Discussion:
problems?
(too old to reply)
dave349
2006-10-19 23:53:21 UTC
Permalink
hey guys,

i'm still thinking about getting a fiero but i'm hearing alot about
these cars breaking down and/or needing costly repairs. so my question
is simple, how problematic are these cars? and what are the most common
problems. fyi if this helps im looking to get an 88 or 87 6 cyl fiero gt
labtech1
2006-10-20 04:13:00 UTC
Permalink
I'd put them slightly above average in maintance
the V6 is no more 'problematic' than if it were installed in an S10
however since the engine compartment is alot less 'open' some repairs
( water pump, timing chain/gear ) can get a bit costly.

proper preventative maintance ( frequent oil changes, filter changes etc )
and
using 'good' oil like Mobile 1 can help.
Post by dave349
hey guys,
i'm still thinking about getting a fiero but i'm hearing alot about
these cars breaking down and/or needing costly repairs. so my question
is simple, how problematic are these cars? and what are the most common
problems. fyi if this helps im looking to get an 88 or 87 6 cyl fiero gt
dave349
2006-10-20 19:23:13 UTC
Permalink
ok thanks that helps. but what are the most common problems, and what
are signs somethings wrong, like are there signs somethign could become
a problem before it becomes a big one
Post by labtech1
I'd put them slightly above average in maintance
the V6 is no more 'problematic' than if it were installed in an S10
however since the engine compartment is alot less 'open' some repairs
( water pump, timing chain/gear ) can get a bit costly.
proper preventative maintance ( frequent oil changes, filter changes etc )
and
using 'good' oil like Mobile 1 can help.
Post by dave349
hey guys,
i'm still thinking about getting a fiero but i'm hearing alot about
these cars breaking down and/or needing costly repairs. so my question
is simple, how problematic are these cars? and what are the most common
problems. fyi if this helps im looking to get an 88 or 87 6 cyl fiero gt
Don Bjortomt
2006-10-21 19:07:00 UTC
Permalink
Dave;

I love my 88 Fiero GT, purchased new(now has 73,000 Miles), but I do not
feel it is a car that a youngster should buy, unless he is a very good
mechanic. A clutch repair for a manual shift can get pretty pricey. I am
not very good with the mechanical part and have to rely on the Pontiac
Dealer. Even there I have gotten it back and the problem has not always been
solved until I take then for a drive to demonstrate the problem.

The suspension on the 88 is much better, but I have herd that the repairs on
the 88 suspension are much higher.

I think a more common car, where parts and mechanics are more plentiful is a
better option for a younger driver. I was not successful in convincing my
son or grandson of that path however. <Grin> Good luck with whatever choice
you make.

Regards;

Don Bjortomt
Post by dave349
hey guys,
i'm still thinking about getting a fiero but i'm hearing alot about
these cars breaking down and/or needing costly repairs. so my question
is simple, how problematic are these cars? and what are the most common
problems. fyi if this helps im looking to get an 88 or 87 6 cyl fiero gt
Phil Randolph
2006-10-20 21:19:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by dave349
hey guys,
i'm still thinking about getting a fiero but i'm hearing alot about
these cars breaking down and/or needing costly repairs. so my question
is simple, how problematic are these cars? and what are the most common
problems. fyi if this helps im looking to get an 88 or 87 6 cyl fiero gt
Remember you're dealing with a 20 year or so old car there will be
constant little things that go wrong.
PePe_LePu_For2
2006-10-23 04:52:29 UTC
Permalink
Dave,
The last thing that anyone here should be doing is trying to discourage
a potential newcomer to the Fiero world. The first point that has to be made
is that you should not believe anything you hear about Fieros unless you
hear it from an actual Fiero owner. These cars got some bad press in their
early days and you know what results from bad press; a lot of distorted
facts and half truths being rumored around. Its like that game you may have
played as a kid where the teacher whispers something in the ear of one kid
and buy the time it makes its way around the room it has nothing to do with
what she originally said. People that know absolutely nothing about these
cars or their actual history will bad mouth them. So far everyone that has
taken the time to get the real facts about Fieros has fallen in love with
them. An 18 to 22 year old car is always going to have issues. Fieros are no
more or no less problematic than any other car their age.
My advice to you is to get hooked up with a Fiero club. Perhaps even
before you go out and buy a car. Out here in the SF bay area we have an
excellent club with many competent mechanics as members. These guys are
always more than happy to help newcomers. You should try to find this type
of resource near you. Also, if you haven't already found it there is an
excellent on-line forum called the Pennocks Fiero forum. You can post your
problems there and get lots of help.
Your choice of an 88 or 87 is a good one. Many of the bugs and issues
these cars had were ironed out by that time.

