quote Originally posted by Frizlefrak: The entire suspension on the C4 Corvette is vastly superior to that of the Fiero....even an 88 Fiero.

Interesting comment- but some magazine people didn't agree with this apparently back when the cars were new. When testing the '88 Fiero GT, Sports Car Illustrated said:

"On the road, you can drive a new Fiero without the clenched-fist grip on the wheel you needed in older Fieros. On glass-smooth roads, all you notice is a quieter ride. But on any other surface, the difference between the old and new is astonishing. Bumps get soaked up without upsetting the car, the steering is linear and accepts small corrections easily. That could never be said of the old car...In total, zipping over challenging roads is more rewarding. It is a new feeling as well, for any General Motors product, including even the Corvette."

[This message has been edited by FieroFanatic13 (edited 05-11-2009).]

I've owned a C3 driven the C4 & C5, don't care for the looks of the C6. Really I never have cared for the C4,5 or 6 Vettes body styles. I can't believe they got rid of the hide-a-way headlights on the C6. They have a certian appeal for many. With what I have put into my Fiero I could have bought a few of C4 Vettes I guess.

The Vette is to narrow in the seat for me, and I have more leg room in the Fiero. The balance is off a little, front heavy, I like the Fiero's balance and the seat is the pivot point. I find it a little harder to get out of the Vette vs the Fiero. I do like the Vette Targa top I wish the Fiero had it, but a T-Top will do.

When Vettes were being manufactured in St. Louis the line use to run 7 an hour, now I believe they are running around 56 an hour. They have gone from being unique to everyone has one. I like my Fiero and it's unique carbon fiber / Urethane body from the factory that the imports crave. You tell these kids about an american made car that has a all carbon fiber / urethane body from the factory and they are in disbelief. I just smile when I tell them, priceless to see the expression on their faces.

It's a great conversation piece with all the functional mods that have been done to my car. If you have a V-8 or S/C /Turboed V-6 it's just that much better.

As far as getting noticed do you think you will get more attention in this:



Or this:



I need a better pic of my GT but you get the idea.

[This message has been edited by Earl-R (edited 05-11-2009).]

My friends dad was the designer of the Steering rack and control arms for the C5 Vette among other things. That car is vastly superior to any Fiero or Previous corvette. I've seen them in the local Auto mags for under 20k now, some even touching the 15k area. I think that quite reasonable for a used Vette and if I had the money, I'd probably buy one.

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Red 86GT 4 Speed

quote Originally posted by Earl-R: You tell these kids about an american made car that has a all carbon fiber / urethane body from the factory and they are in disbelief.

I guess I'd be one of them. They are really carbon fiber?

quote Originally posted by couldahadaV8: I guess I'd be one of them. They are really carbon fiber?

No... they are something else, i just cant remember the name. Starts with a 'P'. Its not carbon fiber though.

Not trying to brag BUTTTTT..... I have owned the C 1-5 Vettes (It was tough getting used to the "C" designation). I have owned 84-88 Fieros inclusive of all years with just about all trans/ engine combos. Whoever mentioned the 84 Crossfire hit it on the nose. NO POWER! Drove like it was on a track. Like a train SLOW to get going.

The money that you put in a Fiero to get it to the "standards" of a Vette, you can buy a Vette. Now with that said, you are looking at the beginning cost right now. In the end, what will you be able to get out of it when you want to "move-up"? There are a lot of tire-kickers that wish they could buy your V-8 or 3800SC Fiero but in the end, the Vette will hold their value. The true value is what it will be worth to you BUTTTT if you are going to want to move up, the Vette would be best for you (IMO). IF you are looking for unique, get a small block Metropolitian.

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Why fight to be accepted by people you don't actually want to be like?

quote Originally posted by kawana: No... they are something else, i just cant remember the name. Starts with a 'P'. Its not carbon fiber though.

I stand corrected it is fiberglass injected urethane not carbon injected.

You obviously haven't cut into any of the panels, they are not plastic.

.

[This message has been edited by couldahadaV8 (edited 05-11-2009).]

Having had a Corvette repair shop, C5s are similar to Fieros body panels. They are different forms of ' plastic' with fiberglass reinforcement imbedded. I think the newer Z06s have a lot of actual carbon fiber body parts including the hoods. I didnt work on many post C4 cars before closing up for retirement.

quote Originally posted by Earl-R: As far as getting noticed do you think you will get more attention in this:

I'll do great with either. It's not the car, it's the man At least that's what I keep telling myself.

At my age, attention is the last thing I want. I own both a C4 and 2 Fieros because I enjoy driving both, just for different reasons. I have a nice 86 GT, and a nice 88 V8 coupe...But in all honesty the Vette still gets more attention than either....partially because it's getting rare to see an early C4 in a condition this nice. Most are thrashed. And it's a hoot to drive.

I am waiting to buy a C9 corvette if they finally put the engine in the proper place. A C5 of C6 would be fine though.

the only body style of corvette i'll EVER own .. unless I win the lottery and buy all fiero owners z06's for their engines

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Tiny but Mighty

quote Originally posted by kraelo: the only body style of corvette i'll EVER own ........

AMEN

This is in regard to the inquiry comprising the title of your thread: "how does the fiero compare to a C4 vette?"

I own one of each, an `86 Fiero GT and a `94 C4, and see them as totally different cars.

In fact, the 4th-generation (or "C4") Corvette itself is comprised of very different cars.

The C4 Corvette lasted from 1984 through 1996, a 13-year period. The `96 had 330 horsepower, over 60% more than did the 1984 (205 horsepower), but with much the same curb weight. As you might imagine, that in itself tells you they were quite different cars.

Here is an overview of the C4 Corvette along with some specs on it in different years that I think will be of interest to you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette_C4 .

By the way, I think it important for you to also rely on obtaining considerable research on your own related to this subject. After all, keep in mind that on this Fiero forum, the question you'd asked in the title of your thread was "how does the fiero compare to a C4 vette?"

For a different perspective, I suggest you pose the same question on a Corvette forum.

Personal preferences for one car or the other aside, perhaps the more important question for you to consider is which of these two cars, a Fiero or a Corvette, would be more feasible for you to maintain in Sweden?

Corvette is a tire roasting beast where the Fiero just feels better suited to the SBC.
But they are both fun in their own way.

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Get a Corvette when you're about 50 years old, but for right now... stick with the Fiero.

Why do you have to be 50?

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quote Originally posted by kraelo: the only body style of corvette i'll EVER own .. unless I win the lottery and buy all fiero owners z06's for their engines

There is one of these down the street from me and the guy I bought my 88GT from had one freshly painted in his garage... Me Likey!

[This message has been edited by carbon (edited 05-11-2009).]

quote Originally posted by project34: For a different perspective, I suggest you pose the same question on a Corvette forum. Personal preferences for one car or the other aside, perhaps the more important question for you to consider is which of these two cars, a Fiero or a Corvette, would be more feasible for you to maintain in Sweden?

I think I did, but I'm not sure... I know I did ask for opinions on the C4 over at ferrarichat.com though. I try to avoid mentioning the fiero as those guys don't really like them (due to a lot of poorly built fiero-based replicas being advertised as the real deal)

considering the lower initial value of the fiero, I would be more inclined to swap to readily available components than if I was trying to get a vette running, so in that regard the Fiero is the better alternative as a summer daily driver, But a vette is easier to find original parts and upgrades for (though the prices are not for those on a budget since parts are generally ordered from the US which adds shipping and then another 30% on top of that). So they're pretty even there.