I currently have a Formula in real good running condition. There is an 86 GT that is in better appearance condition but I haven't gotten to drive it yet. They are both red. The GT is a darker red with grey ground effects. I love both cars.
oh yeah, I could probably trade in my Formula with $500 for the GT.

Some Questions.......

Does the GT suspension feel the same as a formula, one is an 88 and one is an 86.

What would you personally choose?

the GT has 160,000 miles and the Formula has 130,000 with a new motor at 70,000 miles.

the GT has awesome seats, mine have covers but look better with the covers.

I would buy the GT straight up for $2000 but I can't afford the insurance (I'm 18 with an accident).

ARRRRRRRGH please help.

The 88s have improved suspension and better brakes. You must really like the fastback, as for me I would stay with the 88. For less than $500 you can get leather seat covers

if the GT was a 5-speed, then i'd probably take it. never did like the look of the formulas anyway. at 160 000 an engine rebuild is in the near future if it hasn't been done already. if you don't mind me asking, whats your insurance now?

I have an 88 formula and an 87 coupe. The biggest difference between the two is in the way they ride and the brakes. The formula rides better than the coupe with a ws6 suspension, and the brakes are a heck of a lot better. If I were you I would keep the formula and go for a GT later. Formulas are rare also, something like less than 6k made.

Why couldn't you buy the GT straight up and just store it for a while until your insurance rates go down?

Is the insurance more on a GT then a Formula? I thought all fieros had the same insurance price. If anyone knows which fieros have higher insurance then others pls let me know. Im going to be looking for one soon and dont want to get killed on insurance prices.
Thanks

(wow! that was allot of insurance's )

I have my ins. through Progressive and they tell me that the rates for a GT are more expensive. I checked on: 3 cars, '98 Cav/full coverage, '86 coupe/comp only, and '85 GT/full coverage. The difference between GT and coupe was about $5/month. Not much IMO.

Both cars sound like a lot of miles? I guess age is kind of like mileage, only a state of mind? Nothing an overhaul or bypass can't fix

Insurance is a RACKET porbably controlled by the government. Well it is controlled by the govermnent. How many states force you to buy uninsured motorist insurance??? And what the HE!! is that anyway? WHAT A RIP!

Shop around for insurance. Agents work on a commision, so, are they really going to give you the best deal right off the get go? They also make it so complicated, that people hate to shop for it. I told one agent I was changing companies because of the rates, and what do you know he came up with a lower rate for same coverage, just under a different schedule. What a bunch of DOGS.

OK off my soap Box

If possible buy them both,
Double your Pleasure
Double your Fun

When shopping for insurance never mention the GT etc....... Just tell them it's a Fiero adn then give them the VIN. Some sort on the VIN some don't. The ones that don't will see it as just another Fiero.

As far as the cars, keep the one in better shape. Preferably the 88. but to be honest the 84-87 will be easier to get parts for. Allot of things in 88 were only used in 88. Some are 87-88, like the DIS 4 cyl, but the suspension is getting to be a real pain to fix on the 88's. If yours is good keep it. Other wise it may make sense to drop back a year or 2 if the other is good.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 01-01-2000).]

I'm here in Ohio. 20yrs old, no tickets/accidents etc. I have very basic coverage. Only whats needed to keep me legal. I pay $82 a month or $984 a year. When I asked my agent(Jim Hooghe at State Farm) if my rates would change if I had a different car, he said even if I were driving a Porsche my rates would be the same, since if I total the car or anything I'm screwed if it's my fault. It might depend on state, insurance agent etc. on what exaclty changes your rates.

The minimum ins. (we call it PLPD in IN) is always based on the driver, because it is the driver being insured, not the car.

I meant to say that I can't afford the insurance on 2 fieros. I did decide to keep the formula because it is in near perfect conditon. If anyone wants a good GT for Cheap then go to Carmicheals PA. or reply and I could see if they can ship it.

what the ..... you are paying $984 US a year on basic insurance for your Fiero? im 21, no tickets/accidents, in Canada. and for my 85SE, basic coverage i am paying 390$ cdn/year which is like only 275$ US. i guess you get ripped off on insurance in the states....or sumthin...

[This message has been edited by Voyd (edited 01-02-2000).]

Fiero56: First thing Monday morning, call Progressive and get a quote. I saved more than 30% by switching from State Farm to Progressive.

Here's a good Scam Farm story: When I bought my 86 SE, I didn't have full-time work, so I made a few repairs and stored it (uninsured, of course) in my uncle's barn for six months. When I retrieved the car and called my agent to insure it, he tried to charge me high-risk rates because I had owned the car for more than 30 days without insuring it. When I told him the car had been stored in a barn, he insisted on seeing a receipt for mechanical work to prove the car wasn't driveable. So I created a receipt in PageMaker, had a buddy with bad handwriting scrawl in some services, and presented it to my agent, who reluctantly insured my car at regular rates. 90 days later, I switched to Progressive. If my Scam Farm agent hadn't been so greedy, I might never have known there were better deals out there.

Sorry about the novel. Switch, Fiero56! You could spend the savings on something worthwhile, like Fiero parts, or beer.

I have Geico... I have been rather impressed with their prices. By the way in case you have forgot, I am in OH also but am 22 and have 1 in-state ticket on my record. Both my 85 GT and my 87 SC are the same to insure, but since insurance is based on mileage.. and I drive the SC every day it's insurance is much less. Just for reference, I recently switched from the company that my parents are with and I simply carried over my own policy. My insurance is almost 50% what it was with my other company. Now I have two cars insured for a full year for not much more than I could have one insured for 6 mos.

I pay $92 a month for full coverage on my Grand Cherokee.....I couldnt imagine paying $85 on a Fiero.

I am 25 in Florida insured through Reliant.

[This message has been edited by DJRice (edited 01-05-2000).]

Formula, Don't trade in your 88 for another year if the condition of the vehicles are similar. If you want an GT then swap the body panels to your 88.

All 88 (4s & 6s) have the improved suspension and brakes. Don't worry about the added cost (not really a whole lot anyway, except ft bearings). You are not goint to replace suspension/brake components on a regular basis anyway (they've already lasted 12 years). You can upgrade an 84-87 suspension but you can also upgrade the 88s (I won't until mine wears out or I get into serious SCCA racing). I've heard that upgraded 84-87s are about the same as stock 88s.

Forget mileage (unless it's very, very low). Condition is the key on any car over 10 years old.

Insurance........well, shop around and get the cheapest policy offered. There is no universal method companies use to rate cars and drivers. Each company looks at what factors they believe are important. Insurance is nothing more than legalized gambling. They bet on how much you will pay and how much damage you will do. You bet on how much damage you will do and how much coverage you will need. You can't compare ther rates of other fiero owners because they have different records and locations. All it can tell you is that rates vary greatly for no apparent reason. SHOP AROUND!