I was watching a video on the fiero. It was the motorweek one (the one they sell in the fiero store) Anyway they had bad things to say about everyone expect the 1988 model they said that it had chevette supesion on the front. Alot people tell me fiero's are death traps and handle really bad. I just bought my 86 GT last fall but haven't driven it yet because the engine wasn't working when i got it. When I first saw my first fiero I knew I had to have one. wha do others think?

A lot of people don't know what the f*** they are talking about either.

I think my car can handle just fine, sure it's not a Ferrari or Lotus, but it can hold it's own.

Death traps? Read this: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/027556.html, also the fact that the Fiero had a 5-star crash rating, guess that big steal cage that makes the car weigh around 2600-2800lbs is worth something.

Love your car because opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one. I only listen to the compliments and ignore the complaints.

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They're absolutely terrible. The Pinto was like a Ferrari compared to the Fiero. Don't even consider buying one or you'll be lost. They came from the factory with a plate on the door sill that said, 'Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.' Close your eyes, turn around and run. Now!!!

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Notchbacks Rule
84 Coupe(parts car)
85GT(show car)
87SE Gold(project car)
87SE Silver(daily driver)
88Coupe (daily driver)
88Formula (daily driver)

Stock the fiero is average in handling, but with the right setup, ie konis all around, front and rear sway bar, polly bushings etc. you can pull over 1 G on a skid pad with very little money. (well a lot of money if your poor like me but you get the picture.)
And yes the fiero is very safe, I heard it only lost out to the volvo in crash testing, which was in the same category.

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1986 Pontiac Fiero GT
Auto, soon to be 5 spd Getrag from 88 z24, 0-60 high 8's. Good: Love the car, and has potential. Bad: needs work.
Bought for 2500$.

My Fiero is just like all my other 80's ass GM cars, crappy, but reliable. With some repair, if I gave a crap about the POS 2.8, It would run fine. needs aligned and belts tightened, new headlight motor.
But I love that damn car so much it's ridiculous! Keep yours....trust me

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---"Didn't those catch fire?"---
---"Why didn't you get an MR2?"---
---"The engine is WHERE?"---
---Liking Fiero's is a lonely business---

I agree with p4nic too many people underestimate the fiero, I got people who I work with that say a Fiero will never be nice, well I beg to differ, Ive got a new 2.8 going in it, and Ive totally repainted, and got new carpet, and am getting Tenzo R Racing Seats, I dont give 2 s**ts about what anyone thinks about my car, if they have an issue I always ask them if they wanna race for slips. =) they always seem to not want to, and that was before I blew a main rod bearing, Im gonna have a pretty stout 2.8 probably as stout as a 2.8 can get. Good Luck, I wouldnt listen to what anyone has to say about them, unless they have owned one then their opinion doesnt matter.

Adam

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-Blown 2.8
-Undergoing engine swap to a new 2.8
-Have the 2.8 Block, have the oil pump, water pump, and all my gaskets
-Needs: Starter, Heads Redone, Ported Manifolds, WCF Intake, ARI Phase 2 Cam, Spintek Muffler, Mr Mikes Seats =)

you'd better give me yours, so it doesnt hurt anyone. i'll dispose of it safely, i promise.

quote Originally posted by Fierobruiser: They're absolutely terrible. The Pinto was like a Ferrari compared to the Fiero. Don't even consider buying one or you'll be lost. They came from the factory with a plate on the door sill that said, 'Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.' Close your eyes, turn around and run. Now!!!

LOL!!

The bruisers sig is this:
" Notchbacks Rule
84 Coupe(parts car)
85GT(show car)
87SE Gold(project car)
87SE Silver(daily driver)
88Coupe (daily driver)
88Formula (daily driver)"

Kinda Ironic don't ya think?

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I also have that MotorWeek video as well as quite a few magazine from when the Fiero came out.

What I noticed:
Both the magazines and MotorWeek LOVED the Fiero when it came out. It had great handling, adequate power and was fun to drive, although they mentioned there were a few problems, they'd like to see improved.

GM did make some changes to the suspension, the V6 became available, etc. in 85-86. Although the cars were "better" the reviewers had shifted how they described the Fiero.

In 1986, the Fiero "STILL" had that "awful handling" which they though was pretty good in the first place when the car came out. The car was "still slow" in performace, despite the fact it now had a V6 compared to the original coupe's 4 cylinder. The manual was "still awful" even though later shifter mechanicals had been greatly improved. It seemed that because GM didn't fill the reviewer's "wish list" fast enough that they turned on GM and the car.

I think reviewers fall into that trap anytime a "NEW" exciting model comes out. They did that with the Prowler (now that's a "practical" car), the PT Cruiser, and others. They are so dazzled, that everything else goes out the window.

Anyone?

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fierosound - 1987 GT - World of Wheels Winner
& Multiple IASCA Stereo Award Winner (click me)

quote Originally posted by fierosound: I think reviewers fall into that trap anytime a "NEW" exciting model comes out. They did that with the Prowler (now that's a "practical" car), the PT Cruiser, and others. They are so dazzled, that everything else goes out the window. Anyone?

those who cant do, criticize.

I will NEVER underestimate the safety and reliability of a Fiero again! There are probably not too many other cars that Chester and I would have been able to walk away from a ride UNDER a semi in. EVERY part of our Formula performed aexactly as it was supposed to. It was amazing watching as it happened. I will be writing an article to Pontiac Enthusiast to try and disspell some of these myths about our beloved little cars AND I have the pics to prove it!

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Elvira
President, New England Fiero Association (NEFA)
www.dirtyratracing.org
Blue 87GT 5sp (TruBlu)
Black 86GT 5sp (The Dirty Rat)
87 GT 4-seater (2+2)
Maroon 88 T-top Formula (Fun-In-The-Sun)
85 GT autocrosser (Auto-X)

Elvira's post is proof of the car's crash-worthiness...(I'm very glad you guys are ok) The great thing about the Fiero is its devoted following..any time I ever had any issues with the car,and I posted a question here, I had many helpful responses within a few hours (if not in a few minutes!) The car has beautiful styling, is fun to drive, and I hope you get a chance to drive yours soon!

have a good one!

-FieroRumor

Some of the Motorweek info is accurate, but not intended as a bash. The Fiero was originally a parts bin car. The front suspension was indeed derived from the Chevette, and the rear suspension came from the X-Car (Citation, Phoenix, Omega, Skylark). It wasn't until the new suspension came out in '88 that the Fiero had the suspension they designed for it in the first place. The dedicated tooling was deemed too expensive before the car's introduction, so the parts bin plan was used. This is SOP with GM (and other car makers). The Solstice concept car is also a parts bin car. It's all about what you can do with existing tooling to save development costs. That cost savings may have been the edge the Fiero needed to get produced in the first place.

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The Fiero seems to be a car which has been the victim of much unfair discussion. It all goes back to the engine problems in the early 1984 vehicle in which many had defective connecting rods which when let go, punctured the block and sprewed oil on the hot CAT and FIRE!!!
While I do believe that the Fiero has more potential for engine fires than many other cars, much of the risk can be minimized by proper maintenance of fuel, tranny lines and attention to any oil leaks. As for the Fiero being a great driver, and a good looking collectable car; I enjoy driving and owning them. For the driving that I do the handling is more than acceptable and they are safe. You'd be hard pressed to find what a Fiero offers for twice the price.

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87GT 3.4 Turbo Best 0-60 5.2 seconds
http://turbofiero.fierojoe.com/turbo.htm

Yes! It is ALL true and MORE!
Quick! To save yourselves from future guarenteed trouble with these death trap pieces of plastic, you should immediately bring them up to my place and sign them over to me while you still can...

Do not pass go and do not collect tolls. Run Forest run! Or is it Run Lola Run? I forget.

Sorry, been working too hard today I guess
Break Time!
Now where is that package of Chips Ahoy cookies

Steve

Face it - the Fiero is a habit-forming, mood-altering vehicle... which should only be used to excess .

What's funny to me is the number of adult males who seem to admire the car from afar, but somehow feel obligated to spout baseless criticisms about the car, as soon as they become aware that you saw them staring... you know, "hard to work on, not good in a crash," etc., usually with that stupid, "serious frown" look on their face. I must say, I honestly think it's jealousy. That, or it's just downright painful for these types to recall all of those little-known facts about Fieros they just made up .

However, practically all kids (and most women) just tell you what they think... and usually it's a compliment... "nice car," or whatever. Just an observation.

Point is, I ordinarily don't take criticism from a guy, very seriously. Especially guys who don't have a clue what they're talking about. Yes- that's most of us !

[This message has been edited by StuGood (edited 04-02-2003).]

ALl I HAVE TO SAY IS THIS!!! 5 star crash rating cant be all that bad ...!!!! and by the way i took my car on the hyway today with my four year old son today for the very first time (the car and the boy )and the looks we got WOW!! and my son absolutly loves my fiero to the point he says its gonna be his car when he grows up !!

I had something happen to me yesterday that made my day. I was returning some videos to block buster.(six feet under, great series.) An 8 or so year old boy came walking out. Walks by and say WOW cool car. I proceed to pop the trunk so he can see the engine and he just about falls over. Well his mom leads him away, and he keeps looking back running into his mom everytime. Younger kids just think they are the neatest things in the world. How bitter we become with age. I even had a guy that has a 50th corvette admiring it. Granted he was going to try and sell me a system for it, but he knew that he was only selling me an 8 inch sub. ($50)

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85 GT 4 SPD
Number 53715 of 76371
Best 1/4 15.816 @ 84.72

Accel 8.8mm wires, Accel 300+ Ignition box, Blaster Coil, NGK UR5, K&N, Short Shifter, High flow cat, Monochrome Caracus red.

COMING SOON: KYB shocks and struts, ST lowering springs, Motegi M12 16X7 rims, Poly Dogbone, Ported exhuast manifolds, and YOKO AVS ES100 tires 205/55/16 front and 225/50/16 rear

Coulee Region Fieros member(couleefiero.tripod.com)

OK

Everyone thinks Fieros are junk therefore replacement costs are kept down, my first cost $1000Cdn, my second was $600.

The newest Fiero was built in 1988, do the math, they are old. Unless you plan on some major preventative maintenance they are not going to be as reliable as a 5 year old Honda.

These cars require commitment, possibly to a mental institution, but commitment none the less. I wanted an old English sports car but they are too expensive to buy and maintain and reliability???? So I have a Fiero, it handles better, is faster (even with the 4 cylinder) has better brakes and is actually more reliable.

Like I already said, let them think what they want, it keeps costs down.

If this level of commitment is not for you then sell it to someone here who will give it a good home.

Ira

Fierosound is right, i noticed that with the motor week viedeos too. In 84, they said it handled and braked excellent with a hint of understeer, by 86 all of a sudden the fieros handling was sluggish, brakes were slow and hard to control steering, if the editors dont get what they want when tehy want it, the car becomes crap.

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--Adam--
1987 Blue GT 5-speed
IM AOL: FieroGT5speed
16 years old and already selling my stuff to pay for repairs to my Fiero...which i sold my stuff to buy in the first place

As what was said before. Young kids LOVE this car.. specially the GT's ive found. They seem to have the "googly eyed" look, just like when they get a new hotwheel, and its the coolest thing on this earth. Little do they know.. its not far from the truth

Young women (re: legal, 18+) seem to be "oddly" attracted to the car too, after a nice wash and wax, you will be hard pressed to come to a stop lite and not see them checkin out your pimp ride!

Every once and a while I do run across a naysayer tho. Most the time ive been able to "re-educate" them on what a fiero actually is. Most of these guys drive imports or a HUGE suv w/22" rims, but you know. Each to their own!

as for reliablilty, My fiero has had MUCH less work done on it than my friends 91 Honda Civic... and he's owned his less time his has less km on it, and he drives it like a grandmother. He's replaced both CV's, shocks, 2 alts, and a battery. I on the otherhand, have replaced an intake gasket, air filter, and distributor cap. Its weird. This car is waaay more reliable than my old Jimmy 4x4 w/2.8..

In otherwords.. KEEP YOUR RIDE, you will not be dissapointed, and dont let others convice you otherwise..

unless you want to give me your car J/K!

JZ

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- 2.8v6, 5spd
- no cat, msd ignition/coil, K&N

I get lot's of bad comments on the fact that I drive a Fiero. I've heard it all, death trap, unreliable, etc. People act like I only drive a Fiero because that's all I can afford. That's partly true, I've driven it a lot lately because I can't afford the gas my 99 Trans Am sucks up.
This is my third Fiero. I totaled my last one when I T-Boned another car. I walked away. My mother in law couldn't believe I was still alive when she saw what was left of the car. I don't doubt the safety of a Fiero.

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Rick Lord
Webmaster
http://www.KitKar.com

quote fiero86_gt: Alot people tell me fiero's are death traps and handle really bad.

That's the same people who drive Jeeps and SUV's and think rollover is something you do with an IRA.
Buy a minivan!!! That'll show them.

I say give one of those naysayers a ride on a nice curvy road. They will be impressed even if they lose their lunch.
I can't get any female passengers past the three mile mark on the dragon without barfing.
There is more to handling than a skid pad rating.
Fieros have a fun factor of ten. it's like driving a gokart!
wheelie