Looks like it's time to buy a '94-'96 Impala SS.
But seriously, it's just like Jezza in the Starion, every test was chosen to penalize the stick shifted sports car.
They shoulda tested a Syclone or Typhoon.

[This message has been edited by Isolde (edited 12-20-2010).]

I enjoyed the episode myself but I didn't get to see all of it due to a phone call. I'm still waiting to see a Fiero on Overhauling!

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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow!! What a ride!"

Anyone catch Tanner saying that the fiero was crippled from a "every fiero that was made had recall work done"? I imagine that this was in pseudo response to the burning down remark that the other host made. I figured it was only a matter of time before the "fire hazard" remark came up.

It would have been way cool if they came up to the milford proving grounds... Our test track up here is awesome!

quote Originally posted by darkhorizon: Anyone catch Tanner saying that the fiero was crippled from a "every fiero that was made had recall work done"? It would have been way cool if they came up to the milford proving grounds... Our test track up here is awesome!

i think its cool they were in MI to start. to bad we did not know about this.

now if memory serves me right.....did not every Fiero need a "heat shield" recall.....or something. i thought i have read somewhere that some of the newer Fieros "Have Not Had The Recall Done".......any truth to that??

i have to go check something.......
Dan

I think it was a really cool episode. Even my wife enjoyed it and she's not into cars. That was a nice Fiero. Too bad they trashed it. At least it wasn't an 88 and it was gold

quote Originally posted by paulcal: I enjoyed the episode myself but I didn't get to see all of it due to a phone call. I'm still waiting to see a Fiero on Overhauling!

Overhaulin' is no longer done. I met Chip Foose in Newton, IA on the 2010 Hot Rod Power Tour and he said he was trying for another build show with competing shops building cars. He mentioned that he had repainted many Fieros at his father's shop. He also made a comment about Fiero fires. The only "modern" car they ever did was a Honda. Overhaulin' rarely did cars with all the computer components. Just slap a big carburator on a V8 and go. I hope they just don't do a Fiero on "Pimp my Car".

Didn't know pimp my ride was still on lol...and over-haulin' wasn't much better imho.

I think that show foose was talking about got canceled...was two shops turning cars into stuff and competing for 100k.

I agree that its a shame to trash such a nice car, and the water test was stupid(it was stupid when UK did it too) but in this case I am glad they picked a nice car. In the UK version the cars never make it to the destination without multiple breakdowns. It was nice to see the Fiero make it through everything and all the road trips just fine. Yeah, the water killed the computer, but that isn't a fault of the Fiero. I think over all it was good publicity for the Fiero. It would have been nice if they had done a real handling test. Then to counter it and give the Fiero something to lose in they could have done a grocery fitting test of carry the most people around of something.

I've been watching this thread from the sidelines since it came up last week... I am happy to see that not everyone is ragging on TopGear US, and a few of you are even complimenting it! I too was worried that PFF would become the American version of the Morris Marina Owners Club. Especially after the backlash from Leno's stunt which resulted in the crushing of a Fiero (quite awhile back).

For those that think the tests or reviews were "stupid" ~ are you new to Top Gear? Aside from timed laps on their test track, none of their "tests" are meant to be serious or functional in any way. It's called entertainment.

I have not yet seen the episode (it wasn't online last night when I checked)... but I'm looking forward to seeing & enjoying it!

PS: If you want to keep up with Top Gear (US, UK, AUS, etc - even 5th Gear UK) - check out www.finalgear.com

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Looking for Fiero posters?

quote Originally posted by TommyRocker: I agree that its a shame to trash such a nice car, and the water test was stupid(it was stupid when UK did it too) but in this case I am glad they picked a nice car. In the UK version the cars never make it to the destination without multiple breakdowns. It was nice to see the Fiero make it through everything and all the road trips just fine. Yeah, the water killed the computer, but that isn't a fault of the Fiero. I think over all it was good publicity for the Fiero. It would have been nice if they had done a real handling test. Then to counter it and give the Fiero something to lose in they could have done a grocery fitting test of carry the most people around of something.

My thoughts exactly, I also feel as if the tests didnt exactly reflect the intent of the mission (paraphrase) " the ultimate comeback car for america" . Although Tanner misstated the "All Fieros were recalled" for the fire issue, Atleast he pointed out that "it was a good start with a bad follow though", and that if brought back it would be a "race engineered sports car" and finally at least it wasn't a P.O.S. broadcasted on national television

I also want to mention that both of the problems his car had, my car has, too. My headlight motors are shot and my E-brake is 100% non-functional... damned Fieros...

Edit to add... What would the Olds have managed in the 0-60 test if Adam Ferrara knew how to drive? I mean, who the hell starts a 0-60 run with a burn out so you have no traction until second gear?

[This message has been edited by TommyRocker (edited 12-20-2010).]

quote Originally posted by darkhorizon: I always wondered why Leno wasnt the host?

Leno was offered the show but said he didn't want it. Leno said he believes that the show may have to worry about offending current and potential sponsors by giving their products poor reviews, leading to a compromise in the journalistic integrity and freedom of the original show.

I have worked in television for over 35 years and have seen that exact thing happen in news shows, so I think he might have a point. We'll have to see. One way to avoid it would be to not have automotive companies sponsor it (no advertising to the core audience?) or just keep it to aftermarket products and no automotive manufactures.

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Jim Martin
White '86 GT
California

quote Originally posted by TommyRocker: I also want to mention that both of the problems his car had, my car has, too. My headlight motors are shot and my E-brake is 100% non-functional... damned Fieros...

Well so did my 20 year old SE. I didn't say **** it and fill the car with water, I fixed the issues. Even when the car was totaled I did my very best to get the car back on the road.
There does come a time when its just not worth it to keep working on a car but the SE they destroyed was far from that state.

quote Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: ..

I wont watch the show any more. I saw the first one and part of the one from last night and after reading the reviews and comments on the history Chanel forums I know I'm not the only one that thinks they need to stick to sharks.