i'm still a while away from buying a car, but i've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've been thinking a lot about getting a mustang GT, or a camaro instead of a fiero. Reason is, i want a low 14 second car (capable of beating mustangs, and all rice) i know the fiero in its stock form will not come close to that, and even a mustang will take a few mods to get it there, but theres so much stuff on the market for the stand, it wouldn't take long. i though i had my mind made up with the stang, but every time i see a pic of a fiero gt, it changes my mind for me. heres a list of pros and cons for each:
pros for fiero

• very unique, only ever seen one GT in my life
  
• good handling
  
• good brakes
  
• 6 cylinder (cheaper on gas and insurance)
  
• a lot better looking than any stang
  
• generally cheaper than stang
  
• safe

cons for fiero

• not as fast as mustangs
  
• not much room
  
• hindered with a bad repuatation, and from what i have read here, somewhat unreliable (compared to a stang)
  
• hard to find
  
• hard to work on
  

pros for stang

• fast
  
• sounds AWESOME!!
  
• generally respected by car guys
  
• easy to work on
  
• very reliable
  
• HUGE aftermarket
  
• easy to find

cons for mustang

• lots of them around
  
• hard on gas
  
• costs more for insurnace
  
• kinda ugly (at least LX's)
  
• more expensive
  
• likely to be abused
  

ok, that about somes up how i see it, right now im leaning toward the stang, don't know which way to go. what will it take to get a fiero in the mid to low 14's? NO NITROUS. and what about the sound? is it going to sound like all them 2.8 cavaliers around here, because i absouloutly CANNOT stand that sound, and want to beat the owners with a 2x4 everytime the scream by. i understang most responses will be pretty bias. The car most likely will not be driven in winter, so that's not problem. Fact is, i want a reliable, fast, good-looking car that chics love to be seen in, and i love to drive. any response is greatly appreciated

[This message has been edited by four50four (edited 03-04-2000).]

The stang is a nice but usual car. Remember the handling aspect of a fiero too (lol). The stang will fly off the road before the fiero tires squeel. The fiero V6 sounds NOTHING like a cavalier V6 (mine anyway). With a gutted cat peole tell me it sounds like a V8. And it turns more heads because the exhaust sounds soooo sweet. But, I know people who love their stangs like we love fieros, so its up to you if you want handling or pure power.

Don't know about the chicks, but DXR_MOM my wife wants a 88GT. From what I guess you will get more looks in a fiero. You just said you've only seem one GT ??? ...Well.... The stang......seen one seen em all

My 2 pennys??

Food for thought: My neighbor has a late model yellow mustang convertible, and when she comes home from work she always looks at my yellow 87GT in the driveway. I can tell by her look she wishes she had my car.

Robert, most anybody who see's your GT wish they owned it.

:::raising hand::: I'm one of them

454- My job allows me the luxury of driving many different cars. The late model GT mustangs seem really quick for a stock car. However, they were very uncomfortable to sit in for any length of time. I just could not get used to the way the cars "felt". Considering how much time some people spend in their cars, this is a definate consideration.
You also said mustangs were easy to work on? What did you plan on doing to anything that is easy to work on? If you want something easy to maintain, get a Tercel. (please take the tercel comment in the good natured humor that I intended it!)

I have a Tercel I drive in the snow and it needs work but I can't. Cause I'm too busy playing with my GT! four50four, you forgot one pro for the Fiero. You have this forum and all 800+ members for anything you can possibly imagine from parts and tech to friends and advice. Take mine-GET THE FIERO!

If you want an idea of what a STOCK fiero sounds like and some idea on how to hot-rod a fiero than checks this site out. http://hometown.aol.com/gpxss/index.html

Cooter, I am the proud owner of a Tercel and I am very offended by your ruthless slander. I'll take you on in my Tercel any day! Uhhhh.... j/k

Four50Four-- Keep a piece of history alive and get a nice GT or V6 SE. You won't be dissapointed. Mustangs are a dime a dozen, and they look like shoe boxes on roller skates. As for the sound, my Fiero sounds nothing like a Cavalier. I have a gutted cat and it sounds almost exotic. I dunno know about everyone else, but I've gotten somewhat bored with the burble of a V8(had too many.) The V6 is a nice change of pace.
And just remember.... We know where you live.

bwahahahhahahah....

-The Bastard

88Formula--That's all we get?? One little rev?? How rude of him! I doubt that's a stock exhaust. Sounds like he might just be missing a cat or mufflers or both. And it would sound louder in a Fiero as there isn't as much exhaust to flow through.

454, I know what you're saying, the Mustang has a macho appeal to the younger "kids" and they are fast without having to do much work to them.

