Here’s how the Pontiac Fiero was one hot sports car, but not in a good way 

Almost 40 years later and that car is still gorgeous. Imagine a current manufacturer putting out an affordable mid engine sports car with exotic looks? Right? Crazy.

You could do a series of GM cars like this called "Almost Great." If you could ever find out what underpins the decision making process at GM, it would be like mapping the human genome. So many stories told by the teams that developed these cars seem to carry the common element "it was supposed to be so much better than it was."

I still love my 1988 Fiero GT. Loved it with the 2.8 and now I love it even more with a 3800 Supercharged L67 I shoehorned into it 5 years ago.. When I take it to car shows I always get the " My Moms, Brothers Uncles, Best Friends Neighbors, Pool Guys, Bro inlaw had one that Caught Fire and burned the lower peninsula down" comments at almost every show. I always say mines burned down 10 times and I just keep rebuilding it. I usually get the Open mouthed dumbfounded look from them..

I still want an 88 GT with a manual transmission, I loved that car as a kid.

As a scrapyard worker in the 90’s, there were 2 vehicles I hated to see. The Fiero and VW bus. I had to get the fuel tanks out before they were crushed. Both took forever!

Great episode. To clear up a misconception; the Iron Duke in other GM cars had a 4 quart oil pan---in the Fiero, it really was only 3 quarts. And that's where the broken rods came from. If the engine was only half a quart low on oil, that left just 2.5 quarts in the engine.....which was not enough.

The Fiero was such a great car. The first few hundred that caught fire ruined its reputation and it couldn’t recover. I’ve always wanted an 88’ Formula or GT.

The iron Duke was a slow heavy 4 banger but it ran forever I still got a 1985 s10 original owner it has 700k miles .It mainly sits out in a field these days though but still runs

My best friend had one of these when we were young. He passed over the chance to get a 71 Firebird to get it. He kept it for about 12 years before he sold it. Seeing this brings back some great memories. Keep up the great work on these videos. Enjoying the trips down memory lane.

A childhood icon!!!!!! Pontiac teamed with Hall & Oates for the Fiero's release. There was a promo cassette with their greatest hits on it which featured both Daryl & John standing next to a bright red Fiero SE, & their Big Bam Boom tour of 1984-85 was sponsored by the Fiero. Fieros were also on display at their concerts that year.

My first car was a 1987 Fiero GT! It was the white and grey fastback model. Unfortunately, I had to get rid of it because I needed something practical. Still, it was a fun car to drive nonetheless.

The Fiero got an undeserved bad rep. When they finally got the bugs worked out, it was a brilliant little car. The V-6/5 speed cars were, truly, a poor man's Ferrari. Best part is, the Supercharged Buick 3800 V-6 is actually a pretty simple swap.

It's ironic that the guy who wanted to build a competitor against Corvette, had to wait 2 decades to build it, and 4 decades later, the Corvette became a mid engine car.

I really liked the Fiero & I think that if it started out with the quality of the 88 model it would have been a big success!!! Thanks for sharing the history of the Pontiac Fiero!!! 👍👍🙂

My 1986 V6 Fiero was my first car. Cooler than most cars at school, and that 2.8L actually sounded really good.

Thank you for honoring my request! A friend of the family owned one of the later model GTs. He drove it so fast on a curvy back road in Alabama one night, he launched off a shoulder, landed atop a house's sheet meta roof, rolled across, and fell to the ground. He survived. I'm not sure about the roof or car.

The best fun fact about the Fiero is that it was the last body on frame car from GM. Also, after the engine woes of the first wave, GM was still weary even after including the V6, so 85 onwards, the engine mount and bolt patterns can fit many more of GMs engines than just the 4 and 6 cyl. You can drop a Northstar V8 in a Fiero with minimal work. LS will go straight in. This is why they are so sought after today for kit car starter platforms.

Always loved the Fiero! There is an annual charity event in San Simeon, California called the California Coast Run. A drive from San Simeon to Big Sur and back on Highway 1. It's run by the Golden Gate Fieros club and let's just say there is nothing cooler than seeing lots of Fieros run up/down Highway 1. I like attending with a convertible...couple times with my 2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible...which can easily keep up with their Fieros on the PCH. Wicked fun car! Sadly, it's becoming harder to keep them on the road lately.

