The frustrations of owning a Fiero in The Netherlands (Page 2/4)
Cliff Pennock JUN 17, 12:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by RichLo1:

What is the consequence of not passing inspection or just not getting it inspected? I assume you cant drive it if you fail, or is it just a fine or something?



When it doesn't pass inspection (or fails) it's not longer allowed on the public road. Which presents a problem 'cause that means I'm not even allowed to park it in front of my house. Which leaves me with 2 options: rent a garage somewhere to store it until it is fixed (kerching!) or have it junked.
Sage JUN 17, 12:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by Cliff Pennock:

Yes, there are shops that make custom exhausts. None will make one that's not made of stainless steel. In other words, none will make one that's even close to being affordable. For me at least. I don't want to spend over a €1,000 just for an exhaust.



What if enough of us chipped in for it to be done in SS? Then Cliff would have a pretty much bullet proof exhaust for the foreseeable future, would involve no shipping, enable the car to pass inspection (as far as the exhaust goes) and move on to the "next" issue/problem with Cliff's Fiero.

If 10 people kicked in $100 that'd cover what the projected cost for having it done is. 20 contributors = $50..... 50 contributors =$20....etc. I'd be willing, I'm sure there must be at least a few more.

The more people that chipped in, the less it costs each one.

Just an idea. Open to suggestion.

Funds could be sent straight to Cliff, so no need for anybody to act as a "go between" - middleman. Cliff could keep a list and when the amount required is reached, contributions would end for this project. Can always still buy Cliff a "beer".

Like I said, just a thought. After all that Cliff has provided for the community...seems like very little to do in return. Instead of buying Cliff a "beer"....we'd buy him an exhaust!

HAGO!
Cliff Pennock JUN 17, 02:25 PM
I really appreciate the thought, but it kinda makes me feel uneasy because that is not why I post these threads. I don't want people to think I only post threads like this to start some kind of "let's help Cliff's Fiero back on the road". Because it really isn't.
A_Lonely_Potato JUN 17, 02:42 PM
I take it you don't have the provisions to build an exhaust yourself?
Raydar JUN 17, 02:59 PM
Do you know Oliver Scholz?
He lives in Germany, I think, and is on FB. His page is https://www.facebook.com/oliver.scholz.923

You might contact him and ask him if he's got a line on any parts.
Just a thought.

(I didn't realize that shipping, there, was so stupid... )
Sage JUN 17, 03:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by Cliff Pennock:

I really appreciate the thought, but it kinda makes me feel uneasy because that is not why I post these threads. I don't want people to think I only post threads like this to start some kind of "let's help Cliff's Fiero back on the road". Because it really isn't.



Completely understandable, given the type person we have come to know you to be.....and nobody thought that you ever started any thread for that purpose....direct or implied....nobody.

We know that you are just discussing the problems of owning and maintaining an over 30 year old car....it just sort of goes with the territory.

There are many who don't ever "donate" to the beer fund, and others that do on occasion and still others who basically fund it for the most part.

If enough people stepped up, it would give some of those who want to pitch in for "beer" but never quite get around to it, an extra opportunity help the guy that started this forum and made it possible for many things in the Fiero world to happen. FREE tech advice, customizing instructions, the meeting of those we might otherwise never have heard of, and so on.

I will just finally say that I think it's a workable idea, and there's no need for you to feel "uneasy" about accepting help from those who you've helped immeasurably over the years. So I'll drop it now.

Good luck with the exhausting hunt!

HAGO!
PK JUN 17, 06:26 PM
Hoe gaat het Cliff? I am learning Belgie at the moment ...but it would take me a week to try and write this in Dutch and it would mostly be indecipherable gibberish...a bit loike me English. I have only just mastered aan het...but om te still has me baffled.....baffled... exhaust..ok back on track.

I fully understand your frustration. If possible some ingenious thinking is required. Not a fiero but I once fixed a VW gear linkage with a piece of pond pump....that also landed me my first proper job when they asked how I had come up with an usual solution to a problem.

I had your exhaust problem. There was no way that I was going to import the required components and I didn't feel like paying for a stainless system so I went to a place that makes exhausts and raided their skip and built my own....for free!! That was maybe 20years ago and it's still fully functional.

For the brake pads I am sure that places like faceache (I'm not a user) would make finding parts far simpler. There are still us parts suppliers over here....if you call around they may have unsold fiero parts loitering. I see parts turning up on eBay occasionally.

If you make a list of bits with car details I will gladly have a scout through UK sources though this may not help the postage cost dilemma.

I think raydars idea is a goodn and Oliver would be a good first contact.

I also think that part of your problem is due to trying to keep a now ancient vehicle without storage or a pleasant place to work. It doesn't sound like there is an easy practical solution to this.

If you can think of any ways I can help then peas lettuce snow.
cam-a-lot JUN 17, 08:12 PM
Agreed. Many of us (me included) are happy to pitch in some money to help out. This forum has been invaluable

Just say the word...
R Runner JUN 18, 05:15 AM
I got it! Move to the States!

Just kidding of course (but we would love to have you... )
Obviously there is a lot involved with that considering family and other things more important than cars or funding.

It would drive me absolutely NUTS to not be able to work on my car or have such significant roadblocks in doing (what I would consider) "regular maintenance".

I agree that none of us interpreted your post as a request for help of any kind. We all vent and it's good to discuss and receive feedback from your friends. PLEASE... vent away! It's all good.

I like the "buying Cliff a beer" idea. It's a donation. Simple, easy, straight forward. By extension, Cliff's Fiero (but all credit goes to you Cliff!) is one of the reasons (inspiration?) that this fantastic website was developed. It has brought SO MUCH to our Fiero community.
shemdogg JUN 18, 03:58 PM
If you have a quality exhaust/ hot rod shop that does awesome work, I think thats the way to go. A stainless exhaust should last forever. Maybe theres a muffler manufacturer that could make the muffler custom, or find something similar at a junkyard that could work. I just donated $50 to the cause! Thank you for creating this awesome website that has helped so many including me!

Shem