Hi Fiero lovers!

First off I have seen a few Fieros in my life time and have loved their looks - I once had a yellow WS6 but sold it in favor of practical living So why a 2-seater now? Because I simple can and I love to have things that are not "common" - just like my 1997 GMC Safari AWD van which has a small lift on it for my off-road adventures.

I am looking to purchase a Fiero and would like to know what are some common things to look for to try to avoid or use as a bargaining chip. I am also quite aware most sellers should be well knowledge of their Fiero. There are a few in the lower mainland BC but are in rough conditions. A quick search shows a lot of faults from the wiring harnesses. What are other things to look for?

I really appreciate your time in advance ... and hopefully I will soon be able to add to the Fiero family
PS - if any of your have an Astro or Safari head over to astrosafari.com ;p

[This message has been edited by phr1sk37 (edited 09-05-2007).]

Hello and Welcome!

Have you decided which model to get? 4 cyl or 6 cyl? Stock or modified? And what year? How are you at repairing cars?

Each year Fiero has it's good and bad points. There are things to look out for in each and things to consider when talking about future maintenance. A common thing to watch out for is rust on the rear frame rails. You have to look behind the wheel well liner so it is not easy but worth the trouble. Also, pull back the trunk carpet and look for rust underneath it.

Rust thru on the rocker panels under the plasic covers.
Next to impossible to check for without taking the covers off.

First off, welcome to the forum.

Rust is probably the biggest killer, particularly the frame rails up back, under the battery area and around the trunk. Some on here have done complete rear end replacements but unless you are a skilled welder I wouldn't tackle it. That said there's usually some rust/decay under the battery box but so long as it's not hit the rails themselves, just the tray then it's pretty easy to repair or move the battery up front to the spare wheel tub.
Also look for rust around the engine cradle and mounts. Get under the car if poss. Look for rotted mounting points etc.

State of the motor/tranny. That really depends on how much work you are prepared to do to get it on the road. If you want a runner/no work then you gotta go with something in pretty good condition that will pass emissions if you have them. If you want to do a swp then it doesn't really matter does it.

Most of the rest really depends on how much you want to work on it vs drive it It's all replaceable (for a price!), depends what you want to do. Assuming you want a basic runner though, check horn (pretty pathetic normally but should work), headlights go up/down (usually easy fix if not), does exhaust need replacing (couple 100 bucks or so, more with a new cat), tires, brakes, does e-brake work. Does a/c work/blow cold, fix varies from recharge (cheap) to replace (expensive!). Do power/manual mirrors work (if fitted), ditto windows (power mirrors are getting expensive these days, even on ebay).

Ball joints and steering, bit hard to tell unless you can jack it but a drive test should show up any major flaws.

Can't think of anything else other than the general appearance of the car. If it looks like it's had a hard time it probably has but general wear and tear is normal. Most driver seats have a tear in the left bolster from wear.
I bought one last May and those were pretty much the things I looked for and other than a bit of rust under the bat box I missed (that was fixable) it's not been too bad.

Bear in mind though that most of these cars have not really been touched since they day they were assembled so any major work will require touching bolts/nuts that has not moved for 20 plus years and in my experience that usually results in broken bolts or stripped threads. But that's just the price of working on an old car.

The one good thing is that, whatever problem you have, someone on here has had it before and knows how to fix it!
------------------
Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

[This message has been edited by ltlfrari (edited 09-05-2007).]

State of mind: "Holly moe-ly!!!"
Explanation of my state of mind ... I am blown away by the fast response and love you guys have for the Fiero! I REALLY want one now!

I feel like a nub now ... should have mentioned I am looking for a 1986+ Fastback GT 5spd.
Lots of good things to check for from the post - thanks very much guys. Yes I am aware of pulling carpets. A while back I was shopping for a BMW for my sister - wondered by there was a "loose" snap plug in the truck - pulled it off and realized the vehicle was in a big big rear fender bender

I am not a mechanic - just a hobbyist. All the work on my Safari for the exception of of the Cat exhaust was done by me. Saves a lot of money. Plans for the Fiero is to make it be the center of attention on the track (aka cornering) and have just enough legs to keep up - so in words I think a strong 2.8L is OK - granted I have not spent time driving one Otherwise I may have to call on experts to bore it for me as I like N/A power

Check to see that the recalls have been done!! There's a sticker that is placed under the front hood (someone else can chime in with the code) to let you know. Otherwise, you are facing some manifold (I think the inside) work, e-brake replacement, and some heat shields.
Ogre's Cave has all the recall information.
Be prepared to spend some $, whatever year and model you buy, but the Fiero is a very fun car to drive.

I'm thinking the '88 for you then. It has the best stock brakes and best stock suspension. Just my .02

Check the space age frame behind the trunk carpet.

You don't want to see this!


This is with the rear panels off the frame, but if you pull back the sides of the trunk carpet you should be able to see if there is rust present.

If you check the archives or just use the search you will find other threads like this.

