The Indy is also seen, unlike the 87 SE's and the T-Top models for example, as soon to becoming valuable similar to other older low production cars like certain model Vettes and T-birds for example.
Maybe I should pick up an Indy. KV 1988 GT T-Top, 5-spd (stock w/K&N air filter) 1987 SE 4-cyl, 5-spd (daily driver - Reversible mods include: grey GT rims, passenger visor w/vanity mirror, GT leather covered shift knob, K&N air filter, Holley side scoop, 1985 GT/SE two-tone grey seats)
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[This message has been edited by Kelvin Vivian (edited 08-15-2002).]
Well guys this is a topic that will ALWAYS have two sides with NO middle ground on matters like this one.. I guess the question is do you want a modified Indy or just a modified Fiero.. There was a guy at the Hot Rod Super Nat.s this year with a numbers matching 63 Split window Corvette, now what he did to this car was he took out the motor and put in a Z06 motor then Prostreeted the car. The total job was very well done. Now the value of this car probably went up higher than it was worth before but to the purest this car was trashed to the Hot Rodder it was Way Kool!! Through out the rodder industry is has always been prefferd to start with the best base version of the ride you want to build to get the best results, the best builders in the industry do this all the time. So again i ask, do you want a modified Fiero or a modified Indy ?? There is a happy ending for BOTH sides and this is it... If you want a modified Indy ?? Start with a 85 GT or 86SE and turn it into an Indy, neither car is as rare as the Indy and don't think anyone will care what you do with it.! then just do whatever you want it .!! you want to change the motor and tranny anyway so all you have to do is paint it and change the rest to look like an Indy. If all you want is a modified Fiero then look elsewhere for the doner car there are plenty.. "Now would that please both sides ???" hummmm Makes me happy..
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11:03 PM
Aug 16th, 2002
fierolover87 Member
Posts: 192 From: Las Vegas NV Registered: Feb 2002
Originally posted by Kameo Kid: So again i ask, do you want a modified Fiero or a modified Indy ...If you want a modified Indy ?? Start with a 85 GT or 86SE and turn it into an Indy, neither car is as rare as the Indy and don't think anyone will care what you do with it.! then just do whatever you want it
This is the best response I have seen.
Personally I say it's your car, if you want a modded Indy then mod it however you like, but if any ole' modded fiero is what you want, then you might as well save the Indys for the purists.
------------------ 1988 Fiero - It's like an Actual Miniature Car
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01:35 AM
Leper No longer registered
Report this Post08-16-2002 03:10 AM
Leper
posts Member since
quote
Originally posted by Kameo Kid: There was a guy at the Hot Rod Super Nat.s this year with a numbers matching 63 Split window Corvette, now what he did to this car was he took out the motor and put in a Z06 motor then Prostreeted the car.
That would be Rod Saboury. Not only did he do that to the 63, he used to drag race a genuine (1 of 200) 53 Corvette. Lets just say that it makes the split window look like a 100 point resto. Now, if I can only find a picture of it...
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03:10 AM
Leper No longer registered
Report this Post08-16-2002 03:51 AM
Leper
posts Member since
Honestly, the only objections i have with you modifying the indy is that i may not like the mods you do. If I had an indy, it wouldn't be stock, but it wouldn't be as drastic as some if the Indy's Ive seen posted on the forum.
If you do the 4.9 swap, try and keep the stock air filter. If you're going to do the side scoops, aus did a picture of an indy with his scoops on it and it looked sweet. with the vent, you'd have to replace the decklid anyway, so you could either keep it until you sell the car, or sell it to someone restoring an Indy. Same goes for the other parts you don't use. If you aren't ruining a good part that is only on an Indy, then I don't see why you shouldn't do it. https://www.fiero.nl/uploads/indypace1.jpg
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03:51 AM
Toddster Member
Posts: 20871 From: Roswell, Georgia Registered: May 2001
There is a truism in this world. Some people will always retore to the way the factory envisioned it and other will modify it to the way they envision it.
It comes down to one question:
If you have a vision, how can you ignore it?
