1986 Pontiac Fiero GT from North America - Comments

The distributer cap failed and needed replaced at 55,000 miles.

The catalytic converter was replaced at 55,000 miles.

The heater coil broke, causing anti-freeze to spill all over the passenger side floor and the car to over-heat. This happened at 62,500 miles.

The fuel pump fell apart in the gas tank as I was driving. This happened at 66,000 miles.

The head gasket cracked at 67,500 miles. This led to an average idle of 2000 RPM all the way up to a 4000 RPM idle.

The clutch went out at 71,000 miles.

I received this car as a graduation gift. Had I known that I would eventually put $5,000 into this poorly engineered machine, I would have said, "Thanks, but no thanks."

It is the least dependable car I've ever come in contact with. In less than the year that I owned this car, I had to have it towed four times! The first time I had to have it towed was the first day I had it!

However, it was very exciting to drive. It handled exceptionally well. There was very little roll in turns with the stock suspension.

The Fiero also has a decent amount of leg room considering its overall size. I'm 6'2" and I had plenty of room.

This car was doomed from the start. It was built with left over GM parts and many shortcuts were made to save money. The reason the Fiero was only produced for 4 years was because Pontiac couldn't afford to continue to pay for the warranty claims that were made by new Fiero owners.

Overall, I loved driving this car (When it wasn't broken down and in the garage.) However, I will never buy another Fiero (Or anything else GM for that matter) again.

We just recently bought an 86 Pontiac Fiero and we have not had any issues with it yet. Other than the need for more power, high performance parts or some remodeling we have been all set.

The car was so unique. If you did not realize and understand this fact when you bought the car then you had no business buying such a car. Quit complaining and enjoy this one and only for what is was. If you wanted a no consequence auto purchase, you should have bought a Toyota or a Honda.

To previous commenter:

If you read the report, you would have noticed that he received the Fiero as a GIFT for his graduation. Thus, he's upset about sinking 5 grand into a car that has given him much trouble, making this review helpful for others. No matter what you say, this car is not a Honda or a Toyota and the problems it encounters is relevant to readers.

So he got a 20 year old car as a graduation gift and had to put 5 grand into it. Is that all?

Anyway, here are my 2 cents.

I bought my 84 in 84.

The 84 sales were very high and the head work was farmed out to a mill that didn't clean castings so the heads cracked.

After 2 engine rebuilds with cracked heads within the first 5 years I found a shop that rebuilt it with a good head and still driving it after 17 more years.

Another problem was bent clutch pedals that falsely caused clutch replacements that were not necessary. Replaced pedal with a steel one and that problem went away too.

After 430,000 km I finally rebuilt the entire car from the ground up. Spent 3 grand and had it appraised for 6 grand. It now sits in my garage with a coat of wax and waits for the weekends when I proudly take her out for a spin.

By the way, Pontiac stopped making the Fiero because GM's Pontiac based plant, which built the Fiero among others, was closed down.

Nope he is spot on they are bottomless money pits. But if you put in the right replacement parts, the car will shine. I have just over $5000 in my GT and I am driving it every day. It takes me back and forth to work, and nothing that I have replaced has surprised me, it's a 20 year old car. You cannot buy the car I have today for under $5000.

I don't blame the OP, as it would sting to get a car given to me that needed that much work, but he put the money into the car because he enjoyed it. If he didn't like the car, he would have let it sit after the first time it let him down.