Pontiac Fiero

Dunno why you'd buy one over a MK1 MR2, BUT I always thought it would be cool for GM to bring the name back!

 

Back in the day, they weren't too bad. Typical of GM at the time, once they finally got the car right, they killed it off. The last ones are actually pretty decent.

I was 14 when they came out in '84. My dad thought about getting one, but decided to get a Ford Tempo instead. I don't have any desire to own one, but do have a soft spot for them.

And hey, if you get sick of it, you can always make it look just like your 355 for probably under $10K!

 

What a loser car. I agree though, that was the coolest little car around back then. It was quick and nimble. I haven't seen one of those in years. If I can't find my dream Ferrari, I'm buyin' one--same color, options, etc. It just lacks the a few ponies.

 

I've always liked them. My GF in highschool had a 2M4. Not the easiest car to make out in but we worked things out. I owned an 84 2M4 for a bit (free car) and my cousin is busy putting a 327 into an 88 GT. I always do a bit of drooling at the Buick/Olds/Pontiac show when my dad shows his Buick. I would love to have one again. Good Luck on your search.

 

If this is a confessional, when I was ~12 I thought that Triumph TR7's looked really cool and I wanted one.
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There was a Fiero race car at the vintage races at Elkhart this year... found it kind of interesting...

The basic package is fairly sound... low, short, mid engine, 2 seat...lots of potential, but the kit car industry has really doomed the car to "donor" status.

If it's somethign you like, get it and make it the way you want no matter what others think.

 

I had an 85 GT about 8 years ago. It was a good & fun car, but fairly slow. I did a few mods to it, including a custom exhaust with Supertrapps. With that, at least it sounded fast

 

I too have a soft spot for the Fiero GT's. Here is a couple off of cars.com in your area, I don't know if they are any good. http://www.cars.com/go/search/fs_search_results.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&cid=&dlid=&dgid=&amid=&cname=&zc=90053&makeid=40&modelid=376&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ANY%7CM-_40_%7CH-%7CD-_376_%7CN-N%7CR-100%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CX-popular%7CZ-90053&aff=national&aff=national

 

I think you'll be appalled at the quality - or lack thereof - of the cars. I can't comment on the V6, not having driven it, but GM was deep in the throes of the J-car era. I've seen very, very, very few running around here in southern California, and it's not because they rusted away (being plastic anyway...) I think people just gave up on them. As you know, we have everything out here from Alfas to 914s to MGBs, so a car has to be pretty bad for SoCal to scrap every copy of it.

One of the math teachers at my middle school had a yellow one (in Cleveland, where sports cars are about as common and sensible as synagogues are in Tehran). It was the coolest car out there, but apparently the quality was subpar even by British Leyland standards (not quite up to the "wretched" level).

FWIW, the TR8 looked like a fun car, and I was really tempted by one in a sharp platinum color (dark plaid interior) when I was in college. Our Jag dealer had it. I wouldn't mind seeing it again just because I actually liked it and I think by then it used some non-Triumph V8. I wonder if I'd hate it now...

I was into "exotics", so I had a Fiat X1/9 instead and with such a fine Italian steed really never wanted to join the rotary club. I also wouldn't mind seeing one of the late Bertone X1/9s - gutless cars, but I love the baby exotic concept.

 

Anunakki, are those Panasports on you SE? I want a set for my GSL, lol.
Well, you haven't lived until you've owned a 1st gen Rx-7.
Here's mine, direct fire ignition setup, Racing Beat Streetport Exhaust, removed Rat's Nest(emissions), A/C, and power steering:
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I was really into the Fieros also as a teenager back in the 80's, and owned a '85 model for 10 years. Of course, during those 10 years I also replaced just about every part on the car , but had fun doing so and honing some mechanical skills along the way. Would have to say that I know those cars like the back of my hand now.

The "Pace" cars (not the "original" ones, but the 2000 or so that were offered for sale to the general public as a sort of "replica" package to commemorate the '84 Indy race event) were unique in their interior color scheme, and had what was later to be the '85 GT body package / spoiler but still had the 4-cyl. IronDuke motor found in the basic 2M4 cars but had a different cosmetic engine package (silver air cleaner housing with decals, etc.). These particular "replica Pace cars" do have some value due to their limited numbers, but the interiors usually need some TLC -- and the cars are a bit underpowered due to the 4-cyl. motor.