BUT... they are more expensive than the Fiero, I've found Fords to be unfriendly to work on, they do not hold their value more than a couple years, they're like assholes because everyone has one, and the number one reason not to own a Mustang, they RUST!!! Hahaha!!!

Want class, style, good handling, quickness, and a unique car. Save up and buy a Fiero with a 3800 conversion. There are a couple I know of for sale right now. One in New England and one in Minnesota. Now that'll give a Rustang a run for it's money.

In the "for what it's worth department", I am trying to convert my 88GT to a 3.4 on a tight budget. I am selling off the pieces that I will not need to offset the cost of the engine and other parts. I figure with the 3.4 and a good exhaust system, the GT should be plenty quick enough to run with the big boys. And even if it is not that fast, I still would have less than 1/4 of the price of a new mustang/camaro tied up in this project. By saving that money, maybe next year I could add nitrous of some other perfoamance enhancer.

Cooter, in your post way above about the uncomfortable seats, my cousin tried to sell me his 97 Mustang GT 5-SP before I got my fiero and let me tell you that when I got out of that car, my back hurt so damn bad just from sitting in the crappy seats of that car. That there kept me from buying it. lol!! 454, the exhaust from the V6 fieros is like no other V6 car in existence.(At least to me)

The "Flowmaster Mustangs" are a dime a dozen nowadays. I've seen so many I sometimes think that those mufflers are an option offered at the time of purchase. Sure, the mods are readily available for the Stangs, but you want something with some character.

If you cut the cat off your average V6 Fiero, it will growl very close to a V8. You want it to make some noise, throw a glass pack on (or the Flowmaster).

And unless they have upgraded the way a Mustang handles, youd be more pleased with your Fieros driveability.

Anyway, thats my inflated opinion on things.

If your idea of fun is flooring the throttle for 15 seconds at a time, then by all means, get the mustang.

Real sports cars are NOT always the fastest cars, or the easiest to work on, or well respected by everybody (Anybody remember Triumphs?) Sports cars are romantic. They may break down on you, and you might have a HELL of a time working on them, but for some reason, you love them for it. Sports cars DON'T make sense. I could have gotten a car that got great gas milage, had plenty of room, and almost never broke down. But you know what? I got a car with only 2 seats, not much cargo room, get's fairly crappy gas mileage, and breaks itself all the time. I never even thought twice about it....

first of all thanks to all that replied. To make things clear, the mustangs i will be looking at is 87-93 fox bodys. If i was picking between a new mustang and a fiero, sorry, but thats a no brainer. No matter how you look at it, new mustangs handle better, stop better, and go faster, unless your talking modified fieros, but still, it would take a lot of mods to beat a mustang. Hasn't been much talk about camaros... apparently they stop and handle better than a mustang, but how do they compare to a fiero. There not as fast as mustnags but they are a little cheaper. One other thing, a mustang is respected a fiero is not, i hate saying the word fiero, and everybody jumping on me about what a peice of junk that is, and no matter what I say, there mind is made up and they look down upon me. Also, what kind of mods would it take a fiero into the low 14's, aside from nitrous and weight savings (sorry, I like AC). As i see it, the best option would be a 3.4 camaro engine. But, where do i go from there? with the 5.0 options are endless from alum. heads to intakes to superchargers. please guys, i'm leaning towards the ford...

I think I can relate here, owning a Blown 89 Stang that is driven to the strip and run 10 sec ET's, and just recently purchasing an 87 Fiero GT for my 'everyday' driver. I like both of them. They acutally mesh together pretty well. The Stang is there for when I want my face smeared, and the Fiero is there when I want to go to the local autocross. I'm more bias toward my Stang, since I've put more blood sweat and tears into that thing than anything, but the Fiero is catching a piece of my heart. My opinion, the Stang is a lot easier to work on, but the Fiero is a challenge I see it. Go fast parts are a dime a dozen for the Stang, and you could probably put together an 11 sec stang with used parts for under 5k EASY. Its your decision, but why not have both?

BTW, I never had kids try and race me on the street with the Stang (I never street race anyway, it belongs at the strip), but just recently with the Fiero, I've had several rice burners rev their riceburner at me. Sheeeesh

http://scribers.midwest.net/bbbad50

A good running Camaro Z-28 ought to blow away most of those mushy Rustangs.

Hmmm... A fox body 'stang. When is a 'stang not a "Stang. I think it happened sometime in 1973....

Those 'stangs were 225hp (GT and LX). Not hard to do with a 3.4 in a Fiero, and it weighs a whole lot less. Look to the Fiero Store's overbored TB, and a free flowing exhaust to start. An oversized cat/con (like mine) helps a lot. Came from IRM. Maybe roller rocker arms and an underdrive pulley. And keep your A/C. Or just drop a Northstar into it.

