After looking around the board for a while, I have to ask: | What is the difference between the GT, and the Formula? I can see the obvious, but after the body differences, is there really anything that is really different? There is a Formula that is FS close to me, and I really think that it’s styling is starting to grow on me. It’s everything that I ask, 5sp, decent miles, and in over all really good condition. What’s more desirable, the GT or the Formula? What are the pros and cons of the two?
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09:17 PM
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litespd Member
Posts: 8128 From: No where you want to be Registered: Aug 99
There are others that are more knowledgeable than I on this subject, but this is what I've picked up over the years. The Formula is basically the GT engine and suspension mounted on a coupe body. Also, the number of options available on the Formula were limited, although I can't tell you which ones that WERE available on a GT weren't on a Formula. It's my opinion that Pontiac was doing kind of the same thing with the Formula Fiero that they did with the Formula Firebird...that was, to offer up the same performance as the higher priced car (GT, TransAm) at a lower cost. Although, I can't verify that, as I have NO idea what a new Formula cost in 1988. As far as desireablity, I think that's pretty much up to the individual. I like the Formulas, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd pick a GT, only because I like the styling better. That's not to say that I wouldn't have a Formula, too, if I had the money. ------------------ Mike...86 GT 4 Speed "Sucks to be me..."
[This message has been edited by litespd (edited 04-21-2003).]
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09:21 PM
spddy Member
Posts: 815 From: Concord ,ca usa Registered: Mar 2003
The weight difference is NOT 400 lbs. Its more like 100lbs, and thats going to vary by 50 depending on what options came with the car.
Some of the difference other than body.
GT can come with Leather or lumbar, but had the standard vertical stitched seats.
Form. came with standard coupe seats.
GT came with H speed rated tires
Form. came with regular, S or T rated(not sure which)
GT came with any option you wanted
Form. was limited on what options.
Formula couldnt get ,PM, Subwoofer and Performance radio, lumbar or leather, and I think Deck release. Im not postive on any of these. I only heard these in the past few years.
Formula will be slightly faster from less weight (I highly doubt it's 400 lbs)
GT is flashier and has more comfort options.
Basically it comes down to the age old preference: Fastback or notchback. Some can go either way, others are rabid devotees of one or the other. I've had both, first the notch and now a fastback. I'm born again. Now it's fastback or death
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10:24 PM
Doug Chase Member
Posts: 1487 From: Seattle area, Washington State, USA Registered: Sep 2001
The Formula is mechanically identical to the GT. Only difference is body and options availability.
The printed weights of the cars were with standard equipment. The GT had a lot of standard equipment and the Formula had almost none. This made up most of the published weight difference.
The seat info was correct.
I don't think the tire info is correct. The Formula has the same wheels as the GT (15x6 front, 15x7 rear) and, as far as I know, came with the same Eagle GT+4.
KissMySS is exactly right on the options not available on the Formula. Yes, even the decklid release.
One thing that hasn't been pointed out so far is that the wing was standard on the Formula and optional on the GT.
There were about 5600 Formulas made and about 6500 '88 GTs made. 88 GTs are more desirable in general and therefore a little more valuable. Basically it comes down to your personal preference on body styles.
Buy it. Formulas are cool.
------------------ Doug Chase '88 Fiero Formula 5-spd (autocrosser) '88 Fiero GT 5-spd (daily driver) '85 Fiero GT 5-spd (rally car) '87 Fiero SE V6 5-spd (for sale $2200) '88 Fiero Formula 5-spd (parts car / future rally car #2) Custom roll cage fabrication available Custom exhaust fabrication available
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10:24 PM
RacinRob Member
Posts: 1288 From: Eau Claire, WI Registered: Mar 2001
You couldn't get power mirrors, lumbar or subwoofer in a Formula. From what I'm told, Formulas only came with black lace wheels (no gold). Most Formulas have few options. I don't think I've ever seen a Formula with all available options at once.
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02:18 AM
mrfiero Member
Posts: 9003 From: Colorful Colorado Registered: Mar 99
Most Formulas have few options. I don't think I've ever seen a Formula with all available options at once.
