I believe at this time I'm ready to move on Once it warms up and I find a new place to live I'm gonna sell the car on Craigslist
Same here. Bought it as a daily driver in 2012 to save on gas. It had it's problems that are pretty much worked out for much less than the price of a new car. Have to rebuild the front suspension now, but really don't feel like it. Getting tired of working on something because I have to, rather than I want to. Put on approximately 125,000 miles and went through 2 or 3 throw-out bearings. Clutching it because of traffic approximately 14 miles each way is not good. The bearings have actually turned blue from the heat. Already got an 06 Cobalt that I've been using for 2 or so months.
I am at a 3-4 I am still making subtle changes to my GT but I enjoy the heck out of driving it. I will stay into it as long as I can. Another big plus for me are the events. I have met many really good people going to these Fiero events and I really enjoy attending, even the times that my Fiero has been down.
Same here. Bought it as a daily driver in 2012 to save on gas. It had it's problems that are pretty much worked out for much less than the price of a new car. Have to rebuild the front suspension now, but really don't feel like it. Getting tired of working on something because I have to, rather than I want to. Put on approximately 125,000 miles and went through 2 or 3 throw-out bearings. Clutching it because of traffic approximately 14 miles each way is not good. The bearings have actually turned blue from the heat. Already got an 06 Cobalt that I've been using for 2 or so months.
Had to sell my V8 Fiero when I left Florida I was hoping that this SE would have resparked my interest but it's just not doing it I just don't have it in me to do another Engine swap to get back where I was
Not when I can take the equivalent cash and buy a newer car that's already got a V8 and a back seat
I can no longer afford the expense of keeping an older car running. Since I moved to Florida in 2008, my salary has been half what it was in Texas, for doing the same work. So my hobbies have had to cost less.
OP, what number does "reliving your teenage years" fall under?
I was obsessed with these cars between 17 and 21 years old. Went through four of them. Got another at age 30, but bailed before getting it road worthy.
Now, at age 44, I've got my low mileage Sunday driver . . . although age took a little more of a toll than I would have anticipated. Just some minor refresh needed on my part, and I hope to be done with the bulk of it within the next month or so.
I can see where working on these things constantly has made some grow weary of them. After all, they weren't exactly reliable when new, more less 30 years later. As a naysayer said to me when I was trying to get that Fiero road worthy some 14 years ago . . . "Man, they weren't good when times were good!"
At the time, I wanted to punch him in the throat.
[This message has been edited by USMUCL (edited 02-22-2017).]
so I'm probably a 2. I just got into the Fiero 4 years ago. never owned one before that. I'm no youngster but having some fun doing mods and making a fast car even though I don't often go fast. have a SC3800 and putting parts together to do a V8 Fiero. maybe I should put that on hold and wait for someone who just wants their V8 project out of the garage for a super low price. certainly seems like there are a bunch of people dropping out. as people know it's not only Fiero's but most cars. the younger group just isn't very interested. I've got a extra 2 car garage at our new place so I've got room for 2.
Will never fall out of love, but I lack the space and tools and time and money to keep one of these cars alive. Like that FieroRumor guy used to say - "Better to have owned one (or three) and lost than never to have owned one at all..."
1,3,4,5, all at the same time. I think it is generally not being involved, not satisfying curiosity as related to the history of the car, not developing relationships with fellow enthuisiasts, not having or taking time to devote to the hobby, not going for a drive in the car, that generally makes most people lose interest. Or they just decide a different car is more their thing.
I can no longer afford the expense of keeping an older car running. Since I moved to Florida in 2008, my salary has been half what it was in Texas, for doing the same work. So my hobbies have had to cost less.
So anyway, I think I'm done.
Even a $1k 2m4 that just keeps on running? I know a lot of those.
The "young" folks use facebook, it is active. Much activity moved from PFF to there, but the activity is still there. They mod their cars more. But they do like them. If you see them at events, talk to them. Invite them.
Have 3, all running, but many plans for them, engine swaps, body mods, etc, etc that I don't have money for yet (hopefully soon, graduating in May). Want 4 more!
5.5. For us it wasn't about losing interest in Fiero's as much as it was about having limited space. At one time we owned three Fiero's. The first was an 85GT, that I converted into a fastback, and then we picked up an 88 to be my wife's daily driver, and then I picked up another 85 that I had Archie turn into a chop top (#4). So even though they are gone we still have an interest in Fiero's, and I continue to check them out to this day.
However, as I said it was a space issue for us because , and we fell in love w/another Pontiac two seater, the Pontiac Solstice. So we had to make the decision to sell the Fiero's in order to make way for the Solstices (a 2006 and a 2009 (1 of 1266 coupes). In fact quite a few Solstice & SKY owners were, or still are, Fiero owners.
There's also some similarities between the two cars, both makes are what I'd consider cult cars, both are now orphan cars, and the Solstice forum is also starting to slow down from it's heyday. But like the Fiero, there will always be enthusiasts and lifers, and new owners joining the forums to keep the platforms alive.
BTW, I just have to add that it's great to see Fiero's crossing a few of the bigger auction blocks and bringing respectable prices. It's been a long time coming, and it's great to see Fiero critics proved wrong about the cars collectibility.