Is this rust due to the climate the car is in or does it simply happen? I'm a bit worried on mine because I've never checked for rust :\ So I don't know what I might find. The one thing I do know is that the car has been purely a California Bay Area car and has never left the Bay and has excellent service records from the P/O. So I'm hoping against hopes for the best.

quote Originally posted by rwalley: Is this rust due to the climate the car is in or does it simply happen? I'm a bit worried on mine because I've never checked for rust :\ So I don't know what I might find. The one thing I do know is that the car has been purely a California Bay Area car and has never left the Bay and has excellent service records from the P/O. So I'm hoping against hopes for the best.

the salt air is a huge factor . SALT AND WATER ARE THE BIGGEST THING stick you hand over the rear tire and up by the sturt if you feel rust check it out

[This message has been edited by fierobrian (edited 09-05-2007).]

to be honest if youre not a mechanic or not willing to become one for the car its going to piss you off. i love my car but none of my friends would have kept it for a month with the crap ive been through keeping it running. when its all good and sound though its much better than alot of newer cars though not as fast. small children think its some kind of ferrari so they make a funny face when you see it and ive had a few girls get interested in it because of its looks which is a bonus for me for sure. sometimes at night though it turns into an autobot and fights crime which gets in the way of my midnight runs to the store.

quote Originally posted by Old Lar: You don't want to see this!

Ouch! I have Fieros I'm cutting up for scrap that look better than that. If you can find a car that has spent most of it's life in a warm climate. Rusty cars like the one pictured are RARE around these parts.

WOW that is some rust alright! I'll be on the look out for that.
Thanks for all the responses guys - hopefully the next couple post I will make next time will be because I got one and need help locating parts
I have temporarily placed halt on some "extra" additions to the Safari in hopes to get the Fiero.

Thanks all again!

some of the gm dealerships who did recall work were too lazy to put tags on the car and decided to draw it wax crayon on the underside of the decklid, like they did on my car.

------------------
If you can't be good, be good at it.

I'd recommend getting an 88. Suspension is much improved over previous years.

How much more improved? And in what way?
If I plan to be swapping parts I do not think it matters - but if it is a structure difference than it will make a difference.
Most of what is available here are 1985-1986.

The 88s had better suspensions and better handeling from the start . The big problem was there were only ~ 24,000 88s made. This means limited availability of parts and higher cost for parts. As with any 20+ year old car, NOS parts are not on the shelf of the GM warehouse. Many Fiero components were used on other GM cars so there are parts out there.

Swaping out body panels are not an issue as body panels are almost all the same for all years. Suspension components, steering rack, brakes and flywheel differences do exist on the 88s.

Thanks for the reply.
If that is the case then I would be better off with the earlier models (85-86) because there will be "more" parts.
Looking in classfield ads from the states - maybe import one in to Canada

I also recommend not getting an 88. parts are far more expensive and harder to find. some of the purists here will scream at me for daring to say it but the improved handling is not important to me as I don't do auto cross racing or any track racing.

Thanks for the reply - I think I will agree unless there will be strong objections.
I do plan to do some auto-cross but that is why I am intent in changing things
For those who want a laugh - laugh now ... I went auto-crossing in my Safari before lifting it Still miss doing that because you should see the looks on people's faces.

As for knowing that I will spend a lot of TLC on the Fiero to get it the way I want it - that is OK. I doubt I will experience (and still am) anything more frustrating then working on my father's 1986 Jag V12 Vanden Plas ... there is not a lot of info on these vehicles on the web nor are the parts easy to come by. You also have to sleeping with someone and begging for parts / knowledge at times especially when it comes to electronic stuff (Lucas).

I am searching to see the means of swapping out an auto for manual as there is a 1987 GT available on the island - person is asking for $4000 ... not sure of condition.

quote Originally posted by timgray: I also recommend not getting an 88. parts are far more expensive and harder to find. some of the purists here will scream at me for daring to say it but the improved handling is not important to me as I don't do auto cross racing or any track racing.

I completely disagree with this. I have three (or so) 88s and and 84 and I don't find the 88 parts to be any more expensve or hard to find.

The 88 is worth it for the brakes alone. The solid rotors on the 84-87 are a joke. You can upgrade the already better vented 88 brakes to Corvette rotors and make them better still for only a couple of hundred bucks. The same upgrade on the 84-87 will cost thousands.

Thanks for all the post thus far - it is hard to find '88

OK so I am going to look at a '86GT tomorrow - the Fiero has been sitting out in the yard for some time ~2 years? It doesnt start and I am suspecting a few times like the wiring harness and well water @_@

If indeed there is water in the intakes how bad is that?
I still want to drive with the 2.8l for a while before swapping engine to appreciate the Fiero in its stock form first.

PS - what are the spark gaps for the Fieros? I might just go buy some new plugs and wires ;p

Just so you know, the '86 has Gen 1 headlights and the smaller fuel tank. I hope he is going to give you the car for free (or close to it).

