Daily drive an automatic Fiero GT? (Page 1/1)
DanDamage NOV 29, 11:06 AM
How reliable do you think daily driving a Gt would be with 120k miles on her?

If I remember correctly the module does go out randomly but other than that?
Steel NOV 29, 11:23 AM
Certainly is possible, but it's over 30 yrs old, likely hasn't had proper 100k maintenance and there are a lot of worn, dry aged parts needing replaced. The pickup coil and ignition module are failure points for all V6 Fieros.

I'd definitely have a good towing service plan and or a quick way to trailer it home or to a suitable mechanic. AAA use to offer a decent roadside assistance plan which I needed 3-4 times when I daily drove my '87 GT daily.
Jake_Dragon NOV 29, 02:50 PM
If you keep up with the small stuff then I don't see why not.
If I find one that isn't falling apart I will get it and DD it till its not able to move on its own.

My Fiero's have been some of the more reliable cars I have owned. But you have to keep up with them and dont cut corners
fierobear NOV 29, 05:16 PM
Being able to do all of your own maintenance and repair is essential. If you are relying on shops to do the work, it might not be the best choice.
rogergarrison DEC 04, 02:36 PM
I would want one. I did have one with an auto, but it had a V8 conversion. Even though I rarely even got on it at all, I had them go out every 1,000 miles. It was built by a racing auto trans shop when I did the v8. My conclusion after 4 replacements, was the Fiero transaxle was not designed for more than 150 hp. I sold the car for a $15,000 loss just to get rid of it. Even most on here with standard trans Ive seen have problems. Didnt Tina have to replace hers once a year ? It was never the torque converter or the chain link failure, it was always internal failures.
bonaduce DEC 04, 02:42 PM
I have driven mine as a daily driver for the past 2 years with no issues. Even drove it all winter, just put snows on it, coated the underside with fluid film and hosed off the underside every 2 weeks. Was going to drive it again this winter but I inherited the wifes trax instead.

dan
Steel DEC 04, 03:00 PM

quote
Originally posted by rogergarrison:

I would want one. I did have one with an auto, but it had a V8 conversion. Even though I rarely even got on it at all, I had them go out every 1,000 miles. It was built by a racing auto trans shop when I did the v8. My conclusion after 4 replacements, was the Fiero transaxle was not designed for more than 150 hp. I sold the car for a $15,000 loss just to get rid of it. Even most on here with standard trans Ive seen have problems. Didnt Tina have to replace hers once a year ? It was never the torque converter or the chain link failure, it was always internal failures.



The case is weak on them for sure, was a club member in my area who had a built 284 in place of his 282. He had an LT1 swap, I do think the 284 lasted much longer than his 282. I did help with the install and the input shafts are larger and the diff bearings were significantly larger.

But I agree there isn't a real transmission option for high power swaps, even my 4t65e-HD rebuilds with GMR parts/chain have failed in my turbo 3800 swap twice now. I'm working on an expensive alternative, I don't expect many in the Fiero community to be interested but for those with deep pockets it should be a nice option.

[This message has been edited by Steel (edited 12-04-2019).]

Blacktree DEC 04, 09:30 PM
Personally, I wouldn't want to use a 30+ year old car as my main transportation. But that's just me.
theogre DEC 04, 10:30 PM
222,000+ miles and still a daily driver here.

But I've replace/fix/clean many things to do it and stay safe like:
Restore the brakes using better then OE pads and hoses. Not SS hype hoses or other bs "upgrades."
Rebuilt the suspension w/ moog rubber and premium gas struts/shocks.
Go thru the entire car likely 2 or 3 times over the years to clean/fix most common electrical issues.
Did swap 4cyl auto w/ same only because less miles and old timing gear finally broke after ~ 150,000. Still have the old one since nothing else is wrong.

Auto likely needs a filter and fluid change.
I use ATP B-56 filter kit last month. (Amazon and others) Filter are all the same but gaskets are not. This one has a better gasket material and 4 bolt holes cut a bit smaller to make easier to install.
Followed direction in cave to get 6 of 9+ quarts replace. If you drop pad only you often get only ~ 3 to 4 quarts.
I have gotten 1 to 1.5 more but didn't have time for TC to drain a little.

Good thing too... Several pan bolts was loose because someone else did a filter kit before. At least they didn't wreck the pan edges.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave