I was at pull-a-part today, as I wanted to get a brake booster and a set of front rotors to use as hubs for my brake upgrade. Also wanted to see a Fiero that was new to the yard. OH MY GAWD. It was literally the worst Fiero I have seen as far as rust goes. It's unreal. I could lift the rear body/strut tower/trunk separate from the engine/cradle. I did take some parts off it though, like the tachometer. Both seats are ripped up, and there is a huge chunk missing from the dash corner. It's an 86 SE, I was surprised to see a 2.8 in the yard, but with this frame, there is no doubt. Forget about frame rails, there isn't anything left period. I bet this Fiero is really light, haha.
I mean, this is worse then RWDPLZ's 84, and that's bad.
[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 04-27-2012).]
I mean, this is worse then RWDPLZ's 84, and that's bad.
LOL! I saw the thread title and thought, 'It can't be as bad as mine was' but HOLY CRAP! Mine, when viewed from the back, had that same problem with the rear bumper sagging down to one side, when the strut tower detached.
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11:17 PM
Carcenomy Member
Posts: 1109 From: Invercargill, New Zealand Registered: Jan 2009
LOL! I saw the thread title and thought, 'It can't be as bad as mine was' but HOLY CRAP! Mine, when viewed from the back, had that same problem with the rear bumper sagging down to one side, when the strut tower detached.
So i'm assuming it is in fact worse then yours was?
Oh yeah, my lower rail wasn't that bad, I had a bit more strut tower, and cradle was mostly surface rust. That thing needs a new cradle, the lower rail front to back, the bottom half of the strut tower, and I'm sure the upper rail is gone. It COULD be done, but YEESH. That car, obviously they stopped driving it when the lower control arm separated from the cradle, I bet they were still driving it around when the strut tower separated.
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11:30 PM
Apr 28th, 2012
Oosky Member
Posts: 717 From: St. Cloud, MN, USA Registered: Oct 2010
Oh yeah, my lower rail wasn't that bad, I had a bit more strut tower, and cradle was mostly surface rust. That thing needs a new cradle, the lower rail front to back, the bottom half of the strut tower, and I'm sure the upper rail is gone. It COULD be done, but YEESH. That car, obviously they stopped driving it when the lower control arm separated from the cradle, I bet they were still driving it around when the strut tower separated.
This really makes me wonder why some things rust on some fiero's and not others. Like, your cradle on your 84 was fine. My cradle on my 86 had holes, and a football sized hole in the trunk, but the frame rails and strut tower areas are perfect, 100% solid. But my front suspension/top plates look horrible. I think one factor is mileage. My 86 had only 49k on it at the time, while your 84 had high miles (don't recall the number).
But yea, the passenger side barely had a hint of an upper frame rail. Also, that one area by the passenger floor drain plug, it was basically one big hole, definitely could poke carpet there.
[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 04-28-2012).]
It can be saved you'll just have to section it at the steering wheel (Pull the steering wheel off, and drive a new car under it, then reinstall) sorry Body Man joke
WOW! So that's what happens.....I've seen cars like this in pics, but never actually seen vehicle rust in person. That's just beyond words.....
Yeah people that live in warm dry climates have heard about rust but don't really know what it is... I have parts cars that look 10x better than that. But I grew up in western NY so I'm quite familiar with iron oxide.
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01:24 PM
PBJ Member
Posts: 4167 From: London, On., Canada Registered: Jan 2001
I think it must have been imported from Ontario or Quebec where I am sure auto-manufactures pay for our road salt to keep sales up. I am unbolting a frt sway bar off a customers 08 truck and 3 of the 4 bolts break off cause they are rusted/siezed up...
No, this one was in the Cleveland West pull-a-part.
But this car had to be in like a combination of saltwater/ road salt area. The crazy part (and downside of Fieros) is from the outside, it would look pretty normal, except I'm sure it would lean because of the strut tower on the passenger side.
[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 04-28-2012).]
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02:16 PM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15160 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
Like many cars 25-30 years old they don't get used but "used up". Its obvious that car got very little if any maintenance. I would grab the body panels as they look pretty good. The rest of that vehicle looks rotten to the core. Must have been owned by a low class individual.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I have one in my backyard thats worse than that. Its an 86 SE too! Must be an 86 SE thing The cradle is powder, the part where the control arms bolt up to is completely gone. Floors are gone completely rusted. Forget the rad support it is just powder!
Interesting how the northern guys act like it's normal (isn't that a bit extreme?) while the southern guys are horrified such a thing exists. Haha. Pretty sad how many nice frames are scrapped in the south...
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01:16 PM
Frizlefrak Member
Posts: 2921 From: El Paso, Texas Registered: Aug 2003
Interesting how the northern guys act like it's normal (isn't that a bit extreme?) while the southern guys are horrified such a thing exists. Haha. Pretty sad how many nice frames are scrapped in the south...
Matt, I've seen Fiero chassis that look as good as the day they were born crushed here. Repeatedly. Quite sad.
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01:54 PM
hyperv6 Member
Posts: 6003 From: Clinton, OH, USA Registered: Mar 2003
I have seen clean frames but blown engines scrapped and I have seen cars with damaged frames get paint jobs and other things till the owner finds the rust under it.
I once had a guy call me to look at a Fiero for him. The trunk was gone and I told him to walk away, he still bought it anyways. Needless to day he has a poor opinion now on Fiero's since his was crap.
Some people just don't learn or listen.
With a Fiero you need to really look under the car and pull up the carpet as it may look good outside but you may have a money pit in the making under the body.
The great myth Fiero's don't rust.
I have seen Vettes do similar. I had a customer with a 61 Roadster and it looked showroom new on top and inside. It ran great too. Now the frame was patched up several times as it had rusted through. If you had a clean frame you could have made a show car out of it but the frame was all welded up and just looked like crap.
[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 04-29-2012).]
Yea, my dad and I were un-aware of the rust areas when I bought my first Fiero in 2008, and even though it only had 49k miles, the cradle had rust holes, trunk had a football sized hole, etc. Didn't seem like it of course because the interior was 99% perfect and the Paint was great. Ohio really kills cars. My Fiero was garaged most of it's life and when I got it it looked like this. It may not look bad, but that's with only 49k miles?!
Later picture
It just makes no sense. The trunk corner was killed, the cradle was toast...frame rails are perfect??
[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 04-29-2012).]
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04:05 PM
hyperv6 Member
Posts: 6003 From: Clinton, OH, USA Registered: Mar 2003
Just proves you need to do your home work on any car you buy or you may run the risk of a major money pit. This is for new or old cars alike.
I can't believe how blind some people buy cars anymore. New cars are just as bad as I see people on the web brag about a price paid for a new car that I just paid $4K less for.
The first think I do with any used car is get it on a rack. I looked at an Elcamino SS a while back that looked mint. I got it on the rack and right in front of the rear control arms were holes rusted in the frame I stuck my fist into. It was a matter of time till the control arm would pull out. I think the owner had no idea by the look on his face. I think the gas station charged me $5 to lift it and it saved me thousands of dollars.
I have considered we should do a FAQ on a Fiero buyers guide to save some folks from making a big mistake.
[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 04-29-2012).]
RIP
I saw the thread title and thought, 'It can't be as bad as mine was' but HOLY CRAP! Mine, when viewed from the back, had that same problem with the rear bumper sagging down to one side, when the strut tower detached.
I have parts cars that look 10x better than that. But I grew up in western NY so I'm quite familiar with iron oxide.
