Hi Friends, Newb needs help
Printed From: West Coast Fieros
Category: General Fiero Chat
Forum Name: General Talk about Fieros
Forum Description: Just want to chat about fieros? here's the place to make that happen.
URL: http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=963
Printed Date: 22 November 2024 at 11:39pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Hi Friends, Newb needs help
Posted By: Guests
Subject: Hi Friends, Newb needs help
Date Posted: 02 November 2008 at 12:39pm
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After years of wanting one, I'm about to buy a Fiero tomorrow. I've watched my market area for some time for what I want, an 88 GT, black outside, grey inside, 5 speed... I am supposed to look at it tomorrow, and I'll probably buy it unless there is anything majorly obviously wrong. I need your help as to what I should look for...I've never owned a Fiero.. I understand cooling lines can be easily pinched by people unfamiliar with how to jack the car up.. can I see if these lines are damaged in a parking lot without a lift? The car has 115,000 miles, the sellers says it is stock, says it was getting hot this last summer, but he had the radiator replaced and everything is fine now.. the front end was "tapped" the seller says, and though it passes a CarFax and shows accident free, the front clip has reveal/alignment issues. Are these easy to realign?
Thanks in advance for any help, With Respect, Snuffy
PS He wants 4000 and says the car needs 4 news tires due to dry rot, though he says the car has not been sitting for any long period of time.. he claims he is the second owner, does this sound like a reasonable price? THe car books for 1300 on KBB. PPS I am also told 88 parts are much more expensive, and harder to find.. is this true? |
Replies:
Posted By: hangmans8
Date Posted: 02 November 2008 at 7:01pm
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if it was parked outside with half a tank of fuel, the tank could be rusty inside. i have that problem with my car right now. kelly blue book is a joke! ------------- 1987 gt 5spd |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 02 November 2008 at 7:16pm
| Thanks for that, I'll try to look inside with a flashlight.. is the fill for the tank located in an odd location where water can pool on top? |
Posted By: 88FieroGT
Date Posted: 02 November 2008 at 7:25pm
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I think that $4000 would be a good deal depending on its condition. I got
mine for $5600 a couple years ago, and had it appraised by an ICBC appraiser for $8600, and its pretty much stock. I haven't had too much trouble finding parts for my car. Between Lordco, JB, and NAPA I've always been able to find parts for it. As for the coolant tubes, they are really easy to see under the car without a jack. They just run along the rocker panels from each wheel. This is a picture of mine. It is slightly crushed from a lift from before I got my car. It does still cools fine. 
Good luck tomorrow. |
Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 02 November 2008 at 7:35pm
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Just to preface everything in this, I am not an "experienced Fiero owner" compared to some of the guys here, also I'm not all that knowledgeable about the specific 88 changes. I'm not sure how it works in the States but you can usually find a pretty nice 88GT for 4-5g's in Canada. Also I doubt there'll be an issue with the cooling lines, but you can check. With the front clip, there is a plastic egg shell like clip behind the plastic. A guy here "Roadfury" had the same issue. Apparently there are ways to "jimmy" it back to the normal position but the only way to really fix it is to replace it. Also it normally takes quite a while for tires to dry rot so I'd question the owner when it says "the car has not been sitting for any long period of time." As for checking out Fiero specific issues with the car, I'd just do the usual. Run it through the gears to check transmission/trans axel. Test the clutch at different speeds, up shift and down for the syncro's. Check the tires for any odd wear patterns that would indicate inproper camber or damage from an accident. Try to bounce the front and rear of the car for the suspension. Check the electrical, especially the headlights but also any power accessories. Don't be scared if the fuel gauge is inaccurate. Lightly apply the brakes to see if rotors are shot or brakes are working. Try ebrake on a incline. Check glass for cracks, and weather stripping for mold/cracking. This could also indicate how long it's been sitting. Check for rust on the frame. Don't let the guy start the car before you get there. Check the oil and see how clean it is, or if there are any filings and smell it. Listen to the engine during a cold start, (starter, engine knocking, ticking) etc etc. Watch for black/blue/white exhaust. Smell the exhaust to see if it's running rich or lean. White=moisture, which could mean head gasket. Black or Blue= She's burning oil and something is wrong. Get the car good and warm to see if the thermostate works and the fan and to see if he did change everything. If it's a cold day the fan might not come on. Check to see how long it takes to blow hot air, if at all. It should begin to blow hot air within 2 minutes. Keep the car in the same location while it's warming up and check for fluid leaks on the ground. Also check the cooling hoses for stress cracks, for replacing and to see how badly the car has overheated. And the most important thing to remember. You can walk away. There will always be another one. If it were me, given that the tires are shot and it has been in an accident I'd be much more inclined to push for a price closer to $3000. But if the Body, Interior, Electrical, Mechanical is mint it might be worth it. I have no idea how experienced you are with buying cars so please don't be offended if you already knew everything I suggested. I'm just trying to be helpful. ------------- I wanna go fast. |
