Any Fiero owners here?

[casm]

Does anyone here have past or current ownership experience with Pontiac Fieros? I've driven them before but never owned one, and am looking at three this afternoon. All are V6s with a 5-speed - two '86s and an '85 (so notchbacks, not GTs). If I had my druthers I'd go for an '88 and get the better suspension, but there's nothing turning up in the range that I'm willing to spend in ($2000).

I know about the boat anchor issues with the 2.8 in XJs and am assuming that much of the same applies to the Fiero. Any specific issues they have that I should look for? Already planning on checking for oil leaks, mayonnaise on the filler cap, coolant condition, etc. (all the basics), but would like to know what, if anything else, I should be aware of. Basically, this is going to be my commuter vehicle during the week in the absence of finding a decent Fiat X1/9 or similar weird beater vehicle.

BTW - I know there are options out there for engine swaps, etc. For the purposes of this thread, they don't matter. I just want to know if there's anything I should be looking for on the test drive or longer-term if I decide to buy one.

 

[bjoehandley]

There were issues with fires in those things. I have seen that there are alot of Small Block Chevy, Caddy Northstar, Buick 3800SC swaps that have been done and I'd imagine the Quad-4 and Ecotec could make for a good swap too.

 

[87manche]

http://www.fiero.nl/
a friend has one, said that's where you need to go.

 

[TRNDRVR]

I don't own one, but from what I understand, the running gear is from a Chevy Citation mounted rigidly in the rear. HTH!

 

[mylt1]

thought about buying one years ago to do a v8 transplant but other things came up and cash got tight. still would like to do it to a GT.

 

[casm]

http://www.fiero.nl/
a friend has one, said that's where you need to go.

Thanks. Found them earlier, but figured I'd ask the question here anyway. For the most part, I've noticed that the people here who own and / or drive other vehicles tend to remain pretty objective about them. Not that these guys aren't - but any make- or model-specific forum tends to really love their cars

Got back a little while ago from driving the third one. As it turns out, one of the '86 V6s was actually a 4-cylinder 4-speed. Drove it anyway since this is primarily a commuter. Coolant leaks from the thermostat housing, oil leaks from the valve cover gasket, and a refusal to pull under 2500 RPM. Briefly debated it as a fixer-upper, but after nearly being broadsided by a truck whose way I couldn't get out of I decided that this was not the one for me.

I was actually pretty happy with the other two overall, but think I'm going to hold out for an '87 or '88. More power in '87, better suspension in '88. Should work out fine for what I want it for.

 

[bajacalal]

What about a Toyota MR2 of the same period? I would like to have one...just a "basic" 1.6l, rear drive, 5 speed n/a fun car to run around in.

 

[Darky]

I've thought about getting one as a commuter myself and then eventually swap in a Bonneville 3800SC. Mom and I had an 86 S10 with the 2.8 and we loved it. The engine ran great, no problems. Our only issues were the brakes died every few months and the bed was rusting off the frame...I think GM just gave AMC the crap versions cuz our S10 was great

 

[casm]

What about a Toyota MR2 of the same period? I would like to have one...just a "basic" 1.6l, rear drive, 5 speed n/a fun car to run around in.

Agreed, and I also like the Series II cars once the spoiler is removed. Problem is finding one around here that's both affordable and not completely thrashed to hell. Everyone in this area seems to want older Japanese stuff for 'tuning' (read: bodging) purposes; the Fieros have generally had hard lives, but from what I've seen of them are relatively unmolested outside of that. Besides, I have a certain love for underdog cars, and that certainly is one

I was really looking for a Fiat X1/9 when all of this started, but have always liked the Fiero - especially the '84 - '86 notchback with the blunt nose. I'd keep looking for a Fiat, but the Fiero outperforms it with far better parts availability and overall reliability. Remember this is meant to be an econobox (mostly), and I can't work on my car in my parking space. If something goes wrong on the Fiero at least I know I can get parts at Kragen and work on it in their parking lot in a pinch.

