1984 Pontiac Fiero SE 350 TPI from North America

Summary:

The Perfect Car

Faults:

Nothing Yet.

General Comments:

I love this car.

It's fast, handles like a dream. A real sleeper.

Interior is great, laid out very well, all buttons easily accessible.

I got this Highly modified 84' she has a 350 TPI out of an 88 GTA. Running 225HP and 330 ft/lb. This car has no problem getting me to where I am going in a quick. And that mustang next too me at the stoplight has no idea whats sitting next to him.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th April, 2005

1984 Pontiac Fiero Sport Coupe 2.5L Iron Duke 4 from North America

Summary:

A great, inexpensive, non-rusting sports car

Faults:

Clutch went out at 30,000 miles (2 years old)

Parking brake failed at 60,000 miles (4 years old)

Alternator belt broke at 60,000 miles.

Thermostat went bad at 70,000 miles.

1-3 shift cable broke at 75,000 miles.

Wiper motor failed at 80,000 miles.

Two starter motors, at 100,000 miles and 115,000 miles.

Passenger's side headlight motor went bad at 110,000 miles.

The left edge of the driver's side seat started to wear at about 110,000 miles.

Water pump failed at 126,000 miles.

General Comments:

I bought this car brand new in April of 1984, after waiting 6 months for delivery (that's how popular these cars were that first year.

It's been a blast to drive, and extremely reliable, but it is definitely not forgiving of poor maintenance or shoddy repairs, and let me tell you, sloppy dealer repairs were a huge part of this car's bad reputation. The other part was that it was just inexpensive enough to be bought by people who could afford the car note and gas, and little else, especially quality repairs.

The first 3 years I had it, it went 50,000 miles. It's now at 126,000 miles, so it's had a much easier life since then. Even so, the plastic body panels were pure genius; my car looks almost as good as the day I drove it home from the dealer.

The original Eagle GT tires had absolutely no traction; my present set of Eagle GT II's are ten times better in terms of handling.

The Iron Duke 4 lives up to its name; with regular oil changes, it runs like a top even after 21 years. And if you know how to work the 4-speed stick, it's fast enough. Plus, 28mpg on the highway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd March, 2005

28th Sep 2005, 18:25

Awesome testimonial. I was in high school in 1984 and remember how popular the car was. Rare to see someone own a car for so long. I recently purchased an 1984 SE for my son as a project car. I agree there is a lot of rust under the skin. But man, I am sure surprised how well it held together for 21 years. It runs and rides like a newer car.

10th Apr 2011, 18:29

That has got to be the worst car I've ever owned. I owned an 85 4 cylinder, then an 85 GT. Every time I turned around, something blew on either of these cars, and as for rust, the space frames rust severely in them, and so does the engine sub frame. Remove your plastic panels, and you're in for a rusty surprise. Pull back the trunk liner on the sides, either side, and observe the wheel well. I had to have a piece welded into the floor before I finally gave up. The Fiero was a 3 dressed up as a 9. Nothing more.

In reply to 10th Apr 2011, 18:29

11th Apr 2011, 09:55

You gotta love someone who thinks their car never rusts because it has plastic panels covering the body structure! They are made out of metal underneath, just like every other car and they rust just the same. If anything, the lack of rust on the body tends to make owners not be concerned with what is happening underneath. By the time most people found out they were rusting, it was pretty much too late.