Advice on Buying a Used Fiero (Page 1/2)
winston82 AUG 06, 10:52 AM
Hi all,

I've been interested in getting a Fiero project going during quarantine (though I'm not a terribly experienced mechanic). I recently sourced a 1988 Formula V6 5-speed. CarFax shows 170,000 miles on it (but odo reads less) and no accidents or issues. The car has been sitting for twelve years, but apparently ran fine before it was parked in the desert. The asking price is $2,500. Haven't seen the inside yet, but I'd like to get some guidance from experienced owners as to whether this sounds like a good deal on its face, or what to look out for when I have the chance to inspect it this weekend. It will of course need at least need new tires and a battery, and I'll have to get it towed 100 miles to my house, but any tips are really appreciated!
cam-a-lot AUG 06, 12:12 PM
Odometer means nothing- anyone can roll it back, swap the instrument cluster, or disconnect the speed sensor and drive a car for 10 years.

I am more concerned that "it was fine when it was parked". Why would someone "park" a perfectly running car for years and let it deteriorate? Fishy story. If it doesn't run, it doesn't run. Doesn't matter what the owner says. I would suggest to go with someone who knows these cars. Look for rust. Will likely need to drop the fuel tank, clean it out, etc. Price seems high for a car that is not running- a blown tranny or clutch can cost you a pretty penny if you don't do the work yourself. Seized calipers, etc can also get expensive
fierosound AUG 06, 02:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by cam-a-lot:

I am more concerned that "it was fine when it was parked". Why would someone "park" a perfectly running car for years and let it deteriorate? Fishy story. If it doesn't run, it doesn't run. Doesn't matter what the owner says.




Agreed. ALWAYS take what the Seller says with a "pinch of salt" (and sometimes a pound of salt...)

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ltlfrari AUG 06, 02:45 PM
Read this post for some examples of potential rust issues and where to look

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/144134.html


I've lost count of the number of car ads I've seen that said 'ran fine when parked', battery flat so cannot run it, a/c not working but just needs a charge!

Look at it this way, unless otherwise proven (by it actually starting and running) , it's a non running car. People seem to think a 30 year old non running car is some sort of classic and worth more.

It's not!

After sitting for 12 years, most if not all the rubber is going to be trash, hoses, tires, suspension bushings and shocks etc.
Brakes are probably toast.
Tank will need draining and the fuel system flushing.
a/c won't work. At a minimum it will need flushing and filling. IF the compressor died, the job gets messier, bigger and more expensive.
Probably one or more mice nests.
Who knows what state the interior is in. It's all fixable but the costs add up. That $2.5k car is gonna be more like $10k by the time it's on the road.
That's not even counting the work the motoir/trans will or may need. At best you might get away with throwing some oil in the cylinders and loosening it up but really no way to know until you try it. Trans is generally sealed so as long as it's had oil in it, it could be ok. Assume clutch/flywheel needs replacing though.

You can buy a nice running car for far less than this will probably cost to get running, and then work up from there.

If you really wanted this one, non running, stood for so long, need to get it towed $700 ish maybe (I've sold a running Fiero for that!) on a good day, less ideally.

[This message has been edited by ltlfrari (edited 08-06-2020).]

winston82 AUG 06, 06:39 PM
Thanks for the reality check all. After deciding on a Fiero for a project, I was enamored with this one ('88, V6, 5-speed) and the exterior pics look good. I'll approach this cautiously.
theogre AUG 06, 07:32 PM
above issues and more to watch for...
Worse for 88 because many suspension, brake and other parts are 88 Fiero only items and will be hard to impossible to find.

Plus...
Might have already Failed State Inspection and/or CARB emission inspection/testing (or Importing a car from another state won't pass) is why was parked makes more problems.
More so if they have "Antique" and related Tags covered here... http://www.fiero.nl/forum/F.../HTML/099403.html#p9


quote
Originally posted by winston82:
CarFax shows 170,000 miles on it (but odo reads less) and no accidents or issues.

CarFax and related are often has problems to completely wrong.
But they said X and car say Y and way lower and Title or Registration say yet another number above Y is a problem if they try to sell saying Odo is valid and true...
See same thread further down for Odo Fraud.

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IMSA GT AUG 06, 10:46 PM
As mentioned above by Ogre, as you know, the smog issue is a HUGE deal out here. Sometimes it's an easy fix, other times it's a mess to repair.
87_FieroGT AUG 07, 12:30 PM
I'm assuming this is the car you are talking about?



https://losangeles.craigsli...iero/7167315081.html

From just looking at the pictures, it looks pretty clean and straight. The shut lines look correct. One has to wonder why the center console is apart. To access the ECM? To get to the shifter cables?

Like others have said, look for rust. I'd also check thoroughly for any rodent infestation or damage to wiring considering the circumstances. Like Ogre said, getting 88 specific parts can be challenging. Getting Getrag parts is also very challenging.

Good luck! I hope you can save it.

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1988 Pontiac Fiero GT, Black w/Beechwood interior
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hyperv6 AUG 07, 03:43 PM
Like the others watch for rust. Pull the carpet in the trunk and if there is rust walk away.

88 models are desirable if in good condition. If they need work they can be a problem. One year only cars are not fun.

Even with low miles you can be into some money. I am working on a 30k mile car now that has sat over 20 years. It is in decent shape but needs all the brake parts replaced. Including lines. I got it to run but it needs injectors. The original owner has it but if you buy you need to consider these cost coming up even on a stored car.

Here is my out look. These cars are cheap so buy the best low mile car in good running condition you can afford. Yes you can pay $2k for a car but by the time you fix it all up you will have the same price as you would pay for a car in good tuning condition with good paint and interior.

I have seen too many people go out and buy a cheap car and put more in it that they would pay for a good car. In the end they have a high mile patched up car with twice in it than it is worth.

There are a lot of good clean lower mile cars out there yet. As enthusiasts cars go they are bottom priced. Do not over look these cars as often they are your best play.

Don’t let the web fool you either. Many Fieros that look good in photos are a long way from prime condition. Some of the cars I have seen on 5he web that looked spectacular in real life can often be disappointing.

Take your time and shop wisely. If you see something wrong with one keep looking.
theogre AUG 07, 10:12 PM

quote
Originally posted by hyperv6:
Don’t let the web fool you either. Many Fieros that look good in photos are a long way from prime condition. Some of the cars I have seen on 5he web that looked spectacular in real life can often be disappointing.

Not just "The Web" but most any dig cam made in last 10+ years often lies too, Even worse for "default setting" or "smart scenes" most owners use.

Most cameras will "auto fix" many "issues" at the time a picture is shot whether or not you want them "fixed."
Can boost or cut contrast exposure and more making many things look a lot better (or worse) then really is.
And that even w/ "manual mode" and other programmable modes on many of them.
Many of the "smart features" can be very hard to impossible to turn off in most consumer units including cameras built into cell phones and other things.
Third Party "software" for phones etc may not turn off this stuff either.

That Before anyone does whatever to edit then post a pic.