One of my sisters bought one. After awhile it needed a new clutch-our local mechanic actually said it was a pretty easy job even though he had to pull the motor. It was immensely fun to drive with the manual transmission and handled very well. What surprised us was how good it did during winters here in Missouri-the rear engine and rear wheel drive made it plow through snow.

I always thought the Fiero was such a cool looking car. It was one of the cars I wanted to purchase as a teen driver in the 90s.

I greatly enjoyed this video. I was 16 when the Fiero arrived at dealerships and 18 when the Fiero GT arrived. I pulled up to a Pontiac dealership in my 1983 Mustang GT 5.0 and test drove a 1986 Fiero GT. I loved everything about it except the performance. It had a 4 speed manual while my Mustang had a 5 speed. It had a fuel injected V6 making 140 horsepower while I had swapped the stock carburetor out of my Mustang for a Holley Double Pumper (gasoline was $0.85 cents back then). I usually rode in my Mustang with either my girlfriend or only one friend, so only 2 seats wasn’t too much of an issue for me. The bottom line was that back then, the Fiero was a hard no buy for me. However, today, I’d love to find a 2M4 with the 2.5 and a 5 speed with the giant removable sunroof. I don’t drive like a maniac anymore.

Oh, memories. My Dad was the Ford dealer in the small town where I grew up, and one of my good high school trouble-making buddies' dad was sales manager at the Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealer. I had 2 different EXPs (wish I still had one!) and my bud begged and pleaded with his Pop for a Fiero. Once he got it, he was like, "oh. That's it?" ;)

I am the proud owner of a 1986 Fiero 2m4! And i will never stop loving it!

My second car ever was an 88 Fiero GT. Loved it!

I had a 1988 it was a great car fantastic to drive sounded great LOVED IT miss that car

They are still around here and there if you're looking. I'd honestly like to get one and either do a 2.0 swap from a Cobalt SS or maybe even a 3800 SC swap. Give the car the power it should have had from factory. Awesome vid as always!

My mom had an '84 in red. Traded it in and got a Saturn in '96. She has fond memories of the Fiero, almost none of the Saturn.

I've Always loved them, the GT V6 man in all black, silver or white with T-Tops is a car I still desire. The _BEAUTIFUL_ engine and exhaust notes from that 2.8 mpi still sound like music to me!!

My mom got one of these in 1985 in black when I was a kid. I thought it was so cool getting to ride around in it. I felt like I was in KIT from Night Rider or something. I have loved them ever since. So glad you featured the Fiero.

Nice video. Glad you covered all aspects other than the fire issue. I do wish you had covered more of the 88 model which was truly a completely different car. They finally got it right. I own an 88 gt and i love the car. It was a miracle it ever got made due to the constant infighting between pontiac and chevy. The 88 was actually designed for the 84 model year but they were not given the money to build it, thats why we got the parts bin 84. The fire issue was much smaller than most people think.

I'll never forget it. My friend's dad bought one new in '84. It was black. His dad was like 6'2", 220 ish. One day in the summer of '85, I was 9, we went out and his dad took the Fiero. It was him, his wife, my friend and myself...in the Fiero. I remember sitting on the center console between the seats with my legs dangling into the passenger side and my friend on his stepmother's lap. In retrospect, I can't IMAGINE how the car moved. But I've always loved these. I still do. There's a great RU-vidr, young guy, who just did a massive restoration of an 84 Fiero he saved from disintegration. Search Fiero restoration and I'm sure you'll find it. As always, love the video. Huge nostalgia points!

Man, I remember many nights helping my friend work on his Fiero. That little car was super cool but if you were tall over 6' like me it is a squish. Thanks for the video!

I saw some period reviews that discussed the original intent of the Iron Duke powered Fiero.It was actually intended to make it a sporty (looking) personal commuter car with 40+ mpg on the highway.

My first car was an '88 notchback with the 2.5L and a 5 speed... I remember lusting after the fastback GT whenever I saw one. Too bad GM killed these off right when they were starting to get good.

I owned an 88 Fiero GT for 13 years and I loved it. One of my favorites cars I ever owned.

As an owner of one I always appreciate when people speak objectively about the car rather than make silly jokes. Well done video!