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12:30 PM
Fiero5 Member
Posts: 8882 From: Arecibo, PR Registered: Jun 2000
If you buy it - it's your car, it's your money, and your wants and needs that have to be satisfied. Do what makes you happy. In the end it is just a pile of metal, plastic, rubber, etc. It is not a person, or even an animal. There is no crime in making it what you want it to be. Furthermore, it is not even the only one in the world, and, at this point, is not even an investment opportunity. Seems to me that the only thing you can possibly lose is the opportunity to do something special.
I was with Kameo, at the Super Nats, drooling over the '63 Vette. I WISH I had been the one with the opportunity, and resources, to cut that sweet, numbers-matching, old classic!!! Then to be the one to sit and smile politely at the disgusted faces of the "purists", and have fun talking "big kid's toy talk" with the ones who can open their minds far enough to appreciate my masterpiece!!!
Have fun...
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06:53 PM
Philphine Member
Posts: 6136 From: louisville,ky. usa Registered: Feb 2000
my indy sits 'cause i can't decide what to do with it. going through a lot of work just to make it what it was anyway just dosen't interest me at all, but i don't really want to change it much. i think i could be satisfied with just a few body mods (really just and indy scoop), and some wheels, tint and stereo. you know, non-permanent personalization stuff, but i have a hard time with the idea of putting a lot of time and cash into it and not getting rid of that 4cyl. engine.
if i could either resign myself to keeping the duke or going ahead with some kind of swap plan the car might get some attention.
------------------ Phil T.
start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.
hey philphine do what you want just keep the old motor and parts and when you get tired of it and buy another the car hasn't lost any value because it can be made stock again...
Originally posted by perkidelic: If you buy it - it's your car, it's your money, and your wants and needs that have to be satisfied. Do what makes you happy. In the end it is just a pile of metal, plastic, rubber, etc. It is not a person, or even an animal. There is no crime in making it what you want it to be.
All true. The bottom line is that it IS your car to do with as you wish. Ultimately it is your own choice as to what direction you wish to go. Do what YOU want with it. If you decide to buy the Indy and mod it, enjoy it as it will be unique, and will be your own. You will be in a special group of growing Fiero owners. If you decide to get it and keep it original, you will also be unique and also be in a special, though smaller group of Fiero owners.
You did ask for opinions and so you are getting many peoples points of view - for and against. But in the end of course, it is your decision
quote
Furthermore, it is not even the only one in the world, and, at this point, is not even an investment opportunity....... Have fun...[/B]
True except the investment part. The word investment doesn't always mean that you buy it today and immediately make a profit tomm. --------------------- Dictionary.com
inˇvestˇment Pronunciation Key (n-vstmnt) n. 1. The act of investing. 2. An amount invested. 3. Property or another possession acquired for future financial return or benefit ---------------------
Now as we all know, nothing is guarenteed. Look at the history of many older cars that's values have increased over time, and then look at and compare those to the Indy Fieros history. I think it is a very safe bet that owning a nice original example of an Indy Fiero will not be a bad bet at all. Now, if you want to get the Indy as it is just a good buy for you, and your enjoyment of doing what you want to it is going to far exceed any investment gains you may get out of it in the future, then by all means go for it. I would also consider the advice of others to possibly pass on it however, and allow someone else who is looking for a good deal on a rare original Indy Fiero, and pick up something less rare to mod as you wish.
In the next 5 to 10 years, an original Indy Fiero "investment" will start looking pretty darn good. If you are not also looking for your Fiero to also be a possible investment, or at least still have a good value after all the time, money and effort you have put into it down the road, then possibly consider getting the Indy and then using it as a sale/partial trade for a different Fiero. Use the profit you make on the Indy to help pay for the mods of your Fiero you got in trade/purchased
Steve
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http://kelleyfamilyfieros.50megs.com
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10:42 AM
perkidelic Member
Posts: 772 From: Masury Ohio USA Registered: Aug 2002
Originally posted by Fiero5: True except the investment part. The word investment doesn't always mean that you buy it today and immediately make a profit...
