I have seen Meras priced from $7k to $21K. However, this is highly dependent on the vehicle condition and/or installed engine. Most of the "project" Meras that I have acquired had an initial cost of around $7k to $8K. The other one was significantly more.
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Originally posted by Rick 88:
Not trying to hijack the thread, but what is the market value for a 90k 88 Mera 5-speed in very good condition? I am looking for a range low to high of what they are bringing. TIA
I have seen Meras priced from $7k to $21K. However, this is highly dependent on the vehicle condition and/or installed engine. Most of the "project" Meras that I have acquired had an initial cost of around $7k to $8K. The other one was significantly more.
Agree. Also, in today's economy, Mera prices will be on the lower side of the scale. Depends on how "motivated" the seller is.
Here's another mod I did a while back, and actually, this can be done with any Fiero. This is to keep the trunk light off when the back lid is up for a period of time.
VERY carefully, I drilled a small hole in the trunk bracket. That's on the bracket, not that small indentation on the latch thingy itself ("latch" is probably not the right word, its that little "finger" that sticks out to activate/deactivate the light). To determine the right location, I pushed the "finger" into the bracket as I was drilling. The idea is to drill the hole through the bracket, but UNDER the "finger" when its pushed in.
After drilling, I had to use a little sandpaper in-between the bracket so the "finger" would not hang up.
So now, when I want the back lid open, I push the "finger" up with my thumb, like this:
And insert my homemade pin (made from a coat hanger) into the hole I drilled:
You can see from this angle how the pin keeps the "finger" up, thus de-activating the trunk light switch.
If you step away, it looks like this:
Easy and cheap mod...best kind!
Tom
[This message has been edited by Fiero-in-Paradise (edited 09-05-2009).]
reholmes, that's some interesting badges. Wonder if Rodney can provide some info on those.
Thanks for posting your Mera #. That adds a bit more to the history of my own Mera, #8044. I knew that there was another Mera shipped to Hawaii, #8045. It was described in this thread:
I'm pretty #8044 (mine) and #8045 were shipped together at the same time to Hawaii, but unfortunately, #8045 led a neglected life. Last I heard, #8045 was sold and was going to be restored by a father-son team. Since you have #8046, odds are that was the last one sent to Hawaii. I know that #8042 is somewhere on the mainland, so I just need to track down #8043 that MAY confirm if I have the only operating Mera in Hawaii.
Rodney has said that the early Mera nose badges had Corporate Concepts at the bottom. I GOTTA HAVE THESE!! in SILVER!! thems purtty. me likey. Can i use this picture for a reproduction??
Let me get you some better pics--those were taken hurriedly in a dark garage. I won't promise them today, but soon--send me a PM and I'll get back to you.
Rodney should know about this car, it was last owned, briefly, by Paul V. Before that it was strictly West Coast--two previous owners. I have contacted the most recent owner and he is sending more info on the car. I haven't talked to Rodney about registering it, but will soon.
It's really a very nice car, solid roof, tan interior, stock engine, 66k miles, built from a Formula (I think). I will post pics along the way. This one was taken by Paul.
At the bottom of the page, click on the Pennocks Image Poster that will load the program and create an icon on your computer. Transfer your pics from your camera to your computer as you normally would do. When you're creating a PFF entry, minimize the screen, and click on the PIP icon. You'll be able to browse your hard drive and select the photo you want to upload. Go back to your PFF entry, hit Control-V, and it will insert your photo. If you want to insert more photos, repeat process. Pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
Interestingly, I tried to buy your car six months ago when it was on Paradise Cruisers--never could get hold of you. I'm assuming you are black02-z28 and decided not to sell.
Nope, wasn't me. I'd be interested to see the posting if you can still provide the link. I rarely surf on the P/C site...only go on it to check out the local shows' dates/times.
I did have the Mera advertised on the local Craigslist, the Kitcar Forum, and on some bulletin boards on Hickam AFB (where I work). I also had it advertised here on PFF.
BTW, I sent you a PM with some add'l tips on posting pics.
Thanks for that link! Yep...that was my ad on the local Craigslist, looks like the guy copied it right into the PC blog.
The other guy who made some comments..."Rob," actually made e-mail contact with me a couple of times, to ask some general questions about the door stickers and such, and was the person that told me about the car being sold off to someone else who had some plans to restore, or do a VIN switch.
I'll have to join the PC site ASAP and try to find #8045, or at least the remnants of it. As rusted out as it was, that gem was already destined for the crusher once, I hope its still around. I'd buy it just to have the spare panels, if nothing else, or rebuild it on a different chassis.
Interior. Actually the steering wheel has been swapped out. It's now the traditional three spoke. Which brings up a question: Is there a Mera badge for the center cap?
Wish my other cars' interiors were this color!
[This message has been edited by reholmes (edited 09-14-2009).]
Do you mean the horn buttom or the wheel centercap when you are writing about a MERA emblem?
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Originally posted by reholmes:
Interior. Actually the steering wheel has been swapped out. It's now the traditional three spoke. Which brings up a question: Is there a Mera badge for the center cap?
