pull up the carpet in the sides of the trunk and look for rust. some people like to avoid the '84s because they are not easy to swap engines into, and some avoid the '88s because it's harder to get parts. shop around for a while before you buy to get a feel for what's available in your price range.
welcome to the obsession.
ive had to fix my clutch hydraulics, all 4 brake calipers, most of the sensors, headliner, interior trim, head gasket and rings. take it to a mechanic before you buy if you can.
[This message has been edited by lurker (edited 03-04-2004).]
I think I've narrowed my search down to an 86.5-88 Fiero GT. I think I would prefer the 88 because I hear the suspension is better. I've also hear about the difficulty finding parts...so I'm not 100% sure yet. I've liked Fieros for a long time now...and have done a bit of research on them over the past few months.
IP: Logged
08:35 PM
NEPTUNE Member
Posts: 10199 From: Ticlaw FL, and some other places. Registered: Aug 2001
Best thing is to join a local club. You can see lots of cars, and learn from others mistakes. Go to Fiero shows. I bought a fixer upper, fixed it up (and love it) but I would have had a better car for less work and same money if I had known more about the beasties first! Good luck and welcome.
Check around the wheel liner and like mentioned before under the trunk carpet. This forum's archives has vast information and knowledge accumalated over the last 5 years, you're definitely starting out good by finding these forums.
Good to see you're on the forum, I hope you get your dream fiero. Just do a lot of research and reading up on here and you'll know what to look for. I didn't do my research and I overpaid for mine, BUT I'm lucky that mine is in really good condition.
------------------ 1986 Fiero SE
IP: Logged
10:20 PM
GTDude Member
Posts: 9056 From: Keysville, Virginia, USA Registered: Nov 2001
SNIZ...............WELCOME TO THE FORUM..........THE OBSESSION.........LOL.
Personally, I'd buy a 86.5 or an 87 GT because the 88's are usually more expensive and in my opinion, unless you're buying it to race, the pre 88 front suspension works just fine.
I've owned probably 20 to 30 Fieros. From the base 84 4cyl 4spd to the coveted 88GT with T-tops. I love them now and have loved them since their inception in 84. At that time I was a Pontiac dealer and had the great fortune to make any of the combinations of Fieros as a demo. I was never impressed by the power of the GT. They screwed up when they used the 2.8 instead of quad 4 which was built although not available until 1988. I just really HATE the 2.8. Just my opinion....no flames needed here. Did I say flames........OMG........nope.......this one isn't gonna burn. It told me so.........LOL.
Good luck and make sure to have a QUALIFIED auto tech inspect the car before you purchase it unless you have the expertise yourself. Considering all the Fieros I've had, I still get very excited when I buy another one. I hope this never changes. This is a very special car. Good luck.
Oh, I've got an 87 GT for sale. If you're interested email me and I'll send you some pics and a list of all the things done to the car.
skyhawk@moonstar.com
Phil
------------------ 87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd
GM auto tech for 27 years. Specializing in electrical and computer problems. Now on workers comp. and it looks like I will be unable to return to work as a tech.
IP: Logged
10:58 PM
USFiero Member
Posts: 4877 From: Everywhere and Middle of Nowhere Registered: Mar 2002
The headlight motors probably will be not working or marginal. They can be fixed. The dew wipes will need replacing. the suspension and brakes likely will need rebuilding. Paint? Headliner? battery tray? Sunroof? The interior is gonna need work, the engine and transmission will likely need maintenance or replacement. these aren't really major problems and can be repaired yourself (for the most part, with help from PFF!) the bigger problems IMHO would be the potential of a fuel pump replacement, air conditioning repair, and damage repair. If the Fiero was wrecked at some point sometimes the repair work will rust beneath that plastic body. The places to look? Door jambs. The rails around the bottom of the engine compartment. around the radiator. Partial repainting is a tipoff.
The transmission clutch converter may go out on the automatics. You'd best unplug it until you open the tranny up and replace it.
Clutch replacement. It's inevitable.
Parking Brakes. do a search.
What else? Loose steering columns? Bad wiper controls? Bad dimmers? A lot of these things can be repaired or replaced, and used to negotiate a cheaper price. The alternative is to buy a decent car from an enthusiast.
