1988 Pontiac Fiero GT 2.8 from North America

Summary:

An awesome, street legal go-cart :-D

Faults:

Driver side headlamp motor went at 181000.

Frame is rotted.

Overheating until installation of low temperature fan switch.

General Comments:

Such a beautiful car! I get a lot of looks and comments about it. Sounds great. Most people don't even know what it is LOL.

I put a short shift in it, a ram air scoop on the side intake, and a low temp fan switch. Also, scoop quarter sail windows make the car look even better.

I don't know if it's a common problem with these cars, but everything underneath is rotted! I needed a new clutch at 182000, and the mechanic had to drop the engine and trans, because all the bolts on tie rods and such are totally corroded together. So instead of taking a chance of breaking it all, the drive train was dropped.

Anyone else with this problem?

I plan on driving the car right up till it breaks in half! (hope it never does) I love it soo much!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th February, 2011

10th Aug 2014, 16:40

Used to have over heating problems in my Fiero. I replaced the radiator and put in a lower temp thermo and switch.

It turns out the real problem was some mechanic had put it on a lift wrong and crushed/pinched the coolant pipes that run along the frame/under the doors. Not enough coolant was getting through. Coolant pipes were straightened and it runs great now.

1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula 2.8L V6 from North America

Summary:

No Regrets!

Faults:

Belt squeal.

Turn signal lever would not latch when signaled right.

Almost all coolant hoses leaked.

Fuel line leak.

Two oil leaks.

A/C Compressor blown.

Passenger headlight motor has problems when temperature changes drastically.

Front passenger brake rotor replaced. Caliper needs replacement. Brake hose needs replacement on this side.

Water pump replaced at around 83,000 miles

General Comments:

First car, no regrets. About $1500 in repairs invested in the car since I purchased it in June 2007.

BODY:

Body is in great shape, only one small crack in rear bumper. Paint is in decent condition, scratches have appeared all over the front bumper due to the car bra the last owner used on the car. The spoiler's paint is also in rough shape.

MECHANICS:

Hard to find a shop that knows how to repair these cars. Some Fiero clubs offer convenient lists of repair shops that do work on them. GM Dealers will not work on these cars.

2.8L V6 is in good shape, two oil leaks were patched up over the winter of 07-08, and a belt was replaced.

Coolant system required major work, nearly all coolant hoses/pipes leaked and at one point antifreeze needed to be added every other day.

Catalytic Converter was toast when car was purchased and was removed at around 84,000 miles and replaced with a simple straight pipe.

Automatic transmission has no problems.

INTERIOR:

Interior is in near pristine condition! A previous owner smoked in the car, but interior was re-carpeted by another owner to remove smoke smell. Cracks in corners of dash due to knees banging them (typical for many Fieros). Fuel gauge does not read correctly, car will run out of gas when gauge passes 1/4 tank mark, however, many 88 Fieros have this problem.

HANDLING:

As advertised in the ad, it corners like it's on rails and handles like a go-kart. However, it handles like a hockey puck in snow.

OVERALL:

A wonderful sports car that survived 20 years of wear and tear, and will give many more years of fun when well taken care of.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th June, 2008

1988 Pontiac Fiero LX 2.5 / 4 Teck from North America

Summary:

Wipe that smile off your face!

Faults:

Sway bar link rubber bushing dry rotted/ replaced by me at a parts cost of $5.16 (easy job)

Fan belt dry rotted / broke while driving; was able to drive it home 2 miles. Then drove to auto parts, replaced in parking lot in 5 minutes, cost $18.00 (easy job)

Fuel injector plugged, new cost $84.00. I paid $80.00 for the car, went to junk yard, removed one from 88 Buick Century replaced it for 5.00 (very easy)

Battery cradle was rusted out, not acid ate as I have read on this site. Pontiac could not seen the water that holds in the pan plus the weight of battery holds moisture for longer amounts of time because of the louvered vents. Will replace with a plastic one (to do)

Drivers side seat bolster fabric is worn to foam from entry and exits of the car; will have to replace the fabric as soon as I can figure out a way to keep it from recurring (duck tape is not an answer to everything)

Vacuum hose from air cleaner to EVA. canister dry rotted. replaced at a cost of $1.89 (to easy)

General Comments:

I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I dated a girl that worked at the Fiero Plant in Pontiac, Michigan. Her job was to install the stickers on the air cleaner (4 TECT). Mine is still in-tact and the car drives and handles far better than most all other makes and models that I have fixed up and driven. (thanks Suzie)

But the best part of driving my Fiero is when people of all ages come up to me and ask all sorts of questions from, What kind of car is it, to how fast does it go? The one question I love to answer is how many gas stations I pass.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th May, 2008