So I'm going back to my apartment at college from my parent's place, and I pull into a gas station. It's sunday night in Utah, so nobody's there, plus it's snowing lightly. The attendant is outside the store having a smoke. I go in to prepay and the dude comes back out to finish his smoke. Halfway full, he asks, "Hey, can I ask you a question?" "Sure." I said. "What kind of gas do you put in that?" "Well, It's supposed to take 87 octane, but Utah's regular gas is 85, so I put midgrade because it's 88 and closest. Everywhere else I think they use 87 as low grade." "Oh, because I drive that mercedes sedan over there, and it says to put 91 only, and I was wondering if that's true, seeing as you have a sports car here." I smiled really big and kindly explained to him that compression ratio is what rules the day on octane ratings, and that he should always put that 91 octane in his Benz. He said he really liked the look of my car and could not believe it was an 86 model and what's more, built by pontiac. Kind of story makes you feel good to be a fiero head. hehe Austin
------------------ If you can't be good, be good at it.
IP: Logged
11:12 PM
PFF
System Bot
Finally_Mine_86_GT Member
Posts: 4809 From: Hyde Park, New York Registered: Sep 2006
I had an AMG 450 SL Mercedes when I did my Ferrari kit. I was just as happy with both of them. Maybe even prefered the Ferrari since I sold the Mercedes because I wasnt driving it hardly anymore.
IP: Logged
07:21 AM
oneloflyr Member
Posts: 135 From: Kearney, MO, USA Registered: Nov 2005
That's true. So many people put the Fiero down. Even Santa did one year. I was at the department store telling Santa what I wanted for Christmas. "I want a red rider Fiero with pump action and a compass on the dash" I said. You know what he said to me? he said "Those things'll catch fire kid. Ho, ho, ho." Then he pushed me down the slide with his boot. Et tu Santa? Sad, sad day indeed. LMAO
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy (8/26/06)
IP: Logged
10:29 AM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
Very true. For less than $20,000 you can build a Fiero that will compete with, and beat, most of what Europe has to offer.
At some shows, the real owners sometime put my ' fake ' down, some were pretty nice. Leaving one big show that had a lot of Ferrari and Lamborghinis, i ended up in line behind 2 real 308s. Soon as we got out of traffic on the 4 lane they both took off, i whipped out and took off after them, passing them eating my dust. Original ones only had 250 hp and weighed 1,000 pnds more.
At some shows, the real owners sometime put my ' fake ' down, some were pretty nice. Leaving one big show that had a lot of Ferrari and Lamborghinis, i ended up in line behind 2 real 308s. Soon as we got out of traffic on the 4 lane they both took off, i whipped out and took off after them, passing them eating my dust. Original ones only had 250 hp and weighed 1,000 pnds more.
Must've felt really good. Especially if they put your car down.
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy (8/26/06)
Agreed! Its amazing when kids who've thrown down $30,000 ask me for advice on everything car realated because of the Fiero. Fierodeletre, the impressive part is where you told him how the compression affects the octane rating and detonation, the Fiero needs as many intellegent street/mechincally smart guys driving them as it can get.
IP: Logged
12:51 PM
fierohoho Member
Posts: 3494 From: Corner of No and Where Registered: Apr 2001
haha that's a good question, fierohoho, maybe he sells whacky tabaccy on the side, hey? I just thought it was great that one of the great unwashed took my chevette-and-citation-suspended, MPFI S10 motor-driven, 14" grand am bewheeled econo 2 seater for a 'sports car' and figured I knew about such things. Luckily I did, haha.
------------------ If you can't be good, be good at it.
haha that's a good question, fierohoho, maybe he sells whacky tabaccy on the side, hey? I just thought it was great that one of the great unwashed took my chevette-and-citation-suspended, MPFI S10 motor-driven, 14" grand am bewheeled econo 2 seater for a 'sports car' and figured I knew about such things. Luckily I did, haha.
At some shows, the real owners sometime put my ' fake ' down, some were pretty nice. Leaving one big show that had a lot of Ferrari and Lamborghinis, i ended up in line behind 2 real 308s. Soon as we got out of traffic on the 4 lane they both took off, i whipped out and took off after them, passing them eating my dust. Original ones only had 250 hp and weighed 1,000 pnds more.
when i see somthing like this, normaly I would say: and after you beat them, they took there 100 thousand dollar cars home to there mansions and ****ed there supermodel wives. and forgot all about it.
but you prolly went to hooters and 308 ferraris where pretty crappy so your pretty much even lol.