 

[Beej]

I knew a guy right after high school who got an '88 GT for a grad present ( uke: )

We puttered on it quite a bit. He eventually ran twin turbos along with a boatload of other rich kid goodies including 17" rims, fancy brakes, lowered & tightened suspension, etc.

What really sticks out in my memory is what an enormous pain in the ass it was to work on that car. The engine was all but inaccessible and anything else involved lying on your back underneath the thing. Other than that, it was a pretty good car. Nimble and peppy, but before the turbos, it couldn't hold a candle to my Camaro...

 

[5150xj]

I had one years ago. Dont remember what year it was. It was a blast to drive. But overall it was a piece of junk. Always had to wrench on it. It was a four cylinder. If you want one a little diffrent there is one at
http://www.pickapartauto.com/
Look at the vehicles for sale in Ontario. It has a ferrari kit on it.

Tim D

 

[casm]

I had one years ago. Dont remember what year it was. It was a blast to drive. But overall it was a piece of junk. Always had to wrench on it.

That's actually pretty much what I'm looking for. I've never owned a car that didn't require special attention at some time or another to keep it going, and could probably never be happy with anything that didn't.

It was a four cylinder. If you want one a little diffrent there is one at
http://www.pickapartauto.com/
Look at the vehicles for sale in Ontario. It has a ferrari kit on it.

Yeah... I think I'll stick to stock The red Alfa-Romeo Milano just visible next to it would be fun, though. Pity I don't need another four-door.

 

[Beej]

That's actually pretty much what I'm looking for. I've never owned a car that didn't require special attention at some time or another to keep it going, and could probably never be happy with anything that didn't.

Yeah... I think I'll stick to stock The red Alfa-Romeo Milano just visible next to it would be fun, though. Pity I don't need another four-door.

Now there's a car you'd spend time wrenching on...

 

[casm]

Now there's a car you'd spend eternity wrenching on...

Fixed it for ya...

Actually, the Milanos aren't too bad. The trick is to get one that was maintained by an Alfa mechanic, not someone who tried to monkey it into working.

 

[ChiXJeff]

I used to drive an 85 GT 4spd, sold it in 1999.

Fun little car. Only real issue I had with it was the lack of connected exhaust hangers, which caused exhaust manifold studs to snap off, and blow a head gasket. Otherwise, it was a pretty reliable vehicle.

IIRC, the fire issues were mostly with the 4cyls.

 

[XgeekstarX]

one of the instructors at my school worked at a pontiac dealership for 25 years as a master tech and that man knows everything there is to know about fieros

 

[Kittrell]

Ah yes, the ultimate kit car. I don't know how you could drive anything but a GT though, those notchbacks were hideous.

 

[DrMoab]

Ah yes, the ultimate kit car. I don't know how you could drive anything but a GT though, those notchbacks were hideous.

I know a guy who has one just like that for sale. It is a little darker red though.

Only has 19K miles on it. he wants 22K

 

[RandyD71]

I know that you want to avoid the 84 - 85 four cylinder models as those were the ones that had the fire problems. The only repetetive problem that I have run into on the 2.8 cars is failing distributors. They tend to fry the pickups and ignition modules repeatedly. Replacing with a remanufactured unit usually cures it.

 

[casm]

I know that you want to avoid the 84 - 85 four cylinder models as those were the ones that had the fire problems.

Yep. From what I remember it was a combination of oil leaking onto the exhaust and magnesium engine covers.

The only repetetive problem that I have run into on the 2.8 cars is failing distributors. They tend to fry the pickups and ignition modules repeatedly. Replacing with a remanufactured unit usually cures it.

OK, that's liveable. Thanks for the info; so far, the Fiero forums I've tried have been less than really helpful.

On a side (but related) note, I found something so wrong in so many ways that I've almost talked myself into it - just need to find an AWD or 4WD drivetrain that'll slot in under it. Ladies and germs, I give you The Jalapeno.