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I'm Curious... How long have you used a Fiero as a daily driver? by R Runner
Started on: 11-29-2010 08:36 PM
Replies: 63
Last post by: shawnk on 12-08-2010 02:07 AM
R Runner
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Report this Post11-29-2010 08:36 PM Click Here to See the Profile for R RunnerSend a Private Message to R RunnerDirect Link to This Post
Just like the title says......

How many years (or months) have you been driving a Fiero as a daily driver? What model is it? Is there anyone who has been driving one since the 80's?
I also want to know why you keep driving one daily. It is a lot of work to keep a 25 year old car going everyday, year after year.

And of course..... let's see a picture

I'll go first..... I have been driving an '87 GT 5sp as a daily driver since the fall of 1996. I have had 2 different cars in that time period. Currently I'm driving a blue one that I love. The reason I drive one daily is just because I enjoy driving these cars. The gas mileage is pretty good (27 to 28 mpg combined) and it works well for my 20 mile one way drive to work. I will admit that I use my 4x4 Suburban when we are expecting significant snow accumulations because we live in the middle of nowhere and they don't plow the roads for at least 8 to 12 hours after a storm. That happens about 3 times a year.



Anyone else?
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Report this Post11-29-2010 08:51 PM Click Here to See the Profile for SynthesisSend a Private Message to SynthesisDirect Link to This Post
The one I had at the Tyler Show... Bought it in December of 2000, been driving it ever since except for an 18 month stint in 2005/2006 when I had sold it and bought it back...

1986 SE Frankencar.. Parts from every year..
No photo immediately available, as it is on my work PC.

[This message has been edited by Synthesis (edited 11-29-2010).]

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ltlfrari
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Report this Post11-29-2010 08:51 PM Click Here to See the Profile for ltlfrariClick Here to visit ltlfrari's HomePageSend a Private Message to ltlfrariDirect Link to This Post
My first one was a n85, used it every day except while I did a DOHC swap, then every day after that until I wrecked it.
#2 is also an 85 v6. I use it every day and I have an 88 that I sue if the 85 is off the road for any reason. I'd use the 88 all the time as well but it has an oil leak I need to fix before I sue it regularly.

------------------
Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

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Report this Post11-29-2010 09:00 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Fformula88Send a Private Message to Fformula88Direct Link to This Post
I drove a Fiero basically daily for 9 months of the year (parked it during the winter) from 1997 through 2009. That 88 Formula coupe suffered a spun bearing this spring and I sold it to a local who is working to restore the car. 160K on the clock at that time.

I did replace it with an 88 Formula t-top in stellar condition and 87K miles. It is no daily driver however as it leaks a ton in the rain and with the lack of availability of new seals I doubt I am going to be able to fully stop that bad habit. So it is more of a weekend toy now.

First pic is my old Formula. I have to admit I really miss it and at times think I should have kept it and held onto it. It looks better in pics than it did in person, it had original paint and was a bit rough. Second pic is the t-top, it was painted in 2007 and looks really good in person. (Wheels are the same, they were new out of the original boxes a couple years ago, and although I prefer the black lace rims these are mint and I had to hold onto them. At least both cars are beechwood interior cars, so they sort of go ok)



This images is larger than 153600 bytes. Click to view.
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Report this Post11-29-2010 09:02 PM Click Here to See the Profile for skuzzbomerSend a Private Message to skuzzbomerDirect Link to This Post
85gt automatic... Been driving it daily since June of last year ('09).