IP: Logged
02:05 AM
84fierotrevor Member
Posts: 4998 From: puyallup washington Registered: Oct 2001
Very true. For less than $20,000 you can build a Fiero that will compete with, and beat, most of what Europe has to offer.
yet people with hundreds of thousands of dollars. are still happier with there REAL european cars.
and with 20 thousand dollars u can do the same thing u do with a fiero to a toyota mr2. 1995 dodge neon. 1986 dodge omni 1980's ford festiva.
it isnt about just the speed, I have been lucky enough to have the opertunity to drive a few exotics around.
a fiero with 20 thousand into it might be just as fast or even faster. but it isn't even close to the experince of a real exotic. most exotics are true works of art. designed from the ground up for its purpose. with small things like unborn calfskin leather being almost unoticable to big things like how the engine was built and designed just for that car. not a motor swaped among many other cars just thrown in the back. its everything combined that makes it what its worth. not just the top speed, acceleration, or handling
IP: Logged
02:13 AM
Riceburner98 Member
Posts: 2179 From: Natick, Ma, USA Registered: Apr 2002
yet people with hundreds of thousands of dollars. are still happier with there REAL european cars.
But people who build up their own cars can be happy too. All depends on the person. I'm more of a "Hey, look what I was able to do." than a "Hey, look what I wrote a check for." kind of guy myself. But that's just me.
------------------ Whade' "The Duck Formerly Known As Wade" Duck '87 GT Auto '88 Ferrario '84 Indy (8/26/06)
yet people with hundreds of thousands of dollars. are still happier with there REAL european cars.
That's one of the dumbest things I've heard you come up with yet... How can you possibly claim to quantify my happiness with my car in association with income to that of someone with a greater (or lesser) income and a different vehicle?
That'd be like me saying that I make more money than you, therefore I'm certain that I'm happier with my motorcycle than you are with yours! Yet neither of us knows enough about the other and their satisfaction with their bike, nor their level of income!
BTW - it's pretty easy to see that a lot of those "happier" people with their "REAL" cars are a lot less "happy" with the other aspects of their lives...
yet people with hundreds of thousands of dollars. are still happier with there REAL european cars.
You're wrong.... The only reason that the European built cars bring their owners immense satisfaction is because of their monetary value and history. I've met many and know many people in this crowd and I know that some of the most ignorant people drive exotics. They have no idea why they love their car other than the fact that its worth a good bit and it may be fast.... Being that I can appreciate a car for how its built and looks rather than what its worth, I know I can build a Fiero that is worth driving just as much as Toyota Supra or BMW M1.
People with $100,000's of dollars lack character: be sure I know, I'm related to several. I can appreciate both their cars and my own more than they can because I have an idea about what I like, not what has the biggest tag or more sales rep.
If your trying to say you'd rather drive a REAL exotic, then go build yourself some passive and portfolio income and buy yourself one... don't tell me which I will like better, because my Fiero is as close to the real thing (A sports car) as its gonna get to me. It will be sitting right next whatever 'exotic' I'll own 20 years down the road, thats a promise... I'll never sell it.
I drive my car now because because its different and everyone likes it (I like it more). But I don't drive it because I enjoy the leather and or its value but because I enjoy it... People with money many times do not enjoy the pleasures of driving something they want to be driving because they are too busy competing with the Jones'.
I plan on building a Fiero that is just as or more comfortable than a Ferrari/BMW. I have ridden in a Fiero with almost $30,000.00 in it; Robert Ver Halens. It was an experience, because he threw thousands of dollars at the interior and exterior. it was very comfortable, and with the windows tinted and the atmosphere the way that it was situated I thought it was a better ride than an exotic (I've riden in a few too... its not that rare of a pleasure)
With some power and comfort, and knowing that the interior was my own idea and design- Where Ver Halen pissed me off- I'd enjoy it more.
BTW - it's pretty easy to see that a lot of those "happier" people with their "REAL" cars are a lot less "happy" with the other aspects of their lives...
Agreed.. pssh I'm not even going to go into that.... Hell its christmas... Why are we argueing about this?
Edit: Lets just say you come get a ride a few years down the road in my Fiero and re-think your oppinion.
[This message has been edited by Emc209i (edited 12-19-2006).]
IP: Logged
05:25 PM
jeffndebrus Member
Posts: 2772 From: Jacksonville, Fl- usa Registered: Aug 2001
Before this turns into a flamewar about who is better richer or has a better car---Give me a break--
I have a Mercedes diesel 83 300sd. The car is not fast even with a turbo. But it has a certain feel--almost a personality. The ride is steady and sure. The engine has a comforting blurble gurgle sound-lol. There is loads of room even for five adults and a huge trunkspace. It gets about 25mpg and it is a fine car to look at.
