Pontiac Fiero problems?
Ammann Manuel
84 4cyl., loaded, emergency brake broken, 102,000km
for about Can$2500
87 4cyl, 5speed, NOT loaded, some scratches,
109,000km for about Can$3000
Both cars have no obvious other problems than the
ones mentioned above.
The prices look ok to me. Other opinions?
NOW:
How good are Fieros mechanically? Are they
high-maintenance cars? Not reliable?
What are typical problems?
Would be great to find out about these things
before buying one. Your help is appreciated.
Manuel
Since I have no idea
steven.c.martin
> I've been offered two Pontiac Fieros.
>
> 84 4cyl., loaded, emergency brake broken, 102,000km
> for about Can$2500
>
They were prone to cracked engine blocks and thrown rods.
This problem was worsened by the fact that the Fieros
originally had only a 3 quart oil capacity which made
it easy to run the engine dry. Not only that, but with
the tight engine compartment in the Fiero a thrown rod
would send oil out the engine and start a fire. I think I read
about two years ago that 1 in 300 1984 Fieros had caught on
fire. GM has since had a couple of recalls to add a larger
oil filter ( increasing the oil capacity) and to add a
shield to keep potiential oil spills away from the exhaust
manifold. Later year models have not had the same
problems but were recalled for the same modifications.
Also, the rear disc brakes are adjusted when applying the
emergency brake (so I've been told). If the emergency brake
is not working , you may have rear brakes that are out of
adjustment or simply not doing any work at all (this happened
to me). Worse yet, if the emergency brakes bind, the rear
brakes may not release properly and burn out the pads (this
also happened to me). In this case braking power is severely
diminished. New emergency brake cables will run around
$80 at the dealership.
> 87 4cyl, 5speed, NOT loaded, some scratches,
> 109,000km for about Can$3000
>
> Both cars have no obvious other problems than the
> ones mentioned above.
> The prices look ok to me. Other opinions?
>
> NOW:
> How good are Fieros mechanically? Are they
> high-maintenance cars? Not reliable?
> What are typical problems?
>
I have an 85 Fiero and other than the rear brake problems
it has been very low maintenance. (I have 85 K miles)
Steve
Don Clayton
I had a 1984 SE and in three years I replaced 3 Alternators, a Started, a clutch,
a transmission, and an oxigenator (sp?) (to my suprise - NON of it was covered by
the warrantee). I also had 3 of my body panels *snap* in low impact collisions and
GM actually used bondo to fix one (that was the final straw). I would highly
recomend staying as far away from Pointiac, and Fieros as possible. GM stopped
selling them because they were crap, didn't hold their value (I paid $15,000 for
mine new and it was written off at $4800 two years latter, and I was lucky as
the street value was $3500) and so many of them were written off in low impact
collisions (like mine) that the insurrance companies wouldn't touch them.
Total, unbelievable CRAP!
Don Clayton
a.k.a. Rear-Adm. Maverick, DM of the Drow
My brain, my thoughts, my words.
If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a K-car (a nice reliant automobile),
sum...@cse.unl.edu
>Manuel
My girlfriend has an '87 Fiero that isn't loaded - sounds similar
to the one you are looking at. She has 50,000 miles on hers, and
has had no problems whatsoever. The earlier Fieros, however, had
many problems.
My advice if you are looking for a Fiero is to hold out for an
'87 or '88 Formula or an '88 GT... the V-6 engines are much
better, and the '88 GT had an newly redesigned suspension.
However, if you are going to choose between the two you are looking
at now, I would stay away from the '84.
