Hi Friends, Newb needs help

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?

Edited by Snuffy

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? 

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.



Edited by Matt

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

Welcome to the maddness  hope you have fun and post some pix when you get it would love to see it

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 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,
4 bolt main 350, 5 speed standard, V8 Archie Adapter kit, MSD billet disibutor, MSD Digital 6 ignition, Heat wrapped headman block hugger headers, Dual 2.5" exhaust, magna flow mufflers, K&N filter, 750 Edelbrock carb, Edelbrock Torquer 2 intake, Comp Cams roller rockers...etc.
17" wheels, nexen 3000 tires 70%, Full poly suspension Bushing, New calipers/ pads/ Cross drilled rotors.
The car has about 150k, motor has about 20k. I have put over 10,000$$!! in this car, in the last 5 years. It passed provincial inspection last year, everthing works. I need to sell this car NOW ASAP it is priced to sell now!!! 5000obo.

 

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.

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.   

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

Edited by Snuffy

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!