'88 Fiero GT vs '87 Fiero GT (Page 1/11)
Fiero Vice JUN 15, 07:28 PM
Hey folks, I’m new to this forum. Thank you, Cliff Pennock, for accepting me to this Fiero club. I’ve had a ’84 Fiero when I was in high school. Indeed, it was a cool car to drive, but the manual transmission was really tough to drive in & had this very complicated problem with getting the car started. I even took it to Pontiac dealer several times to try & figure it out, but they couldn’t find what was wrong with it until it breaks down first. So, once in a while, if I’m somewhere and it doesn’t start, I’d have to wait up to 30 minutes before it actually starts. Sounds like I pumped the fuel too much and never could figure what was wrong with it. Maybe someone can tell me from their experience. It has been bugging me to this day.

Anyway, I had to sell it & get a more reliable car for college. Well, some 20 years later, a youtube video of modified Fiero GT got my attention. Now, I wanted one again to relieve my youth, LOL, but prefer later year. So now I’m in the market for one and would like to get your guys’ feedbacks on what is the best choice.

Naturally, like everyone else, I thought ’88 Fiero GT with V6 would be the best choice. I almost had a chance to buy one recently, but the owner from 9 hours away in another state took forever to answer my questions about rust issue in northern states (after several communications with this owner), just sold it to someone else. Bummer for me! I’m starting to realize how tough it is to find ’88 Fiero GT with reasonable mileage.

I came across someone’s comment in other forum that he thinks ’87 would be better choice cause he thinks, since ’88 has the revised & better suspension, is the problem. Being specific to one year parts are more expensive and some parts are really hard to find. An early car can be made to handle just as well and better than an ’88 with aftermarket parts.

So, I’m asking you guys from your experience if that’s true? Should I give up looking for ‘88 GT and focus on finding ’87 GT which is cheaper & more accessible? I read from one of Pennock forums you guys would recommend ’88 GT b/c of suspension issue. Do you guys still feel this way today? Much appreciated for any answers. Thanks for reading.

[This message has been edited by Fiero Vice (edited 06-15-2015).]

Patrick JUN 15, 07:51 PM
First, welcome to the forum.


quote
Originally posted by Fiero Vice:

Sounds like I pumped the fuel too much and never could figure what was wrong with it.



"pumped the fuel"? What were you hoping to accomplish? Pumping the gas pedal was something that was done with carbureted engines to set the choke (or to squirt extra fuel into the intake). There's no choke (or accelerator pump) on a fuel injected 2.5 or 2.8 Fiero engine!


quote
Originally posted by Fiero Vice:

Should I give up looking for ‘88 GT and focus on finding ’87 GT which is cheaper & more accessible?



Why have you limited your choices so much? Is it the engine (2.5 vs 2.8) or the body shape (notchie vs fastback) you're mostly after? I have several Fieros... '84 duke, '86 GT, '87 duke, '88 Formula. The '88 is more refined, but I would not turn down an earlier model if it was in good shape for a good price. My '88 might possibly accelerate the best, but IMO the '86 looks the best (with the contrasting silver aero trim). Which one of my Fieros handles the best? No question... my '84 duke. Seriously, but I put some effort into the suspension.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-15-2015).]

Fiero Vice JUN 15, 08:18 PM
Thank you, Patrick. Yeah, I meant pumping the gas pedal. I might have pumped it too much while trying to get it started. It might have flooded the engine. No? It happened once in a while.

In regards to limiting my choices, yes, it’s both engine & body shape. I like the shape of GT….which looks like a mini-Ferrari. Like you said, ’88 is more refined & accelerates the best. That’s why I'm holding out for ’88 GT.

There’s ’87 for sale around $3K with 80K miles with engine problem…saying it runs, but doesn’t drive. The owner replaced fuel pump & filter, but it didn’t solve the problem. Should I buy it at low price & take chance to get it to work? I'm trying to debate if I should wait for '88 or just go for it with '87.
Patrick JUN 15, 09:38 PM

quote
Originally posted by Fiero Vice:

Yeah, I meant pumping the gas pedal. I might have pumped it too much while trying to get it started. It might have flooded the engine. No?



No. What part of my response did you miss? Pumping the gas pedal on a fuel injected engine to start it does nothing.


quote
Originally posted by Fiero Vice:

Like you said, ’88 is more refined & accelerates the best. That’s why I'm holding out for ’88 GT.



