I just don't understand it. Went back to Indiana this weekend and while I was there I was told about a Fiero for sale for $900. From the info I could gather over the phone it had new paint, some graphics, and a rebuilt engine. It was a 87 Coupe with a 2.5 / 5-speed. Sounded promising so I went to look at it.
Got there and what a POS. The guy said he painted it himself and I sure looked like it. I have never seen as much orange peel on an orange like this car had. To make things worse it was black and the guy had painted over all the stock trim and stickers. He also painted some green flames and "fast and furious" logo on the hood and then clear-coated over it all. =(
As far as the mechanical's, it had torn interior seats, dash was coming apart on top of radio, muddy as hell inside he didn't even bother to clean it, looked like he ran over something because the metal brake line and clutch line were both hanging down under the car about 2" from the body, rear brakes were locked up which made it a real treat to test drive. trans didn't like to shift I think the shifter was gummed up really bad. and to top it all off had to open the pass door from the inside because outside handle was broke, aftermarket sunroof about half the size of stock, no power anything but did have non-working a/c, etc.
Well the guy had it listed for $1600 but dropped it to $900 because the 0% new car thing was keeping anyone from buying it. The lowest he would go for me was $800 but it is going to cost me $500 just to get it "safe to drive". Needless to say I didn't buy it.
Last week I went to look at one for sale out here across the river in IL and it was a total POS even worse, bad paint, rusted, windows had been down for a while so rain got in, someone jacked up on the trunk behind the engine and caved it in, etc. I think he was asking more than $500 so I didn't even bother arguing with him.
Why do people think just because they have a fiero it must be worth something regardless of its condition? Do people just not understand that under those "easy to replace" plastic panels there is a metal spaceframe that can and does rust out? Sorry about the rant I just have a hard time understanding...
------------------ 1987 Fiero Coupe 3800 Series II Intercooled Turbo (12.79et @ 106.6mph) 1987 Trans Am GTA 5.7L Superram 4L60-E (13.1et @ 109mph) 1985 Fiero SE 2.8 (soon to have an L36)
Lol tell us how you really feel ! No seriously I understand what you mean, but at the same time, a lot of these guys do it cause they dangle the worm long enough and some poor sucker will come along and snatch it up.
It used to bug me too, but now I am more patient. I see a lot cars that I like but that i think are way overpriced, so as difficult as it may be I just let them go.
I read way too many times about free fieros or decent ones for next to nothing practically falling into peoples laps.
Not saying you will get that lucky, but I do see a lot of really good deals also, they just go really fast !
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01:05 AM
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5922 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
tell me about it, I fell into my 87 at a junk yard bought it for $600 with blown 4cyl. factory silver paint still shines and looks great. still looking for the next one just wish people would stop trying to make money selling crap.
If I was to go look at Fieros in the $500 to $900 range I would expect to see exactly what you describe... total junk.
Every now and then you will run across a Fiero that was kept up most of it's life, still in stock form, and only seen minimum neglect over the past few years. Needs a little TLC to be a nice overall car. Guy is asking $1500 or $900 for it. Those are the ones that put a smile on your face when you pull up to the house.
Over the last 20 years of looking at many cars for sale the one thing I have learned is... you need to look at the car without ever leaving your house. Don't waste your time. If the communication is via internet, get pictures. If it's via the phone, ask the right questions. Then you know if it's even worth gas... especially at $1.80 a gallon.
------------------
"...the car is beautifully balanced and almost refuses to do anything but go where you point it. In it's tenacious stick and ability to go very fast over a mountain road with a minimum of driver effort, the Fiero GT feels more like a smaller, tighter Corvette than a direct competitor to any of the import 2-seaters. It feels solid, strong, fast and it's a little bigger than it looks. It looks racy and exotic, sticks to the road like glue, sounds good and gets you from one side of the mountains to the other quicker than all but a few cars on Earth." --- Road & Track on the 1987 Fiero GT
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01:13 AM
Gokart Mozart Member
Posts: 12143 From: Metro Detroit Registered: Mar 2003
I bought mine from a guy in Tulsa. I was looking for a southern car because of some of the rust bucket Fiero's I have seen. Mechanically is was OHHHH..K. Broken motor mount, EGR tube leaking. But it had what I was looking for..NO RUST ANYWHERE. Paint sucked bad, headliner was pinned up. It was an 88 Formula. The getrag alone is worth some money. I finally paid him $2k. And converted to a 3.4. I guess if you want one, especially an 88, there just are not that many out there. The real clean ones, the owners want a ton for. I have seen some since then that I would rather have had, but if you wait too long you may miss it. Generally, people think Fiero's are worth way more than they are.....Paul
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10:03 AM
stimpy Member
Posts: 8197 From: Salinas, CA Registered: Jan 2000
I can top it. I went to a local wrecking yard the other day, having seen a red coupe in there when passing by. Since I was thinking it might be nice to have a spare hood to modify in case I get another Fiero, I asked the man "How much for the hood?"
"Two-fifty."
"You're sh1ttin me." I said. "You can't mean two hundred and fifty dollars?."