You’re my favorite RU-vid content creator. Best thing seeing new uploads. Id love it if you did a Nissan hardbody or pathfinder episode. Always the overlooked Nissan offering to the Toyota offerings with more power and lower cost. Us blue collar folks like that trait.

I owned a 1988 model , fun car and yes I used to drive the sh*t out of too. I had it for years as a daily and it was extremely reliable.

The Fiero was one of my favourite US-Cars when I was a teenager - Due to its unique design, which was totally different from all other cars comming from the US. It looks quite inspired by FIAT / Bertone X1/9 from the mid seventies - Thank you for the nice video 🙂👍

Man this channel is awesome! The quality of the videos are unbelievable! THX!

GM loves to perfect an automobile and then kill it off in the final year of production.

I’ve had 8 of these. My last one had a small block v8. I thoroughly loved my Fiero’s.

One of my greatest memories as a child was because of this Car. It was about 1990 and I hjeard the garage door open and a call pull in--- but it wasn't my Mothers Pontiac 6000.... It was Grandpa with a 1986 Fiero 2m6 4-spd. Gold. That exhaust sound was the coolest thing I ever heard... I had that all the way up to 2002. Learned how to drive stick shift on it... loved it.

I don’t care what anyone says I wanted one of these so bad when I turned 16 and I still want one now at 40+ years old. If they made one today I’d buy it I love Fieros.

The Fiero was almost my first car. My dad wanted to buy it for me from the mechanic working on my sister's car. I didn't have enough money, and the repairs were too expensive for my parents to afford the Fiero. I ended up selling my motorcycle for a VW Rabbit convertible a few years later. Sometimes I wonder how things would have been if I had been able to get that Fiero.

I liked them back then and if given the opportunity today I'd still buy one!

Remember the Fiero well. Saw a demonstration of how the panels went onto the frame at a car show. As you note, there were a lot of them around at one time but it's rare to see them now.

The Fiero is still a popular although uncommon car in 2022. For the last 12 years I've daily driven an '87 GT & every year that goes by I get more & more waves & thumbs up, not to mention people coming up to the car every time I stop somewhere. It gets so much attention, it has actually made me late for work & appointments!! I'm very happy it's still getting recognition though.

Friend of mine had a Fiero in the late 1990s. We always made of it for being made of plastic and tiny. I told him it should have "thermos" stamped on the roof like a lunchbox. We actually took it in a blizzard 150 miles down the interstate and it was terrifying riding next to semis lol. Also, Ronald Finger has a very interesting channel where he rebuilds a Fiero.

Keep the awesome content coming!!

Thanks a ton! I’ve been waiting for this episode! As I’m sure many others have too!!

Thank you for the video. I enjoyed the commercials and the footage from the GM design studios. I do not know how you locate these things, but is well put together. I am looking forward to more GM videos. I again thank you.

Such a fantastic car.

Great episode (as always!) this brings me back also to being a tween/teen and loving the Fiero. Had a neighbor with the GT version, it was something of a burgundy color, with gold pinstripes & details. Always wanted to knock on their door & ask for a ride haha but didn’t know them. I love the prototype, didn’t realize how cool it looked; almost has early zagato influences - have to admit I prefer the proto!

I used to have a 1990 Chevy Lumina Z34.... it was the best family "sports car" I've ever driven. Drove it for almost 300,000 miles before I finally got rid of it because the transmission was starting to leak fluid.

I bought a Miata ND2 because as kid , I adored “the Pontiac Fiero”

I had a buddy who bought one of first ones and I was impressed with the leg room in such a small car. About ten years later I saw one burned to a crisp on the side of the interstate.

The way they took parts from a front wheel drive car to make a rear-mid engine car is awesome. I'm determined to build my own rear-mid engine car in the same way. I've got a lot figured out already. I just need to figure out exactly what I want to use for donor cars. My plan is to get 2 identical cars and use the front suspension and steering of one and the entire engine cradle and suspension of the other for the rear. That way I have the same brakes and hubs all around. I just can't decide what car to use. And if it's gonna be a 4 or 6 cylinder. Definitely want a manual transmission. It's gonna take time but I'll do it. Wish me luck

I remember these. I also remember them crabbing down the road, falling apart immediately.

I had a Fiero GT which had the V6. It was fast and handled exceptionally. I loved that car. It was the more rounded body style. I wish I had it now, I’m sure now people would be twisting there head to see it as they did in 1987.