But how would I begin to compare that to driving my DGP IMSA? The IMSA has a growl through it's turbo--no cat and no muffler just resonator tips. The seat is firm and supportive. The 4 spd is tight and no slipping with the centerforce clutch. And best of all, the car is unique. We have a town full of 800+hp Mustangs that can beat the crap out of any Eurpean car---- but they don't turn heads like the little IMSA --
Each car and each owner develope a relationship and whatever makes you happy is a good thing. Just be glad everyone doesn't drive a Fiero or you wouldn't feel so special.
------------------ Proud Member of the North Florida Fiero club 4T60E Parks harness/ Rockcrawl chip-- more to come--
That was not my intention. I love all cars exotic and non. And yes I about fell over when a Metallic red 200X Mercedes pulled up next to me other day.
But the rich ppl like their cars better then the Fiero line isn't working for me here...If anyone wants to be an impersonal "old money" character than they can be one, don't tell me that the car is not just as capable because of what one stereotype thinks. Think outside the box and try building it first before saying it can't be done. There's a lot to say about TLC and several well placed mods and 20k invested in more than just a motor.
I know it can be done...
[This message has been edited by Emc209i (edited 12-19-2006).]
IP: Logged
06:08 PM
bmwguru Member
Posts: 4692 From: Howell, NJ USA Registered: Sep 2006
Not everyone who has a german car is rich. Of all my customers, the Ferrari and Porsche owners are the cheapest people you'd meet. The BMW and Mercedes clientele are usually good, the Benz people are in the car for the name brand. The BMW owners are in it for the technology. Anyhow, I currently own a Mercedes ML500, BMW 740iL, Honda CRV and a Fiero GT. Let me tell you. The Euro cars are amazing compared to anything built in Detroit. I can't even compare, but I had a Chevy 2500 4x4 stuck in the mud up to the bed and my Benz went into the mud in low range and pulled it out. My Fiero has as many german thought upgrades to he interior...ie suede interior, VDO gauges, fiber optics. and my next Fiero will be sporting a BMW V8 or 2.7 Turbo engine. Dave
You German car people make me sick Also, I don't believe BMW owners are in it for the technology, probably more for the name than ANY other car brand, seriously. Why would you insult Detroit (American Cars) when you own a PONTIAC Fiero. How about you go buy a BMW and leave the appreciating of Fieros to the rest of us.
IP: Logged
07:47 PM
bmwguru Member
Posts: 4692 From: Howell, NJ USA Registered: Sep 2006
You German car people make me sick Also, I don't believe BMW owners are in it for the technology, probably more for the name than ANY other car brand, seriously. Why would you insult Detroit (American Cars) when you own a PONTIAC Fiero. How about you go buy a BMW and leave the appreciating of Fieros to the rest of us.
hey I am just stating my opinion. The Fiero is was the only good thing GM made past 1973. My 1987 GT is my 3rd Fiero, 2nd V8 Fiero...and I'll be in the market for another in a few months. The german technology is ahead of it's time. They had 4 wheel disc brakes in the 60's...on almost all the Mercedes cars. Fuel injection was standard in the 60's. Most regular techs don't understand CIS and CIS-E Injection, so they say german technology sucks, because they don't understand how it works. Putting a V8 in a Fiero is easy: cut, weld, put a wire to the starter, alternator and coil and drive away. Try putting a M5 motor into something that it doesn't fit. Will the instrument cluster recognize the DME? Will the EWS allow the car to start? What about the traction system if a M50 intake is used on a M52 engine. Let's design a fuel map to work with the performance cams. So putting in the motor is the easy part. Anyway, I love my Fiero more than my Mercedes and BMW. I just wish I could have the best of both worlds....a midengine sports car, with the torque of an V8 American car, but the german chassis, brakes, and computer systems. Dave
I hear you man, just giving you crap about BMW because so many people believe that nothing is better in looks, performance, and the list can go on and on. Personally (now this is just my opinion mind you) I think that BMW is overrated. I'll give you one thing though, they do have some great technology. Also, glad to hear you like your Fiero that much.
BMW has had some cool cars, especially form the late eighties to the late 90's. even early 00's. But whoever they hired to take over the design bureau for their entire line needs to be taken out and teabagged repeatedly. Look at a classy, cute little Z3 and compare to that bulbous, non-sequitr lined, orwellian time machine that is the Z4. They ruined the five series, have finally had their way with the three, even though it held out for a while, and they wouldn't let the M6 finish a great idea and forced it to have that stupid fender-becomes-the-trunk-becomes-the-tailight stlying too. Great cars, well-built, WAY too expensive for what you get, and as of lately, uglier than a can full of squashed a-holes.