"Yep"
(Exit laughing.)
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10:31 AM
indypbody Member
Posts: 314 From: san diego CA. USA Registered: Jun 2002
Why does anybody think ANY Fiero is worth so much money? Even low to no mile Fieros only bring big money, if you call 11to 14K big money, when they are bought by some FANATIC who will never drive them thinking they have some major investment sure to skyrocket in value like an original Shelby or 67 427 Vette!......NOT They just made too many Fieros like all cars of today and I doubt seriously if any will ever be worth a "mint" to anybody but a diehard collector. Not bashing Fieros, just being a realist.
-Tony
P.S. I GAVE AWAY a 60,000 mile perfect Indy Pace Car replica. GAVE AWAY.
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10:56 AM
johneboy Member
Posts: 98 From: Harrisburg, PA Registered: Aug 2003
Some people think because the car isn't made anymore that they are "ultra-rare". My Brother-in-law works at a pontiac dealership. Some kid brought in an 85 GT with a bad trans and 185,000 miles on it. He wanted it repaired at the dealership. His total bill to repair it was close to $2000.00 From what I inderstand there wasn't a single body panel on the car that was in good shape, The windshield was cracked and the interior was very dirty with warpped panels, broken switches and such. He was asked why he was spending so much money to repair the car (instead of getting a used trans), his reply was:
"It's a classic, I figure if I keep it original, I can sell it next year for around $15,000 and buy a new car."
My Brother-in-law says he wouldn't pay $100 for the car it it's present condition.
I can top it. I went to a local wrecking yard the other day, having seen a red coupe in there when passing by. Since I was thinking it might be nice to have a spare hood to modify in case I get another Fiero, I asked the man "How much for the hood?"
"Two-fifty."
"You're sh1ttin me." I said. "You can't mean two hundred and fifty dollars?."
"Yep"
(Exit laughing.)
You're a true fiero nut buying extra parts before you even buyanother fiero .. the loves ya stimpy.
Since when is a car under $1000 overpriced? I agree there are people out there who ask more for a car than it may be worth, but I wouldn't even expect a car that ran, much less looked good for under a grand. At most I would consider it maybe a parts car if it had some good stuff left on it. The next step down from those prices is simply junking it.... and then there would be a huge thread on how evil that person would be for juning it and not selling it or parting it out.
Here on PFF, we want it both ways... when we are buying Fieros should be dirt cheap because they are plentiful, old, high milage etc etc. Then once we own them, they are rare and shoud appreciate in value because they are turning into classics, and are unique. Then when we sell them, they should be worth a lot because they are now classics, rare, and highly sought. Every collector shouldn't be without one. Until we go to buy another and the cycle starts over again.
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12:35 PM
DRA Member
Posts: 4543 From: Martinez, Ga, USA Registered: Oct 1999
Kelly Blue Book show a retail price on the 87 coupe to be $1,710.00, so I would think that finding a running car with "minor" problems would be anywhere from $500 to $1000. It's hard to find anything that runs further than out the driveway for under $900, a good go-cart costs more than that. Retail on an 88GT loaded is $3,785.00, I'd say that looking at some other cars the Fiero's have held there value fairly well, I paid $9,000.00 for my base coupe in 1984. With that being said the past three drivable cars I've purchased were an 86SE 2.8 4spd for $250 (parted out most of it and kept some goodies for myself, title issues), an 88 coupe for $350 which is still running but on it's last leg (suspension is finished and now I'm trying to figure out, 3800SC or 4.9), and an 84SE for $250 which needed TLC but was driven onto a trailer and driven from the trailer into my driveway (is now about ready for daily duty with less than a $600 total investment including a new front windshield). You just gotta keep your ear to the ground and realize that what may look like a POS to you may be considered pristine to the current owner, I stay away from those. I picked up an 87GT many years ago that was low miles, I had to have a GT and really shopped around. A/C didn't work but otherwise it seemed fine for about $2,500.00. I ended up spending about as much on it as I have the $250 84SE, ended up needing shift/selector cables, motor/trans mounts, o2 and MAP sensors, and the tires were pretty sad just to name a few.
I never sold every nut and bolt off the 86SE (but still have whats left) but can tell you that selling the parts I did at what I considered a fair price, the car ended up bringing me a couple thousand dollars! Every bit of which went into beer, tools, and the suspension on the 88 coupe.
well its like everyone has said if you wait for a better price itll be gone. i think i got a little bit of the shaft when i bought my 87 se 6 i paid 750 for it im thinkin i should have paid 600 but 150 bucks woo. the car drove 150 miles home without a hiccup. then i drove for a week and had to put a waterpump on it but hey. then about 3 weeks later i came across an 85 gt i paid 180 for it and drove it 100 miles home and the waterpump went out but the car sat for 4 years didnt move never started went out put a battery in it started took to the gas station put super unleaded in it and took off the deals are there to be had. but dont pass up decent deals on the way. cause everybody here now that once that car reaches your driveway there is an attachment to it and the journey begins
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03:38 PM
derangedsheep Member
Posts: 3089 From: Myerstown, PA Registered: Mar 2003
Don't get me wrong, there are some very nice Fieros out there worth the $$$ people are asking for them. I am just talking about the rusted out wreaked crap that people try to push off as being "rare" and worth that $1000-up they are asking.