So far, I've put 20k miles on it... A few things have gone wrong but its served me well enough
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Report this Post11-29-2010 09:04 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Jake_DragonSend a Private Message to Jake_DragonDirect Link to This Post
The same one? I have been driving "a" Fiero for the last 10 years

When my SE destroyed the motor the first thing I did was find another Fiero to drive to work until I could get my GT back on the road. Now I'm driving it until my Vette is back on the road then I will drive the Vette and the Fiero.
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Report this Post11-29-2010 09:09 PM Click Here to See the Profile for katore8105Click Here to visit katore8105's HomePageSend a Private Message to katore8105Direct Link to This Post
I have 10k flawless running engine miles on my 87 SE with an 87 model 2.5 GM reman installed.
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Rick 88
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Report this Post11-29-2010 09:24 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Rick 88Send a Private Message to Rick 88Direct Link to This Post
I drove my first white 88 GT 5-speed daily for about 4 years. When I found my dream yellow 88 GT 5-speed, the white one was sold, and I drove my yellow one for 11 years. My daily commute is about 36 miles total 5 days a week plus what ever I do on weekends. With normal maintenance my yellow GT was very reliable, and got between 26 to 28 mpg regular as clockwork.

When I purchased my next dream Fiero, a red 88 Mera 5-speed, the yellow GT went to a great new home, and is still running fine. While I don't drive the Mera daily, it gets regularly driven about 3 to 4 days a week. This will probably be my last Fiero as I intend to keep it till the wheels fall off. Then I will put them back on and keep driving!
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Report this Post11-29-2010 09:33 PM Click Here to See the Profile for kwagnerClick Here to visit kwagner's HomePageSend a Private Message to kwagnerDirect Link to This Post
My red 86 gt auto was my daily driver from the summer of 2005 until this past summer, when I got a house within walking distance of where I work. Now it's getting a little rest
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Report this Post11-29-2010 09:36 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Cheever3000Send a Private Message to Cheever3000Direct Link to This Post
 
quote

How long have you used a Fiero as a daily driver?


Hardly ever. Every time I have tried, they let me down. Fieros are money pits, from my experience.
That's why I have given up and put up for sale the one I have now. It will be my last, but only because
I lack the expertise, the money, and the time & energy to put into them. I'm not cut out to be a
collector-car owner.

[This message has been edited by Cheever3000 (edited 11-29-2010).]

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Fiero84Freak
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Report this Post11-29-2010 09:42 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Fiero84FreakSend a Private Message to Fiero84FreakDirect Link to This Post
This isn't me, but this fine gentleman has had his '84 since new and last time I checked was still driving it. I think he's a member of the Northern Illinois Fiero Club, but not sure if he's a member.

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Report this Post11-29-2010 10:11 PM Click Here to See the Profile for johnyrottinSend a Private Message to johnyrottinDirect Link to This Post
I started driving Fieros in 85...bumperpad 85 2M4 manual in silver. Loved that little clunker. Been driving them ever since in various different years and bodystyles. I drive them because they are comfortable and I loved the car back then as I do now. I had a couple of hiatuses when I was stationed over in Japan and England but came right back when I was posted in teh USA! I haven't found a more comfortable ride even in my wifes handle, and in the 4.9L form...thump!$50k BMW!!! I just dig the way they look, feek, smell, and in the 4.9L form...thump!

[This message has been edited by johnyrottin (edited 11-30-2010).]

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86_fiero_gt_92
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Report this Post11-29-2010 10:19 PM Click Here to See the Profile for 86_fiero_gt_92Send a Private Message to 86_fiero_gt_92Direct Link to This Post
drove mine from april 2010 till aug 2010, thats when i decided that i missed the power of my old GTP so i decided to do the only sensible thing and so a 3800sc swap lol