__
/-----------------------------+---------------+-------------------///-------\
| ___ __ ___ __ __ | | Multitasking __ /// |
| | | | | |__ __| | Unsafe at | my life \\\/// Amiga |
| |___ |__| | __| |__| | any speed... | away !!! \XX/ 3000 |
|-----------------------------+---------------+-----------------------------|
| Eric Elliott sum...@cse.unl.edu GEnie: E.ELLIOTT7 |
\---------------------------------------------------------------------------/
--
Alan F. Perry
>Yep.... The Fiero is a cheap (but more expensive) take off on the Fiat/
>Bertone X1/9. Not to mention that the X1/9 will outcorner and outdrive
>any Fiero.... They are both similar in body style, but the X1/9 is a
>targa that gets 34 mpg. I have a 1974 1/2 and it is beautiful... I
>make a hobby out of toasting Fieros.
I am probably making a mistake by responding, but I haven't been flamed in
a while . . .
The Fiero is NOT a take-off on the X1/9. The X1/9 was introduced LONG
before the Fiero and was not a big seller when the Fiero was conceived or
sold. The Fiero was sold to GM execs as a cute commuter car and was
designed outside the typical GM design scheme at the time. Compared to
other GM projects, it was produced at a very low cost, primarily by sticking
to using parts from the corporate parts bin. When the car was designed,
there was no market for sports cars and GM would not approve the product
if that were the niche that designers went for. The problem occurred when
they hit the market and people thought they were sports cars. After the
introduction of the Fiero, the sports car market started to open back up.
The designers went back to work to try to make the car match its sporty looks
and did reasonably well, but there is only so much one can do with Chevette
and Citation front suspensions. The 88 GTs are definitely the best of the
bunch.
I think the 86+ Fiero GTs (sans spoiler) are the much better looking that
the X1/9. I got around 32 mph (highway) with the 2.8L V6. There is much
more storage space in a Fiero and it is easier to work on a Fiero. (An
old officemate had an X1/9 and we would compare cars.) I also trust
GM electric over Italian electrics.
There is more room to improve a Fiero. The "mill-and-drill" procedure (where
the body panels mounting points are all drilled at once, so the body panels
are all aligned) makes the Fiero the ultimate kit car. You can buy kits to
make Fieros look like most anything in the Fiero's general shape. A number
of sources offer suspension kits for giving the car better handling. The
engine bay can accomodate larger motors.
Of course, as much as I liked my Fiero, I gladly gave it up for my Lotuses.
--
-----------------------------------+----------------------------------------
Alan F. Perry | "e-mail is wrecking my life"
esp...@netcom.com | - someone standing in SF
Damon Francis Gentile
>dam...@wpi.WPI.EDU (Damon Francis Gentile) writes:
>>Yep.... The Fiero is a cheap (but more expensive) take off on the Fiat/
>>Bertone X1/9. Not to mention that the X1/9 will outcorner and outdrive
>>any Fiero.... They are both similar in body style, but the X1/9 is a
>>targa that gets 34 mpg. I have a 1974 1/2 and it is beautiful... I
>>make a hobby out of toasting Fieros.
>
>I am probably making a mistake by responding, but I haven't been flamed in
>a while . . .
>
>The Fiero is NOT a take-off on the X1/9. The X1/9 was introduced LONG
---Just same shape and drive configuration.
>before the Fiero and was not a big seller when the Fiero was conceived or
>sold. The Fiero was sold to GM execs as a cute commuter car and was
>designed outside the typical GM design scheme at the time. Compared to
>other GM projects, it was produced at a very low cost, primarily by sticking
>to using parts from the corporate parts bin. When the car was designed,
>there was no market for sports cars and GM would not approve the product
---The X1/9 is also very fuel-efficient in the city, and with such a
short body, maneuvering is a breeze.
>if that were the niche that designers went for. The problem occurred when
>they hit the market and people thought they were sports cars. After the
---They shouldn't have styled them after the X1/9 if they couldn't
handle the challenge....
>introduction of the Fiero, the sports car market started to open back up.
>The designers went back to work to try to make the car match its sporty looks
>and did reasonably well, but there is only so much one can do with Chevette
>and Citation front suspensions. The 88 GTs are definitely the best of the
>bunch.
---Well then, why make a "sporty-like" car that can't handle ?