The single over-the-roof air scoop that you referred to was only fitted to the original Indy Pace cars, and also featured a beacon light necessary for pacing the field. Those cars also had a higher output motor as well, along with other performance upgrades. You can purchase a replica of that scoop from Fiero aftermarket sources like http://www.secureleadercom.com/fsstore/default.asp?goto=frontpage.asp, but it isn't very functional. Good luck finding an "original" Pace car, as they only made a handful and would be very expensive, and last I heard most were at the GM museum.

Personally, I like the '85 GT (notchback) and the later '86 - '88 GT (fastback). If you're looking for what enthusiasts would regard as perhaps the best of the line, I'd recommend the '88 GT or '88 Formula cars, as this particular year received the unique Lotus tuned suspension (not the usual off-the-shelf Pinto style suspension components) and a few other improvements.

If I were to purchase one today for collectable / sentimental purposes, it'd probably be an '88 Fiero GT with full options (moonroof, leather seats, cruise, full power options, 5-speed manual, deck-lid spoiler, etc.). Expect to pay a bit of a premium for it though, especially if it is "low miles" (less than 50k miles).

With the sources out there, you can purchase just about every replacement part / remanufactured part for these cars -- and they are very easy to work on for the most part (unless you have to replace the coolant return pipes on each side of the car without benefit of a lift !!).

And, if you really want to have fun, you could find a Pace car, yank the 4-cyl. out, drop in a V8 (might have to upgrade to the later 5-speed Muncie), and tear up the roads.

I'll probably pick up another one just for the nostalgia of it all.

 

Iam into Pontiacs and the Fiero, we have owned a few of them over the years and iam also within a few days of buying another one and they are fun little cars.

If your going to buy one I would highly suggest that you pickup an 88 Forumla, thats the best model and it has the Lotus suspention and better brakes and a better engine. Also the rarest one out of the bunch.

Another one to look into is the 87-88 GT models because those are slowly falling off the face of the earth due to the replicar business, if you see one for a rock bottom price BUY IT!.

Its no suprize that Fiero's are going up in value and price because they are becoming much more difficult to find you know let alone in great shape.

 

My first car was a 1985 Fiero GT V-6. I got a set of '86 bbs style rimms 'off the back of a truck' from a friend, ordered a special wing from an after market supplier. I loved that car. lasted me 5 years, untill i got engaged and traded it in on a VW Passat (peice of s__t)

ahh the memories

 

I bought an 86 GT V6 4speed brand new. I had traded my Porsche for an old Citabria (airplane) and needed something cheap and reliable to drive.

The cheap part was at least true.

The quality was unbelievably bad. While it was still in warranty, the clutch went out 3 times. The steel was bad in the spring fingers, so they just had a tendency to snap off right at the roots.

It did it once right in front of the dealership as I was driving away from having the clutch fixed the first time. After the third time, they came to realize that maybe GM had been stuck with some bad parts!

It also had the bad habit of just dying stone cold dead while you were driving right down the freeway at 70 mph. All the electrical connecters seemed to be done with cold solder joints and not corrosion proofed at all. You could usually get it to run again by wiggling around the wires for a while.

At least the damn thing didn't catch on fire like the 4cyl versions usually did.

I ended up buying back the same old 1975 911s from the airplane guy. (and yes, I kept the plane for several more years, too.)

The standard joke was that if you took one of these apart as a donor car for one of those fake Ferrari kits, you were throwing away the best part of the car (its body).

 

I still own my TR8 I bought off the showroom floor back in realy '81.

 

There was a recall campaign issued by GM back in the late 80's that included both the 4-cyl. and 6-cyl. models...to prevent the possibility of engine fires. The recall included replacing / installing shield(s), removing / installing insulation on the forward engine compartment bulkhead, etc. -- and was done by the dealership to any Fiero that was brought in with an outstanding recall. Biggest culprit was engine oil leaks around the valve covers seeping down onto the exhaust manifold and "poof". Not a problem if you kept your engine compartment clean, serviced, and replaced leaking valve cover gaskets. The recall went a step further by shielding the vulnerable areas. Never had a single problem with mine in that regard.

Over the course of 10 years or so, had to replace various sensors, clean throttle body, replace clutch (once), replace batteries, general tune-up items (plugs, wire, dist. cap, rotor, filters, fluids, etc.), replaced a few minor wear / tear items, new headliner, new coolant hoses & pipes, tires, shocks / struts, etc. Also installed a great deal of custom and aftermarket performance upgrades too.

If you get a copy of the official dealer service manual, then diagnosing and repairing those cars is very easy. Also, if you go with an '87 or earlier model, then I'd recommend upgrading / installing the front & rear sway bars / bushings, upgrading the brake system, installing the lower springs, and installing some of the K&N throttle / filter aftermarket and exhaust system upgrades just for starters.

