Fiero - Good first car? (Page 3/4)
David Hambleton OCT 02, 09:41 PM
Hmmm... I wonder where 'Wonders' went. Did we scare him/her away already? Lol!

Fiero ownership success is primarily dependent on the owner, as opposed to the car itself. Any 30+ year old car can present frustrations and issues; Fieros are relatively simple and parts are mostly readily attainable.

If you have: 1. sufficient financial resources and 2: a local Fiero mechanic to look after it, all you need is 3: alternate transportation for when the car is in for repairs.

Otherwise, it's good to have: 1: enough mechanical ability to troubleshoot and repair issues yourself; 2: workshop space and tools available at any time for whatever time is needed and 3: time to wait for parts when req'd.
Depending on how fast you are at fixing things, you may still need alternate transportation.

Disclosure of opinion bias:
I've been a Fiero fan since I saw a small Fiero development article in Wards Auto World in 1982.
I'm still driving my '84 SE 4 speed, ordered in Sep '83, rec'd in May '84, in continuous use, now with over 380,000 kilometers (236,000 miles) on it.
I bought an '86 coupe 2.5L 5 speed in Feb 2011 to rehab and use as an alternate with the '84 'cause if the '84 breaks down, I can't be without a daily driver Fiero...
I bought a Formula 5 speed in Feb 2008 with 5200 kilometers (3231 miles) because it was in showroom condition.
I'm a pretend mechanic and do most stuff myself; including (so far) engine replacement, accident repair, front end crossmember replacement and of course all of the other typical maintenance stuff.
My ownership preference is the original notch style for its distinctive profile and I try to maintain stock appearance and content.
I have a barn with floor space for 14 Fieros.

Here's the Tupperware Trio:



p.s. Please advise if this was inspiring or discouraging.

[This message has been edited by David Hambleton (edited 10-02-2018).]

Patrick OCT 03, 04:00 PM

quote
Originally posted by David Hambleton:

Hmmm... I wonder where 'Wonders' went.



Reportedly seen buying a late model Toyota.
Gall757 OCT 03, 08:35 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Reportedly seen buying a late model Toyota.



very smart move.... heh.
David Hambleton OCT 03, 09:49 PM
Funny you should mention Toyota, 3 years ago we found a 2000 Toyota Celica with 165,000 km that my twin daughters bought for $2k.
They've put another 100,000 km on it and have had one catastrophic failure; the windshield washer pump - a $50 repair.

88Fingers OCT 04, 07:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by David Hambleton:

Hmmm... I wonder where 'Wonders' went. Did we scare him/her away already? Lol!

Fiero ownership success is primarily dependent on the owner, as opposed to the car itself. Any 30+ year old car can present frustrations and issues; Fieros are relatively simple and parts are mostly readily attainable.

If you have: 1. sufficient financial resources and 2: a local Fiero mechanic to look after it, all you need is 3: alternate transportation for when the car is in for repairs.

Otherwise, it's good to have: 1: enough mechanical ability to troubleshoot and repair issues yourself; 2: workshop space and tools available at any time for whatever time is needed and 3: time to wait for parts when req'd.
Depending on how fast you are at fixing things, you may still need alternate transportation.

Disclosure of opinion bias:
I've been a Fiero fan since I saw a small Fiero development article in Wards Auto World in 1982.
I'm still driving my '84 SE 4 speed, ordered in Sep '83, rec'd in May '84, in continuous use, now with over 380,000 kilometers (236,000 miles) on it.
I bought an '86 coupe 2.5L 5 speed in Feb 2011 to rehab and use as an alternate with the '84 'cause if the '84 breaks down, I can't be without a daily driver Fiero...
I bought a Formula 5 speed in Feb 2008 with 5200 kilometers (3231 miles) because it was in showroom condition.
I'm a pretend mechanic and do most stuff myself; including (so far) engine replacement, accident repair, front end crossmember replacement and of course all of the other typical maintenance stuff.
My ownership preference is the original notch style for its distinctive profile and I try to maintain stock appearance and content.
I have a barn with floor space for 14 Fieros.

Here's the Tupperware Trio:



p.s. [quote] Please advise if this was inspiring or discouraging

.

[/QUOTE]
88Fingers OCT 04, 07:24 PM
Hello David, I would say Inspiring and Purposeful, Perspiring? Oh wait, that's what I am doing right now as it is so dang hot in Burlington!!
We need to organize a Fiero race around the Bay. Yeah....perspiring!
lurtz OCT 08, 02:30 PM
Well my first car was a fiero, and for all intents and purposes it was a good first car. For a 16 year old to only have 2 seats, 92 horsepower and a pretty strong space frame to protect me it was not a bad car to have. (2 seats limits the amount of peer pressure hooligans you can pack into that sardine can) I had to "learn" how to drive in all weather (Vermont/ NH Winters) and with a manual tranny, manual steering, no abs or other doo-dads, you learn how actually control a vehicle.
That being said... when I was 16 my fiero was also just 16 years old. 2 decades later.. and I would not vouch for a fiero as a good daily/first car. As has been mentioned here before.. the clean and decent starters are going to be out of a realistic price range for a HS student. You may be able to afford one to purchase, but the upkeep is going to break you... finding a decent mechanic is also tough. You would be better off buying an econo box that is only a few years old. Also.... like a motorcycle your first car will suffer some damage. Don't go out buying the prettiest, most chromed up, coolest looking ride. You WILL do something stupid!!! We all have.. and some still do . Your precious first ride will now be forever blemished... let that happen to a Honda civic... no one will cry over that. Don't worry you will still have fun in the civic... and in the meantime save yourself and a potentially nice fiero for a time when you can properly store it, maintain it, and keep it out of that Wisconsin Salt.

Just my thoughts... you get what you pay for..

fierobug OCT 09, 06:17 AM
Speak Wonders Speak. A lot of great advice here! Members here are very knowledgeable. They will help you for many, many, many, many, many problems---- but great fun! Very true I did some really stupid stuff like close the garage door when it was sticking out a few inches. Car had been painted from previous owner. DUH! Dings and scratches I caused from mechanical work! THere are others I can't mention for fear of death from laughter. Had great anxiety about wrecking it . So much that I was wrecking it! LOL! Love the mechanical work. Terrible at keeping it looking great. Maybe someday I could get it painted. ------------ DO NOT BUY IT FOR A DAILY DRIVER. --------- Get a truck to carry parts in it as a daily driver. Buy it because it is one of the greatest cars ever designed, though of course not perfect and not finished. Are you there Wonders? What did you decide? The suspense is too much!

------------------
FIEROBUG!!!!!!!!!!

[This message has been edited by fierobug (edited 10-09-2018).]

Wonders OCT 09, 11:39 AM
I've decided not to buy a fiero for a couple reasons.

1. RWD is awful for the winters, and it'd need A: snow chains or B: a good heave or so

2. 170 HP Doesn't seem like a ton to me, but others might chime in and say it's plenty.

3. I couldn't find a rust free fiero even if it was behind my head.

Ultimately, it's not worth it until I get some extra storage space for the thing.

------------------
hey

signature

signature in cursive

Patrick OCT 09, 02:43 PM

quote
Originally posted by Wonders:

170 HP Doesn't seem like a ton to me, but others might chime in and say it's plenty.



170 ?

It appears you wouldn't be satisfied with a stock Fiero then... as the 2.5 has 90 HP, and the 2.8 has 140 HP.