JohnWPB 1986 GT Fastback worklog (Page 47/71)
Csjag APR 25, 07:42 AM
As far as a good daily driver: I would consider the Pontiac Vibe GT, especially if you can find a manual one. I know its the same as a Toyota Matrix but I like the style and you can't beat the reliability.
tshark APR 25, 09:19 AM

quote
Originally posted by Csjag:

As far as a good daily driver: I would consider the Pontiac Vibe GT, especially if you can find a manual one. I know its the same as a Toyota Matrix but I like the style and you can't beat the reliability.



I had a Vibe. You are right. It IS just like the Matrix. It's cheap across the board. The Fiero looks good compared to the Vibe/Matrix. Just like the Matrix, the Vibe's interior flakes, sags, and otherwise falls apart. The fuse block died. When I opened it, it actually had Toyota stamped on it. The coolant tubes had issues, and were crimped. The engine had to be replaced 7 times for manufacturing defects. The tranny slipped. The brake arm pivot broke. Everything leaked. I don't remember all the other problems. Admittedly, I had a brand new 2003. Sold after 1 year. Yes, it's a typical Toyota.

A lady at my work has one. It's the newer, more bloated version. Same problems. A guy at my kids' school has one. Same issues.

On the positive side, I got to drive an Impala while the Vibe was in the shop. The Vibe had about 12 miles on it when purchased, but over 14000 when sold. I put over 36,000 miles on the Impala.

To make sure I NEVER AGAIN buy junk cars, I buy RWD vehicles with 6 or more cylinders. No more rebranded rejects for me. If I wanted a toy, I'd go to the toy store. No more Kia, Hyundai, Toy/lexus, Daewoo, Mazda, Nissan/Infinity, or Honda/Acura. I've owned them all at one time or another. I'm done. Safe and reliable for me means look for quality, which these brands apparently don't have. For cheap junk, by all means.
redraif APR 25, 02:38 PM
Hey John...

So sorry to hear all the issues with your beast. I'm not sure if you remember all the intermitant starting issues I had with the indy. Mine also came with a battery drain. I checked all the obvious issues.... ignition switch replaced, 2 starters, new beefed and extra grounds, new ecm, starter blanket, countless batteries, coil replaced.... still every now and again it would not start.

So once I went thru and checked the c 500 I saw my issue. One the c500 was full of gunk and dirt wasp nests. I took everything apart cleaned and repacked with dielectric grease. Reassembled and moved on. The previous owner had removed all fusible links & wired in a new c500. He had an electrical fire on the battery side of things. Tons of red wire replacement every where. His butt connected repairs were intermittently making contact and releasing. There was corrosion under the sheath of every wire with a butt connector.

So I redid very connector with solder and covered the join in dielectric grease then had shrink wrap on top. I went from the 84 wiring configuration and converted to the 85 and up style with the remote power block junction versus everything running to the starter. All power wires were bumped up a size. New fusible links added.... these had to go in with butt connectors, but we're properly crimped and shrink wrapped with dielectric grease. The alternator was upgraded amperage with 8 Guage running to the junction block and battery. The power & ground lines were also bumped to 2 guage if I remember right. I looked online and learned about proper alternator power routing to and from battery and to the distribution block. I opted change a few factory taps off the alternator sense line to the distribution block instead. The sense line needs to be clean of draws and a true read of what the distribution block sees. So it can adapt to the vehicles needs.

Amazingly on the other side of this slow going project.... the car was fixed. No drain no intermitant issues... it was a saint after that. So this could very well be a crap electrical line. Just take some time and go slow a bit at a time... you might just accidently find it... lol.

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Please forgive my typos, I'm typically posting via cell.

1984 Indy Fiero SE Pace Car Replica #770
"SE" Stormtrooper Edition Rescued, resuscitated and reversibly modified! (I'm so not done yet!)

Poly all round & Black Drag DR-34s
Frt: 225/45 on 18x8 (47 offset w/ 8-9mm spacer) 1.5 coils cut off 1984 WS6 springs
Rear: 265/35 on 18x8.5 (45 offset) Coil-overs w/ 10 inch 300lb springs & 7 inch sleeve

Everything is the previous owners fault!

Csjag APR 25, 03:16 PM

quote
Originally posted by tshark:


I had a Vibe. You are right. It IS just like the Matrix. It's cheap across the board. The Fiero looks good compared to the Vibe/Matrix. Just like the Matrix, the Vibe's interior flakes, sags, and otherwise falls apart. The fuse block died. When I opened it, it actually had Toyota stamped on it. The coolant tubes had issues, and were crimped. The engine had to be replaced 7 times for manufacturing defects. The tranny slipped. The brake arm pivot broke. Everything leaked. I don't remember all the other problems. Admittedly, I had a brand new 2003. Sold after 1 year. Yes, it's a typical Toyota.

A lady at my work has one. It's the newer, more bloated version. Same problems. A guy at my kids' school has one. Same issues.

On the positive side, I got to drive an Impala while the Vibe was in the shop. The Vibe had about 12 miles on it when purchased, but over 14000 when sold. I put over 36,000 miles on the Impala.

To make sure I NEVER AGAIN buy junk cars, I buy RWD vehicles with 6 or more cylinders. No more rebranded rejects for me. If I wanted a toy, I'd go to the toy store. No more Kia, Hyundai, Toy/lexus, Daewoo, Mazda, Nissan/Infinity, or Honda/Acura. I've owned them all at one time or another. I'm done. Safe and reliable for me means look for quality, which these brands apparently don't have. For cheap junk, by all means.



Why don't you tell us how you really feel, lol. I defer to your experience since you owned one.
Danyel APR 25, 09:19 PM
Our DD is a 2009 Pontiac Vibe .... we are at 60K miles and had NO issues what so ever. This car can hold alot of stuff .... we went on a trip 4000+ to Frazee Mn with it and it was great...best new car we ever bought ,,,, besides the Fiero of course

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My Build Thread
Tylers Toy

Alex4mula APR 26, 11:37 AM
I agree with rest at this point it would be good to take a long rest of the car. Just do something else gratifying and feel good. After a while then you start thinking back about the car and start getting the itch. Then you come back recharged with a fresh mind, ideas and new commitment to work on it. Protect it with a good cover so it doesn't deteriorate, put a trickle charger, etc. so when you come back you don't have new cosmetic issues. You started with a $600 car and have taken it very far. You are almost there. If that means a new motor or rebuilt then so be it. If after so many things you haven't give up then why then do it now? Take that break. Good luck!
Vernon8360 APR 27, 11:02 AM
Now that's much better. I, for one, would like to thank Cliff for cleaning up the mess so the rest of us can get back to talking about Fieros and such.
Danyel APR 27, 12:54 PM

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My Build Thread
Tylers Toy

2.5 APR 27, 02:23 PM
Taking a break is good, and you'll have time to plan for a 3800
jim94 SEP 12, 04:19 PM
The fiero does push your buttons some time we do own old cars and stuff does break. My last car was a 2003 Toyota matrix xr with trd sway bars. Handled just like the fiero if you ask me and I have pushed it's limit's too. 70,000 miles and it never broke.good luck with your car John.