off the reatta subject

[Booreatta]

i realize that this is off the reatta subject but my son

wants to look into the purchase of a fiero. does anyone out there

have any experience as to which year and or best running gear was the

best. also does anyone know of any good cars for sale. and does anyone know

of a discussion group like this one for the fiero,,,any help or comments would be

welcome

again thanks

chuck

booreatta

[FlyByNite]

Here is a Dutch Fiero forum.

http://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin/fiero/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro

Ebay shows 44 available when searched for Fiero in passenger vehicles

[Rawja]

My understanding is that the 1988 models are significantly more desireable as in that year the suspension was reworked by Lotus, vastly improving the handling characteristics (or so I've read).

some sites:

www.Fiero.org

www.Fiero.net

[harry yarnell]

I was 'into' Fieros in the early '90s. The '88s I think are overrated. Owned a Formula (auto); nice, but didn't see any real reason to chose that one over an earlier one. Automatic or stick is a personal prefrence. Get a 2.8 (six) if you can. Mind you, these cars are pretty beat up by now, but a fun albiet an impractical car. I have one left; a '85 black V6 stick with 56k. And, no, it's not for sale

[padgett]

88s are arguably the best but have a number of oddball parts not easily available. 86-87 V-6 with 5 speed Getrag would be my first choice. GT will probably be worth more than SE down the road. T-Tops are probably the rarest option but sunroof is very big. Am personally funny about wheels/tires so would want 15x7s all around (Fieros came with a wide assortment of 13s, 14s, and 15s)

"Iron Duke" 4 cyl has a fragile bottom end so is best with automatic - later 4's have a screwball oil filter.

All use the T125 automatic (essentially a 3T40) three speed/lockup though I have seen many whose lockup doesn't.

Am getting a craving for a convertible so am thinking about selling mine - 86 SE with mounting holes for light bar ( ex-DARE car ) V-6 4-speed, every option & a few extra. Very nice interior inc real glove box, 30-30 paint job (can see where they removed the stickers). Write for details.

[reattadudes]

in my opinion, the last models are the most desirable. as far as the SE/GT argument goes, it is pretty much just a matter of whether you like the original roof design (as on the SE) or the "flying butress" roof design of the later model GTs.

when these cars were originally designed, the only way Pontiac could get these cars past the GM beancounters was to call them "commuter cars". this required using many off the shelf parts as posssible, including the complete Chevette front suspension...not very high tech. the iron duke four cylinder engine was extremely prone to engine fires on the early models if they were not maintained, and overheated.

in typical GM tradition, just when the car was getting really good, it was discontinued. changes slated for '89 included finally adding power steering, a unique electric unit designed just for the Fiero, and putting a 3.1 litre V-6 in to replace the 2.8. there are reported to be some of these "1989" Fieros still in GM's possession.

Mike

[padgett]

Early Fieros actually had two front suspensions - T-1000 unequal A-arm in front and J-2000 McPherson (aka Chapman) strut in back. One problem was the terrible 185x80x13 tires on the first cars. Another was the GM insistance on understeer (early Corvairs had a tendancy to go off the road backwards and the subject of "Unsafe at Any Speed" (Ralph's book)). 205x60x15s on 15x7" rims make a big difference - with the proper tire/rim/shock combo they can handle competitively once you learn how to load the front tires prior to hard cornering.

Fires are an interesting point. The real cause was the short oil pan with 2 qt capacity used on the '84s. People would fail to check the oil, there was no oil pressure guage, and the warning light was apt to not come on at zero psi. People would run low on oil and a rod would go out the block (firewall side) and dump what oil was left on the low-mounted starter (spark) and catalytic converter (heat) and achieve ignition. Did I mention that the plastic body creates a toxic gas when burning ?

Solution was a factory recall to add spash shields, a longer oil filter (PF 51 instead of 47), and to move the "add oil" mark up on the dipstick (last two added a quart).

This was fixed and was never an issue for the 2.8 V-6 engine introduced in late 85 (later 3.1, then 3.4 and still in the GM lineup - have one in my current rental 2-door Alero which is really a nice package).

