Non-diesel, Non-BENZ HELP please... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 11-29-2005, 01:21 PM

Respected members,
I have posted this in the diesel section because I find that our diesel members are very knowledgeable about pretty much everything.
I have just gotten interested in buying a 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT V6/ Manual. DON'T WORRY, I WILL KEEP MY 1995 E300D always. Could you guys give me some pointers as I don't really know much about them other then the fact that I had always wanted one ever since I was in High school.
Thanks in advance

rg2098 · #2 11-29-2005, 01:28 PM

Some have a tendency to overheat and catch fire. A buddy of mine just lost all his oil out a faulty oil pan gasket somehow?

Habanero · #3 11-29-2005, 01:29 PM

The only advice I would give is put in a full roll cage, 5 point harness, and wear a firesuit while driving. I came upon a fatal accident where a lady was driving one of those and hit an embankment at what was later estimated to be less than 45 mph. The car pretty much flew apart and what was left burnt to the ground. The lady was wearing her seatbelt, but that didn't help her much.

bennett · #4 11-29-2005, 02:07 PM

Nice knowin ya....

"most unsafe vehicle ever made" according to our local LEOs... one cop said he would rather drive a Yugo or Corvair

whunter · #5 11-29-2005, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intelligent

Respected members,
I have posted this in the diesel section because I find that our diesel members are very knowledgeable about pretty much everything.
I have just gotten interested in buying a 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT V6/ Manual. DON'T WORRY, I WILL KEEP MY 1995 E300D always. Could you guys give me some pointers as I don't really know much about them other then the fact that I had always wanted one ever since I was in High school.
Thanks in advance

1988 Pontiac Fiero Recalls and
1988 Pontiac Fiero Repair Information
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/884812_en.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=litigation+1988+Pontiac+Fiero+GT+V6&btnG=Search
A little light reading for you.

TheDon · #6 11-29-2005, 02:36 PM

those cars suck in the rain and snow i bet.. lil bit to ass heavy to go around a corner at a safe speed

boneheaddoctor · #7 11-29-2005, 02:38 PM

Swap in an LT1 and have fun.........................

i'm serious....kits are out there.

THe 1988 was the best year...they finally gave it the front suspension it begged for...too bad the insurance companies and paranoid Corporate suits kept it from being the car it could have been.

#8 11-29-2005, 02:44 PM

There was one person that put a Pontiac 4.3L V6 Diesel into one.

http://members.tripod.com/~A350Diesel/dieselfiero.html

Claims under 10 seconds for the 0-60 time.

FarmallCharlie · #9 11-29-2005, 02:46 PM

Well '88 was the last and best year FWIW. A buddy of mine had one an '85 with the stock 4 cyl and a slushbox. He bought it cheap so on a grin for dollar factor it was a bargain. The early ones had the incendiary tendencies, latter ones had the fuel system upgraded. GM (like the Corvair too), kept improving them to where the '88 had enough improvements that is was finally the car it always should have been. '88 got new steering and new brakes and some front suspension upgrades. Don't get me wrong they still were not in MR2 territory, but they were much improved. The V-6 came with port fuel injection, but that was about the only technology that engine had. That V-6 bottom end did not hold up to maintenance abuse. Saw a few ventilated blocks when the rod bearings went south due to lack of maint. Know a guy who bought a V-6 version with the ventilated block and put in the V-8 out of an Audi V-8. The aluminum V-8 weighed about the same as the iron V-6. After ALOT of fabrication time he had it running, it went straight like a scallded dog. Was too much power for the suspension when you got on it in the corners

If it were me, the price woulf have to be pretty good to take the plunge

boneheaddoctor · #10 11-29-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

There was one person that put a Pontiac 4.3L V6 Diesel into one.

http://members.tripod.com/~A350Diesel/dieselfiero.html

Claims under 10 seconds for the 0-60 time.

I find that claim about as likely as a 240D pulling off those times too....there is not enough power on hand to do it.....

boneheaddoctor · #11 11-29-2005, 02:56 PM

http://www.v8archie.com/v8fiero.htm

do this and put a huge smile on your face...

vwbuge · #12 11-29-2005, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

those cars suck in the rain and snow i bet.. lil bit to ass heavy to go around a corner at a safe speed

A friend of mine had the GT. This thing went like stink in the winter. A good wet of tires in the back and the weight over the rears=good traction. They are OK cars. He had some problems with the locks (typical GM) and the exhaust manifolds were crap and a pain to fix.

TheDon · #13 11-29-2005, 03:08 PM

i was basing my opinoin on my friend and his lil mr2 that he attempts to drift race with.. but i bet if you lost traction going around a corner somehow that tail end is going to want to kiss the front bumper

boneheaddoctor · #14 11-29-2005, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

i was basing my opinoin on my friend and his lil mr2 that he attempts to drift race with.. but i bet if you lost traction going around a corner somehow that tail end is going to want to kiss the front bumper

THe Fierro has a strong understeer tendency that was built into it you have to overcome first....

#15 11-29-2005, 05:12 PM

Thanks for all the info. I have been looking thru the following site and it seems that owners of the 1988 GT V6 all love their fieros.
www.carsurvey.org