Awesome, another BCer Im from Abbotsford, not far Richmond. Great thing about fieros + BC weather = they dont rust! (well the outside anyways . Its funny, i have my 87 fiero GT, AWESOME condition, and i have my 99 cavalier, shitty condition, rusty, runs crappy, both cost me $4000 lol. I have only ever seen 3 fiero's around where i live, so if you can get a nice one then your lucky. Id be careful to check for rust in the places people have mentioned. Be weary of fieros driven during a bad BC winter :P check out www.westcoastfieros.com (fiero club in chilliwack), sometimes people have fieros for sale, or know fieros that are for sale.

[This message has been edited by kawana (edited 09-08-2007).]

Hudini - why close to free?

Hi Kawana! Should have posted earlier LOL I am surfing the link you provided thank you very much!

id recomend getting an 88...the only thing that cost more are the rear calipers..all parts are easty to come by, they have WS6 suspension and a rear sway bar that other years dont have

Because it is an '86 that does not run. To me that spells "parts car". You are getting into an unknown amount of cash just to get it running. You could also think of it as an engine swap car, but the price should still be very low. If the interior and exterior were nice I might go $300 USD.

ANY interest in performance handling,,only the 88 will do .the first time I went around a corner fast!! in an 88 notch back WOW big difference in cornering from early models early models are based on chevy citation early 80s technology the 88 had a supension designed FOR fiero,this made it a real sports car.. A fiero that does not run is a project car and best for successful drug dealer repairing jaguars qualifies you as project mechanic.. MUCH cheaper to buy running car,, I have purchase 2 excellent running fieros for low price and 2 fieros that did not run !! BUY running 20 year old car unless you are masochistic person with large bank account or have generous girlfriend,,your first fiero should run,,you will experience the joy of troubleshooting,personal doubt and gain the experience to move on to a piece of feces that does not run!"oh joy in my life"" gain experience before you move on real trouble,, the joy of being seen in fiero equal being seen with beautiful buxom girlfriend..2 centavos worth from one who has been there PS you could check with fiero clubs in washington state or oregon fieros are cheap compared to other collector cars,might be worth a drive post on mall fiero wanted

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 09-09-2007).]

quote Originally posted by uhlanstan: ANY interest in performance handling,,only the 88 will do .the first time I went around a corner fast!! in an 88 notch back WOW big difference in cornering from early models early models are based on chevy citation early 80s technology the 88 had a supension designed FOR fiero,this made it a real sports car.. A fiero that does not run is a project car and best for successful drug dealer repairing jaguars qualifies you as project mechanic.. MUCH cheaper to buy running car,, I have purchase 2 excellent running fieros for low price and 2 fieros that did not run !! BUY running 20 year old car unless you are masochistic person with large bank account or have generous girlfriend,,your first fiero should run,,you will experience the joy of troubleshooting,personal doubt and gain the experience to move on to a piece of feces that does not run!"oh joy in my life"" gain experience before you move on real trouble,, the joy of being seen in fiero equal being seen with beautiful buxom girlfriend..2 centavos worth from one who has been there

Great. Now that is just scary LOL.
OK folks i will take it into great consideration and warning. I just thought I would give it a chance

Kawana ... nice looking red GT If you posted that www linky any sooner than you had bought it I would have beat you to it!

[This message has been edited by phr1sk37 (edited 09-09-2007).]

Worst case example of 88 parts price: Front wheel bearing $184.00 U.S. and very limited supply at that price.

Some of the brake parts are no longer available but you can still buy rebuilt assemblies.

Other items like heater hoses for the A/C equipped ones are not available.

[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 09-09-2007).]

quote Originally posted by phr1sk37: Great. Now that is just scary LOL. OK folks i will take it into great consideration and warning. I just thought I would give it a chance Kawana ... nice looking red GT If you posted that www linky any sooner than you had bought it I would have beat you to it!

Oh ya... i forgot i had pictures on that site :P Glad you found em. She's looking better tonight, got her all shiny and pretty I agree about getting a RUNNING fiero. Dont settle for the first one you get, look around for a nice one. I went to see 3-4 fieros in varying conditions and ALMOST bought a 86' that looked good, but before i signed anything i found this site and was told about the problem area's for rust. Sure enough, i pulled back the trunk carpet and saw a good bit of rust. It took me another 3 weeks to find this one but im sure glad i waited. Only things ive had to do so far is change the oil, plugs and wires. It came with papers going back to when it was bought, and im almost positive it was stored for a short period of time. It just seems to be in too good of condition (and low on km's) to have been anyones daily driver for long. Your right about it being hard to find nice fiero's in BC, theres hardly any to begin with, and finding a nice one is not a fun task. Im sure you'll find the right one eventually, though you may have to travel a bit.

Thanks for the heads up dude ...
but you know what I am going through right now - I have seen a few already in driving condition but have bad bodies ... I figure if a good body and bad mechanically I can get engine swap That is my thinking. Hella the Jaguar makes my head hurt at times but I CANT do engine swap for that thing - big heavy and just not enough support.

gonna go see one tomorrow - the not running one that is - if you search Craigslist you will see it - the white on in surrey sounds like a nice guy.