>I think the 86+ Fiero GTs (sans spoiler) are the much better looking that
>the X1/9. I got around 32 mph (highway) with the 2.8L V6. There is much
---When Bertone made a new proposal for Fiat, they came up with the X1/10.
Fiat sent it to Lancia and they produced it as the MonteCarlo, called
Scorpion here in the US. If you have ever seen a Scoprion (they were
only imported to the US in '76 and '77, and only 177 were imported in
'76.) If you have ever seen a Scorpion/MonteCarlo, you will notice an
incredible coincidence that it looks stunningly similar to the '92
Fiero....
>more storage space in a Fiero and it is easier to work on a Fiero. (An
---I find no problem with the use of the hood and trunk for storage,
with 17 cubic feet for anything and the spare stows in a hidden
compartment behind the passenger's seat. (I'm unsure about the
location in a Fiero.)
---I dont have any problem working on my X1/9. I just back it onto ramps
and slide under. Everything is fully accesable (less distributor on
pre-79 X1/9s). Even then it only entails simple maniputation from
underneath.
>old officemate had an X1/9 and we would compare cars.) I also trust
>GM electric over Italian electrics.
---The electric system is my Fiat is incredibly simple....
>There is more room to improve a Fiero. The "mill-and-drill" procedure (where
>the body panels mounting points are all drilled at once, so the body panels
>are all aligned) makes the Fiero the ultimate kit car. You can buy kits to
>make Fieros look like most anything in the Fiero's general shape. A number
---Why make a car that is just a revamped "commuter car" into a pseudo-
Ferrari 308 ?
>of sources offer suspension kits for giving the car better handling. The
---Can't you get anti-sway bars, adjustable struts and plus one tires for
just about anything ?
>engine bay can accomodate larger motors.
---A larger motor is not necessary for better performance. An acquaintence
of mine with a '88 Bertone X1/9 1498 cc had his modified with an
aluminum flywheel, adjustable cam drive gear, reground camshaft,
and dual 40mm Weber carbs, but on the other hand......
---Gee, I replaced my 4 speed transmission with a 5 speed when I changed
engines. I replaced the factory 1290cc with a 1995 cc engine with a
stroker kit, raising displacement to 2195 cc with an 12:1 compression
ratio. This required no modification to the car either.......
>Of course, as much as I liked my Fiero, I gladly gave it up for my Lotuses.
---Don't know about that... I might hesitate to be as creative with
with a lotus... Half of the fun is restoring my car to the standards
of a 1988 DeLorean at 88 miles per hour standards.......
Damon
questions? email: dam...@wpi.wpi.edu
Damon Francis Gentile
>In article <1992Oct4.1...@cs.sfu.ca>, amm...@cs.sfu.ca (Ammann Manuel) writes:
>|> I've been offered two Pontiac Fieros.
>|> Would be great to find out about these things
>|> before buying one. Your help is appreciated.
>
>I had a 1984 SE and in three years I replaced 3 Alternators, a Started, a clutch,
>a transmission, and an oxigenator (sp?) (to my suprise - NON of it was covered by
>the warrantee). I also had 3 of my body panels *snap* in low impact collisions and
>GM actually used bondo to fix one (that was the final straw). I would highly
>recomend staying as far away from Pointiac, and Fieros as possible. GM stopped
>selling them because they were crap, didn't hold their value (I paid $15,000 for
>mine new and it was written off at $4800 two years latter, and I was lucky as
>the street value was $3500) and so many of them were written off in low impact
>collisions (like mine) that the insurrance companies wouldn't touch them.
>
>Total, unbelievable CRAP!
>
>Don Clayton
>a.k.a. Rear-Adm. Maverick, DM of the Drow
>My brain, my thoughts, my words.
>If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a K-car (a nice reliant automobile),
Yep.... The Fiero is a cheap (but more expensive) take off on the Fiat/
Bertone X1/9. Not to mention that the X1/9 will outcorner and outdrive
any Fiero.... They are both similar in body style, but the X1/9 is a
targa that gets 34 mpg. I have a 1974 1/2 and it is beautiful... I
make a hobby out of toasting Fieros.