------------------ If you can't be good, be good at it.
IP: Logged
10:46 PM
jeffndebrus Member
Posts: 2772 From: Jacksonville, Fl- usa Registered: Aug 2001
Originally posted by bmwguru: I just wish I could have the best of both worlds....a midengine sports car, with the torque of an V8 American car, but the german chassis, brakes, and computer systems. Dave
I saw a nice yellow 911 at Daytona last year for sale with a freshly transplanted 350sbc in it. I sure wish I could have test driven it.
IP: Logged
11:36 PM
PFF
System Bot
Dec 20th, 2006
84fierotrevor Member
Posts: 4998 From: puyallup washington Registered: Oct 2001
That's one of the dumbest things I've heard you come up with yet... How can you possibly claim to quantify my happiness with my car in association with income to that of someone with a greater (or lesser) income and a different vehicle?
That'd be like me saying that I make more money than you, therefore I'm certain that I'm happier with my motorcycle than you are with yours! Yet neither of us knows enough about the other and their satisfaction with their bike, nor their level of income!
BTW - it's pretty easy to see that a lot of those "happier" people with their "REAL" cars are a lot less "happy" with the other aspects of their lives...
thats dumb? how is saying someone that baought a exotic sports car is enjoying it more then they would enjoy a fiero. they didn't buy a fiero right???? they can afford a exotic right? but they didn't buy a fiero. they bought a exotic. so therefor they enjoy driving there exotic more then they do driving a fiero. that isn't stupid at all. an exotic is sitting in there garage not a fiero. so obveisly if they wanted a fiero they would have bought one.
doesnt matter why they bought it. or how fast a fiero CAN be to a exotic or that your friend has one that beat ferraris. that isnt relevent to what u just qouted me on. what u qouted me on was that it was bullshit that i said the people where enjoying there exotics more then fieros.
IP: Logged
12:37 AM
84fierotrevor Member
Posts: 4998 From: puyallup washington Registered: Oct 2001
That was not my intention. I love all cars exotic and non. And yes I about fell over when a Metallic red 200X Mercedes pulled up next to me other day.
But the rich ppl like their cars better then the Fiero line isn't working for me here...If anyone wants to be an impersonal "old money" character than they can be one, don't tell me that the car is not just as capable because of what one stereotype thinks. Think outside the box and try building it first before saying it can't be done. There's a lot to say about TLC and several well placed mods and 20k invested in more than just a motor.
I know it can be done...
i never said people with exotics are better people then fiero owners u and minngreen both took my post the wrong way. i said that people with exotics are enjoying there REAL exoitcs more then replicas,. if they wanted a fiero or a replica they would have bought one. they didn't so its very obveise they would rather have the real thing. and as for all ur my car when built will be just as good or better then a exotic in every way jargin. i here honda tuners saying that stuff all the time.
i also like how u both clumped all people wealthy enough together as a stereotype saying most of em arnt happy with the rest of there lives. I live in huntington beach. most people here make well over 100 thousand dollars. everyone here is just like everyone else. some are happy. some arnt. there is no diffrence or major population here that is depressed or unhappy with there lives.
build a great fiero, thats awsome. i own a fiero too. im not shitting on fieros, but i am saying a exotic is a totaly diffrent driving experince that isn't the same as a modified fiero. and its gonna take thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars just to wind tunnel test and reshape the fiero to achive the same or better caractorists as most current exotics. are you going to replace every body panel with carbon fiber as well? use titanium screws? gold plate the engine bay for heat dissipation? make it awd? add one of those insanly fast steptronics with padelshift? have a new frame built from aluminum? if so awsome. i will save yor build thread to my favorites. cause it will definitly be the most modified fiero to get to the level of some of these exotics.
