Pontiac Fiero Fans?

PDXSSCE · 11-13-2021, 10:10 PM

I've been craving a manual '88 Fiero for decades. Does someone else feel strongly about this mid-engine classic?

https://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/...396984708.html

https://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/...399699741.html

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto...395166328.html

shibbs · 11-13-2021, 10:11 PM

I sure miss mine.
I had a 1986 GT that had literally every option. It got vandalized and totaled. It was rolled into its roof, and then fuel leaked all over everything inside.

Camaro__ss · 11-14-2021, 12:29 AM

I had the same craving. Then I bought one and after driving it a few times I realized they are so underpowered I could not enjoy the car without an engine swap. Sold it within a couple weeks of buying it, never even registered it.

SSammy · 11-14-2021, 12:59 AM

You don’t see a lot of them anymore. I saw one recently at a car show that had a FiTech injected SBC. It was really clean and looked like it would be a blast

JKSully · 11-14-2021, 08:05 AM

That white one looks risky, appears to be some damage to the front of the driver's door, and "has been sitting for 19 years" doesn't sound like a good thing.

I've never owned one personally, but wanted one back in the day. At the time, I would have been happy with a GT, but I think now like said above I'd find it underpowered in stock form.

In the end, what matters is what YOU would be happy with - if you can afford one, go for it, but probably stick with the GT V6 variant.

KenKat · 11-14-2021, 11:15 AM

Somebody who lives near me has an original 2M4 model in nice condition - I will occasionally see it out on the roads.

My college roommate had an original 1st gen Toyota MR2 that he bought after owning a couple of Porsche 914’s. I’d swap out my 1st gen Acura Integra with him occasionally so I got to drive all of them. All of those mid-engine cars were a lot of fun to drive.

PDXSSCE · 11-14-2021, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaro__ss

I had the same craving. Then I bought one and after driving it a few times I realized they are so underpowered I could not enjoy the car without an engine swap. Sold it within a couple weeks of buying it, never even registered it.

I learned to drive stick in a Bertone X1/9. If ever the adage were true, that it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow, it's with this 2,028 lbs and 75 hp delight.
I was 18 years old in 1988 and making great money for a teenager with no real responsibilities. I test drove a new GT and it was a blast. Unfortunately, I was hooked on the mini-truck craze of the time and instead bought a new one with all of the bells and whistles.
The Fiero SE is 2,460 lbs and 98 hp, so the experience should be on par with the Bertone and get better with the Formula and GT. Maybe I should test drive one to see if the memory still holds true today.

Martinjlm · 11-14-2021, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaro__ss

I had the same craving. Then I bought one and after driving it a few times I realized they are so underpowered I could not enjoy the car without an engine swap. Sold it within a couple weeks of buying it, never even registered it.

Here ya go…

Martinjlm · 11-14-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenKat

Somebody who lives near me has an original 2M4 model in nice condition - I will occasionally see it out on the roads.

My college roommate had an original 1st gen Toyota MR2 that he bought after owning a couple of Porsche 914’s. I’d swap out my 1st gen Acura Integra with him occasionally so I got to drive all of them. All of those mid-engine cars were a lot of fun to drive.

I had a 2M4 when they first came out in 1984. It was a lot of fun. Sold it and was planning to buy a GT. Ordered a black GT, 2.8L V6 4-spd MT. Never took delivery of it. When it came in I test drove it and the MT was horrid. I declined it and the dealer sold it the next day.

Last month I picked up a 2nd Gen MR2. 2.0T, 5MT. 200 hp/200 lb-ft from the factory. This one might be a bit over that since it has an upgraded turbo. Probably gonna set it up as an autocross car, then maybe also do some road course with it. My vanity plate just came in yesterday. Some of you should get the joke.

Tajefe Couple · 11-14-2021, 10:56 PM

I love Pontiacs but had a 1984 back in the day, biggest piece of junk I ever owned, and I've had well over 100 cars. Remember trying to get it running by tossing parts at it. Gave up and took it to the dealer by running a wire from the injection thru the sunroof and tapping it on the metal under the console to get it to deliver fuel. If I remember right had the console half pulled to put in a new ECM. Was an interesting drive. Pontiac dealer gave up couldn't get it running. Sold it for scrap. Moral of the story if you get one I wouldn't recommend a 2M4.

FarmerFran · 11-15-2021, 01:04 PM

My buddy has a nasty v6 turbo built one. Badass car

KenKat · 11-15-2021, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

I had a 2M4 when they first came out in 1984. It was a lot of fun. Sold it and was planning to buy a GT. Ordered a black GT, 2.8L V6 4-spd MT. Never took delivery of it. When it came in I test drove it and the MT was horrid. I declined it and the dealer sold it the next day.