Damon
questions? email: dam...@wpi.wpi.edu
Oliver Scholz (Turo - Backstage)
>I had a 1984 SE and in three years I replaced 3 Alternators, a Started, a clutch,
So, you had the very first model... *every* new model has problems. Just
look at VW's new rabbit. You'd think that after 10 years of making rabbits
they'd get them right? If you're over 5ft you can't sit in the passenger's
seat, unless you put the seat in a position that makes it unable for someone
else to sit behind you...
>a transmission, and an oxigenator (sp?) (to my suprise - NON of it was covered by
What is an oxigenator? Do you mean the O2 sensor?
>the warrantee). I also had 3 of my body panels *snap* in low impact collisions and
What is a 'low impact collision'? All I know is that on my rabbit I have lots
of dents caused by 'reckless parkers' here in the University, while the Fiero
has *none*. And aren't you lucky you can replace the body panels easily?
If you get a dent on a regular fender for example, labor cost for assembly
and disassembly can easily be higher than the new fender itself...
>GM actually used bondo to fix one (that was the final straw). I would highly
This it really not Ok! But blame your dealer/repair shop and don't
generalize...
>recomend staying as far away from Pointiac, and Fieros as possible. GM stopped
Well, the name is Pontiac... :-)
>selling them because they were crap, didn't hold their value (I paid $15,000 for
Well, prices drop on used cars, and remember, the early models did have
their problems! No doubt about it!
>Total, unbelievable CRAP!
Well, that's your opinion...
I'd just say,keep your hands off new models, wait at least one year before
buying a new model, that way most major bugs should be fixed...
Take it easy!
-Oliver
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oliver Scholz DG4NEM
Graduate Student of Computer Sciences at the University of Erlangen, Germany
"You're killing me, Peg!" "Oh, shut up, Al, like I care..."
Don Clayton
|> So, you had the very first model... *every* new model has problems. Just
|> look at VW's new rabbit. You'd think that after 10 years of making rabbits
|> they'd get them right? If you're over 5ft you can't sit in the passenger's
|> seat, unless you put the seat in a position that makes it unable for someone
|> else to sit behind you...
Some have problems, they do not fall apart. The car I bought after the demise
of the fore mentioned crap was a Scirroco, and I (6'3") could sit in the front
with someone else my size in the passenger seat and my girlfriend (5'3") could
sit in the back with her friend, no problem. Don't know about rabbits...
|> What is a 'low impact collision'? All I know is that on my rabbit I have lots
|> of dents caused by 'reckless parkers' here in the University, while the Fiero
|> has *none*. And aren't you lucky you can replace the body panels easily?
|> If you get a dent on a regular fender for example, labor cost for assembly
|> and disassembly can easily be higher than the new fender itself...
'Low Impact' == < 20 mph. BTW, those panels for the Fiero cost $300 a piece so
I didn't feel luckly at all. It would have been much cheaper just to bang out
the dents and repaint.
|> This it really not Ok! But blame your dealer/repair shop and don't generalize...
It was two dealers, and YES I do blame GM; their dealers represent them (I also
wrote a letter to their head office and they basically told me to piss off). It
will take a loader gun to my head to get me to buy a GM again.
|> >recomend staying as far away from Pointiac, and Fieros as possible. GM stopped
|> Well, the name is Pontiac... :-)
Same crap! :):):)
|> >selling them because they were crap, didn't hold their value (I paid $15,000 for
|> Well, prices drop on used cars, and remember, the early models did have
|> their problems! No doubt about it!
That car lost 70% of it's value in under 3 years; not even K-Cars are that bad.
|> >Total, unbelievable CRAP!
|> Well, that's your opinion...
|> I'd just say,keep your hands off new models, wait at least one year before
|> buying a new model, that way most major bugs should be fixed...
Especially if you are buying GM! Over 60 years of building cars and they still
can't get it right!