As far as the new ones, if I had 35 large to spend on a Fiero, I'd beat them, too. For that (Or even much less) look to the late model Firebirds and Camaros. With the LT-1, they push 300hp at the crank, and are easy to modify. And they handle better than the Mustangs do. Maybe the best compromise, but it still doesn't look like a FGT (Or even a Formula).

Next, if you figure that under a hundred cars of the '84 vintage caught fire, then you've got to think. From a quarter of a million sold, do you think that there are a hundred people that might not change their oil out there? Or let the thing run dry on them? And maybe add oil when the IDIOT light comes on? Follow this thought to its logical concusion. The Fiero is reliable, like any other car, with the proper maintenance. In fact I'm having more troubles with my wife's '92 Explorer than it's worth. And speaking of the Explorer, there's NOTHING easier to do mechanically in the Explorer than in the Fiero. Especially changing a thermostat. Or the wires. Or the plugs, for that matter. And the driver's door hinges are bored out by the pin, and will take a $450.00 repair....

And, if you grow tired of your Fiero's looks, look at all the Ferrari/Lamborghini clones out there for the Fiero. If you don't like clones, look at the Finale.

BTW, the next time you pass (or get passsed by, depending on the way you drive) a Mustang, take a good look at the driver....

Well, I guess that was $0.04. No offense meant by any of this, but The Boss was the last Mustang that I like.

problem is, i don't know if i'd want to go through all the hassle of building an engine for the fiero, and to match the mustangs 225 hp and 300 ft-lbs, the engine will become somewhat unreliable, and the real problem is the transmission and clutch. This car will be driven hard, and i don't need the haslte of dropping a whole craddle after a couple of burnouts just to change the clutch. And, i only have a limited budget, so first i have to find a decent GT fastback (good luck!), then build a 3.4 hipo engine. and about the flowmaster mustangs, well i don;t care how many there are, its still one of my favourtie sounds in the world. I can pick it out blocks away, and it gives me this tingly feeling BUT i've never really heard a V6 fiero.

Patrick's Dad: don't like mustangs anymore? how about the the new cobra R's? anyone seen them yet...

Don't take this the wrong way, but you sound like one of my younger brothers. He wants a different car, he wants one that is fast, looks good, has a good rep, and requires absolutely none of his "prescious" time for maintanance or repairs. You sound like your just looking for something that will require very little time on your part(be it fixing a broken part, changing the oil, etc), and still be able to hang with the big dogs. There isn't a single car out there that is trouble/maintanance free. Clutch life is primarily controlled by the driver.

I drove a brand new '97 Mustang GT back in '97. Didn't really care for it. I would much prefer my Fiero. The dash has a really funky look to it, everything seemed out of place, and didn't have any sensible layout.

[This message has been edited by fiero56 (edited 03-06-2000).]

It's too bad the 5.0 got the rap of having 16-18 yr olds with loud mufflers street race anything with four wheels. Some of us 5.0 owners are adults that like to go fast, but reserve showing how fast it is to the strip.

It seems now the trend of street racers are now these rice burners, which just makes me laugh. You see them all over the street, but never at the strip.

To be fair with this decision, I'd post the samething to a Mustang BBS and see what you get. Most likely, you'll get one saying "whats a F-I-E-R-O?"

454,
I completely agree about the ride of the Fiero. I have an 86 GT that I used to regularly drive 150-250 miles in the morning, and drive home again that night. I would drive straight through, and feel pretty good when I got out. This car is deceptively comfortable, even with the suspension. I'm pretty critical, as I've had a broken neck, herniated disc, and a pelvis broken in 5 places. Not complaining, just pointing out that the seats fit well.
I have driven a 91 Mustang, and I can't say the same.
If you want to go fast, and that is all, get yourself a Z28. If you want to go really fast, get the new Kawasaki superbike. 186 mph, right out of the crate.
If you want a car for all the intangibles that driving is about, get a Fiero.
BTW, the Fiero drives pretty well in the winter. Straightline raction is good, if you take it easy. Handling on snow and ice is good, once you get used to it's idiosyncrasies. The mustang absolutely sucks in comparison.
The exhaust note of the Fiero was called exotic by Car and Driver when the V6 was introduced. I couldn't agree more. If you heard only the sound, were told it was stock, and had to guess the car, you would NEVER guess a Camaro or Mustang.
I have owned a Camaro, and it was fun.
I have owned a Fiero, and it is more than fun. It brings a smile to my heart EVERY time I drive it, even in rush hour.
No, it's not the fastest car out there. In fact, if we are talking about stock cars accelerating in a straight line, it's relatively slow (flame me if you want, but its true). But that's only a small part of driving, especially when you're talking about a sports car. If acceleration is the most important aspect of driving for YOU, then go with your heart. But, if you like to drive, you know what to do.
Mike