Last month I picked up a 2nd Gen MR2. 2.0T, 5MT. 200 hp/200 lb-ft from the factory. This one might be a bit over that since it has an upgraded turbo. Probably gonna set it up as an autocross car, then maybe also do some road course with it. My vanity plate just came in yesterday. Some of you should get the joke.

That’s a beautiful 2nd Gen MR2. They are real lookers. The 1st Gens were ugly but fun to drive still!

PDXSSCE · 11-15-2021, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tajefe Couple

...Moral of the story if you get one I wouldn't recommend a 2M4.

Is it possible the issue was that it was an early 2M4? Were the later models better?

BMR Sales · 11-16-2021, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXSSCE

I learned to drive stick in a Bertone X1/9.

my Ex had a X1/9 when I met her - I should have run for the hills! Lol

I've had a few Porsche 914-6s that were fun

I test drove a Fiero when they 1st came out - Meh! A friend had one of the last MY and it was a lot better

11-13-2021, 10:10 PM	#1
PDXSSCE Yee-aay-ee! Drives: 2015 2SS/RS CV CE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: ORegon Posts: 2,520	Pontiac Fiero Fans? I've been craving a manual '88 Fiero for decades. Does someone else feel strongly about this mid-engine classic? https://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/...396984708.html https://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/...399699741.html https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto...395166328.html __________________

11-14-2021, 08:05 AM	#5
JKSully Drives: 22 Camaro 2SS, 20 Subaru Crosstrek Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: DFW TX Posts: 571	That white one looks risky, appears to be some damage to the front of the driver's door, and "has been sitting for 19 years" doesn't sound like a good thing. I've never owned one personally, but wanted one back in the day. At the time, I would have been happy with a GT, but I think now like said above I'd find it underpowered in stock form. In the end, what matters is what YOU would be happy with - if you can afford one, go for it, but probably stick with the GT V6 variant. __________________ Earth is an oblate spheroid 2022 \| 2SS \| M6 \| NPP \| Summit White \| Carbon Flash Wheels \| Black Lugs \| Red Calipers \| Adrenaline Red \| Red Knee Pads \| Nav \| - 1100 - 8/16/21 - 3000 - 9/21/21 - TPW 10/18/21 - 3400 - 10/1/21 - 3800 - 10/20/21 - built 10/19/21 - 5000 - 11/12/21 - 6000 - 11/13/21

11-14-2021, 10:56 PM	#10
Tajefe Couple Drives: Never just fly under the radar Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,531 View My Garage	I love Pontiacs but had a 1984 back in the day, biggest piece of junk I ever owned, and I've had well over 100 cars. Remember trying to get it running by tossing parts at it. Gave up and took it to the dealer by running a wire from the injection thru the sunroof and tapping it on the metal under the console to get it to deliver fuel. If I remember right had the console half pulled to put in a new ECM. Was an interesting drive. Pontiac dealer gave up couldn't get it running. Sold it for scrap. Moral of the story if you get one I wouldn't recommend a 2M4. __________________ 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Old Skool

11-15-2021, 01:04 PM	#11
FarmerFran Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert M6 "Sharky" Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Earth Posts: 4,031	My buddy has a nasty v6 turbo built one. Badass car __________________ 2023 Camaro ZL1 Vert TR-6060 Sharkskin "Sharky" Firecracker Red Wrangler Willys, 3.6L eTorque, 850RE 8 speed automatic, 25W Willys package, Technology Group, Convenience Group (aka $600 garage door opener), Cold weather Group, Trailer Tow and HD electric group with AUX switches, 3 piece black freedom top.

11-14-2021, 12:29 AM	#3
Camaro__ss Drives: 2013 L99 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 185	I had the same craving. Then I bought one and after driving it a few times I realized they are so underpowered I could not enjoy the car without an engine swap. Sold it within a couple weeks of buying it, never even registered it.

11-14-2021, 12:59 AM	#4
SSammy Drives: 2015 2SS A6 Commemorative Edition Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Utah Posts: 433 View My Garage	You don’t see a lot of them anymore. I saw one recently at a car show that had a FiTech injected SBC. It was really clean and looked like it would be a blast

11-14-2021, 11:15 AM	#6
KenKat Drives: 2014 2LT RS Summit White Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 622	Somebody who lives near me has an original 2M4 model in nice condition - I will occasionally see it out on the roads. My college roommate had an original 1st gen Toyota MR2 that he bought after owning a couple of Porsche 914’s. I’d swap out my 1st gen Acura Integra with him occasionally so I got to drive all of them. All of those mid-engine cars were a lot of fun to drive.