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Report this Post11-29-2010 10:28 PM Click Here to See the Profile for thumper_64735Send a Private Message to thumper_64735Direct Link to This Post
I drove my 87 Notchie base from Oct 06 till Jan 09 when it developed a lower end knock. I still drove it on shrot trips up until about 3 months ago. I have been using an 85 Notchie base that I paid 400.00 for as my daily driver, logging around 150 miles a day since Dec 09. Both are 4cyl 5spd and besides the 87 needing the motor replaced, all I have had to do to either one is basic maint and repair. A nice bonus, they both get better mileage than my wife's Lexus or Cavalier, lol
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Report this Post11-29-2010 11:54 PM Click Here to See the Profile for solotwoSend a Private Message to solotwoDirect Link to This Post
I bought my 88 coupe from Stan Rakovan in Pittsburgh in the fall of 2001. It was a parts car and needed some work. No problem, I figured I had time as it was purchased as a hobby vehicle. I had the solo 2 car, a company car( demo) and now the Fiero. Well in December of the same year the new owner of the dealership let the old employees go. So I lost my demo. From that point on I drove the Fiero( we sold the solo 2 car( a CRXSi). It was the only car I had. The wife has her car and I have mine. So from January 2002 when I found employment again until April of this year( I have a demo again) I drove the Fiero basically everyday, summer, winter, fall, spring. I leaned how to drive it in West Michigan winters and did better than most people in this town, yes even the idiots in their 4X4s.

As a parts car it was not the best looking, and still is in the same condition. I am now going to learn to do fiberglass patching. The car had 86K when I bought it and now has 161K. It was a Texas car and I dont know how long it was in Pittsburgh. It doesnt have very much rust. Just this fall, a couple of small patches popped up on both sides of the trunk. Of course under the battery was bad. It no longer has a liquid battery in it.

So I will do a search to find the picture of it that was posted by snapperhead when we went to the Burn Survivors car show.




Steve W.
NE Grand Rapids, MI
88 Coupe

[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 11-30-2010).]

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Primaris
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Report this Post11-29-2010 11:55 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PrimarisClick Here to visit Primaris's HomePageSend a Private Message to PrimarisDirect Link to This Post
I'm not currently DD'ing a Fiero, but I did for about 12 years. '88 to '97 it was an '86 SE then from '97 to '03 it was an '88 GT.
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Report this Post11-30-2010 12:05 AM Click Here to See the Profile for AlibiSend a Private Message to AlibiDirect Link to This Post
My 86 GT has been my DD for a little over a year now. 2.8 with 4T60 auto. I've got a 3.4 and a fresh nonslipping auto to go into this spring though
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Report this Post11-30-2010 12:25 AM Click Here to See the Profile for nitroheadz28Send a Private Message to nitroheadz28Direct Link to This Post
Bought August 3rd 2010, blew the water pump 2 weeks later.. Back on the road within a few days, daily drove for 2 months till the first week of October and wrecked it.. Currently rebuilding and getting it roadworthy.
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Report this Post11-30-2010 12:26 AM Click Here to See the Profile for RWDPLZSend a Private Message to RWDPLZDirect Link to This Post
Mine was my daily driver from about May 2004 until about May 2010. Still would be if I could weld
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nitroheadz28
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Report this Post11-30-2010 12:28 AM Click Here to See the Profile for nitroheadz28Send a Private Message to nitroheadz28Direct Link to This Post
Bought August 3rd 2010, blew the water pump 2 weeks later.. Back on the road within a few days, daily drove for 2 months till the first week of October and wrecked it.. It gave me a decent amount of issues when daily driving it. Currently rebuilding and getting it roadworthy.

[This message has been edited by nitroheadz28 (edited 11-30-2010).]

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Report this Post11-30-2010 01:09 AM Click Here to See the Profile for pontiackid86Send a Private Message to pontiackid86Direct Link to This Post
The longets my 87 went as DD status was about maby 6 months when the engine on my firebird went. after that is been a driveway queen ever since.


Not to mention the ladies love it

[This message has been edited by pontiackid86 (edited 11-30-2010).]

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Report this Post11-30-2010 02:03 AM Click Here to See the Profile for AustralianClick Here to visit Australian's HomePageSend a Private Message to AustralianDirect Link to This Post
I used mine as a daily driver for about 4 years and it was actually quite reliable i just decided to fix it up as it was looking quite poor for a car with 26k on clock.
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Report this Post11-30-2010 03:33 AM Click Here to See the Profile for nutherproject68Send a Private Message to nutherproject68Direct Link to This Post
I use mine as a DD all year round. I bought it in December of 08 and started driving it daily in March of 09. It's not completely fair because I have a 2nd car that is strictly for summer use. I think I've put on 8k since I got it.