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06:14 PM
tripple8 Member
Posts: 210 From: Winfield, KS Registered: Feb 2003
A good place to watch is used car lots..... Not the cars thay are trying to sell, but the cars they took for a trade in.(usually behind the office) These are the cars they don't want to mess with and are usually taken to auction.
88 coupe 4cy/5sp ran good faded paint/head lights didn't pop up LOTS of trash inside
Some people get lucky My car (as some have seen) is Ugly as all get out but Heck I dorve it to the 20th from tulsa and back then went to Jstrikers up deep in KS. I paid 300 or so for mine I couldnt have rented a car for those trips for that price. thing that tears me up is When I do find good deals I never have the money. I know where two decent fieros sit for under 300(in better shapethan mine) and a Formula for 500. well there still there Waiting for me to get the money (Thank god) I estimate at my houses current trend of Falling apart unexspectedly I will be able to afford them Next year some time.
Anyone know a cheap plumber in or near tulsa?
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07:15 PM
Dennis LaGrua Member
Posts: 15763 From: Hillsborough, NJ U.S.A. Registered: May 2000
Most of the Fieros that I see offered for sale around here these days seem not to be in used condition but in "used up" condition. A Fiero is a car going on 16, 17 18 19 or 20 years old. If you go to see a high miles Fiero for Sale and the car was and not maintained, then be prepared to see a piece of crap. Better to pay a few bucks more in the first place and buy something good from a Fiero enthusiast than to buy and fix up a "used up" Fiero.
Well, after reading this, i feel like i got lucky with mine. Bought an 85 GT. 160k miles on the car, but only 50k on the jasper rebuilt engine. The interior is great with the exception of a small tear on the drivers seat. The 8 yr old repaint is a little chipped , but all in all, not bad for $800. And it passed Pa state inspection needing only a rear brake hose.
Ok, let me jump in here as a person with a Fiero forsale. Long story short I m one of those people that paid too much for my first Fiero. On top of that I had to replace the water pump and the battery. (It has rusty upper rails) Anywho I decide that selling it as a parts car or a restoration project for someone not afraid to jump in. So I advertise it accordingly it is fairly low mileage 110,000km (67000mi) newer clutch/tranny and seems to run fine. I accept an offer of 450US for the car I figure its fair for both parties. I told the prospective buyer that I had only driven it about 20miles since I bought it and that because of the way it is titled you can't get a temp permit until it passes the safety check. Well the buyer wanted to drive it home about 2 hours on the highway (this car sat in someones backyard for 10 months) I basically stayed with my thought that my not owning the car that long and having not driven it much that I wouldn't guarantee or recommend driving it 150 miles. Because of this he drops the deal if I can't trust the car than its junk......Well correct me if I'm wrong here but if a car is advertised as a "parts car" or a "restoration project" would that not tip you off to the fact that the car may need work to be safetied and road worthy of long trips? Besides if a car is forsale in the 300-600US range its not going to be a perfect car or one in need of a little cosmetic TLC, not to say it doesn't happen, just in general. I think some people expect too much. The little old lady with the $500 corvette in the barn syndrome..
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09:05 PM
Soaper Member
Posts: 1417 From: Nashville, TN Registered: Jun 2002
i know how that is... i found some junk fieros sitting around and they think there goldmines. then the nice ones i go look at i usualy call like a few moments after its sold. anyway Hi Darth from across the border!
Soaper
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10:05 PM
Sep 17th, 2003
johnt671 Member
Posts: 2271 From: sugarloaf pa usa Registered: Feb 2001
Car prices in general are crazy. In my view no car with over 100,000 miles is worth over $1,000, unless it is a classic. My wife and I went used car shopping last year and saw cars in the middle 90s with 150,000 or so miles on them going for 4 to 6,000 dollars. Thats just crazy.
We looked at a nice 89 Mercury Sable wagon with 160,000 + miles for $3,999.
I offered $1,000 for it was was just about kicked off the lot. I felt it was a good offer as a few years ago I bought an 87 Sable wagon with 67,000 miles on it in just as good condition as the above 89 for $1,600.
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09:52 AM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
A guy came by here today with an 84. All orig including wheels. Fair interior, red paint shot, but no damage with a 2.5, 5 speed and 95,000. He wanted $600 and it seemed to run great. (just my 2 cents)
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03:19 PM
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5922 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
I think resale value and asking price have a lot to do with where you live. Given that, used car dealers almost universally bend people over whenever they buy used cars from them. I used to have family in the used car business and can tell you that it is not uncommon for dealers to buy a lot of used cars at less than $500 a car and then turn around and mark those same cars up to sometimes 10 times that amount they payed or more when they make it to the lot. Most of the time these cars are not even looked at by a mechanic but simply driven around a parking lot and cleaned up before they are sold.
But I am not talking about dealerships in this thread. Unfortuneatly, there are too many private sellers that try to mimic used car dealerships.
