Your thoughts on a Pontiac Fiero

[Ben90]

Well I inevitably crashed my motorcycle and broke my collar bone. My baby unfortunately ended up totaled so now I am looking for a new vehicle.

Ever since discovering them, I have had a special spot for Fiero's. Something about the body and RMR drive. Since I was born in 90, they were a little before my time so I'm asking your thoughts on these cars. How hard is the maintenance on these things since the engine is in the back, stuff like that, anything of note.

The only other car that I have taken a look at would be the newer Corvette Stingrays. The akward ones where they are still old, but not quite collectibles. My gut feelings tell me that a Fiero would probably be a wiser decision.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

What kind of bike? What happened?

 

[Meghan54]

If you're dead set on buying a Fiero, buy one made the last two years---they're the only ones that were made right.

An old girlfriend of mine bought the first year Fiero. The car did alright until the engine blew itself up from overheating. The handling, while decent, wasn't anything to get excited about. Cramped, as you might expect. Maintenance was difficult....hard to purge the cooling system after a coolant change. Cramped engine bay, to say the least, so more difficult to do anything to the engine that would be "easy" on a normal vehicle or even on a comparable vehicle, like the 1973 Fiat X1/9 I owned.

 

[manimal]

I personally think they are very cool. With some inexpensive light rims and a little freshening up you could have a nice little driver.

V6 models had decent pep for the day.

 

[Doppel]

It's telling that the word Fiero also has within it the word Fire, which the engines on these have a tendency to create.

I think there are better cars than this to buy, modern cars without its drawbacks.

 

[Ben90]

I had an old 1994 Suzuki RF600R. Not the flashiest thing on the block, but it had that special something to me since it was my first bike.

I work moderately away from the city, and generally take the old roads to get home. It takes an extra 5 minutes, but I don't really have to deal with traffic that way. Well this time I decided to take a road that I only took once before. Whenever riding a road the first time I always go pretty slow, and I do remember that there were some pretty intense turns on this specific one.

So as I drive this road for the second time, feeling a little more confident I scan the upcoming turn. It looks pretty normal and there were no "25 around this turn" signs which I thought was weird, so I continued on. I got that uneasy feeling entering the turn as going past the trees revealed it was quite a bit more sharp than I initially realized. It was one of those, well I'm gonna have to make this work moments. Combined with the incredibly poor condition of the road I eventually went off. Locked the front on the dirt and rolled quite a ways into a ditch. The ambulance people told me I hit a rotting telephone pole that was in a bush as well.

I went back to visit the site a week later and found out there actually was one of those "25 mph" signs at one point, it just rotted off. Oh well, it was still 100% my fault anyways.


I haven't completely ruled out the option of getting another bike once everything heals on myself. This was a pretty good learning experience and definately wouldn't be such an aggressive driver next time lol. The only things keeping me away from that path is #1: I feel it would be very selfish of me to get another bike considering I'm currently on disability from work right now. #2 is after using a bike as a DD for 2 years, I do realize how much more convenient cars can be.

 

[Ben90]

If you're dead set on buying a Fiero, buy one made the last two years---they're the only ones that were made right.

What about the 1986½ fastbacks? A good percentage of the GT cars on craigslist are the 86½, and counting those out would limit my options quite considerably.

Fortunately time is not of the essence since my sister is going to France for about half a year, and I can borrow her rat-mobile. I jumped too fast on my second car and regretted it, so I'm trying to make a decision that will last me hopefully a couple decades.

I think there are better cars than this to buy, modern cars without its drawbacks.

From a responsible standpoint, absolutely. Pretty much any newer car is going to be more practical than a Fiero. To me though, it has to be somewhat something you don't see everyday. I hear people boasting about their new Mustangs as if nobody else in the world drives one.

 

[sjwaste]

If you're considering a Fiero, there's no reason not to consider an MR2, especially an SW22 if you can find one at a reasonable price.

 

[DaTT]

One of the best upgrades for the Fiero was dropping in the Pontiac 3.8L supercharged engine. Have fun.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Have a friend with a '87 or '88 with a manual trans -

Fun car, not that fast, handles amazing. Be prepared for 1980's tech and a antiquated interior with no comforts. Lack of power steering takes some getting used to.

Overall a great car to own to drive 1-2 days a week for fun. As a primary vehicle, ugh!

 

[jagec]

If you're considering a Fiero, there's no reason not to consider an MR2, especially an SW22 if you can find one at a reasonable price.

Second. The MR2 is a similar car to the Fiero in terms of concept, styling, and handling, but it's better in almost every way, and much more reliable.

mk1 (85-89) is cheaper and lighter, mk2 (91-99) has more power and modern features like airbags and ABS. Some people build themselves a "mk1.5", which is the mk1 body with the mk2 turbocharged engine.

Disclosure: I owned an 89. Still miss it.

 

[michal1980]

there are kits for dropping in chevy v8s. look for rust in the wheel wells.

One day I'd like one as a project car.