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 02 November 2008 at 8:23pm
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Ok touching on a few things that were brought up. The FIRST thing to do is get the car fired up and check for exhaust leaks at the rear manifold. It there is an exhaust leak, plan on spending about $600 to fix it. Everything thinks ah $60 gasket set will fix it, most cases a leaking rear manifold results in the head having to be removed to fix it. Next up is fire the car up, remove the oil filler cap, remove the PCV hose in the trunk valve cover and remove the hose going from the rear valve cover to the air intake tube. Rev the engine to 3000rpms a few times and look for puffing smoke from the open valve cover holes. This will give you a quick idea if the engine is in good shape or not. Drive the car and watch the Oil Pressure gauge, don't worry if it bounces around a bit, just get it to a hot idle and watch the pressure, 20lbs or more at hot idle is fine. Less than 20 lbs means the engine is pretty worn. Less than 10 lbs and I would hit up an engine shop on the way home for a new motor. I don't know what that equals in Kpa's, but its 1/4 on the guage for 20lbs and 1/8th on the gauge for 10 lbs. As mentioned above, pull the dipstick and smell the oil, if it smells like burnt oil, or just oil, then you are pretty good, if it smells either sweet or gas smelling it could be a questionable issue. Now for some 88 specific stuff. Check the front wheel bearings, give the top of the wheel a tug out, if it seems solid you are pretty good. If it kinda clunks you could be in for a wheel bearing swap, and on an 88 plan on spending 400-500 for a set of front bearings. Inside the car, check the headliner and see if it has moisture stains from a leak. Albeit not a deal killer, it would be nice to check. Check for a damp trunk as well. Frame rust is not a major issue with cars that are local BC cars. Unless it spent a lot of time in Squamish or Whistler. Well thats about all the heads up I can thin off of the top of my head. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 02 November 2008 at 8:47pm
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You guys are amazing! I am so grateful, thank you for all of your time..this is exactly what I was looking for..this will be so helpful..
With Respect, Snuffy |
Posted By: Roadfury
Date Posted: 02 November 2008 at 10:18pm
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Matt says "With the front clip, there is a plastic egg shell like clip behind the
plastic. A guy here "Roadfury" had the same issue. Apparently there are
ways to "jimmy" it back to the normal position but the only way to
really fix it is to replace it." is the actual plastic exterior of the nose sunk in? if it is you'll have to get it either professionally reshaped or replaced, ive tried to reshape mine myself and it didnt work at all. basically the eggshell supports the exterior plastic. the eggshell is held on by plastic rivets which shear off in a collision. replacement rivets can be purchased through fierostore or possibly a LPS for next to nothing. if the eggshell is crushed, replace it but if a joint or 2 inside are split you can get away with using a good quality plastic glue but you dont have to trust anything i say ------------- 
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Posted By: 85SEnochie
Date Posted: 03 November 2008 at 7:15am
Welcome to the maddness  hope you have fun and post some pix when you get it would love to see it 
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 09 November 2008 at 6:02pm
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Thanks again for these awesome replies, these along with my existing knowledge saved me from buying a real !#%$box Fiero.
Currently I plan on buying one in CA this weekend. It is a good value for what it is. There is one closer to me in Tucson AZ, with a V8 in it, looks real clean, but the car itself has 140k miles, and the V8, I'm told, had 100k miles when he dropped it in, and did no servicing to it prior to install... which makes me nervous.. he was asking 9k and I offered 6200, am I being unreasonable for a V8 Fiero?
Thansk, Snuffy |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 09 November 2008 at 6:41pm
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Quite honestly, I think even at $6200 you're offering way too much. You haven't supplied many other details, but unless the current owner has put a ton of expensive new stuff into this Fiero, you'd be paying way too much. I don't know if you are a member at http://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin/fiero/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro - PFF , but many people down in the States report buying V8 Fieros for a heck of a lot less than six grand. Heck even up here, where prices are generally much higher, there was one advertised locally for $5000 this past spring. Here's the blurb on it and a picture... 1986 Pontiac Fiero GT Fastback,
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 09 November 2008 at 7:28pm
| Thank you! You guys have really been a HUGE help! |
Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 09 November 2008 at 10:10pm
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It depends on the V8 and how well the work is done, there is a nice V8 for sale here in BC and the 10,000 asking price is well within reason as the car has had over 25,000 invested in it.