I have! I know of at least two (and they're both brand new) '88 Formulas with every available option (including T-Tops). They are out there, but you are right.....most came pretty well stripped for those wanting the power of a GT at a fraction of the cost.
Base price of an '88 Formula was $10,999 and the '88 GT was $13,999.......most GT's were loaded though, so they were closer to $15-$16K, while the stripped Formulas were in the $11-$12K range (a fully loaded Formula was about as much as a base GT).
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12:59 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Yup, Formulas only had the black wheels, even when it had Beechwood interior. Gold wheels were a Beechwood/GT option only.
Mechanically identical, only a few options aren't available. To the best of my knowledge, they are:
Subwoofer Power mirrors Lumbar Seat Rear Defog
Anything else? My Formula came pretty well loaded (for a Formula). It's got AC, power windows and locks, AM/FM Cassette (well, Monsoon now ), sunroof and a 5-speed. I even added the remote trunk release. Don't think I'm gonna try to add power mirrors though. That would be a PITA!
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01:25 PM
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Fformula88 Member
Posts: 7891 From: Buffalo, NY Registered: Mar 2000
For your purchase, if you like the Formula you might as well get it. Mechanically there is no difference between it and the GT. The weight difference is so small, that any advantage is next to nothing.
For the record, my Formula's MSRP was a little over $13K, with its only extra cost options an auto trans, air conditioning/cruise and rear defroster.
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02:54 PM
rockcrawl Member
Posts: 2528 From: Lehigh Valley, PA Registered: Jul 2000
Yup, Formulas only had the black wheels, even when it had Beechwood interior. Gold wheels were a Beechwood/GT option only.
Sorry to say your statement is incorrect! There were greyinterior GT's with gold rims. My father's 88 GT has a grey interior and gold rims...he has owned it since 89, so I doubt that they were ever swapped. Did the rim color have different RPO codes? Also interesting on his GT he as the sub with the basic AM/FM/tape deck--no eq.
[This message has been edited by Hank is Here (edited 04-22-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Hank is Here (edited 04-22-2003).]
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04:25 PM
Songman Member
Posts: 12496 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Aug 2000
My Formula only has A/C... not sure what radio was in it since it has been changed. Both of the ones I had have been equipped this way... neither had sunroof either.
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04:26 PM
Fformula88 Member
Posts: 7891 From: Buffalo, NY Registered: Mar 2000
I pulled out my Fiero order worksheet to look into it.
Gold Wheels were available under order code 60P, only available on the GT. It states "Camel Trim Recommended." Therefore it should have been available with any interior, although they wanted dealers to order it with the beachwood.
The only options indicated as "Not Available" on the Formula are DG7 Sport Mirror option group (power mirrors), V56 Luggage carier, UQ6 Stereo subwoofer, and 60P the gold wheels.
All other options were available. BTW, the rear deck release must only have been available as standard equipment on the GT in 88, as it is not listed as an option, or part of an option package.
Further, there were some preferred option groups... probably how most were ordered by dealers:
Formula group 1SA included tilt wheel and delay wipers. 1SB added AC, the lamp group (in trunk, footwells etc), vanity mirror, and cruise. 1SC added power locks and windows.
Stand alone options were: C49 rear defogger VK3 front license plate bracket B34 floor mats UM6 Cassette Stereo UX1 Stereo with equalizer AD3 Sunroof MM5 Manual Trans MX1 Auto Trans
The GT's had power windows and the UM6 stereo standard. One option package was available, 1SA, including all options in the Formula 1SC group and adding power mirrors.
Other options, besides the Formula stand alone options were: UQ6 Subwoofer D80 Spoiler (standard on Formula) and 60P (Gold rims)
BTW didn't include the option group items as stand alone, but all were availabla a la carte.
As far as desireablity, I think that's pretty much up to the individual. I like the Formulas, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd pick a GT, only because I like the styling better. That's not to say that I wouldn't have a Formula, too, if I had the money.
), sunroof and a 5-speed. I even added the remote trunk release. Don't think I'm gonna try to add power mirrors though. That would be a PITA! 