 

[Ben90]

So if there is rust in the wheel wells is it a big deal? I personally can't see myself turning down an otherwise decentish vehicle if there is rust. Is there a way to fix it or does it not even matter?

For what its worth I live where there is only about 10 inches of rainfall a year, so I'm not too experienced with that sort of thing.

 

[Vic Vega]

...

 

[DougK62]

The first thing you should learn about Fieros is to not ask the general public about Fieros. Everyone loves to give out inaccurate information.

People will tell you that they catch on fire. Not true. Research this yourself and you'll find that this was just a minor issue with 1984 cars. Anything after 1984, no problems. It's as likely to burn down as any old car.

They have a lot of room in the cabin. If you're a wide person you might be cramped in the elbows, but there is tons of leg room. I'm 6'2" and don't even have the seat all the way back when I drive.

They're super easy to work on. Lots of room around the engine. You can sit on the back of the car with your feet in the trunk and do most stuff on the top end.

They're reliable. I haven't owned an Iron Duke car, but the V6 is the same that GM used for everything and it's a good one. Drivetrain, suspension (except 88), etc. are still easy to get cheap parts for - used in a lot of cars.

Like with any old car, buy the best one you can afford. You can get a $500 Fiero, but you'd be way happier saving for a $3000 Fiero. Look closely for rust, since they won't show rust on the outside.

www.fiero.com

What year to buy? That's a personal choice. Unless you really like the Pace Car Fiero, avoid 1984. I suggest getting a V6 car - they're just better in every way. If you want a notchback instead of the fastback then you want an 85 GT, 86/87 SE, or 88 Formula. 4spd or 5spd transmission? 85 and early 86 had the 4spd, late 86 and up had the 5spd - both are good. I've always preferred the 4spd because I think it's geared better for cruising around town. I recommend avoiding the 88. Yes, the 88 has the revised and better suspension - that's the problem. Being specific to the one year parts are more expensive and some parts are REALLY hard to find. An early car can be made to handle just as well and better than an 88 with aftermarket parts.

I've owned three Fieros and just sold my favorite combination of car - an early 86 4spd GT.

Good luck!

 

[Via]

I had a Fiero.

Blew up.


- well, not exactly. I was driving home one day and I heard a horrendous crack and had no more power to the wheels. I could still floor the engine but all I got was noise. I glided to a stop.

Up until that point it wasn't bad.

 

[kevman]

its just a chevy citation with engine in the back.

 

[Plugers]

I have an 88GT 5-speed in the garage now
(2nd owner, drove it back from AZ - no rust, never seen winter)
, had and 87 SE v6 4-speed and a 86 SC 4cyl auto.

All were good cars. Do all my own work and had pleanty of room to do so.

 

[Arkaign]

Get an '88 for sure. The redesign was awesome imho. I couldn't fit the first-gen no matter how hard I tried (6'4" w/long legs).

 

[Doppel]

I haven't completely ruled out the option of getting another bike once everything heals on myself. This was a pretty good learning experience and definately wouldn't be such an aggressive driver next time lol. The only things keeping me away from that path is #1: I feel it would be very selfish of me to get another bike considering I'm currently on disability from work right now. #2 is after using a bike as a DD for 2 years, I do realize how much more convenient cars can be.

IMO there is a big difference between getting back on the horse to try again and failing to learn from a lesson. I recommend no more bike, but I am strongly biased against permanent injuries or death which is why I say that.

 

[Raizinman]

If you do get a Fiero make sure that you stop by your local dealer to have them check for recalls. This vehicle had TONS of recalls. The dealer can replace almost half your vehicle with new parts FREE due to all the recalls.

 

[Plugers]

Get an '88 for sure. The redesign was awesome imho. I couldn't fit the first-gen no matter how hard I tried (6'4" w/long legs).

Redesign didn't change legroom at all.
As far as sheet metal the only big changes are in the strut tower spacing. 88s angled the struts in more at the top. The subframes for the front/rear suspension are different also.

If you do get a Fiero make sure that you stop by your local dealer to have them check for recalls. This vehicle had TONS of recalls. The dealer can replace almost half your vehicle with new parts FREE due to all the recalls.

That's a bit of an exaggeration.
84 has 4 recalls
85 has 4 recalls
86 has 4 recalls
87 has 3 recalls
88 has 3 recalls.

Of course that is what you get from people that have never owned one and know nothing about them.

 

[HarryLui]

I always like the look of a Fiero GT.

 

[marvdmartian]

Had a buddy with an 86 GT, and it was like a rocket on a roller skate! Of course, sitting with your ass 6" off the asphalt tends to make anything feel that way. :hmm:

I've often thought of buying one, and fitting one of the new Camaro 300HP V6's into it.

 

[homercles337]

www.fiero.com

Oh man, thats a messed up story about Tyler Shipman. Did they really finish his car on February 5th, 2010 with that update 10 DAYS later?!

Anyway, on the Fiero, definitely go with the newer generation. A buddy from high school had an early one and that thing was a bear to work on. Also the interior was "slender" with a huge middle console.