Let him get the Mustang, obviously his mind is made up. As car guys we can relate to falling in lust with a certain kind of car. Let this misguided teenage youth go forth and abuse a Mustang. He'll have fun and beat the poor car to death and it will leave him stranded one too many times. Then the rust will make it's ugly appearance. Eventually, he'll see the light and buy a Fiero. Then he'll live happily ever after. The end.

I hate to sound negative, but I agree with Batboy.... Partly because I'm a Chevy man(boy) at heart. The Fiero just has a personality that Rustang will never have.

My take on Stangs, no offense to anyone here, had a 92 5.0 GT in my family, and my best friend currently has a 00 V6 stang.

pre 94 Mustangs - total crap in stock form. NO BRAKES, with undersized front discs and total junk rear drums you have no chance of stopping. realibility no better than a well maintened fiero, really crappy 5sp manuals also in the 5.0. Fast = YES real fast, but can't stop, I spun it out enough times to know this for a fact while trying to stop. Handling- its ok but can't compare to a fiero, and the ride is awful, girls will hate it, and u will to on any type of bumps. My 88 GT handles and rides great in stock form. Also you can avoid the white trash look that I think all 5.0's (pre 94) have now developed. Sorry to offend anyone here. Also for everyone's info 5.0's are actually 4.9's and Ford just conned everyone. 302CID = 4942 CC which rounds down to 4.9. SO JUST laugh and call them 4.9's LOL.

00 V6, pretty impressed if I might say so, the "real men" won't touch it but this baby flies 0-60 in 7.0 stock with the 5sp, and handles pretty nicely, nice to have power steering. cheap too, $13,995 pretty loaded with cd/cass and all power. that would be my choice for a commuter car today. however used go with a nice 88GT and you will wind up ahead. better looks, handling, and safety. Ford really did a good job with the 99-00 models, they ride great and are much better than the Camaro/Firebird, which GM seems to have given up on. The GM cars ( and I have also owned a 91 Camaro 5.0 before) are powerful, but they are cumbersome, a foot longer than the mustang with less interior room, and more expensive. Also no one is buying them, looks like Mustang is outselling the F-Cars 3-1 this year.. Sad, but typical GM.

I feel compeled to defend the 87-93 5.0's from the above comments. Everyone is free to express their own opinion, but I think some people don't understand why people buy those cars. One word "MOTOR". Where else can you build a 10-11 second daily driver for VERY little cash? I don't mean daily driver as in pure comfort (buy a Lincoln if you don't want your girlfriends butt to hurt). Every car has their strengths and weaknesses. Ford has done a pretty good job to correct some of its weaknesses with the progression of the Mustang, but at a higher price.

Lets have a little respect for some automobiles out there (espically domestic ones), its easy to call a steel bodied car a "rust-mobile" when you are driving one with plastic panels.

http://scribers.midwest.net/bbbad50/

Just one more thing to consider. Check with your insurance co. and get quotes on your potential rides, the rates may be a signifcant factor.

I had many problems with my 87 Stang. I sold it last year and lost a bundle. There are just to many. Mine was very nice Yellow with Black racing stripes, lowered, huge sound system, straight pipes. I did love the power this thing had. It was totally stock. I don't like the new Mustangs 94-up. When I had my 87 GT Fiero many people did not know what type of car it was. A few times my friend and I passed it off as a Ferrari to a bunch of girls who knew nothing about cars. In all honesty the Stang got more looks, probubly due to the load sound & Yellow paint. I will never own another Stang. I am still waiting for an answer on a lightly damaged 87 Fiero GT from the scrap yard. It should cost about 500-600 for the car. Body repairs about 250. Then comes the fun part a 4.3L engine swap, my 2 by 10 inch sub system (inside the car) and some body modes. I can't wait. I should have the answer this week and if all goes well I will have it by Friday.

