That's a nice car (I've seen the ad), but it's a lot of money for a Fiero that's not perfect (and not an '88).

Have a look at  http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2518&KW - This Fiero , which incidently enough was also built over on the Island. I'd say it's a superior car, and it was bought by a club member recently for a lot less than $10k.

86_Fiero wrote: Money really isn't the object here.

Don't let the seller see this. It'll kind of put a crimp in your negotiating ability.

In regards to your original inquiry, headlight motors can be rebuilt, and a high idle is often a sign of a vacuum leak.

Just so it's obvious what we're talking about...

1986 Pontiac Fiero GT Custom V8 Race Car - $10000 (Victoria)

Date: 2011-10-18, 2:51PM PDT
Reply to: mailto:sale-ps8z2-2656771472@craigslist.org?subject=1986%20Pontiac%20Fiero%20GT%20Custom%20V8%20Race%20Car%20%20-%20%2410000%20Victoria&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fvictoria.en.craigslist.ca%2Fcto%2F2656771472.html%0A - sale-ps8z2-2656771472@craigslist.org ^{[ http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/replying_to_posts - Errors when replying to ads? ]}

This fun to drive, 5 speed manual custom race car is in excellent condition and has been carefully built and maintained.
It has a custom completely rebuilt performance 305 TPI V8 installed with only 3,000 kms on it. It has amazing torque, nice handling
and is a real head turner! The suspension is a specialty coil over racing suspension with 12" brakes. This mid engine sports car has
amazing handling characteristics and brakes to match. The body of this car has about 163,000 km on it.
Hundreds of hours and over $50,000 invested. For Inquiries, Call 250-479-1388.

Financing Available!

86_Fiero wrote: If everything checks out I'm driving it home.

Did you drive it home?

TPI is awesome, but drop the 305, and throw in a 350. THAT will make a racecar (And as an added bonus, the TPI system is identical between the two, save for the heads). And $50000? I'm no math-whiz, but unless there's a spare Fiero in that deal, that seems unlikely...

Generally most people buy the V8 Archie kit. If you were extremely confident in your fabrication abilities though, you should be able to get everything lined up by putting the cradle in, lowering in (Or dropping the Fiero on) the small block, then seeing where you'd need to make mounts and what size, etc...

86_Fiero wrote: Money really isn't the object here.

As you've discovered, money (or the lack of it) is aways a consideration.

Buying "toys" on credit is a huge mistake.

You weren't thinking wrong - it's a brilliant idea really, and it'll be something that pays off in the end for sure. Doing it with a car though, especially an older model, isn't the best way to go about it though. Things break down (Especially on Pontiacs) which means they're going to cost a lot more than sticker value. Usually the best way to buy a car is to see how much you can afford, then divide that in half at least.

Keep us posted on the build though, sounds like you might end up building something better than what you would've bought anyways!

86_Fiero wrote: I figured with buying a car at 10k on credit it was a good way of building some credit. Therefore when I go on to purchase a house I would already have established some good credit. Was I thinking wrong here?

Have you been following the news? Half the civilized countries on the planet (including our friends to the south) have their economy in the dumpster because of people being encouraged to overextend their "credit".

I'm 55 years old and have never bought a car on credit. I always figured if I couldn't afford to pay cash for a car, then I either needed to do without or to set my sights a little lower.

Years ago I got a mortgage on a duplex without  "establishing" credit elsewhere first. I then directed all my earned income into paying off that debt as soon as I could. So I suppose I now have a great credit rating, but I could care less. I have no plans of making use of it. I'm not eager to help contribute to some wealthy banker's early retirement!

Back to gearhead stuff... Did you buy the Fiero you've decided to use locally. Was it listed in Craigslist?

Money hasn't yet exchanged hands but it will be driven up to Nanaimo from Duncan and I will be giving the guy a ride back probably cause he's using his other Fiero's plates. I will then be "test driving" it and if I'm completely and utterly happy with it money will be exchanged. Yes it is the orange on black 86 GT on Craigslist. I've seen it around. Has it exchanged a few hands? Should I run?? I've seen it in Ladysmith, Nanaimo and now it's down in Duncan. I'm sort of concerned but maybe I'm just being paranoid. Doesn't help that all 3 Fiero's I've owned have been quite the handful of trouble. I know I know old things have ticks bla bla but seriously. It shouldn't be that bad. A broken replaceable part. easy. Not motors blowing, dash's lighting up like a christmas tree. I'm done. I just want to drive.

86_Fiero wrote: Yes it is the orange on black 86 GT on Craigslist. I've seen it around. Has it exchanged a few hands? Should I run?? I've seen it in Ladysmith, Nanaimo and now it's down in Duncan. I'm sort of concerned but maybe I'm just being paranoid.

You have got to be kidding me!

After everything I posted in http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/087473.html - This thread , you still want to buy that Fiero?????

Good luck...

86_Fiero wrote: Told the guy to get an inspection...

A mechanical inspection?

Although it's been "rebuilt" from an earlier accident, I strongly suspect that car has a bent frame or some other serious issue. There's gotta be a reason why no one has wanted to keep that Fiero over the last few years once they've bought it.

Or maybe they just get sick of that paint job.