IP: Logged
01:31 AM
jeffndebrus Member
Posts: 2772 From: Jacksonville, Fl- usa Registered: Aug 2001
i never said people with exotics are better people then fiero owners u and minngreen both took my post the wrong way. i said that people with exotics are enjoying there REAL exoitcs more then replicas,. if they wanted a fiero or a replica they would have bought one. they didn't so its very obveise they would rather have the real thing. and as for all ur my car when built will be just as good or better then a exotic in every way jargin. i here honda tuners saying that stuff all the time.
i also like how u both clumped all people wealthy enough together as a stereotype saying most of em arnt happy with the rest of there lives. I live in huntington beach. most people here make well over 100 thousand dollars. everyone here is just like everyone else. some are happy. some arnt. there is no diffrence or major population here that is depressed or unhappy with there lives.
build a great fiero, thats awsome. i own a fiero too. im not shitting on fieros, but i am saying a exotic is a totaly diffrent driving experince that isn't the same as a modified fiero. and its gonna take thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars just to wind tunnel test and reshape the fiero to achive the same or better caractorists as most current exotics. are you going to replace every body panel with carbon fiber as well? use titanium screws? gold plate the engine bay for heat dissipation? make it awd? add one of those insanly fast steptronics with padelshift? have a new frame built from aluminum? if so awsome. i will save yor build thread to my favorites. cause it will definitly be the most modified fiero to get to the level of some of these exotics.
I'll let you know when I build a McLaren, untill then stay tunned to car that will compete with $30,000-$100,000 Cars.....
You are the one that is taking this outta context not me.... I'm not building a supercar... I'm building a daily drivable sports car with lots of top end thats loads of fun to drive, handles like a Porsche, and feels European on the inside...
Let me restate your mistake in assumption: DO NOT TELL ME THAT THE FIERO CAN NOT BE JUST AS ENJOYABLE AS DRIVING A 355 SPIDER. I'm not building a Ferrari CLONE, I'm building a FIERO!
I'll let my car do the talking from now on, thats what it does, you can discuss it here. No anger or hate meant by this I'm just rolling my eyes because this is wasting your time just as it is mine. I have a garage to clean out so I can wire my motor soon.
I saw a nice yellow 911 at Daytona last year for sale with a freshly transplanted 350sbc in it. I sure wish I could have test driven it.
I saw that porsche/chevy conversion and i still have no idea how it fit. The flat six is a very very tight fit. Also, the two BMW's that stand out are the M-coupe (it looks like a shoe) and the 850csi...very sexy. I don't have pics, but look them up on ebay. If you like Fiero's you'll like them. Dave
IP: Logged
08:05 AM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
It seems to me talking with the girls at the restaurant, Corvette drivers are some of the cheapest tippers and gripers about food prices. Seems pretty rude to me to give a girl a $2 tip for a $30 bill when she gives you good service and you have a new AND a classic Corvette in your garage. I do see a lot of people try to make you think they are so much better because THEY drive a BMW or Porsche. While some may be, it only shows you have the means to write a check and has no bearing on how happy your life is. I heard this woman who was prancing around a club tell the valet' to bring her car, a BMW. Apparently she thought she was the only one with enough class to own one....I cracked up when he told her ' which one, we have lots of those parked'.
how is saying someone that baought a exotic sports car is enjoying it more then they would enjoy a fiero.
i said the people where enjoying there exotics more then fieros.
Yet, that isn't what you said...
yet people with hundreds of thousands of dollars. are still happier with there REAL european cars.
...it may not have come out the way you intended it to, but that's clearly the way the rest of us understood your statement (and the way that it "reads"). Your original statement failed to include the "more than Fieros" part - or "more than anything..." for that matter.
Also note that I didn't say "ALL" wealthy people were unhappy (and a $100k annual income doesn't make one "wealthy" - especially in CA)... I said "a lot" - and that's a pretty well recognized fact. Money (despite all our hopes), does not automatically equal happiness.
IP: Logged
09:49 AM
tednelson83 Member
Posts: 1993 From: Santa Clarita, California, USA Registered: Jul 2002
Emc209i One last thing.... I am an exotic enthusiest. Thats why I bought a Fiero... Something to think about.
I am in agreeance with this statement the most. I consider the Fiero to be a semi-exotic, along with the mr2 and other cars of that type. they are just as cool but are made on a cheaper budget.
------------------ 1987 Pontiac Fiero GT, 148,000 miles!decklid window, silver guages. rear ended someone, and now the rebuilding starts! More pics of my 87 GT can be found here 1985 Pontiac Fiero 2m4 auto, 222K miles and counting <-my first car, and i still cant get rid of her! 2002 Toyota Celica GT, 5-speed, 47K miles <-FOR SALE! A 4 year olds knowledge of science: No matter how much jello you put into a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
[This message has been edited by tednelson83 (edited 12-21-2006).]
LMAO 
Especially if they put your car down.
That's one of the dumbest things I've heard you come up with yet... How can you possibly claim to quantify my happiness with my car in association with income to that of someone with a greater (or lesser) income and a different vehicle?
