1988 Pontiac Fiero Reviews, Pricing & Specs

I don't think I've mentioned how safe the Fiero is, but with its wide stance and agile cornering it's not very apt to turn over due to its low center of gravity even at higher speeds. Even though the 2.5 ltr. four cylinder doesn't have the power or acceleration the 2.8 ltr. six cylinder does, it can still hold its own. Braking and handling are very good. Since the Fiero is small, feeling safe and in control comes natural. It was originally known as a "poor man's Corvette" due to its' economical benefits and because it was the first American mass produced sports car!Jun 05, 2014

I found this car, and picked it up for the low price of 900 bucks a year ago. It's an old car, so I shall judge it accordingly. Power-wise, it is pretty low for a vintage sportscar, but the rear-mounted V6 does have enough grunt to move the car down the road, and the rumble is absolutely erotic compared to a modern engine. The interior is nice and simple- it's sadly cheapened up from previous-year Fieros (there are no speakers mounted in the headrests, for instance), but it is quite functional, and is a little more comfortable than a new car. Handling is merely average, but for its vintage and average state of neglect, the stock suspension takes well to decent tires, and the weight ensures that tail can throw itself out when you tell it to. (With the automatic transmission, don't expect it to stay out, it always bogged down on me when I put too much drift into it). With age, however, comes worn bones, and the example I have features lots of minor electrical quirks and a few major mechanical issues, this is the type of car that you will lose money on trying to restore; that said, you will enjoy breathing life into such an unusual example of GM earnestly trying to build a car to stand up to Porsche. As a side note, the 1986 model year did have recalls associated with engine fires- however, none of the other model years were affected, and any '86 models that haven't been serviced to the recall have burned down years ago. These cars are not powder kegs.Jul 27, 2013

I loved how easily this car tamed the back roads of West Virginia and Ohio, it made me feel one with the car, and really let met push it with no fighting back. I could have pushed the car beyond it's limits and it would have forgiven me. The car was amazing to own. However, after a bit, the intake gasket melted and I couldn't afford to fix it. That's what I got for being a lazy High school student with no job. Oh well. This car is the epitome of a supercar, without the price of one. It breaks down all the time, nothing works on it, but when you drive it, you really drive it... For ten minutes, then it overheats.Jun 18, 2012

Performance: It is a light car with a V6 so it feels quick and corners like no other because it has a low center of gravity and 50/50 weight distribution with its mid-engine design. Compared to cars of the 80s it is up there but compared to modern cars, it is still a strong cornering car, but lacks in horse power. Build quality is that of an 80s GM. It has aggressive styling and head turning good looks. Gets pretty decent gas mileage for a sports car, 27 hwy if you are easy on it. I probably average around 22. It is definetely the funnest car I have owned. I have driven more powerful cars, but the handling is second to none, which makes it feel faster.Jul 13, 2010

These are fun to drive. As with any car there are issues but nothing that can't be improved or corrected. This particular cars only real flaw is the t-top roof, I am just not a big fan of the t-tops. There is no rust at 142K miles it must have spent most winters in storage. It is a 4 cyl. 5 spd. so the mileage is great. And even with only 95hp. it is still quick enough to get me all the speeding tickets I would ever want.May 07, 2010

Les performances du petit V6 de 2.8L placé à l'arrière transmet toute sa puissance directement au roue arrière par le biais de la transmission Getrag 5 vitesse d'une façon assez surprenante en accélération, les reprises sont un peu plus décevantes mais les suspension des 88 redessineée a partir de celles des Lotus rendent la tenue de route incroyable ce qui palie largement à cette petite lacune. Le style est intemporelle même en date de 1988, la coupe et les lignes sont toujours d'actualité, la version fastback qu'a la GT me parait beaucoup plus stylisé que le petit notchback dont la ligne du toit finit beaucoup trop sec selon moi... La finition intérieure est quasi inexistante, les vis sont bien à la vue sur le tableau de bord et elles sont noire donc assez remarquable, mais selon moi, ça a l'avantage de facilité le démontage de la console de bord quand vient le temps des modifications.Aug 17, 2009