Trevor Perkins
>
>Especially if you are buying GM! Over 60 years of building cars and they still
>can't get it right!
>
>Don Clayton
That's why Ford is #1 in the domestic car market !!!
-Trevor
( previous owner & faithful follower of the Mustang )
( '69 Grande 302 - '79 5.0L Cobra )
=======================================================================
| C. Trevor Perkins 891...@ace.acadiau.ca. |
| |
| /| /~~\ |
| /~~|cadia University | /| |\ | /| |~\ /| |
| Wolfville, Nova Scotia \__/ /~~| | \| /~~| |_/ /~~| |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| STRESS - The condition caused when the mind overrides the |
| body's basic urge to choke the crap out of some jerk |
| who desperately deserves it !!! |
=======================================================================
Roger Enns
>
> That's why Ford is #1 in the domestic car market !!!
>
> -Trevor
> ( previous owner & faithful follower of the Mustang )
> ( '69 Grande 302 - '79 5.0L Cobra )
> =======================================================================
> | C. Trevor Perkins 891...@ace.acadiau.ca. |
Ford is #1 in the domestic car market because they are pedalling
rebadged Mazdas... :-)
--
Roger Enns (en...@waterloo.hp.com) Panacom Automation Division, HP
C-GIIV Dragonfly, 1979 RX7 13B, 1985 Colt
Don Clayton
|>
|> >
|> > That's why Ford is #1 in the domestic car market !!!
|> >
|> > -Trevor
|> > ( previous owner & faithful follower of the Mustang )
|> > ( '69 Grande 302 - '79 5.0L Cobra )
|> > =======================================================================
|> > | C. Trevor Perkins 891...@ace.acadiau.ca. |
|>
|> Ford is #1 in the domestic car market because they are pedalling
|> rebadged Mazdas... :-)
Why not, it's what Chyrsler does. At least they're making money.
If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.
Sean Smith
[Something about GM making cars for 60 years and not getting it right]
I have 1 word for the above: Saturn.
Sean
--
Sean Smith - Dalhousie University Bill and Opus in '92 in the US!
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Don Cherry for Prime Minister in
01SS...@AC.DAL.CA or sm...@ug.cs.dal.ca '93 in Canada!
Disclaimer: These ideas are mine...ALL MINE!! 'Cause noone else'd want 'em.
Don Clayton
|> In article <1992Oct6.1...@bnr.ca> dcla...@bnr.ca (Don Clayton) writes:
|> [Stuff deleted]
|> [Something about GM making cars for 60 years and not getting it right]
|>
|> I have 1 word for the above: Saturn.
|>
|> Sean
We shall see. I'm waiting to see how reliable they turn out to be (no, one or
two years is not long enough) and how well their resale value holds up. GM has
to get better - they can't get any worse!
Trevor Perkins
>From: en...@waterloo.hp.com (Roger Enns)
>Subject: Re: Pontiac Fiero problems?
>Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 19:13:45 GMT
>
>>
>> That's why Ford is #1 in the domestic car market !!!
>>
>> -Trevor
>> ( previous owner & faithful follower of the Mustang )
>> ( '69 Grande 302 - '79 5.0L Cobra )
>> =======================================================================
>> | C. Trevor Perkins 891...@ace.acadiau.ca. |
>
>Ford is #1 in the domestic car market because they are pedalling
>rebadged Mazdas... :-)
>
following GM's ( & Chrysler ) example to maintain their lead over GM.
GM -> suzuki
Chry -> Mitsubishi
Trevor
=======================================================================
| " Have You Driven A FORD Lately ! " |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| C. Trevor Perkins 891...@ace.acadiau.ca. |
| Acadia University |
| Wolfville, Nova Scotia CANADA |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| " This is FORD country ... |
| on a quiet night, you can hear a Chevy rust !! " |
=======================================================================
Ken Vines
but not without some past problems. At 51K, I had to
replace the intake manifold gasket. Oil and coolant
really do mix! The dealer wanted $2K to fix the
problem, but a friend and I fixed it in a couple of
weekends for $100. Also had problems with ignition
coil (I think it's a heat problem). And yes, my
emergency brake doen't work (and probably the rear
brakes as well since they are somehow adjusted by
the emergency).