I don't really disagree with you on that Fiero5. It's really just my personal view, and I admit I could be wrong. I have trouble believing that Fieros will ever be serious investment vehicles, mainly due to poor public perception, but as I said, I could be wrong.
If we combine all this with what Kameo's point, about doing stuff that can be reversed, then there is a win-win situation. He gets to take advantage of the opportunity and do something unique; then should there be a substantial increase in the value of the car it can be converted back to stock and sold for a profit. Just keep all your original parts, as Kameo said.
Myself, I can't lie, I would do whatever I wanted and take my chances. If they suddenly became very valuable I would just hope that the changes I made were favorable in someone's eyes to profit even more! It only takes one guy who loves what you did and MUST have it! Using the '63 Vette for an example again, if I had the money and wanted that car I would pay more than a stocker because it is soooo sweet! Just do what you do very well!
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09:29 PM
Fiero5 Member
Posts: 8882 From: Arecibo, PR Registered: Jun 2000
Originally posted by perkidelic: I don't really disagree with you on that Fiero5. It's really just my personal view, and I admit I could be wrong. I have trouble believing that Fieros will ever be serious investment vehicles, mainly due to poor public perception, but as I said, I could be wrong.
I am sorry, but I always get a chuckle when I hear somone say how Fieros will never be taken serious due to public perception, due to fire problems on early models, etc. The first place a wrong preception has to be wiped out is by the owners/enthusiests themselves. The classic car history is filled with many models that at one time had a problem or two that back then kept the interest down. Now many years later, that "perception" is all but gone except what you now find in the history books.
An investment that increases in value is mostly based on supply and demand. The demand on certain Fiero models, "is" growing. It is obviously not growing a large rate at the moment, but as small as it is right now it is still there.
quote
If we combine all this with what Kameo's point, about doing stuff that can be reversed, then there is a win-win situation. He gets to take advantage of the opportunity and do something unique; then should there be a substantial increase in the value of the car it can be converted back to stock and sold for a profit. Just keep all your original parts, as Kameo said.[/B]
I agree that as long it can be changed back as close to original as possible, your risk is much less. BUT, someone looking for an original is not usually to pleased with few if any changes made that change it from it's stock originalality . The closer to original it is, the more value the car will have to the buyer. If you or anyone changes the car, no matter how much cooler you like it personally, only decreases it's value to the higher paying collector market.
quote
Myself, I can't lie, I would do whatever I wanted and take my chances. If they suddenly became very valuable I would just hope that the changes I made were favorable in someone's eyes to profit even more! It only takes one guy who loves what you did and MUST have it! Using the '63 Vette for an example again, if I had the money and wanted that car I would pay more than a stocker because it is soooo sweet! Just do what you do very well![/B]
As nice as that is, collectors want as low mileage as possible on "original" stock condition cars. The guy with the Vette everyone keeps mentioning is obviously very happy with his car. But, a true collector of that car (that would be the one that will pay the BIG bucks), will not look favorably on those kinds of changes. That isn't to say that the car does not still have value, but it's value is only worth what a possible smaller more limited customer base may be willing to pay in this different than original stock condition. Seriously, how many times have we all seen an awesome "custom" car advertised where the owner has put tons of money into lot's of "extras" and unique mods, that ends up selling it for a quarter of what he actually has into it? Do you know why? Unfortunately, as great looking and "one of a kind" as it is, the market of potential buyers for that exact same look and uniqueness that is also willing to pay anything close to what he actually has into it is usually very very small - if at all. There is nothing necessarily wrong with that, it's just unfortunately the way it is
If it were me, I would go ahead and do the engine mods...but in such a way as to make sure that I could get it back to 100% stock without rebuilding the whole car. Otherwise, I'd leave it looking completely stock.
I'd take the whole cradle out, and put in another cradle with a carbed V8 and a different 4 speed, so I wouldn't have to mess with the wiring in the engine compartment. I'd keep the old Duke, tranny, and such, in case I ever wanted to restore the car to pure stock. If I had to mod the decklid, I'd find another decklid and mod *that* instead, keeping the old one safe. And so on...