Our old nemesis (okay happy???) the MR2 has returned (actually spring of next year) and I was wondering what everyone thought of the MR2. Rumors are still floating that the Fiero is on its way back as well so we might get a rematch. I have my own views of this but will wait for some other views first. Here some specs in case you haven't seen the front cover of Road & Track.

Engine: 1.8 all-aluminum DOHC 4cyl (Celica engine)
Horsepower: 140 @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 127 lb-ft @ 4400

Estimated performance:
0-60: 7.5 seconds
1/4 mile: 15.5 seconds (no speed given)
Top speed: 130 mph.

Compare it to your 10 - 15 year old Fiero. What do you think?

[This message has been edited by WKDFIRO (edited 11-26-1999).]

I like the new MR-2! but I like all midengine cars.... almost bought a Bertone x-19 when I was in High School. The Opel probably will not be albeled a Fiero if/when it comes here.... GM will likely never name a nother car Fiero. True or False there is to much bad press/image associated with it to sell to the masses, and the 30-50,000 of us who still own or are dedicated to them, are not enough.

Hey...Anthony!!! when is the next meeting for December?????

I've seen pictures of the new MR2. Looks more euro now like the new Celicas.

WELL HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT THE CELICA HAS OR LOOKS LIKE THEY STOLE A FEW DESIGN CUES FROM THE GT FIERO, IT LOOKS TO ME THAT THEY TOOK THE FIERO GT AND REDESIGNED IT FOR THIER RICE BURNER.ALSO IF THEY WANT A RACE WELL I'LL JUST GET MY TA AND KICK THIER COPIED ASS.THEY NEVER MAKE ANYTHING ORIGINAL THEY ALWAYS COPY.

I would have to agree that Toyota's cars always seem to look like some other car on the market place. The similarities of the Fiero and original MR2 being the prime example. Now this MR2 looks remarkably Boxster-like. Coincidence? I think we all know that answer...
The aspect that warmed my Pontiac heart was the fact that even though its been over a decade since the Fieros came out, the Fiero GTs are still more powerful than this new MR2! With the number of Fieros with 3.4 powerplants only sweetens the pot even if Toyota pulls the 180 hp out of the bin for this latest incarnation. And (in my humble opinion) our styling still remains cutting edge, defying most automotive whims that date most cars, (okay the pop headlights are very 80s). Fieros have done better than survived. They have actually evolved into better cars than they were when they left the assembly line. Pontiac may never use the name again. They may see it as a marketing failure. But it was not the car. Many informed experts in the automotive field feel that the Fiero's life was cut short. Another victim of GM's implied motto, "We aren't in the business of making cars, we are in the business of making money."
Oh jeez, I think I have rambled long enough. Time to put my pom-poms down and step down from the soap box. Thats more than I need to say.

PS Christmas party on the 11th! e-mail me for details 88GT!

I would have to agree with Hoop on this one.. I just like all mid-engined cars. I wouldn't mind owning a 2nd Gen turboed MR2..

"The Opel probably will not be labeled a Fiero if/when it comes here...."

What Opel are we talking about, bHooper? Anyone have pics?

Somebody posted a pic of that new Opel here on the Forum sometime last summer.

Car and Driver made the humorous observation that the MR2 hasn't done well in France. The French pronounce MR2 "emm air duh," which is very close to "merde," the French word for "$hit."

The new MR2 is OK, but the Miata is nicer, better looking, and cheaper. Of course, there's a yellow 88 Formula with 15 miles (!) on it on classifieds2000 for $15K, and that's even better looking and cheaper.

If or when we get the new Opel, I'm also pretty sure they won't call it a Fiero. I'm betting on (hoping for) Pegasus. Instant recognition for the faithful. No bad reputation for the less educated.

It would be cool if they used the same badge, with just the differnt name.

Actually, I would prefer that Opel NOT be named Fiero or have the same badge or have any relationship to the Fiero at all. Why? It's an Opel and NOT a Pontiac!

where is the pic of this car?? (Opel)

I don't recall seeing it posted on the forum in the summer, but I could have missed it. can anyone tell me what the discussion topic was, or maybe post the pic again?

thanks!

As I understand it, the Opel (and whatever variant that the US is getting) is based on the Lotus Elise.

The Opel "Speedster" 2-seater sports car can be seen at www.opel.com Kind of an interesting car. What do you all think?

After seeing the picture, I think I would rather Pontiac come up with a new name...
That does not have the Fiero Style to it.

First of all, just let me say that, if the Opel you guys are talking about is that yellow "Speedster", I think it needs to stay in whatever country is came from. The front end looks like it hit a wall. (Check out the Cadillac Evoq if you want to see more of the same.) Second, of course it doesn't have Fiero style. Nothing will ever have that same look to it. All of todays cars have the same look to them. They all look like someone stepped on a marshmallow. The Fiero has style and a uniqueness to it that no other car can match. This is not to say that there aren't other cars I wouldn't mind having in my garage, but NOTHING can take the place of the Fiero!!!!! Besides, I'll never buy another Pontiac product again after what they did in '88. They took away the most beautiful car ever made. I'm sorry for getting a little carried away, but I can't help it. In a world of look-a-likes, The Fiero is one of the very few cars that actually has personality. I'll shut up and go take a Valium, now:-)

I like it...kinda looks like a Viper and a Corvette morphed together.