The plastic body molding process developed for the Fiero was later used in both the TranSport and Reatta.

[Guest tempest68]

Look for one where they already put in a 3800 Series II SuperCharged motor...they make the perfect sleeper <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> If you find one with the NorthStar V-8, stay away...that motor is too heavy and throws off the handling considerably.

[juddev]

My vote goes to the 4.9 cad V8, it weighs a little less than the 2.8 v6 it replaces and it is the cheapest conversion you can make. check out http://groups.msn.com/FieroCaddySwapGroup/freebees.msnw?all_topics=1&pgmarket=en-us

for more info.

Juddev

owner of 3 85 Fiero GT'S

[Reatta_Cruzin]

I know to stay away from the '84's(first year of production). I had two '85's one being a SE and the other a GT. I also had a '87 GT, the '87 being my favorite. I was the aero body Fiero-looked awesome. The only bad thing about the cars I would have to say would be the front end lift it had at speeds over 100mph. Felt super losse(floaty) up front. I had fun with mine and if you guys get one, I'm sure you will also. Maybe you should push a Reatta on him. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Guest C.F.Massie]

HI Chuck,

Long time no see, sorry I didn't make it to the Memorial Day car show in Derby but I have been in and out of town over the last four months and haven't had a chance to catch my breath. A Fiero huh, I had an 84 4 cyl. about 12 years ago and I loved it, my son got one not long after I did and his was a 88 V6. It's true Pontiac changed the suspension for the 88 model year and handling was definitely better. My sons was significantly better than mine. To bad they ended production but sales declined dramatically in 87 and 88 so they cut their losses and ended it, too bad to because they were finally getting the bugs out in that final year. I guess most Americans didn't think the U.S. auto industry could build a good small sports car to compete with the Europeans. There are some good Fieros out there still just keep your eye out and steer your son to the 88 with the 2.8 V6, it's got power enough for that size car and parts availability. It's a good little car and fun to drive and it makes a good economical school car, the plastic body panels help too especially in a crowded parking lot.

I'll call you here pretty soon, I'll be slowing down all this traveling in another month and I'll have time then to work on my Reatta and get some things done that I have put off. Hey that was your Sapphire Blue Reatta at the Sedgwick County Zoo car show wasn't it? I looked for you but didn't find you around, I was there with my grand daughter that day. Your car sure looked good there amoung all those classics and custom jobs.

Craig F. Massie

89 Red/Tan one owner, me! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Booreatta]

craig, yah that was ol blue at the zoo a couple of weeks ago

and as usual the only reatta for miles around. are you planning to

go down to the automobilia show this week, i will be there so if you see

boo look me up. for anyone else wanting to go to a great carshow look at

www.automobiliausa.com. over 1000 cars in wichita kansas. also if anyone gets

to st. louis stop at fastlane cars in st charles, really nice cars and no junk

web site www.fastlanecars.com. thanks to everyone on the info

on the fiero, we are now hot and heavy in the search mode

thanks chuck

[Guest imported_Flash]

Owned one in '84. Ordered it with the special wheels, locks etc. Worst car I've ever driven year round. Absolutely worthless in snow. Have driven both a '71 LT1 and an '88 Reatta year round. Both are easier to drive and have more creature comforts. The Fiero has no room for anything inside the cabin, the area under the hood has no storage value and the trunk will hold 3 bags of groceries. I owned the '71 LT1 first and really liked the storage behind the seats. Next I owned the '84 Fiero and liked the little trunk. Last I bought the '88 Reatta and got both the area behind the seats and the trunk. Have kept that car. Best individual car for daily driving I have ever had. When the proving grounds were experimenting with increased power in the Fiero's, they dabbled with a turbo versions. Even with special spoilers. they couldn't keep the front wheels on the ground. Good luck in your son's decision, but if he is driving it as his daily transportation, I would caution against the handling in adverse weather conditions. It is a fair weather car at best. (in my opinion).

[harry yarnell]

Tend to agree with Flash about wet traction, but generally that was due to the horrible Eagle tires most came with from the factory. Even on wet pavement, the car was squirrelly. Change out the tires, and the car handled beautifully.