*It's an 86 GT.

[This message has been edited by nutherproject68 (edited 11-30-2010).]

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Cliff Pennock
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Report this Post11-30-2010 05:32 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Cliff PennockClick Here to visit Cliff Pennock's HomePageSend a Private Message to Cliff PennockDirect Link to This Post
This car has been my daily driver since (I think) 1998:



I must admit though that I don't put more than 4,000 miles per year on it.
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Report this Post11-30-2010 06:07 AM Click Here to See the Profile for OreifClick Here to visit Oreif's HomePageSend a Private Message to OreifDirect Link to This Post
From May 1986 until April 1997 it was the daily driver.
Black 1986 SE.

------------------

Happiness isn't around the corner...
Happiness IS the corner.

ZZ4 Powered !!

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grkboy707
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Report this Post11-30-2010 06:45 AM Click Here to See the Profile for grkboy707Send a Private Message to grkboy707Direct Link to This Post
I only got to drive mine about 5 months (250 miles a week) before I crashed it.
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yellowstone
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Report this Post11-30-2010 07:38 AM Click Here to See the Profile for yellowstoneSend a Private Message to yellowstoneDirect Link to This Post
Purchased it in October 1994, used as a DD until October 1995, then used it again as a DD from October 2009. I don't have another car now but then I use the bicycle to go to work.

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Report this Post11-30-2010 07:51 AM Click Here to See the Profile for CoolBlue87GTSend a Private Message to CoolBlue87GTDirect Link to This Post
My daily drivers start with :

84 Sports coupe , bought new Oct 83, drove for 225k miles, traded in on 85


85 SE V6 , bought new Nov 84, drove 200k miles, traded in Oct 86 on 87 GT (which still has 1760 miles, and is not a daily driver)


87 coupe , bought used, Dec 2004, Sold to PPF member JimmyS


88 Formula , bought used from PFF member Cone Shark in June 2005, is my current daily driver.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 11-30-2010).]

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Report this Post11-30-2010 09:21 AM Click Here to See the Profile for bristowbSend a Private Message to bristowbDirect Link to This Post
Mine is an 87 GT been using it for over a year as my DD from sept of 09 till just a few months ago I was driving over 100 miles a day without any problems. Now I drive 20 a day with out worry. I bought my Fiero to save the milage off my new 09 G8 GT.

how I bought it.


and now

[This message has been edited by bristowb (edited 11-30-2010).]

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Report this Post11-30-2010 11:03 AM Click Here to See the Profile for S-toonSend a Private Message to S-toonDirect Link to This Post
I have a 1987 SE 2.8 5spd getrag. It has been my daily driver since the summer of 2004. That is when it got the old 2.8 rebuilt. Before I knew about PFF and all the engine swaps.

Here is how it was when I first got it.


Here is how it looks right now. door and mirror already fixed lol.


Here is how I hope it will look after I lower it and tint the windows. This pic was taken before I added that lower piece to the front and driving lights.


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Report this Post11-30-2010 12:40 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Kelvin VivianSend a Private Message to Kelvin VivianDirect Link to This Post
Here's my daily driver Fiero...

1987 SE
Medium Red Metallic/Grey
5 spd Isuzu, 4 cyl Iron Duke
power trunk release, manual windows, manual locks, manual mirrors, AC, sunroof, performance sound (subwoofer), originally came with spoiler (but pictured below with wingless decklid), no cruise control



I've been daily driving this car for about a year, currently has about 213,000+ miles on original iron duke motor. Items that I have replaced throughout the year include - front ball joints, tires, rear struts, front shocks, heater hoses in front compartment, smog canister/hoses, spark plugs/wires, recharged K&N air filter). I commute in the car because I'm stuck in the 80s!