I have wanted a Fiero since they first came out in 1984. Finally in the summer of 2008 I got my dream car. I always wanted a sportscar and for a man on a budget the Fiero is a good choice. The 1988 GT model is a true sports car. Mid-engine V6, sexy sounding exhaust system, classic sports car looks like it is going fast sitting still. I drive the car to work everyday. Interior is simple and sporty with all the right gauges. People complain about the power but I think my Fiero has great pickup and accelleration. I have no complaints about the engine. I get about 16 miles per gallon in town and 20 plus highway. I think the car looks great and is a blast to drive, especially on hilly curves. I even get waves from Corvette owners.Dec 05, 2008

This car is pretty unique nowadays. It`s realy nice mid-engined sport car with 2.8 liter V6 engine and 5 speed transaxle.Original suspension system is so called VS6, but im going to retrofit coil-over suspension anyway car is good handling.In my case there is only little need repairs.Apperance interior simple, little sporting look gauge panel, exterior you like it or not. I think it`s sporting look and I like it a lot.Sep 04, 2008

Fiero: A Domestic's baby steps into supercar territory. Rating: 2.5 Out of 5 Ahh, the 80's; You couldn't step out your door without seeing a en quote "automobile" that any car enthusiast would retch at the very sight of. Body lines, powerplant, drivetrain, suspension, interior, the list goes on! Apparently when the 80's gas crisis hit, they completely forgot about , build quality, functionality, exterior styling, taste, and common sense... Pontiac's Fiero is a good example of this "decade of automotive idiocy". Mid-Engine? Good idea, but let's use a underpowered, cast-iron block 4 cylinder engine! CHECK! Interior? entirely composed of discarded McDonald's old fashioned styrofoam burger boxes. A interior a third-world country would love! Body panels? Well, they would've used more of McDonald's finest except they thought that D.O.T might notice such a questionable structural material so they went the whole nine yards and decked it out in "Endura-Flex" body panels. A fancy name for below quality fiberglas and urethane paint job...Oh JOYGASM! Now I really will make all those schmucks with the Lambo's envious! I could continue, but I would run out of space in this little article, so in closing I will attempt to name this car's small advantages: Mid-Engine: None of this FF (front engine, front wheel drive) nonsense, The Fiero's MR layout salvages its dignity by trading HP for handling prowess. Kit-Car: Due to it's construction, and club following, a Fiero owner has the (pricey) option of completely redesigning the very car itself! I myself have seen a Lotus Espirit conversion, and a mod kit to install a chevy 350 V8 in a Fiero... Without Unibody modifacation, or transmission swap! In closing, The Fiero was a great idea at the wrong time, executed by the wrong people, with the wrong components, at the height of a gas crisis. (deja vu anyone?)Jul 13, 2008

I honestly love it. The body design, the sound of it, and the handling. There's really nothing else like it on the road today. The only thing it needs is more power in the engine department. The 2.8V6 is too wimpy for the look of the car, but an engine swap will take care of that nicely. The brakes are great, huge improvement over previous years of Fiero. My car is definitely a lower-mileage survivor, with only 88,000 miles on the clock. It still manages to get about 20 - 23 MPG highway while being 20 years old. Parts are easy to find and cheap to fix it, and it isn't as hard to work on as people make it out to be. Personally, I love the car and plan on buying a few more to toy with!Jul 10, 2008

This is a totally custom build for me. I've scrapped the original 5speed manual tranny, and 2.5litre 4cylinder iron-duke engine for a massive powerhouse 3800 Series II Supercharged motor. Also swapped the transmissions to the automatic heavy-duty tranny that comes with the Series II 3800SC. The car started as a coupe model, I've swapped every body part on it for GT stuff from an 86GT, and put in all the power options, power windows, mirrors, stuff like that. No AC, no power steering, no nothing that takes power away from the wheels. I love it.May 16, 2008

I've owned 3 Fiero Gts( 1986 1/2, 1987 and 1988) and have logged more than 275,00 miles in them. The '88 is the best by far: it has excellent handling and roadability and is a pleasure to drive quickly on a country road. This car now has 170,000 miles but still looks like a new car. It is yellow with gray leather interior and has all the other options except the t-top. I should get rid of it because of the high mileage but I enjoy it too much to part with it. GM made a mistake in dropping it after correcting the many earlier problems; with the later upgrades of that engine, it would have been a world-class car both in performance and appearance. Mar 16, 2008