You might be holding out a long time or paying a premium... or both. It is not a night and day difference between the 88's and the earlier years.


quote
Originally posted by Fiero Vice:

There’s ’87 for sale around $3K with 80K miles with engine problem…saying it runs, but doesn’t drive.



IMO, that's way too much money to pay for any Fiero that you can't just jump in and take for a satisfactory test drive. Around here a vendor would be lucky to get $1000 for that car.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-15-2015).]

Fiero Vice JUN 15, 10:13 PM
Thanks for clearing that up about fuel injected engine. Then, what could be the problem? It’d be nice to know for future reference. I noticed many Fiero owners had similar problem with earlier years.

Yeah, you’re right it's crazy to pay premium price for an 88. I had an opportunity to buy '88 for $3,200 with 67K mileages recently. I thought that was a good deal, but the seller failed to answer my list of questions after several correspondences & sold it to someone else local. That’s why I’m confused after reading other forums where others said ’88 is still well worth the price. Like you said, it’s not much difference at all. I can always upgrade ’87 Fiero to ’88 level or better. So, what am I missing here? What parts are so special?

Yeah, I thought $3K was way too much too for that '87. That’s why I thought about making an offer of $1K & see what they say. But before I do that, I want to hear from members of this wonderful club on why I should stay the course to find ’88 instead of ’87.

By the way, how do you copy certain quotes from previous conversations. Still trying to get the hang of this forum. Thanks, Patrick, for following up.

[This message has been edited by Fiero Vice (edited 06-16-2015).]

Gall757 JUN 15, 10:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by Fiero Vice:
I can always upgrade ’87 Fiero to ’88 level or better. So, what am I missing here? What parts are so special?




You are missing the cost. It's true that you can upgrade the suspension on a 87, but with a cost over $1000, it makes the 88 worth the extra purchase price.

edit: Welcome to the Forum!

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 06-15-2015).]

Fiero Vice JUN 15, 10:27 PM
BTW, is there any really difference between automatic & manual? From what I read, not much. Some said it's easier on their leg with automatic. But manual is more fun with a sports car. In term of power, not much difference.
Formula88 JUN 15, 10:39 PM

quote
Originally posted by Fiero Vice:

BTW, is there any really difference between automatic & manual? From what I read, not much. Some said it's easier on their leg with automatic. But manual is more fun with a sports car. In term of power, not much difference.



Welcome to the forum.

Manual will be markedly faster, more fun and get better gas mileage.

Yes, you can mod a pre-88 to outhandle an '88, but stock for stock the 88 will handle AND ride better. It will also stop better. If you're going to upgrade all the brakes and suspension just to get to or past stock 88 levels, you could put that money towards a nicer stock 88. Keep in mind, you can also mod an '88 and then it's no contest.


All depends on what you want. Most parts are readily available. The few that are hard to come by can be had and I can tell you comparing my '88 Fiero Formula to my 2000 Trans Am, *ALL* Fiero parts are cheap.

Fiero Vice JUN 15, 10:52 PM

quote
Originally posted by Gall757:


You are missing the cost. It's true that you can upgrade the suspension on a 87, but with a cost over $1000, it makes the 88 worth the extra purchase price.

edit: Welcome to the Forum!




Thank you, Gall757. Even with $1,000 upgrade, it'd be a lot cheaper to go with 87 instead. Have you seen the premium prices of '88 recently? Don't you think?

[This message has been edited by Fiero Vice (edited 06-15-2015).]

Formula88 JUN 15, 11:01 PM
As was asked, Corvette parts don't interchange. Any that are used would have to be custom re-worked. The only really difficult part to find on an 88 is the front wheel bearings and reproductions are available.

I wouldn't pay double for an 88 GT if the two cars were equally equipped and in similar condition. If you're getting a nicer car with the 88, yes, it could easily be worth double. It will also be worth more when/if you sell. How much difference in cost are you talking between the cars? How much do you think it's going to cost to upgrade the suspension? Even upgraded it will still ride worse and not have as responsive steering. And the 88 you're looking at may just be over priced.

Keep an eye out in The Mall here and you'll likely find a good 88 GT at a fair price.
I'd also look up the prices to see if the cars you're looking at are over priced or not.
http://www.paulvargyas.com/Price%20Guide.htm