I will try to e-mail you a photo sometime today of my 87 Mera horn button. However, I do not know if this was stock or an aftermarket addition. Feel free to resize and post the photo if you want to do so.
Yes, please post! I'd like to see what that looks like as well.
I've been toying with the idea of using the round wheel center MERA labels and embedding it somehow into my Momo horn button. Or...going back to the original 3-spoke wheel.
I like the idea of Mera badges on a Mera body. It looks authentic that way. Why put Ferrari badges on it if it isn't a Ferrari? If a Ferrari dealer spots this the companys lawyers will be hot on your tail and many car folks know what a real Ferrrari looks like anyway so who are we fooling? .
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I agree with Dennis, but I don't have any problem with Ferrari badges on Meras. What does tickle me are comments from Ferrari owners that this is just a "plastic car." Interestingly, of the 70,000 or so 308 style Ferraris, about 700+ made by Scaglietti were fiberglass--these are the high value 308s!
[This message has been edited by reholmes (edited 09-17-2009).]
worked out good that my name is Dan. gonna try to 1 piece the whole thing because it worked out that the R and A are still connected. more than likely I will fuse the M and E togeather and call it a two piece. seein' that it is a Pontiac emblem it will look good with the silver Pontiac emblem already on the car. more pictures tommorow. later- Dan
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 10-15-2009).]
Oh, yeah, as far as the long lost Mera. according to Rodney, the 1986 prototype was/is the only Mera that DID NOT have the back up lights. I am still awaiting a second opinion on that one. as far as I know that was one of the only differences between the proto and the first true production models. I am not real sure (70%), if memory serves me right. oops... chows done. be back later,bye.
EDIT: upon reinspection. noticed no controller for the mirrors in between window switches. also was told that 1987 Meras did not come with the chromadora rims. OUT.
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 09-20-2009).]
Back-up camera eh? Cool, definitely needed on a Mera. I have a back-up warning on mine, the sender unit is mounted below the bumper. The unit inside the cabin is mounted on the shelf by the rear window. It provides a beeping sound and a digital readout in feet/inches to an obstacle. Backing up with a Mera can be treacherous.
I think that "Mera" on sale is probable where the original Mera frame was rusted out or something, so he switched out the panels onto another frame. Looking at the detail in the headlight covers, I think its a Mera body vice kit.
That's what happened to #8045, my car's sister that was shipped here to Hawaii. Apparently #8045 was bought by someone with the intention of removing the panels and putting it onto a rust-free frame. However, from what I gather, they changed their minds and now the Mera panels are just sitting in a storage shed. I'm trying to locate the owner...would love to have a complete set of extra Mera panels...just in case.
I haven't forgotten about your emblems (yours and Nelson). I came down with a really bad gout attack on my foot, so I was laid up all last week. Hopefully I'll be able to hobble over to her store next week. Tom
Here's another rather inexpensive mod that I did a while back. I wanted to modernize the look by "deleting" the antenna. But I didn't want to mess around with filling and repainting the fender when the original paint is in such great condition, and I wanted it so that any future owner could still easily revert it back to original status. So I removed the antenna, and bought a plastic plug from the local hardware store. I had to trim the bottom of the plug a little bit, and then I painted it with a GM red that was a close match.
Then I bought a new-style, one piece antenna (I think it cost like $14.00) and mounted it in the trunk area, right above the spare tire. The antenna is insulated from grounding by two small rubber-coated brackets. Then I simply ran the cable through to the radio. Since I have an updated stereo, I no longer needed that to use the adaptor on the original old antenna cable.
From this distance, you cannot even tell the antenna was there. I think it just gives the Mera a simpler, cleaner look without the antenna. (This is an older pic where I still had the Ferrari nose badge and wheel center caps.)
And if the next owner wants to put the original antenna back in, all he needs to do is remove the plug and screw the original antenna back in. FM reception through the hood is still okay, at least for the channels I like. I mostly listen to CDs anyways, so reception is not a real issue.
Hey! you know , its funny i just finished the thread posted about the lost #45. t'wood be nice indeed to have real replacement panels! no cares racing. I mean driving haha..... so I have to scale back my order to just one full set of door/nose emblems. hope thats not a problem. sucks. like i said its nice to have a replacement (wink..) but the job market took another hit here in Mich. That's what's cool about the antenna cover its cheap and effictive. I need to find real cheap things to do so emblems are about it. next is to find the nose badge (thats covered by you, thanks) and a 2.8L V-6. thats it. hopefully get job by Jan. and get a 3800 II SC swap done right proper!! going surfin' later- D
P.S. hope your foot clears, seasons almost over. wait your in Hawaii. what is your season? month to month? let me guess ALL YEAR!! lucky dog. you know ,truth be told, I was concieved in the chain somewhere. I'll have to check with Mun for exact location.
[This message has been edited by batousai666 (edited 09-20-2009).]
Hopefully I'll get a chance to check on the emblems this week. Sorry about your job, economy basically sucks bigtime. Keep at it though, I'm sure something will turn up!
LOL...uh...nice to hear that you had your "beginnings" here in Hawaii.
