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PapaPerk
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AUG 30, 08:04 PM
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Hello Everyone! I will be looking at a 1988 4 cylinder Fiero tomorrow afternoon. I'm looking forward to potentially being in this loving and faithful community. Is there anything that this seller could be hiding to the inexperienced that I need to look out? What are common fault areas that I need to check, etc. etc. Any tips for a first time Fiero owner?
Thank you in advance!!
-PapaPerk
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IMSA GT
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AUG 30, 08:19 PM
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Unfortunately if the car is in wet/rainy climate, there can be damage to where the car is scrap. Look in the rear trunk under the carpet. If you see this, run
The rear frame also rots away. You would need to really look down into the rear wheelwell to see this
 [This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-30-2022).]
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PapaPerk
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AUG 30, 08:25 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by IMSA GT:
Unfortunately if the car is in wet/rainy climate, there can be damage to where the car is scrap. Look in the rear trunk under the carpet. If you see this, run
The rear frame also rots away. You would need to really look down into the rear wheelwell to see this
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Unfortunately as you may see i live in Michigan, so there is a very real chance that it has a lot of moisture eating away at it. Ill be sure to take a look at those 2 areas tomorrow, thank you for the lookout[This message has been edited by PapaPerk (edited 08-30-2022).]
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fierofool
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AUG 30, 08:32 PM
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Michigan car, first thing to look for is rust. Pull the trunk carpet aside and look at both end walls of the trunk for signs of rust. Next, you may need to pull one of the rear wheels and look at the frame rail, hidden behind the strut. You might have to just feel along the high arch area where you can see the crankshaft pulley.
Look at the suspension parts for more than just surface rust. There's a metal plate at the bottom of the radiator that tends to rust heavily if it's been exposed to a lot of salt. There are metal plugs in the floor pan underneath the floors. They, too are good indicators of other rust.
If it's an automatic, look on the front side of the transmission for a harness plugged into the transmission. It sits horizontally pointing at the driver's butt. If it's unplugged, there is probably an issue with the transmission.
A picture of where to look for the rear frame rail rust.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/133776.html
Edit: While I was trying to regain a Windstream/Kinetic DSL connection, pretty much what I said has already been said and illustrated, but I'll just leave this here.[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 08-30-2022).]
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PapaPerk
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AUG 30, 08:44 PM
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Alright cool ill have to check that out, sorry if these are novice questions, never even been up to a Fiero up close before haha. Excited to dip my toes into this community !
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cruffenach
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AUG 31, 02:20 AM
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I'm sure you might have already known to check certain things, but as someone who personally went through this whole process a few months ago, it's still pretty fresh in my head  so I'll add a few things.
- Test drive! Of course, you should never buy a car without test driving it, but don't let the excitement of possibly getting a Fiero let you overlook this!
- As others above have said: LOOK FOR RUST! Surface rust on some parts in the engine bay can be normal, you are looking for frame rot. Things that undermine the entire car!
- Ask what work has been done on the car, if they can point out and show you even better. Also, if they replaced any parts, see if they have the originals and are willing to let you have them!
- Check for codes. If they let you take it for a test drive, bring a paper clip or something that will let you check codes. Of course you can ask the owner what codes it has, but if you feel they might be lying it wouldn't hurt to check.
- Do you homework before going! I'm sure you have been browsing these forums and various other sources on the Fiero, but the more you know going in, the less BS the seller can pull on you!
Hope everything looks good and you come home with a brand "new" Fiero!  ------------------
1984 Pontiac Fiero 2m4, Iron Duke 2.5L, Red
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Patrick
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AUG 31, 03:17 AM
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I always post this video for the newbs to check out.  Not only does it show where to look for rust in the back, but the poor guy's voice just drips with anguish. Learn from his mistake!
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theogre
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AUG 31, 05:59 PM
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If have any brake and/or suspension problems.... Getting 88 parts for either or worse both is getting very hard or impossible.
Hard enough getting many 84-87 Fiero parts but have more common or more volume for parts makers still bothers w/ them.
You can't even get spark plug wires in many places w/o an auto parts store ordering and wait a day or longer. Many store chains only have "universal" plug wires even then.
Sorry but a Fiero as a Daily Ride even just to go to work/school a few miles away they better have backup plan When not if something dies in a 30+ year old car and disabled for days just waiting for parts.
Even if whatever say Next Day Delivery for X and if they really have X in stock... That often depends on Day and Time. Weekends, Holidays, and more can change delivery date. So can Time you order... Depending on Store or Web site, After noon or any later can see cutoff time for shipping for that day meaning you order on Next Day Business.
Example: Monday before X time get on Tuesday. After X time your order maybe Billed but won't ship till Tuesday to deliver on Wed.
If you try that on Friday... After X time and may not start shipping until Monday, Tuesday w/ Monday holiday.------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)
The Ogre's Fiero Cave
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PapaPerk
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AUG 31, 09:55 PM
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Update: Looked at it today and it is in more rough of a shape than i anticipated. Paint is way worse up close, starting to bubble up around the top of it, engine took a long time to start, rusted clips underneath, literally 0 features (no sunroof, no decklift opening from the inside, no power windows of power mirrors). Things i did not want to deal with for the price he was asking. Will still be on the prowl for a well priced Fiero, thank you all for your help.
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PapaPerk
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AUG 31, 10:00 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by theogre:
Sorry but a Fiero as a Daily Ride even just to go to work/school a few miles away they better have backup plan When not if something dies in a 30+ year old car and disabled for days just waiting for parts.
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It wouldnt be a daily, mostly a spring and summer car, I would always have a more reliable car waiting for me in my hypothetical Fiero having future.
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