sure, the 87-93 have a nice motor, but compared to the new cars out there o-60 in 6.2 stock isn't all that good, the new camaro and mustang Gt will beat that all day, 5.5 and 5.3 or so. either way you're not going to get a stock daily driver but will ave to mod it pretty well, since a stock 87-93 was a 14.8 sec car stock. Either way when you start modding you can make a honda a 10sec car, so it doens't mean ****. You can also make a Fiero a 10 sec car. so what. The other problems with the car will reamain, and u should be ready to lay down 1.5G's just to get normal breaks on the thing so you won't die everytime you gas it. As for the girlfriend thing, maybe I am sounding old here (25) but I don't want to lose teeth over every bump, with the rock hard stock suspension on those cars, which doesn't give you all that much handling, and u got to love the 60's rear supsension, solid axle, give me a break, which doesn't give you a good ride or handling. Also funny to know that that design Fox platform makes the Fiero look new, from the mid 70's Ford Farimont. Oh well like I said they've done amazing stuff with the new Stangs, but the 87-93 (AKA 79 -93) stangs were just that a poor 79 design with big engine. Bring on the flames.. lol

I've got a mid 13 second daily driver... The fiero is the ultimate sleeper.. every mustang that meets you at a light will want to pick on you... spend $500 on a nitrous kit and spank them all to the next light..or around the nearest corner! just don't try to race them at the strip.. between the 1/8 and the 1/4mi. is where the Fiero gets into the HP part of racing and out of the torque jump... You may keep up with the mustang for a sec but not for very long.. or just buy a supercharger... and beat 'em all around... (well thats what i'm shooting for, keep ya posted) BUY A FIERO! www.fiero.nl/uploads/2m6dyno.jpg www.fiero.nl/uploads/in-n-out.jpg and they look sweet too!

Lets not forget, comparing a 87-93 Mustang (the injected ones) with a Fiero is almost like comparing apples to oranges. Almost nobody makes this kind of decision, they make Mustang/Camaro or Fiero/MR2 decisions, not Mustang/Fiero decisions.

Why? The strengths and weaknesses of both are TOTALLY OPPOSITE. There shouldn't be any fence riding on this decision, its too "clear cut" as your personal wants and what you want to buy.

I'm not going to start any flames on this BBS, or pick apart people's opinions on Mustangs. Use my email if anybody wants to bash them, I need a good laugh.

Maybe I'm the old one here (34), maybe I'm not, but I love throwing the rear end out turning onto a two lane road.... Do I mind the ride? Absolutely not. I went to slightly higher rate springs and KYB's all around, and it's fun fun fun. In fact, the most disrespect I seem to get is pickup trucks.... I love kicking Ford and Dodge butt. Anyway, my real point here is that, even with a suspension that I have fun with, my dad (65YO) said, "This car rides nice." That's from a Caddy butt....

BTW, Spike, where do you put 2 10" subs????

One of my best friends used to have an 89 Mustang LX notchback - 5.0 5-speed. He swapped in a 3-fiftysomething rear gear and it was fast as all hell. One day he was hauling down I-71 at around 130 mph and exited at 5th Ave. He got on the brakes and by the time he got down to 50 mph he had no brakes left (his story - I wasn't there, thank God). He went sailing through a gas station and crashed into a dumpster.

Next he found a great deal on an 85 Mustang GT 5-speed. He missed the fuel injection (not available until 86) but the car was so pretty he bought it anyway. He learned his lesson with his first Mustang and was careful with his brakes. But the carb never was quite right, and the car rusted to the ground.

Learn from my buddy's mistakes. Mustangs are great fun at the drag strip, but if you want to turn and stop, and avoid rust, buy a Fiero.

did i ever mention that i used to out drive mustang's in my 86.5 GT? granted it was 10 years ago, and it was from stoplight to stoplight... but i was damn proud of it!

there is a beauty in the exclusivity of the fiero, that is not there with any mustang produced after 1970!

I dunno...the Mustang SVO was pretty special. 170-205 hp, Koni shocks/struts standard from the factory, and 4-wheel vented disc brakes. But your typical Mustang mullet just didn't understand the SVO, and fewer than 10,000 were made. It was about 10 years before its time.

Ford didn't even bother putting 4-wheel discs on a Mustang again until 1993 (Cobra).

I'm sleepy. G'night.

My opinion why the SVO never took off was the fact that you could buy a 84-86 GT with a 302 that would flat out-accelerate an SVO and cost way less. Don't forget this was back in the mid 80's (I was in Highschool then) when the Mustang was one of the fastest domestic cars out there, everybody was hungry for a "fast" car. The SVO wasn't marketed to the guys who wanted V8 power, it was for the people who were buying BMW's and such. Live and learn.

Well, I have an 86.5 GT w/auto. I love driving the car, but if it's going to be your main ride get used to losing drag races. BTW this has been one of the most reliable cars I've ever had (my 84 SE was the most unreliable).

sorry, this post didn't come out like I wanted it too. this has turned into something i didn't want. I guess im just not ready to own a fiero yet.

[This message has been edited by four50four (edited 03-13-2000).]