One other car I always wanted was an Opel GT...I'd rather have the car Maxwell Smart drove (the Sunbeam Tiger was cool too) than Bond's latest toy.

I'm with DJRice and Monkeyman - I want a real Fiero! How about this:

Steel spaceframe
New suspension up front
Grand Am front suspension used in rear
Plastic body panels
Coupe: 2.4L DOHC 4-banger from Sunfire, 150 hp
GT (stock): 3.5L DOHC V6 from Olds Intrigue, 200 hp
GT (opt): 3.8L supercharged V6 from Grand Prix, 240 hp
Convertible option
Curb weight: 2600-2900 lbs
Coupe (base): $17,995
GT (base): $20,995
GT Convertible (loaded): $25,995

Vrrrrrrrrooom!

Chad... With you all the way, except for the Grand Am front suspension, transplanted to the rear. I would like to see no "parts bin" construction, other than the engine/transaxle.

Monkeyman, Pontiac did not discontinue the Fiero line. General Motors did. Pontiac officials actually vehemently protested the move but it didnt work. I understand what you mean though.

ChadMan
You could always find a nice 88 and put a 3800 in it- big brakes and upgraded suspension for less than $20k

Chad, You forgot 3 models.

Northstar GTA: $31,995
Northstar GTA Convertible: $36,995
BadA** Twin Turbo NorthStar GTA: $41,995

Ahh, Dare to Dream.

That's the plan, Phil! I have a stripper 88 Coupe (no options except tinted windows and tilt wheel). The paint is starting to fade in two spots but it's otherwise EC. As soon as I can afford it or the Duke blows up, I plan to have Ed Parks install a 3800 V6 (or possibly an HO Quad 4 if I can find a low-mileage one). I may have a long wait because the Duke runs great at 103K miles.

87GT--I know that it was GM as opposed to Pontiac, but I've been a GM fan since I was a little kid. I've refused to buy Pontiac since '88 and I'd hate to quit looking at the entire GM line. Besides, the guy who made the final decision is retired now (forget his name-Vice pres in charge of finances/outside sales or something to that effect).

EEEK!
Stay away from the Quad 4! There have been numerous complaints about this set up with bad head gaskets. One belief is that the torque strut use in the fiero is putting too much stress on the head and causing trouble.

Monkeyman, that has to be frustrating not to buy a Pontiac. In my opinion, Pontiac has the most stylish cars out of all of GM except for maybe the Corvette! I like the Chevy trucks, and almost all Pontiac vehicles, especially the Grand Prix. Its got to be hard for you not to buy one of them because of the Fiero discontinuation. I hope you change your mind. Anyways, Happy Bird day

87GT--Couldn't afford another new car even if I wanted one! I agree, though, that Pontiac has some of the best looking cars of the GM lineup. It's just that, from the time I saw my very 1st Fiero (prototype @ the Detroit Auto Show-1982?), I've been madly in love with them. What if somebody killed your 1st love? That's a little extreme, but I think you get the picture.

I would have to say that Pontiac is my favorite GM line, not only cause the have some great looking cars but also because they are the only line that doesn't make an SUV (other that saturn)! The only car I would consider buying instead of a fiero would be one of those early 90's Grand Prix 2 doors. love the styling of those!

Pontiac will be releasing there all new Aztek soon. Guess What? Its a SUV! aaahhhh!! Its pretty ugly. I even gave my opinion on there site about it. I told them that they need to calm down on all that swervy curvy stuff.

I admire a person that uses cool words like nemesis and then boldly misspells it. Just messing with you! I must of read that at least 5 times before I finally realized it might be misspelled. Then, I had to look it up in my trusty dictionary first to be sure. Actually, I'm glad it's ok to have typos in internet chat, or else I'd be in BIG trouble. Hey Cliff, how soon before we get "spellcheck" on the Forum?

HEY I know how to spell!

Its just teh tpyin g that get s me...

I just test drove a 91 Mr2 yesterday, and I must say... I liked it! It might be because i've been spending too much time in my girlfriend's '90 Celica. Of course, the real reason I test drove it was because it was a 5 spd and I'm learning to drive a stick.. big fun. Couldn't spin the tires, but it would defininatly kick the duke's ass.

Standard--You are hearby banished from the kingdom of Fieros. You are to immediately give up any and all Fieros and Fiero related material. Be gone! (And thank you for possibly tearing up the tranny/clutch in something other than a Fiero.)

Standard, Standard, Standard.....
So you think an MR2 could kick a duke around...when you get down glazing that Toyota clutch, get yourself into a good runing V6 and repent for your past Toyota sins...

Actually, I have always said that is well to learn the ways of your enemy. Or in this case the manual tranny of your enemy.

What can I say? I just happen to like anything mid-engined. I did beat on that thing, tho... 4000 rpm launches and just keeping the throttle down and shifting away! Don't worry, I don't plan on buying the damn thing! I'm actually gonna go look at a 1988 Formula with T-Tops and 74,000mi. It's an auto, but after spending a week or so reading clutch info uncovered I don't think I'm gonna get a stick Fiero 'till I have more mechanical experiance...