Looking at a Fiero

[PurpleGryphon]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum. Always been a fan of the Fiero, but never took too much notice of them until I started looking for my first car and realized they are one of the few efficient, RWD cars available on a tight college-kid budget.

So tomorrow, I will be going to look at an '86 2.5L 5-speed. It has been sitting in a wooden barn on a concrete slab for about 15 years. I know enough about cars for that to make me cringe. However, the man is only asking $1250 for it. It was in good condition when he parked it, and he says it runs. He does not want me to drive it home (90+ minute, mostly-highway trip) because he does not know if I would make it safely. I agree. So he offered to trailer it down to my place for free if I want the car; absolutely no charge.

I have seen pictures of the car on Craigslist, but that is the extent of my exposure as of yet. Here is what I am told about the current condition of the car: the frame is good, with no rust; body is solid, but the paint is shot; tires still have tread, but they are 15 years old so they have to be dry rotted; and the engine started with ether, but I do not know how well it runs. I ran it past a reliable mechanic friend of mine and after looking at the ad, he says that it is definitely worth looking, and possibly worth buying. However, he is no Fiero aficionado, and his only real knowledge of the car in any form comes from a good experience with the "Iron Duke" in a Celebrity years ago. Therefore, I thought I would come to people who know the car to ask what I should be aware of and what I should look for when I go to check one out tomorrow. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Justin

 

[melsg5]

I'm concerned about your tight budget and considering a car of that age. That is a combination that can lead to disaster. Honestly I think you should wait for a project car till you have incoming funds because they can really suck up money fast.

 

[PurpleGryphon]

My problem is that my budget is tight enough to limit me to only cars that old. I'd love to go with something newer and "more reliable", but it isn't really an option for me. This is the best balance between affordable and reliable I can find at the moment, and I really need to get a car.

 

[melsg5]

There is a difference between an old car and a car that has been sitting for 15 years on a concrete slab. The old car will have been maintained in order to keep it running the 15 year old car will need every fluid in it changed, engine oil and filter, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant. The old car will have tires that are not over 15 years old, you have to replace them on this car. A car that sits and is not used is subject to seals that will start leaking. The car you are looking at will probably have had rodents in it at some time and good chance they will cause electrical issues. Just playing devils advocate, for the amount of money you may pour into this to get it running safely you could have just gotten a running car as opposed to a project car. If you have specific questions after you buy it please feel free to post them, we have quite a number of Fiero people here.