[This message has been edited by ChopTop (edited 02-26-2017).]
BTW, I just have to add that it's great to see Fiero's crossing a few of the bigger auction blocks and bringing respectable prices. It's been a long time coming, and it's great to see Fiero critics proved wrong about the cars collectibility.
Not sure which critics you are referring to... the Fiero from day 1 was thought to be highly collectible. That's why there are so many pristine 88s with low miles parked away waiting to be sold for high dollar. Mark Kelly's last Fiero ever was waiting to be sold for high dollar and he continued to drive it occasionally waiting for the payoff. As far as I know he's still waiting.
In other words, the Fiero did not turn out to be the instant classic people assumed, but after almost 35 years attrition is making them more scarce and prices are creeping up ever so slowly. So in other other words I don't think any critics have been proven wrong here. The cars are nowhere near as collectible as people first imagined, but like any old car good examples are getting harder to find and price is creeping up.
Just happy enough to maintain the one we have and drive it once in a while - not super serious about it much anymore. It has pretty much become a casual when I feel like it car.
At least I'm getting a mix of responses. Still, most of the responses are in the second half of the cycle.
Even many of the people in the middle of the cycle are in the 70+ age bracket.
What happens when they are forced to retire from Fieros? Worse, those 70+ people have a lot of the Fiero know-how.
1. Your sample for this poll is too small to conclude much. 2. There are a lot of people whose age I don't know on this forum. 3. Same as any car I suppose, the know how will need to get re learned by those who need to and want to know, or found online or in books. The cars of those who leave will get sold.
I was chatting with Rob, (MinngreenGT) recently about that sort of thing. He has been around the Fiero community since the mid 90s, when there was a show as big as the 30th anniversary every year. There are many interesting cars that dropped off the map over the years. Haven't been heard of in a long time. I think the cars are either sitting in garages, maybe with a blanket an d boxes on them, or someone dirves them as a weekend fun car a few times a year but isn't involved in the Fiero community. We may do some features on the facebook site of some of these interesting cars. I could post it here to. This site: https://www.facebook.com/midwestfieroclubs http://midwestfieroclubs.com/
Will never fall out of love, but I lack the space and tools and time and money to keep one of these cars alive. Like that FieroRumor guy used to say - "Better to have owned one (or three) and lost than never to have owned one at all..."
Yeah. What ever happened to that Fiero Rumor guy anyway? He used to post all the time and was REALLY annoying!
3, 4, 5. My Dad bought our first Fiero new in 88. Was red with the Duke. Loved that car! He gave it to me 5 years later. Drove it till around 03 till my Dad wanted a project so I gave it back. He took it apart down to the space frame and lost interest. I took it back to finish it but had to get rid of it when I moved. A couple years later my son ran across a Formula on Fiero Store . I ran up to MI and bought it. Been a happy camper ever since. I really missed driving these cars!!
Probably around 3 or 4 I just got my 3800sc on the road and have had the Fiero for 2 years in March. I'm still dealing with little issues regarding the swap so I'm no where near done yet and the car is a blast to drive! I really think I'll have it for a long time. Jessica
Probably around 3 or 4 I just got my 3800sc on the road and have had the Fiero for 2 years in March. I'm still dealing with little issues regarding the swap so I'm no where near done yet and the car is a blast to drive! I really think I'll have it for a long time. Jessica
Great work on that car Jessica. I've followed your thread from the beginning and you are very talented.
Probably around 3 or 4 I just got my 3800sc on the road and have had the Fiero for 2 years in March. I'm still dealing with little issues regarding the swap so I'm no where near done yet and the car is a blast to drive! I really think I'll have it for a long time. Jessica
It's been 2 years? I had no idea it was so long. I've followed your thread from the start, also.
2001 to 2017: 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 6 6 6 4 and 3 by spring
1. Interest 2. Just getting into Fieros 3. Attend events, buy parts, build up your Fiero 4. Maintain, satisfied 5. Been there, done that 6. Lost interest
Getting too old to be crawling under cars/pulling engines but so long as it's nothing major, I'm good. If something expensive/lot of work blows up then that may change.
I did have a phase recently of wanting a Porsche. Love the Cayman but maybe slightly too small (Fiero is roomier for me LOL) . Would settle for a decent hard top 911 but then I read about the infamous IMS bearing problems which pretty much rules out anything pre 2009 in my eyes (when it was done away with) which puts the min price in the mid 30k so way too rich for my taste. Nissan 370s look interesting and pretty cheap (compared to a Porsche anyway) but for now I'm sticking with my baby. It does not go out a lot but it's fun when it does. Right now the gear shift has gotten stiff. I'm hoping it''s just the cable. we shall see. That 4 may become a 5 (or 6 if not!).
------------------ Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!
Even a $1k 2m4 that just keeps on running? I know a lot of those.
I have heard rumors of Fieros that "just keep on running", but I'm not fortunate enough to have gotten my hands on one. But of course as they get older, things wear out that you don't normally have to deal with.
Had many Fieros for many years and I still enjoy them, but it is not my everyday vehicle. I still find them attractive and they are relatively rare these days.