HarryLui

Golden Member
Aug 31, 2001
1,518
33
91
Who owned/owns Fiero? What can you tell me about its braking performance, handling characteristics? How does the body hold up in rusty area? What is your like and dislike about the car?
 

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
8
0
Compared to a modern car the ride and handling on a fiero stock isnt going to be much to be written home about. Its no better or worse than most cars from that era. Its got some style and kitch though.


If you dont have great expectations I bet they would be fun to play around with if your handy.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Perhaps you should consider joining the ever-growing MR2 club. ;)
 

ballmode

Lifer
Aug 17, 2005
10,246
2
0
Whatever you drive will have the age of 20+ years on it.

Good car back in the day, had its niche, had great engine swap potential and still does.

I think GM pulled that car off better than the Solstice/Sky
 

Via

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2009
4,670
4
0
I thought it was fun to drive, kind of go-kartish.

I didn't have any complaints until it blew up.
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
66
91
Who owned/owns Fiero? What can you tell me about its braking performance, handling characteristics? How does the body hold up in rusty area? What is your like and dislike about the car?

The braking and handling is pretty awesome from what I've seen of them at Lemons races. Granted those cars have track-oriented tires and brakes, but it speaks well to the platform.

Pretty sure the Fiero has a plastic body, which is good for those rust-prone areas.

My understanding is that they're similar to an MR2, very sensitive to trail braking and throttle lift, but they'll treat you pretty well if you're not an idiot.

Perhaps you should consider joining the ever-growing MR2 club. ;)

Or this, heh. They're very similar cars, but the MR2 will have slightly better rear suspension, a more reliable better engine, and possibly better brakes. Unfortunately, you'll also pay the MR2 tax and won't get a plastic body.

Either one can be a great car though.
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
This is an example of what I would consider buying.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pont...0928488?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3377a97d68


No 4 cylinder or 2.8 V6.


That is a very clean Fiero. but for 8k you can buy a MK1.5 MR2 that is cleaner than that. There is a guy currently selling his and I can tell you that its VERY well built.

He is asking $7500

Here is a link to his build page

and a link to his Mods page, which is quite extensive

and a video with him describing in detail most of the mods

If you are wanting an '80's nostalgic car, that is the way to go for sure. Mostly due to how well it has been documented, and how clean it is, this car will not lose resale value if it is treated and maintained properly (which wont be that hard).
Use that extra $500 and get it shipped to you.
IMG_3564.jpg

gah, thats a beautiful car - exactly what I want.
 
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DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
8,035
6
81
Fiero and MR2 are both excellent cars. I've owned several Fieros and they were a real joy. Just spend the money to get a nice one like the one in the ebay post - you don't want a 20 year old car that's been neglected. I had an 86 GT just like you're looking at, except all stock. Cornered very flat, brakes weren't the best but good upgrades are around. I loved the steering feel without any power assist. Interior is surprisingly roomy for tall people. Even though the bodies are plastic, its still metal underneath so you want to do a good look for rust.

That is a very clean Fiero. but for 8k you can buy a MK1.5 MR2 that can smoke that car out of the water. There is a guy currently selling his and I can tell you that its VERY well built.

I'd be careful saying something like this. A Fiero with a built 3.8SC in it is nothing to sneeze at. The youtube link in the ebay posting says that a previous owner hit 376hp with it on a dyno, and I've seen some 3.8SC hit well over 400hp.
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
I'd be careful saying something like this. A Fiero with a built 3.8SC in it is nothing to sneeze at. The youtube link in the ebay posting says that a previous owner hit 376hp with it on a dyno, and I've seen some 3.8SC hit well over 400hp.

ya, i editted my post - wasnt quick enough though. There are some amazing youtube videos out there of Fieros doing some incredible stuff - I bet they require a crazy amount of maintenance though.

Harry, if you like it, go for it. - but as doug said, get it checked professionally first. Too bad it would be a bitch to do a compression test on that engine though. looks like you have to remove the supercharger in order to do so?

EDIT: and is that tinfoil??
KGrHqFqUE-ZCmNcCdBP35NyDTKQ60_3.jpg
 
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HarryLui

Golden Member
Aug 31, 2001
1,518
33
91
No top and no convertible. No big car and no fwd. I had a t top car, it gets old real fast when you have to sit in a seat that's been under the sun for 8 hours and it's 110F in the shade.

I'm not looking for a show car, I'm looking for a driver. It's going to get door ding, paint chip, etc. And i like the idea having a s/c 3800, being a GM, parts are plentiful and easily sourced.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I say go for it.
It looks great, it's really clean, and it will pull like a raped ape.
Only thing I'd rather have without a doubt is a Z32, but that's just me.
 

96Firebird

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 2010
5,743
340
126
I really like that Fiero you linked to on eBay. And like you said, the 3800 motor was widely used so parts are available everywhere. I had the 3800 Series II in my Firebird, still being driven even after I sold it with 215k miles on it.
 

RU482

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
12,689
3
81
the final year 1988 had some major improvements in suspesion and breaking, iirc. If you can find a clean one with an engine swap done, that would be the one to get.

I used to work with a guy that had an LS1 shoehorned into a fiero. it was scary.
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
the final year 1988 had some major improvements in suspesion and breaking, iirc. If you can find a clean one with an engine swap done, that would be the one to get.

This. Up until 1988 the suspension was borrowed from the chevette.
 

Plugers

Senior member
Mar 22, 2002
547
0
0
I'm the 2nd owner of an 88 GT 5speed. It's a nice car to drive and more leg room than you would think.

Get one, you know you want to :)
 

AMCRambler

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2001
7,715
31
91
Didn't they used to catch fire? Maybe it was one particular model year. Kind of ironic considering the name, lol.