hondaswap if you should by an American car. You better be ready with a bullet proof vest. I've been down that road, but everyone here is convinced a Chevy isn't is reliable has a Honda. I put no more parts into the Hondas or Nissans I owned, then the American cars I had owned.
That being said. Who cares about the suspension on either. The Firebird is rearwheel, but thats about it. The Honda's are economy cars until you upgrade them. Unless you live in the far eastern side of NY, there isn't enough roads worthly of a good suspension. If your going for a faster car, are you really that much concerned with gas mileage? Also, help your local economy, not sure where the Firebird parts were built, but my Cobalt has the following plants it supports:
Engine: GM powertrain, Tonawanda & Messena
Wipers: Valeo, Rochester
HVAC: Delphi thermal, Lockport
Fuel injection parts: Delphi Energy, Rochester
Electronics, sensors: Delphi & Motorola, Elma
Plus probably more I can't think of.