Anyway for now, I plan on driving it as long as
I can to get my $14K out of it. It's a blast to
drive, sounds neat, no car door dings (plastic
panels), good factory stereo and NO PAYMENTS!
I have the 2.8L V6. No fires yet. It's able
to dust CRXs with ease.
Would I do it again (or buy a used one)? Probably
not. But it's not such a bad car as its reputation
would lead you to believe.
Neal Howard
>---When Bertone made a new proposal for Fiat, they came up with the X1/10.
> Fiat sent it to Lancia and they produced it as the MonteCarlo, called
> Scorpion here in the US. If you have ever seen a Scoprion (they were
> only imported to the US in '76 and '77, and only 177 were imported in
> '76.) If you have ever seen a Scorpion/MonteCarlo, you will notice an
> incredible coincidence that it looks stunningly similar to the '92
> Fiero....
The last year model of the Pontiac Fiero was 1989.
--
=============================================================================
Neal Howard (ne...@cmptrc.lonestar.org) CompuTrac, Inc. (Richardson,TX)
DoD #686 '91 XLH-1200 '70 Kawasaki G4-100cc '69 Cougar XR7-GT390
Ensoniq VFX-SD Kramer Pacer guitar '70 429CJ(needs a home)
Disclaimer: The only above mentioned toys I play with on the below mentioned
Friday nights are the musical ones 8*}
"how often you get much more drunk than you ought to on a Friday night...
...about once a week" - Tom Yates
=============================================================================
Oliver Scholz (Turo - Backstage)
>coil (I think it's a heat problem). And yes, my
>emergency brake doen't work (and probably the rear
>brakes as well since they are somehow adjusted by
>the emergency).
The emergency brake is adjusted with the equalizer, which is easily
visible and accessible when you look under your car near the exhaust
pipe on the driver's side. Adjust it so that the lever is just at the stopper.
If you have your brakes serviced by an unexperienced mechanic or do it
yourself, be careful to install the lever in the right position again!
If you don't, the levers on the rear brakes are misadjusted and will
apply the parking brake unevenly and if you get it really wrong, it'll
apply one caliper all the time, resulting in premature and uneven wear,plus
uneven braking.
But if you know how to do it, it's really no problem and you can do it
in no time.
Remember: if you work on your brakes, you better know what you're doing...
If you have questions, email me!
Alan Hamilton
>Yep.... The Fiero is a cheap (but more expensive) take off on the Fiat/
>Bertone X1/9. Not to mention that the X1/9 will outcorner and outdrive
>any Fiero.... They are both similar in body style, but the X1/9 is a
>targa that gets 34 mpg. I have a 1974 1/2 and it is beautiful... I
>make a hobby out of toasting Fieros.
>
>Damon
>
>questions? email: dam...@wpi.wpi.edu
Well I drive Fiero in Showroom Stock in SCCA I run times of 1:58 at
Laguna Seca and a 2:09 at Sears Point I don't recall any X1/9 going
past me, in fact I recall passing any that were in front of me and
at least one or two on the side of the track broken. Granted I'm
running in a '88 Fiero GT with 2.8 V6 and only get 18-28 mpg but I
do have alot of fun.
Oh bye the way I also have a 1985 4 cyl Fiero that turns 2:11 at Laguna
and I believe the Fiat I saw was turning 2:20s.
Alan F. Perry
>In article <1aqs7s...@bigboote.WPI.EDU> dam...@hongkong.WPI.EDU (Damon Francis Gentile) writes:
>>---When Bertone made a new proposal for Fiat, they came up with the X1/10.