------------------

88 GT T-Top 5-spd #338 of 1252
87 SE 4-cyl 5-spd sunroof, spoiler, performance sound
85 2M4 base coupe T-Top 5-spd, rackless decklid, 15-in 88 GT rims, aero-conversion

[This message has been edited by Kelvin Vivian (edited 11-30-2010).]

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Report this Post11-30-2010 12:52 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Formula88Send a Private Message to Formula88Direct Link to This Post
My '88 Formula was my daily driver from 2001 until about 2008 when I bought my 2000 Trans Am. I've been driving the TA primarily, but I'm going to be pressing the Fiero back into more regular duty to keep the miles from racking up so fast on the TA. The Fiero has about 180k miles, so I'm not worried about driving it.

I'll have to add a pic later.
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Report this Post11-30-2010 01:07 PM Click Here to See the Profile for fierosoundClick Here to visit fierosound's HomePageSend a Private Message to fierosoundDirect Link to This Post
My 87 GT was a year round summer/winter daily driver from 1990 - 2001.
After rebuilding 3.4 engine and repainting in 2001, it became a "summer only" car.

------------------
My World of Wheels Winners (Click on links below)

3.4L Supercharged 87 GT and Super Duty 4 Indy #163

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Report this Post11-30-2010 01:15 PM Click Here to See the Profile for eph_kaySend a Private Message to eph_kayDirect Link to This Post
I started with a black formula back in 2005, it was my second car, first one the family got me wasn't a good car and didn't last long. The formula lasted me for about a year when a guy pulled out in front of me and cause a low speed t-boneing, the car got totaled out and I went and got me a 88 coupe automatic with t tops and no options but ac.

It lasted me almost a year when the water pump started to go, so I started driving the formula again, missing a front fascia this time That lasted a year or so long enough to get the 3800sc swap in the coupe going well enough to DD 35miles each way to work. Did that one summer without ac, wasn't the funnest to be in slacks and tall socks and two shirts in a car with no ac with the humidity and heat we get here in the summer. That winter I picked up another 88 coupe this time a 5 speed with a 3100 swapped into it, drove it for a week and had a crank position sensor and twisted pair die on me. I was back to borrowing family cars for a few months, then picked myself up an Audi and DD'd it for about a year, all the while converting my auto 88 coupe to a manual 88 gt with the series 3 3800.

Then I traded the Audi for another 88 formula with a 3800sc swap and a few other fieros. So now I alternate between my 5 speed gt and the auto formula.

I will try and get pictures of the gt now that it is painted white and get some pictures of the formula.

Chris
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FieroRumor
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Report this Post11-30-2010 01:55 PM Click Here to See the Profile for FieroRumorClick Here to visit FieroRumor's HomePageSend a Private Message to FieroRumorDirect Link to This Post
Had three Fieros, Used two of them as daily drivers for a few years. The current one (hopefully, not the last one ) started as a daily driver, till I stared working in the city again. Now, it's a weekend cruiser and ocassional 'errand' machine (till after we move)...
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Report this Post11-30-2010 02:16 PM Click Here to See the Profile for fieroguruSend a Private Message to fieroguruDirect Link to This Post
Purchased my first Fiero in 1996 (86 Aero SE/V6/4 speed). It shared daily driver duty with an 86 Vette until Jan 1, 2000... that is when I picked up my first 88 4cyl/5 speed coupe and retired the 86 SE (eventually it became a trailer in 2005).

This first 88 underwent a full conversion to fastback GT inside/out, swapped in the 2.8/Isuzu, 4.5/Isuzu, 283 SBC/Isuzu, 350 carb/Isuzu, 350 Ramjet/Getrag and currently down for a LS4/F40 swap. I lost track of the # of miles put on that car, but 45K of them were with 350 power since 2003. Over the years, this car has had rests from its draily driver status (winters and during major swaps) and has been off the road almost 1 year since I pulled the SBC drivetrain in Dec 2009.