6,200 is a fair price for a nice fuel injected car. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 09 November 2008 at 11:35pm
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Maybe, maybe not, but what makes you think the Tucson AZ car is fuel injected?
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Capt Fiero wrote:Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 10 November 2008 at 9:16am
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Gawd Patric, you have to assume I am assuming something. I should have worded that differently. I said 6200 is fair for a fuel injected V8. Maybe I should have worded it differently.
If the car is fuel injected, then 6,200 would be a fair price, if it is not fuel injected then I would say more like 5000. Again it also depends on condition of the car. I have seen stock fastback cars sell for over 6000 if in really good shape. A V8 conversion ads about $3000 to the price of any decent Fiero. To do a V8 SBC V8 conversion start to finish is about $6000 if you do it yourself, $10,000 to have a shop do it. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 10 November 2008 at 11:15am
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$6000... really? I would have guessed less. But I'm assuming you're getting the engine for under a $1000. ------------- I wanna go fast. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 10 November 2008 at 4:48pm
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Ok as long as I have the attention of a few senior/admin members here......let me hit you with this....I am driving to CA THIS SATURDAY to buy what I feel is a nice Fiero at a reasonable price. He worked with me a bit on the price, but he wouldn't go below 6200, and I agreed.. The guy is really cool and has been very forthright with me, and he's given me loads of his time on the phone... What is your opinion on THIS car for 6200? Only negative I know of, is that the tranny and the rest of the car that hasn't been modified or rebuilt has close to 80 k miles... other than that, it seems reasonable to me.. what do you all think? Thanks a bunch! https://post.craigslist.org/manage/903455500/7yyrm - https://post.craigslist.org/manage/903455500/7yyrm |
Posted By: kawana
Date Posted: 10 November 2008 at 5:29pm
| id say go for it, looks like a really clean ride. Only negative thing i can see is the automatic tranny.. If its rust free (and CA, id think it would be..), sounds like a fair price for all that work. Some of those things like the Mr.Mikes seats, and (what looks like) Cliff Pennocks digital instrument cluster, cost like $400+, plus the brake upgrade.. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 10 November 2008 at 5:41pm
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This one is $6200 as well? I'm sure you'll get some other feedback, but honestly, I think it's pretty difficult for those of us up here in BC to comment knowledgeably on the price of a car down in California. I think comparing prices here verses prices there is an apples and oranges situation. Someone in your neck of the woods would have a much better idea how the price of this Fiero compares with other similar Fieros available down there. Having said all that, it's a nice looking car. Personally, I wouldn't spend anywhere near that much on an automatic, and I probably would prefer a newer 86/87/88 fastback GT, although that in itself wouldn't turn me off an otherwise "perfect" Fiero. Whether this one is "perfect" for you, only YOU can decide. Good luck!
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Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 10 November 2008 at 5:47pm
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Although its is an exceptional example of an 85GT. I wouldn't pay that much for a fairly stock car. Ya it has big brakes and a 3.4, but with an automatic, you can beat that performance for $800 worth of bolt on parts to a completely stock car.
For 6200 I would look for an 88GT or maybe a car that is not so clean but has a good foundation like already converted to at the least a 4.9 Caddy V8 or a 3.8SC car. However that is just my opinion. All my cars are more go than show, I'd rather go fast than look good. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 10 November 2008 at 6:51pm
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Thanks again guys! I know I HATE AUTOMATICS! I've been looking FOREVER for a nice Fiero down here, nothing! I even have to go to CA to get this one... I wanted stick, an dgrey interior.. not tan.. but what this car is missing it makes up for in other areas I think...it seems reasonable for the condition it is in...doesn't it? How much of a pain is it to switch from automatic to stick?? |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 10 November 2008 at 7:04pm
I thought that was already addressed?
Lots. I have an automatic '86 GT and I plan to sell it and buy a standard rather than convert this one over.
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Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 11 November 2008 at 9:22am
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Listen to Patrick on this one. It is a nasty nasty job to switch from Auto to Stick. I have done the job myself on my 85GT which was auto when I bought it and I converted it to a 5spd. 1st you NEED to have the donor car sitting right next to your car you are converting. There are TONS of little parts you will need. If you don't have a donor car you can spend thousands trying to get all the odd parts together. I have owned my 85GT since I was 17 and I am 32 now. The only way I would let it go, if prying it from my cold dead hands. What I am saying is DON'T buy an Auto if you really want a stick. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |