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| '85 Fiero GT looks appealing; how do they compare to later years? (Page 2/2) |
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1985 Fiero GT
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AUG 14, 06:45 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Pontiacpoweraz2025:
Thanks for all the comments. Is it worth $8,300? That's a tough one to call.
What is the availability of those '87-88 GT/Formula wheels (like on the Pennock Fiero logo) , and would they be a direct fit on to the '85 models? By the way, what did the Formula (which uses the notchback body style) offer vs. the SE? |
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In 1988 there was no se model, in 84-87 there was no formula model. The formula was basically a no frills performance over cost/comfort. Basically a base model Fiero in everything except wheels, engine, transmission and suspension, which it had GT parts for those. The fastback body style and common GT options added quite a bit of weight, so the formula was quicker than the 88 GT, although not as quick as the 85 GT, as the aero notchback weighed the same as the formula style, and the lower gearing in the 4 speed gave slightly better off the line performance, at a cost of highway rpm. The 88 suspension is also heavier (at least in the front, I don't know if the rear is lighter and cancels that out), and the 5 speed is heavier than the 4 speed. The formula had the better 88 suspension so the best handling would theoretically be a formula, quickest acceleration the 85 GT, lightest v6 Fiero would be 85gt or se. All of that depends on options of course, a fully loaded formula or 85 GT with AC, power windows, locks, sunroof, will likely weigh more than a bare no options 88 GT.
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pmbrunelle
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AUG 14, 08:22 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
IMO, you wouldn't want those wheels from an '88 as the OEM front wheels on an '88 GT/Formula are narrower and offset differently to compensate for the 88's wider front hubs. Stick with using that GT style of wheel from an '86-'87.
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I saw an 87 with 88 GT/Formula wheels in real life. It looked okay to my eye.
I think that the 84-87 Fieros have too much steering kickback over bumps; they too need front wheels with high offset to reduce this effect.
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82-T/A [At Work]
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AUG 14, 08:39 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Pontiacpoweraz2025:
Thanks for all the comments. Is it worth $8,300? That's a tough one to call.
What is the availability of those '87-88 GT/Formula wheels (like on the Pennock Fiero logo) , and would they be a direct fit on to the '85 models? By the way, what did the Formula (which uses the notchback body style) offer vs. the SE? |
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Those wheels are not impossible to come by, many of them got saved from the 80k+ Fiero GTs that were made over the years. You'll likely want to get them refinished... but here is what my 87 SE / V6 looks like with a set of 1986 Fiero GT wheels on it.
Keep in mind, this is a really old picture now. I took this picture in I think ~1998. Almost 30 years ago... which is insane, because I mentally feel the exact same age now as I was then. But I'd picked up those wheels at the junkyard. I just looked, there are several of them available on eBay right now.
An odd but interesting thing... these wheels, along with the Hi-Tech 14" wheels, were all made in different places. I've had some that said they were cast in the UK, others that said they were made in the USA, and I can't remember where else... strange that these would be made overseas.
Oh, and as for the price, $8,300 is actually a really good price for that Fiero GT right now. The price of these cars have shot up like crazy. Unless you want to wait another 5 years for it to come back down.
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Kitskaboodle
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AUG 14, 02:35 PM
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$8,300 is a lot for an 85 GT but it doesn’t hurt to talk to the owner and express your interest. (this action in itself on your part can be a big plus in that the owner may be more willing to work with you knowing it’s going to a car lover who is going to love it and take care of it) It’s likely that it has been listed for a while at that price. Also, IMO Fiero’s are not a high demand collector car so he probably hasn’t had a lot of “bites” on his car. Just because you’re asking $8,300 doesn’t mean you’re going to get that. I think for all these reasons you might have more bargaining power (to get him down on price) than you may think. Cash tends to bring sellers down to reality. Kit [This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 08-14-2025).]
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Patrick
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AUG 14, 03:43 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by pmbrunelle:
I saw an 87 with 88 GT/Formula wheels in real life. It looked okay to my eye.
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Oh sure, it looks okay. However, due to the fact that a set of '88 GT/Formula wheels are probably relatively rare compared to a set of '86-'87 GT wheels, they'd no doubt be more expensive. And IMO, why pay more for features (different offset, narrower rim) not required? The other advantage of '86-'87 GT wheels, if all four tires are the same size, is that tire rotation is then possible.
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cam-a-lot
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AUG 16, 06:59 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
Oh sure, it looks okay. However, due to the fact that a set of '88 GT/Formula wheels are probably relatively rare compared to a set of '86-'87 GT wheels, they'd no doubt be more expensive. And IMO, why pay more for features (different offset, narrower rim) not required? The other advantage of '86-'87 GT wheels, if all four tires are the same size, is that tire rotation is then possible. |
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Minor detail, but not correct. 86-87 GT tires were not the same width. Front was slightly narrower than the rear. Perhaps you meant to say the wheels are the same, not the tires?
I agree with the other posts stating a clean 85 makes way more sense than a beaten up 88
All Fieros are primitiive and will be rough to drive compared to modern cars. A clean, rust free 85 is a fine and fun car
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Patrick
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AUG 16, 07:12 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by cam-a-lot:
Minor detail, but not correct. 86-87 GT tires were not the same width. Front was slightly narrower than the rear. Perhaps you meant to say the wheels are the same, not the tires?
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Minor detail  , but I never said anything about the original 86-87 GT tires being "the same width" (and/or size). Reason dictates that wheels from the 80's have seen multiple tire changes. And if anyone still has the original tires on their '86-'87 GT wheels, I'd say it's more than high time to replace them! lol
| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
The other advantage of '86-'87 GT wheels, if all four tires are the same size, is that tire rotation is then possible.
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[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-17-2025).]
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