In 2005 another 88 4cyl/5 speed coupe joined the mix and was upgraded to a 2.8/Isuzu and then 4.3/4T60. This fiero had been my daily driver and winter beater for the last 3 years and I put 25K miles on it with the 4.3/4T60. This car recently sold.

An 88 Formula/Getrag replaced the 88 4.3/4T60 fiero and is waiting for the 4.3/F40 swap... so right now my 97 4x4 Siverado is the DD and wife is on me to get a fiero running. She got used to the 24-28 mpg ave on the 4.3/4T60 Fiero vs. the 15-17 on the truck.

Once I have a running Fiero again, it will be the primary DD. They are about the cheapest means of transportation for me (fuel mileage, insurance, taxes, etc) and I like the driving experience with them.
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fiamma
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Report this Post11-30-2010 04:27 PM Click Here to See the Profile for fiammaSend a Private Message to fiammaDirect Link to This Post
23 yrs, drive most days, mostly locally, just enough to get the engine fully warmed up and
get where I need to go. Is black no spoiler stock 87gt.
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Old Lar
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When I purchase my 87 GT in 1987, I used it as a daily drive for less than the first year of ownership. I bought a winter beater for the winter months, then drove the Fiero into the fall of the next year. I got another winter beater (84 Escort wagon) that spring and alternated cars. I found the Fiero lots of fun to drive, but impractical for running around. I kept the Fiero off the roads during the winter and used it as a fun car to drive up through today. I picked up a second Fiero in 96 an 88 GT and rotated driving the Fieros for fun, but by then I had a 92 Suzuki Sidekick as a daily driver and in 99, a Buick Regal GS. In 06 I got an 06 HHR as a daily driver and the Fieros are used as fun cars for road trips such as the Hot Rod Power Tour, Dells Run, Fierorama, Daytona and many other car shows. All my Fieros have over 130,000 miles on them and now it is just dumping $$ into them to keep them running.
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WingNut - MD
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project34
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quote
Originally posted by R Runner:
How many years (or months) have you been driving a Fiero as a daily driver? What model is it? Is there anyone who has been driving one since the 80's?

I have been driving my 1986 Fiero GT as a daily driver --- year round --- since May, 1986, when I bought it new.

 
quote
Originally posted by R Runner:
I also want to know why you keep driving one daily. It is a lot of work to keep a 25 year old car going everyday, year after year.

It's always been a year-round daily driver for me for a number of reasons:
  • With dedicated snow tires, my Fiero handles the snow of Midwestern winters quite well, much better than any other car I've ever owned.

  • It's been reliable for me, leaving me stranded only twice in 24 years: once because of a failed ignition control module, and once because I carelessly installed an oversized, aftermarket Y-pipe too close to the coil (which the Y-pipe partially melted), but I think it inappropriate to blame the car for that boneheaded move on my part.

  • It's a convenient grocery-getter for me because of the shape of its rear trunk: Unlike the case with some hatchbacks I've owned, grocery bags don't tip over when stored in my Fiero's trunk.

  • My Fiero doesn't leak in automatic car washes, which is where I always go to get it washed in the winter, and sometimes even in decent weather (gasp!) when pressed for time.

  • In terms of the total cost to run it (including depreciation and insurance), my Fiero has become more economical. I've never particularly concerned myself about "economy," but at this point, my Fiero probably is as about as depreciated and cheap-to-insure as depreciated and cheap-to-insure gets, and therefore, probably about as economical now as economical gets.
Maybe I've been extraordinarily lucky with my Fiero, but because it has allowed me the luxury of not having to purchase a new car as my daily driver, I've probably saved enough money to buy a whole boatload of ignition control modules if I ever need a new one again.


 
quote
Originally posted by R Runner:
And of course..... let's see a picture

My GT is the second one at the left:

 
quote
Originally posted by jetsnvettes2000:
Here are some pics of todays drive!!!!




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