Have you ever purchased a new or nearly-new car and socked it away, driving it so sparingly that it accumulated only a few thousand or even hundreds of miles in years? This Pontiac Fiero GT is just such a car – one of several Fieros its owner purchased from a collector a few years ago. Its odometer reads just 5615 miles, and it remains in pristine condition. The low miles are worth a premium, but how much? We’ll explore that question below … T.J. found this beauty for us – thanks, T.J.!
The Fiero shouldered its way into the production budget at GM on the back of a white lie. GM execs didn’t want a competitor to the Corvette, but there was room for an economy car. Bill Hoglund, named VP of Pontiac in 1980, wanted a sporty car. So he sold the Fiero to GM’s board as an economy car, promising the brass parts-bin construction to keep costs down. The Fiero was launched in 1983 – America’s first mid-engined production car. Despite the anachronism of its Iron Duke four-cylinder and aged four-speed manual, the car sold reasonably well at first. But its sedan-like handling and lack of power belied its sporty looks. A series of engine fires also alarmed consumers. Sales began to fall off; not even an optional 2.8-liter V6 and five-speed gearbox could save the Fiero from the beancounters at GM. Just as it was becoming the car it always should have been, production was halted in 1988. This example has that V6 – a plus – but it shifts through an automatic transmission, piling at least two seconds onto the zero to sixty time over the same car equipped with a manual.
The upholstery is grey cloth, wrinkling slightly as the seat cushions age and the fabric loosens. This model is a GT, with aero-skirt ground effects and a rear wing. About mid-way through 1986, flying buttresses and fastback styling further defined the GT. A sunroof was optional – either installed at the factory or at the dealer.
No question this car is about as immaculate as they come. Its only drawback is that automatic transmission. If you don’t mind that feature, check it out here on facebook Marketplace. The asking price is $22,500 and the car is located in Elwood, Indiana. And so long as we’re talking about Fieros with 5k miles, here is another, in an auction currently underway, also with an automatic. Keep an eye on this one – its sale or high bid will be an excellent benchmark for our subject car. Meanwhile, prices for excellent 5-speed Fiero GTs can breach $20k. If a Fiero’s price starts with a “2”, it has to be a stick to make it into my garage – but what do you think?
I like it, but not at that price. Would ne nice to throw a V8 in it. Keep the automatic as well.
V8 swap is fairly easy with the Caddy 4.9. As I recall, it can be mounted to the originl 3 speed auto trans, or you can use the Caddy 4 speed auto. The the nice part is that it fits without any major cutting, and with the aluminum block, the engine only weighs about 15-20 lbs more that the original 2.8. If you want more info, Google “Fiero 4.9” and you can get loads of information.
You’d really take a pristine car like this, tear it up and put another engine in it???!!!
I would say no on that. I would get a higher mileage Iron Duke one and do that.
The suggestion that one should start with a Fiero equipped with an Iron Duke has some merit. However the GT models like the one featured here all had the V6… those with the Iron Duke were all notch back models. And there are still some 88’s around with the Iron Duke. There is another option for an engine upgrade… a 3.4 Camaro V6. Once installed it is nearly impossible to distinguish from the 2.8 except for those who know where to look.
Even at 23K, you’ll get better comfort, maintainability, and all-around performance than a DeLorean at less than half the price.
The 2.8 litre was a gutless disappointment. Close your eyes and they had the same drone exhaust sound as the other million cars GM put that engine in. The Fiero always suffered from the wrong engines, and with an automatic these cars were just total slugs.
I agree with all the comments. However, for the type of car it is, a mid engine V6, the Fiero is a unique example.
Though a less desirable performance option, the auto could have fewer future issues for someone that’s simply looking for a car show cruiser. Many of the manuals have been abused, and they are difficult to service.
As I recall, the ’88s are considered the only “real” sports car, as prior to that, the Fiero was built with a lot of parts off of GM’s shelf – Chevette suspension, Cavalier drivetrain, etc. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know if it is possible to replace those pedestrian parts on a pre-88, with parts from an 88?
As I understand it, Pontiac made very few 88s, that being the last year for the car. You are right, the parts are specialty items because the 88 was slightly different in several ways, but here’s the rub: people who own 88s have vacuumed up the parts supply keeping their own cars going. Consequently it’s hard to find 88-specific components at all…
I wonder why so few miles? Must be an interesting story there. The auto is actually a plus. Most young people have no idea of driving a stick. They are the ones starting to buy cars these days, not the Boomers.
$22.5 and its an auto, no thanks. These are great cars for what they were but not with an auto. At this money there is other options out there which would be better buys. And some are Fieros.
I would go with the Buick supercharged v6 with the 5 speed manual transmission. Its guaranteed to keep up with a corvette until 100 miles per hour i don’t know what speed it could keep up with the new mid engine corvettes though. Kids these days don’t wanna learn how to drive a standard transmission either.