(This is my second attempt to post this... sorry if I have messed up. I am a first time poster)
Yesterday I was at a friend's business and he has a white 1984 sitting out back. I know it's not the fastest and greatest Fiero out there, but it's the exact model I owned back in the day, so I am interested in her. She supposedly runs (we will see...) but the finish is in really bad shape. She has sat in the FL sun for the past few years and the hood feels very rough. If you look close, you can see pretty significant texture on the finish and it 100% dull.
There is a cracked section above the rear passenger side wheel well as well that would require fixing.
I can probably have her for about $400. 87,000 miles on some deflated Eagle GT tires with lots of tread left.
Old tires, flat or not, parked for years on dirt often = tires are trash. Dirt often have chemicals that will crack rubber between treads and will let water etc to attack the belts.
Then add Flat tires for years can/will have problems inside even tires look ok on the outside.
Careful sand and repaint. Cannot use most paint strippers.
Likely Have brake problems too.
------------------ 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)
I would ask if you will do any necessary repairs yourself or if you will have a shop do it? You will probably want to do an oil change, coolant flush and refill, other fluids, belts, brakes, tires. If you do it all yourself it shouldn't cost more than $1-1.2k including the purchase to get it all up and ready to go. In that case I would say its worth it and will be a fun car for little cost. If you have a shop do everything, it could add up to another 1k. In that case you could probably find another similar one for the same price that is already up and running which would save the hassle and time of dealing with a shop.
About the paint, it can be done but will take considerable time or money if you pay someone to do it. It will just need to be sanded down till it is smooth before continuing with the normal paint process.
If it was me I would buy it. I love the feeling of taking something a bit rundown and then bringing it back to a nice condition.
Thanks for the advice. I will be going back for a 2nd look when the keys appear - hopefully today (they couldn't find them). I will check the trunk area first!
I would do all the work myself, including the painting. I will report back what I find.
I agree with Ogre. The ONLY safe way to remove the bad paint on any plastic body is to SAND it off. Also agree about the flat tires and brakes. The brakes may work, but if you have to make a panic stop youll just end up blowing out the seals or lines and being with no brakes. ANY gas in the tank is NO GOOD and all the fuel system needs looked into good.
Bad pitting in the surface can be repaired with the CORRECT filler. There's a diagram somewhere that shows which panels are made of which compound, SMC etc.
Edit to add image : ------------------ Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!
Plan on new brakes (calipers, pads, rotors). If it was sitting on the ground, brake lines may be rusted and have to be replaced. Floor could be rusted. You will need new tires. Gas tank may be full of gunk.
Basically, you will end up spending $1K or more to get this back on the road (safely). So... $1500 for a Fiero... then you don't know if it will even run properly, or if the tranny is toast, or the headlights work, etc..
Just saying.... it may be better to look for something that someone has running.
Originally posted by tedstur: When y'all say "Needs a brake job" you evidently aren't talking about new shoes. You mean new lines and all?
Maybe. Likely... Example: Rotors will have a lot of rust from sitting. Even no other damage, many shops won't turn the rusty rotors.
I've spent $500+ to Restore my brakes... New rotors, Good pads, rubber hoses, parking brake cables, etc. Some examples: Good SAE J1401 "rubber" is a lot better then OE w/o headaches. just that cost around $80. (see https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/129208.html ) New rotors for front often needs new bearings and seals. expect ~$100 or more for 4 rotors etc. Likely need new/rebuild calipers... another ~$120 or more
See my Cave, Brake Service and rest of brake section
Originally posted by jaskispyder: Basically, you will end up spending $1K or more to get this back on the road (safely). So... $1500 for a Fiero... then you don't know if it will even run properly, or if the tranny is toast, or the headlights work, etc..
Just saying.... it may be better to look for something that someone has running.
Getting a Running car often does not mean much. Many used cars are sold w/ major problems. Worse when have lowered suspension, brake "upgrades," etc. Even "flood" cars are fix enough to sell...
How many times do we hear PO cut wires, etc, and have to figure out headaches and fix then just on PFF alone? Or Worse PO did a hack job to "upgrade" the brakes, suspension, HL, body....
You need a expert to check them to drive w/o dangerous problems.
At least you can test drive it. That was the point I was making. Of course it should be looked over closely, as that goes for any purchase.
quote
Originally posted by theogre:
Getting a Running car often does not mean much. Many used cars are sold w/ major problems. Worse when have lowered suspension, brake "upgrades," etc. Even "flood" cars are fix enough to sell...
How many times do we hear PO cut wires, etc, and have to figure out headaches and fix then just on PFF alone? Or Worse PO did a hack job to "upgrade" the brakes, suspension, HL, body....
You need a expert to check them to drive w/o dangerous problems.
I'd look around for a running driving close match of your original car sale first. Craigslist? Could easily find one that will cost less, need less work in the long run.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 08-04-2016).]
Any Fiero that has been sitting outside for a long time should be considered a parts car. Unless it's running and driving expect to replace everything. It's not worth it as long as there are running and driving Fieros left in the world.