Good Luck
Marty
Post by dave349
hey guys,
i'm still thinking about getting a fiero but i'm hearing alot about
these cars breaking down and/or needing costly repairs. so my question
is simple, how problematic are these cars? and what are the most common
problems. fyi if this helps im looking to get an 88 or 87 6 cyl fiero gt
dave349
2006-10-23 22:35:55 UTC
Permalink
thanks for all the help. i know that because these cars are almost 20
years old(and older) there will always be little things going wrong
with them, but i was asking because i just found out my friend's
brother had one and he says it was always breaking down, but i think he
had an 84 which from what i hear had lots of problems because it was
the first model year. I have already checked out pennock's and that is
very helpful. and i will most likely be going for the 88 because there
were lots of improvements on the suspension and brakes and most of the
problems i think would have been worked out. and i will get a older car
no matter what, whether it's a fiero or my second choice is a 3rd gen
firebird
Post by PePe_LePu_For2
Dave,
The last thing that anyone here should be doing is trying to discourage
a potential newcomer to the Fiero world. The first point that has to be made
is that you should not believe anything you hear about Fieros unless you
hear it from an actual Fiero owner. These cars got some bad press in their
early days and you know what results from bad press; a lot of distorted
facts and half truths being rumored around. Its like that game you may have
played as a kid where the teacher whispers something in the ear of one kid
and buy the time it makes its way around the room it has nothing to do with
what she originally said. People that know absolutely nothing about these
cars or their actual history will bad mouth them. So far everyone that has
taken the time to get the real facts about Fieros has fallen in love with
them. An 18 to 22 year old car is always going to have issues. Fieros are no
more or no less problematic than any other car their age.
My advice to you is to get hooked up with a Fiero club. Perhaps even
before you go out and buy a car. Out here in the SF bay area we have an
excellent club with many competent mechanics as members. These guys are
always more than happy to help newcomers. You should try to find this type
of resource near you. Also, if you haven't already found it there is an
excellent on-line forum called the Pennocks Fiero forum. You can post your
problems there and get lots of help.
Your choice of an 88 or 87 is a good one. Many of the bugs and issues
these cars had were ironed out by that time.
Good Luck
Marty
Post by dave349
hey guys,
i'm still thinking about getting a fiero but i'm hearing alot about
these cars breaking down and/or needing costly repairs. so my question
is simple, how problematic are these cars? and what are the most common
problems. fyi if this helps im looking to get an 88 or 87 6 cyl fiero gt
John Craker
2006-10-25 13:38:27 UTC
Permalink
Might want to consider an '87 as a daily driver IMHO.

Sure, the '88s had improvements, but with only ~26000 cars ever being built,
suspension and brake parts are hard to find, and becoming more so. Ball
joints? no sweat. Brake pads? No problem. Go smash into a curb, or a
huge pot hole and screw up a control arm. Or try to find GM control arm
bushings. Good luck. Front wheel bearing go bad? Ca$hing!

At least the '87s had the good headlight motors etc, but all the other parts
are interchangeable!
Post by dave349
i will most likely be going for the 88 because there
were lots of improvements on the suspension and brakes and most of the
problems i think would have been worked out.
dave349
2006-10-25 20:38:09 UTC
Permalink
thanks, i didnt know that. i won't have much moeny to go aorund buying
aftermarket replacement parts so if somethign breaks everythign will be
from the junk yards or donor cars
Post by John Craker
Might want to consider an '87 as a daily driver IMHO.
Sure, the '88s had improvements, but with only ~26000 cars ever being built,
suspension and brake parts are hard to find, and becoming more so. Ball
joints? no sweat. Brake pads? No problem. Go smash into a curb, or a
huge pot hole and screw up a control arm. Or try to find GM control arm
bushings. Good luck. Front wheel bearing go bad? Ca$hing!
At least the '87s had the good headlight motors etc, but all the other parts
are interchangeable!
Post by dave349
i will most likely be going for the 88 because there
were lots of improvements on the suspension and brakes and most of the
problems i think would have been worked out.
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