>> Fiat sent it to Lancia and they produced it as the MonteCarlo, called
>> Scorpion here in the US. If you have ever seen a Scoprion (they were
>> only imported to the US in '76 and '77, and only 177 were imported in
>> '76.) If you have ever seen a Scorpion/MonteCarlo, you will notice an
>> incredible coincidence that it looks stunningly similar to the '92
>> Fiero....
>
>The last year model of the Pontiac Fiero was 1989.
Actually, the last Fieros were part of the 1988 model year. I was going to
refute a good deal of what dam...@hongkong.wpi.edu wrote, but, from the
tone of his response, I believe he is a pinhead and not worth my time.
Craig A Bradstock
>>---When Bertone made a new proposal for Fiat, they came up with the X1/10.
>> Fiat sent it to Lancia and they produced it as the MonteCarlo, called
>> Scorpion here in the US. If you have ever seen a Scoprion (they were
>> only imported to the US in '76 and '77, and only 177 were imported in
>> '76.) If you have ever seen a Scorpion/MonteCarlo, you will notice an
>> incredible coincidence that it looks stunningly similar to the '92
>> Fiero....
>
>The last year model of the Pontiac Fiero was 1989.
>
Marshal Airborne Perlman
> =======================================================================
> | " Have You Driven A FORD Lately ! " |
> |---------------------------------------------------------------------|
> =======================================================================
NO...I've not...and NOR DO I PLAN TOO..
--
Marshal Perlman <> Florida Institute of Technology
***** per...@zach.fit.edu *****
Private Pilot - Airplane Single-Engine Land
Marcus Hall
>Yep.... The Fiero is a cheap (but more expensive) take off on the Fiat/
>Bertone X1/9. Not to mention that the X1/9 will outcorner and outdrive
>any Fiero.... They are both similar in body style, but the X1/9 is a
>targa that gets 34 mpg. I have a 1974 1/2 and it is beautiful... I
>make a hobby out of toasting Fieros.
In article <1992Oct6.0...@netcom.com> esp...@netcom.com (Alan F. Perry) writes:
>....
>I think the 86+ Fiero GTs (sans spoiler) are the much better looking that
>the X1/9. I got around 32 mph (highway) with the 2.8L V6. There is much
>more storage space in a Fiero and it is easier to work on a Fiero. (An
>old officemate had an X1/9 and we would compare cars.) I also trust
>GM electric over Italian electrics.
Well, I had two X1/9s (a 1975 and 1979 version) and really loved the cars.
However, one reason that I had to have two was so that I could keep one
running enough of the time to always be able to get to work. When they
were running, though, they were a blast to drive! The 1.3l engine in the
'75 was really underpowered, and the '79's 1.5l engine was a big improvement.
Both of the cars died to terminal rust problems. The last one died for good
when a transmission bearing burned as well as intermittent charging system
problems, an almost rusted through front suspension, and significant body
rust just made it impractical to try to save (alas...).
I replaced it with an '85 Fiero V6. The Fiero definately has much more power
then either Fiat, but the Fiero is really bad for understeer. I missed the
Fiat's targa top and had T-tops installed on the Fiero. Not quite the same,
but close.
I did think that the arangement of the car was better in the X1/9. The
Fiero's spare tire is in the front trunk and takes up soo much space that
there isn't much left there. I could fit more stuff in the X1/9 than the
Fiero, despite the fact that the Fiero is a larger car.
The Fiero isn't as much fun to drive, but it isn't as much of a pain to keep
running either. It's held together for more miles than both X1/9s put
together. The Fiero's straight line performance is better, but the X1/9's
handling was far superior. I wish that the X1/9s had lasted longer, but
since they're gone, the Fiero is "acceptable". The body won't rust, and
parts are actually possible to get without having to wait 2-4 weeks.
To really complete this discussion, we have to consider the MR2. I think that
it is much more the spiritual successor to the X1/9. It's more of a sports
car at heart, has a smaller high revving engine, etc. That is actually what
I'm looking at as a replacement when the Fiero starts getting too much of a
hassle to keep running.
marcus hall