 

I currently own a pristine example of an 1984 Fiero Indy Pace car. I also currently own a very fine example of an 1985 Fiero GT. Indy has 41,829 miles and GT has 77K. The GT happens to be the White with Gray bottom that matches the Indy so I took it a few steps farther. I added the Indy red ground effects stripe and a COMPLETE Indy interior from another Indy. Since your question is about the Indy let me just show you a couple of pics of the 85 GT and then we'll move on.
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I bought a brand new TR7 cabriolet back in 1980.........since us sinners are coming forward to be cleansed I will admit to that......but the rest of my automotive mistakes shall go unpublished.

 

There was alot of good solid info giving to you in the earlier post but there was also some hearsay and mis-informed info, so where do I start?

QUOTE:
"I think you'll be appalled at the quality - or lack thereof - of the cars. I can't comment on the V6, not having driven it, but GM was deep in the throes of the J-car era. I've seen very, very, very few running around here in southern California, and it's not because they rusted away (being plastic anyway...) I think people just gave up on them. As you know, we have everything out here from Alfas to 914s to MGBs, so a car has to be pretty bad for SoCal to scrap every copy of it.Quote"

The V6 models are just fine in the quality department, in line with any other domestic car from that era and price. The 4 cly versions that I have had IMO do have quality issues. Most of that comes from running the car like a sports car but yet it has an late 70's designed J-Car motor in it that was not built for that purpose. The Indy only come with the 4cly, but I'm sure you're gonna be just like me and your Indy will not be a daily driver, it will be a garage show peice(conversation starter). I can't attest to why he hasn't seen any Fiero's in SoCal. but its probally because he hasn't looked for them because I assure you there are hundreds if not thousands.(and yes I used to live on the west coast and can also direct you to the Fiero forum where there are numerous members from SoCal.)

This should be taken as Gospel! Could not have said it better myself.
QUOTE:
The "Pace" cars (not the "original" ones, but the 2000 or so that were offered for sale to the general public as a sort of "replica" package to commemorate the '84 Indy race event) were unique in their interior color scheme, and had what was later to be the '85 GT body package / spoiler but still had the 4-cyl. IronDuke motor found in the basic 2M4 cars but had a different cosmetic engine package (silver air cleaner housing with decals, etc.). These particular "replica Pace cars" do have some value due to their limited numbers, but the interiors usually need some TLC -- and the cars are a bit underpowered due to the 4-cyl. motor.

The single over-the-roof air scoop that you referred to was only fitted to the original Indy Pace cars, and also featured a beacon light necessary for pacing the field. Those cars also had a higher output motor as well, along with other performance upgrades. You can purchase a replica of that scoop from Fiero aftermarket sources like http://www.secureleadercom.com/fssto...=frontpage.asp, but it isn't very functional. Good luck finding an "original" Pace car, as they only made a handful and would be very expensive, and last I heard most were at the GM museum.QUOTE"


This is a common mis-conception. Absolutly not true I don't care what info somebody might dredge up. And BTW, He means Chevette suspension
Quote:
I'd recommend the '88 GT or '88 Formula cars, as this particular year received the unique Lotus tuned suspension (not the usual off-the-shelf Pinto style suspension components) and a few other improvements.Quote"

This is true but was much more complex than stated here. Very short story of it is that GM outsourced faulty connecting rods that would fail and put an extra window in the block and dump oil on the hot cats that were directly under the block. Also the original design of the J-car motor was w/a 5 quart oil pan. That oil pan was too big for the motor to sit in the Fiero so they redesigned it into a 4 quart pan. So even if your oil was topped off you were running a quart low.
QUOTE:
There was a recall campaign issued by GM back in the late 80's that included both the 4-cyl. and 6-cyl. models...to prevent the possibility of engine fires. The recall included replacing / installing shield(s), removing / installing insulation on the forward engine compartment bulkhead, etc. -- and was done by the dealership to any Fiero that was brought in with an outstanding recall. Biggest culprit was engine oil leaks around the valve covers seeping down onto the exhaust manifold and "poof". Not a problem if you kept your engine compartment clean, serviced, and replaced leaking valve cover gaskets. The recall went a step further by shielding the vulnerable areas. Never had a single problem with mine in that regard.QUOTE"


I have or can get you any info you so desire, or simply opinion.
I'm sorry just realized that I didn't have any pics of my Indy so I went to one of my garages and snapped a couple, will post better ones maybe later.
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8-12K for one that is truly nice. 12-18k for museum quality. 10K for mine if you're intrested. I did not post here to sell it but I go though toys like no other. LOL.