Hello, I'm new here, and I was wondering about the reliablity of the Fiero... I've been in love with the design of those cars for a long time and now that it's time for me to get my first car (I'm 17), I've been wondering how the reliability stacks up. I've heard some bad things about Pontiac in this area... but I just wanna hear some opinions from you Fiero owners... Since I'll be using my car a LOT this year to shuttle between school, my job, church, home, etc. would a Fiero hold up without falling apart? How is the maintenance?
This is just my opinion, but I would not trust the Fiero for important transportation. Too many things have, and will go wrong. Sure, it's 15 years old, but thats no excuse.
Well, this is a bit of a tough question... I use my custom '87 GT as my dailydriver (109k miles...) BUT, I did have it in the shop for nearly 2 years for a new 3.1L engine, 4spd transmission, and Misc bodywork (1 accident). Basically my car is nearly all new as of 100k miles. -So, with only 9k miles on the drivetrain, I'm not particularily worried. Again though, that's after being off the road for 2 full years. I would suggest that you MUST have an alternative form of transportation (I also have a '94 Olds Bravada, and my wife's '92 Toyota Carolla). Next, if you live in a climate where snow is an issue- I would recommend either a really good set of snow tires... or a winter "Beater". If you are concerned about maintenence, you've come to the right place. There is more info and resources (members) here than anywhere else you'll ever find. Welcome to the forum!
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Medium Metallic Green 87 GT 3.1L High Output 4 Spd OD Tranny Open (read: Loud) Exhaust and More! -Rob Bartlett
on day 3 of my newly aquired 84SE the ignition module died, 1 week later the engine vibrated un ghodly and was promptly replaced. Ever since then not a lick of trouble from her, My 88 ran for 3 years of perfect service before a wheel bearing broke. That was the only problem besides the Platinum plugs / DIS incompatibility. both cars only left me stranded once each.
ive got 88,000 miles in last 4 years. Its mostly my daily driver, although I dont park in any parking lots with it. I also dont drive it in snow and ice if I can help it. its only quit on me twice. once ign module went. once coil went but nursed it home 30 miles.
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02:28 PM
artherd Member
Posts: 4159 From: Petaluma, CA. USA Registered: Apr 2001
(Seirously, the world is a large place, you will find fieros that break teh laws of physics as well as everything else, and you will find cars with 200kmiles that have had nothing but oil changes...
I second the recomendation, have a second means of transportation. Treat the Fiero as a 'nice car' or even 'weekend/criuse car' (they beg for open road, not sitting in traffic anyway.) Or even if you drive it every day, have a $1k honda civic that you can drive when your fiero is down. 0r it's raining (or hailing, etc...)
If you approach these cars the same way you would a Ferrari or Lambo, you will be very very happy indeed (and about $.245mil richer :) (this means that maybe you do use them as a dialy driver, I know a gent who 'commutes' in an F40... (possibly the most extreme Ferrari allowed on the streets, even the F50 is 'tame' by comparison.)
He has a backup car, and gives the Ferrari proper (and extensive) maintinence.
Best! Ben.
------------------ Ben Cannon 88 Formula, T-top Metalic Red 88 Formula, Silver 87 Coupe, Metalic Red "Every Man Dies, not every man really Lives" -Mel Gibson, "Braveheart"
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02:34 PM
Indiana_resto_guy Member
Posts: 7158 From: Shelbyville, IN USA Registered: Jul 2000
Any that I have that are daily drivers are totally inspected when they are aquired. Anything needed fixed, get fixed. Do normal maintance after that and I have better that a 99% comfortability factor on reliability.
I take long road trips in them anytime I want with no problems and have never been 'road kill' with any!
I have a choice of too many to pick from.
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02:35 PM
Tigger Member
Posts: 4368 From: Flint, MI USA Registered: Sep 2000
Now I'll be honest, I had about 5 DNF's in the first year and a half. Some of the things I encountered:
Clutch - no warning Alternator Belt exploded - probably should have replaced it, but didn't expect it to go. 3 electrical problems - caused by hacked wiring and household electrical twisties coming apart.
Had a few other problems like stuck caliper, damaged control arm, and whatnot.
After replacing that stuff, the hacked wiring, a couple sensors, PCV valve, alternator, starter, fuel/air filters, battery and a few other minor things it runs like a champ - purrs like a kitten.
A lot depends on how well the previous owner maintained the car and it's condition. I started out with a basketcase so I had problems on top of problems the first year and it just took a long time to get them under control.
I would say a Fiero can make a decent daily driver. Shoot, our local pizza delivery guy drives a beat up '84.
Good luck, hope things work out.
------------------ T-T-F-N, Ta Ta For Now!
[This message has been edited by Tigger (edited 08-03-2001).]
A Fiero can be a great and inexpensive daily driver.
From a standpoint of reliability and expense, the best Fiero to use as a daily driver would be an 87 or 88 4-cylinder. The distributorless ignition is very reliable. My 88 has been an incredibly reliable daily driver for more than 5 years, and I know three more Forum members who have had similar luck with 87's. Maintenance is easy...everything except belt-driven stuff like the alternator is easy to reach and service. The 88 has better brakes and suspension, but these parts are much cheaper and readily available for the 87 than on the 88.
A well-maintained, low-mileage V6 can also a reliable car. Of course, you will pay top dollar for a car like this. Servicing the V6 is marginally more difficult than the 4-cyl IMHO.
The 84 Fiero was a wonderful little car that started it all. That said, avoid the 84 as a daily driver. Mine gave me no end of electrical trouble...a fusible link here, an alternator there, a fuel pump here, a tach filter there...
I hope you find a nice Fiero. You won't be disappointed.
[This message has been edited by ChadMan (edited 08-03-2001).]
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04:10 PM
PFF
System Bot
Rodrv6 Member
Posts: 1910 From: Ball Ground, Ga. Registered: Nov 1999
My 84 was a daily driver from the day it was brand new up until about 2 years ago. I put over 330,000 miles on it over the years. I've had some problems in that time, but with the exception of 3 instances of losing the cam timing gear, the car has been no more or less reliable than anything else I've owned. A lot depends on how the car has been treated over the years. I tend to be a maintennance fanatic, so my results may not be "typical"
------------------ Rod Schneider, Woodstock, Ga. 84 SE, 330,000 miles and counting, 88 GT, not nearly as many miles :)
Both of the Fieros I've owned are daily drivers and were also the only driveable car that I had at the time. The only problems I had with my 84 were all there when I bought it. The only major problems I've had with my GT are from the NEW parts I've put on it. and the car was still able to get me home.
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04:38 PM
88CoupeV6 Member
Posts: 1578 From: New Bedford MA Registered: May 2001
I've had Fiero's as my daily driver since I got my license almost 4 years ago.. only been stranded twice that I can remember. Once was the battery in my 84 went, second time was when the (original, i think) alternator went at around 150,000 miles. I knew it was going but decided to drive anyways. Other than that, no major problems.
i drive mine everyday. i fill up gas 2 times a week sometimes(500 miles) and im at 168k and counting. i just got back from florida for my brothers wedding. total of 2400 miles round trip and wouldnt hesitate to do it again. my fiero has been my only car since i was 17 and the only major stuff i have done was the clutch at 90k miles. that was about 6 months after i got the car. now at 170k miles im going to start redoing the suspension. i wouldnt hesitate about drivin mine everyday.
when i bought my car 2 yrs ago it had 1 broken head and head gasket,well when i tore it down and put it all together, i've been driving my car everyday and no problems at all.AL 84 Indy 4 speed(stole it) 86 GT 89 WS6 GTA
