'86 Pontiac Fiero, 4cyl, 5spd, exc cond, orig owner, $1700
That is the ad, so right off the bat I know it is an SE (2m4 whatever they called it in 86) which makes me sad because I like the fastback look better. And I want to even say it is an 86.5 because it has a 5 speed and not the 4 speed which I know is how it was for the GT.

So question, say I buy this one, and find a junkyard GT, are all the back panels interchangable to get the fastback look? I think I've read something about the pieces bolting up to each model and I guess if not I could always gather up $8000 for a special body kit.

What all is different from the SE to the GT aside from the obvious engine, and looks. I've thought about getting a Fiero so many times and well now that I will be selling the Jeep hopefully this week, I need a cheap used car in good shape that will be reliable and get me around.

Thanks guy, also thinking about an 88 CRX Si in the area, but its 163k miles, and a somewhat redone 81 Trans Am with a Chevy 350 in it. The CRX is 1650 and the TA is 4000 (ouch because I'd have to come up with a lot more cash to get it but it has a bunch of recent rebuilds and new parts including engine and tranny).

Thanks

My advice would be if you want a fastback GT wait until you can get one. It will cost a lot more to turn a 4 cylinder SE into a GT replica than buying the real thing.
Differences include the obvious like panels and motor. But also include interior differences, suspension differences and more.
Just wait. One will turn up like you want.

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well there is the problem, I don't have time to wait for another car. I am getting rid of my CJ7 this week, and the Ford Tempo I've been driving while trying to get the Jeep fixed is about to break. It has had a massive tranny leak for the past year, and would cost more to replace it then the car is worth (amazingly the tranny still works after all this time with little to no fluid...ford makes good low-end cars but shitty "high-end" cars amazing). Plus theres tinking in the motor, probably something in the head so to fix it would be worthless. And everyday I drive it I always wonder if its going to leave me stranded.

And I have only seen 1 88GT in the area for sale in the past year and half, and I think it is still on autotrader. 14k with some ridicilously low orginal milage and t-tops and all that. I could live with the SE body, as I almost thought about getting an 88 MR2 Supercharged, but it sold awhile back way before I even got the Jeep back to put it up for sale, and that is basically the same looking body as the SE. And I'd rather cut up an SE if I decided to put in a v8 than destory a work of art like a GT.

And all the other GTs I found were way overmilage and in shitty condition, or automatics. I'd rather have a 5 speed "sports car".

I mean if the SE is really good shape and low milage and runs, I could always drive it and then always keep saving up in case a GT pops up?

Under those circumstances it is probably worth a look then. At worse it could make a nice daily driver for when you want to do up a GT down the track

couple of possible corrections...

if the drive train is stock it could be a base coupe or se, depending on body work. the difference bettween 86 and 86.5 isn't an issue (4sp to 5sp getrag). the 5sp isuzu is the stock manual tranny for a 4cyl since '85.

Like stated, all body panels are interchangeable, its just those pesky pop rivets that are annoying. The suspension might be a little softer cause of being the 4 cylinder version, but hey, I'm swapping a 3800 into a 84 right now. The 5 speed that the fiero your looking at is the isuzu 5 speed, not the getrag 5 speed that the v6's had. I say get the car.

My advice is to not get the car if what you are looking for is a RELIABLE daily driver that is needed right away. The car is about 18 years old and if the previous owner was not meticulous at maintaining the car, it may have a few problems that will really tick you off if it is the only transportation that you have and it will not run the day you really need it.

Unless you are certain of the mechanical condition try to keep something else as reliable back-up until you can get the car in tip top shape to do daily driver duties.

I also agree with the advice of getting a GT if that is what you want. Sure you can convert the SE, but it is labor intensive, especially when it is time for the swap to the 2.8 V-6 engine and you have to change out the comupter and the engine wire harness. Also one thing that you may not have thought about is that unless you get the GT tail lights with the clip, you will have a hard time finding a decent set of GT lights for a reasonable cost. Junkyard GTs are not that common. There are lots of notchbacks in yards, not many GTs.

Good luck

*flame suit on*

[This message has been edited by topcat (edited 05-09-2004).]

I might just go back to a MK3 Supra Turbo if I can find a decently running one in the area. I regret getting rid of mine, but then again I will regret letting go of the Jeep when I do.

I just don't think I will be satisfied with a non-boosted 4banger espically since I like the Fastback body, I will just not be happy with the car. I suppose I'll keep my eyes out still.

I did find a '95 z71 extended cab for $1750(!!!!) but with these gas prices expected so high, it might not be the wisest thing. Plus, it must be extremely high milage if a Chevy truck is that cheap. But then again, a Chevy truck is what I wanted in the first place.

Just out of curiosity...

what area are you in?

why dont you gather up 9grand and find someone with a v8 fastback fiero for sale.

a krogers shopping car can smoke a boosted 4banger fiero

I saw an 85GT in the local paper for $8900 last week. 145,000kms. Is that normal? I've been looking for one to replace my 84SE with only 65,000kms...

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