I'm looking for a car to autocross for next year, and I was considering another Fiero. As far as price/performance, what do you consider a good x-cross car?
Is it competitive? I haven't run an autocrooss race in almost 20 years, and now would like to get back into the sport, and show my son how much fun cars can be. (he's 14 and just starting to get into cars)
One of the main reasons I'm looking another Fiero is I already know (a little) about working on it. However, I would strip it down to race and I don't know if I really want to do that to a Fiero.
Any suggestions from members that are into autocrossing? Is the Fiero a good choice?
Thanks in advance!
------------------ Tim '87 GT Auto Med Red Metallic 78K miles Bay City, MI
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03:41 PM
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darkhorizon Member
Posts: 12279 From: Flint Michigan Registered: Jan 2006
A stock v6 Fiero is classified under E-stock in SCCA rules. That means you are running up against Miatas which pretty much rule that class. 4-cylinder Fieros are in H-stock which is usually filled with Mini-Coopers.
What kind of autocross car are you looking for? Are you going to be running it at local run what ya brung events just for fun, or are you looking to run in a specific class? If you're looking to run at strictly open events with no real classes you can build up a Fiero to run some decent times and have a lot of fun doing it, but if you're looking to run in sanctioned events it will be difficult to run up front in a Fiero with the other cars that are classed along with the Fiero. Which ever way you go have fun autocrossing, you don't have to put up a FTD to have a blast. Just get out there and do it
lol, as I read first post i was thinking miata, i continue to see that being recommendations. I say go for fiero it what you know and like. Winning isn't everything and who knows the best driver could come on top
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08:10 PM
TheRealShadowX Member
Posts: 1456 From: Milwaukee Wisconsin USA Registered: Mar 2010
I thought about trying it with my solstice but i dont know how well it would do..
And if you had gone ahead and tried it, then you would know...
AkursedX called it correctly...a stock Fiero can't compete with a stock Miata. Do any mods, and you are in a class with modified Miatas. That doesn't matter to me, though...I wouldn't drive anything but a Fiero. Personally, if I were doing it, I would start out with a base 4cyl with no options, and throw the 4.10 4 speed in it. Hmmm...that sounds like a lot of fun now that you mention it....perhaps that is an answer to what I can do with this perfect Fiero with no title that I have.
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09:45 PM
trivet Member
Posts: 783 From: Bay City, MI Registered: Apr 2012
I'm looking to race SCCA Solo, but only local events, have fun, show my son how much fun cars can be.
I used to race B stock in the 90's (Turbo DSM daily driver, only car I had) but people had EVERYTHING there, one guy even ran a Rally car. (Well, until he rolled it). But I can't remember ever having so much fun. Would love to do it again.
The main reason I would like a Fiero is I already know a bit about the car, and anything I have to fix/replace would just be good practice for my 87 GT.
------------------ Tim '87 GT Auto Med Red Metallic 78K miles Bay City, MI
[This message has been edited by trivet (edited 09-21-2012).]
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10:37 PM
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Gokart Mozart Member
Posts: 12143 From: Metro Detroit Registered: Mar 2003
Back in the day the FIero was a class winner in SCCA but there are much better choices today.
I have tried the Fiero as while it does ok the brakes get hot and fade and the steering is heavy. Yes you can make mods but then that tosses you into classes you do not want to go in. There is a reason you do not see many Fiero's there.
While the driver is important the car also is part of the deal. If you do not fit the class well you will get smoked.
I have also run my old GMC ZQ8 Sonoma. It was very tossable and controlable. Also the V6 was great on a tight track as it would put the power down and I could set faster times than many cars with more power.
Also the new cars with traction control and anti lock brakes can help give you an advantage. I will shut the traction control off but I do rely on the anti locks for driving deep into a hairpin.
I have not tried it but my HHR SS is much better handling vs the Fiero. The only issue I have with it is the FWD and 300 HP. The front likes to unload and when the boost spools faster than you expect it can spin the tires. FWD and weight transfers are horrible in a FWD car. I have even seen a SS in a road race running and out running many sports cars. That is till he broke a oil line and had a fire. The video is out there on youtube.
If I were to go back and run I would look else where vs the Fiero unless you plan to go in a modified class.
Make me an offer I can not refuse. FS 87 Fiero Race Car - Pennock's Fiero Forum listed in The Mall
------------------ 88 GT 5 Speed - Black 88 GT Auto - Red 4.9 engine swap in progress 88 GT Auto - Yellow 88 GT Auto - White 88 Coupe 4cyl - Auto - Red - For Sale 87 Coupe 5 Speed - Black - Race Car - For Sale 87 GT Auto - Gold 87 GT Auto - Black modified back deck lid - Project 87 GT Auto - White 3800 SC Ser I - Project 86 GT Auto - Gold - project car 86 GT Auto - Black - For Sale - No Title 86 GT Auto - White- Longpre Edition 86 SE V6 5sp - Silver - converted to GT - For Sale 97 Grand Prix GTP - Red - 4 door 97 Grand Prix GTP - Green - 4 door 62 Impala - Anniversary Gold - 2dr htp 62 Vette - 4 Speed - White 95 Vette - Auto-White-43,000 miles-For Sale 00 Vette - Auto - White - Convertible
I'm looking for a car to autocross for next year, and I was considering another Fiero.
Any suggestions from members that are into autocrossing? Is the Fiero a good choice?
As has been mentioned already, are you doing this for fun or are trying to win your class? Makes a HUGE difference what your choice for a car should be.
I've been autocrossing my '84 duke 5-spd for three years now, and it's been great. I finally bought some decent tires this year, and as everyone knows who's raced their car, good tires are critical for getting around a course quickly.
I have to admit though that I want to accelerate out of the corners faster, so next year I hope to be running an '86 GT 4-spd.
Yes, Miatas seem to rule at autocross. But as fast as they are, I know I wouldn't be the least bit interested in driving one. If I had to choose something other than a Fiero, it would probably be some type of Subaru.
Part of the attraction of driving a Fiero at autocross is that Fieros are relatively rare (mostly due to their age). It's been a lot of fun informing a few late model Corvette and Porsche owners that they just got beat on the autocross course by a 28 year old car with less than 90 HP.
This is the duke and I at a Corvette Club autocross in July.
[EDIT] By the way, I've never had a problem with the stock brakes getting hot and fading during an autocross event. Keep in mind you're only on the course for about a minute at a time.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-25-2012).]