You shouldn't have gotten me started. I managed to drive my $150 special home, the water pump belt broke the last block I guess, and I pulled it into the garage and put it up on ramps and jackstands where it hasn't left yet. every bit of maintenance has led to a major overhaul of related parts!
------------------ John DuRette Black 85 SE, undergoing work as we speak! Battery re-located up front using a V8 Archie box Remote Start/Window Rollup/Lock/Trunk Release/Alarm White Gauge Faces w/120 MPH Speedometer Conversion Urethane Suspension Bushings Sequential Tallights Custom Painted Dash Panels Oreif's painted door tabs and horn button Shortened Automatic Shifter w/Beretta shiftknob SpyHunter Scoop H4 Headlight Conversion - done right! LED Third Brake Light/Custom Headliner Braided Steel Brake Hoses Lowered an inch
Check all the gauges, ac, windows, etc. If you have time and can get the car away, learn how to ground the ALDL cable to check for codes. (just do a search on this sight for ALDL codes or look in the cave) Drive the car with AC off on a warm day check the temp, cruise around in town or low speed or just let it idle and watch the temp. Have someone follow you and go down hill, let off the gas and see if it smokes. Check the exhaust manifolds... Start the car and listen for ticking(exhaust) sound. (ask if they've been ported or rewelded.) If not you'll probably want to do it anyway. Its the first thing I do with mine. Check the doors for play. Open the door and slightly lift up on the bottom of the door, the whole car should tilt when you lift, if not check for play in the hinges. Another way to check, roll down the windows and take it for a drive, first bump or hole you hit you hear the doors jar. Test drive listen for any unusual sounds as you brake, turn, or hit bumps. Check the steering wheel column for play. If it has a sunroof pull it out check the seal, if its dirty wipe it down with some armor all and take it to the car was, check it for leaks. A new seal will leak if its not kept clean. Keep in mind that you'll probably be replacing shocks, steering damper, breaks and possibly the bushings on the car no matter what unless they tell you its been recently done. Listen to the wheels as much as possible when driving. I've had two that had bad wheel bearings in the back. Front is not big deal, $15-$25.00 the back bushings are sealed and are around $90.00. unless you can find one off and junkyard.
IP: Logged
11:26 PM
PFF
System Bot
richz_fieros Member
Posts: 35 From: Stoney Creek, ON. Canada Registered: Jan 2004
Good luck finding a good car. I've been obseesed with them for about 4 years now. I bought an 86 SE back then (an 'as is' car) but didn't do anything with it and have it in storage now . After reading more and obsessing more i started looking for an '88 GT....and finally found one in NOV. 2003. I was the second person to look at it and bought it. It's a decent car and i got it for a good price. The vendor had 80 calls on it. SO.....there is a following and lots of information and lots of enthusiasts willing to share what they know and what they experience and what they have learned. Have fun!
Well...just so you guys know where I'm coming from here...I'll tell you a little story.
I currently own a 1992 Z24. It's the 3.1 with a 5 speed. I've done the whole suspension in it...springs...shocks...struts...and ALL the bushings. I've replaced ball joints and tie rod ends. I've changed three of the four wheel bearings. The exhaust is new from the manifolds back. 2.25" to a high flow cat...then 2.5" through a Ractive muffler. I've got a CAI and a 62mm TB with the plenum ported to match on the intake side. I blew the engine outta my car about a year ago...and had one from a junk yard put in. I didn't do this myself...I had someone do it for me.
I'm not afraid of maintenance, and I have a lot of close family who know a lot about cars...and are willing to help me. Basically, I just need to make sure that the car I get has a good body/chassis. Anything mechanical/electrical can be fixed.
I'm going to try and get an 86.5 to 88 GT for around $2000-$2500 CAN. I've seen Fieros go for this...so I don't think that price to be unreasonable. Immediatly, I'm expecting to do the suspension and the brakes...and a tune up. I'll then do whatever maintenace issues arise until the winter. Then away it goes for four to six months. Does this sound unrealistic to anyone?
IP: Logged
11:24 PM
Mar 9th, 2004
riley Member
Posts: 965 From: Saskatoon, SK, Canada Registered: Feb 2004
Listen to everyone who says it is an obsession and not just a forum. i only found the forum a month ago and have learned 100 times more then i knew before i bought my car. I also cant sleep till i am caught up on most of the days action on here. it truly is an obsession.