I own a 85 with Sunroof, 4cyl 5 speed. Bought on back in 2000. Dealer was wanting $2000 for it. Told him I would be back the next day with the money. After he closed he went to park it in the back. It Threw a Rod. I came back with the money and he told me he could not sell it to me. I asked why. He told Me. I told him I still wanted it. Told me he could not sell it for asking. So he sold it to me for what he paid, $850. Drove it home 10 miles spewing Smoke out the back, my Aunt Fallowing me. Year later got a new engine and clutch, brakes, and other things... But then decided to move to Florida in late 09. Could not bring it with since I had to pull my Camper behind my truck. So there it sits in Minnesota in a field at my mothers Boyfriends place, unable to go get it. No Finances for the Gas Money and he will not bring it down here tho he has the means to do it... No Gas Money because I make only Disability. And when I did have the money, Something came up and took it away... And if I leave here to go get it, I live in a Bad part, Too Many Thieves... Can't sell it because EVERYONE Low Balls Me....

Pop up's will always be cool no matter what they are on.

I remember back in the '80s my high school teacher bragged on how he bought a new Pontiac fiero. I was just a kid, maybe like 10th grade but it always stuck out of my mind.

My brother bought one because, as he said, "I'll never be able to afford a Ferrari, so I'll buy a Fiero!' And the speakers in the headrests was a great feature

This was a dream car that became my second car. Black, removable roof, stick and 1 hell of a modified engine!, 170ish HP in this little go cart!!

I started my nearly 40 year engineering career on the Fiero program : )

I had a friend in Arkansas who owned one, that his wife drove all the time! She loved it, and they never had any major issues.

I was the very proud owner of a 1988 GT 6 speed. It was an awesome car!!

Excellent video. Thank you!

I’m going to watch video later, but aside from the “fire” problem, the last iteration of the ‘88 GT was indeed awesome!!

I LOVED the Fiero. I still do. I want a 1988 Fiero Formula 5-speed. All the goodies of the GT, but with the notchback styling. Very rare.

Good to see another video. Keep them comin' 👌👌

As always, great work! We have two of them, an 85 2M4 and 86 2M6. I'm surprised you didn't mention the V6 turbo models

FINALLLLLLY!!!!! Thank you for being a real researcher 🙏. So many RU-vidrs crap on the Fiero for being a lousy “sports car” because they never took the time to learn it wasn’t…..until the V6 GT was released.

Fiero was an extraordinary car, especially with the V-6!

did 180K miles in my 87'GT and never had a problem with it...was a good car.

Absolutely loved this car, owned three of them...

The last gts were absolutely gorgeous

YEESSS!!! I love this car. I'm still waiting for an episode on the 1977-1990 GM B-Body. Caprice, Impala, Electra, Delta 88,... Please

Thanks for the enjoyable video, MOC. I remember when the Pontiac Fiero came out. At the time, I was enjoying my second new Fiat X1/9, the first one being sold with 90,000 miles. My 1985 X1/9 was a Targa Top Convertible with pop-up headlights weighing in at 2100 pounds. Because of its light weight, the 85 HP engine produced decent acceleration figures. The storage space the X1/9 had makes you wonder why there was so little in the Fiero. There was a cavernous front trunk which space was not diminished even with the Targa top stored there. The full size spare was hidden in a compartment right behind the passenger seat. The fuel tank was located behind the driver's seat, separated by a fire wall. It was very well protected in a crash. Then there was the rear trunk behind the engine bay. It had it's own separate lid. The space utilization of this car was superior to the Fiero. Unlike the Fiero, the body structure depended purely on its monocoque construction. The front fenders were seam welded into the car, no bolts whatsoever. The center stack from the dashboard to the central tunnel had gusset panels tying the structure together. Then between the engine bay and the rear trunk there was another transom panel, so that the engine bay was encircled with structural support. The longitudinal structure tying the front to the rear was large and robust. This is why the X1/9 was 200 lbs heavier than a Fiat 128, from which many of its parts were sourced. But it was a very solid car, in handling terms. One more item to mention is the bumper protection. From 1979 and on, the X1/9 had very thick, girder style anodized aluminum bumpers. These bumpers were full width bumpers mounted to hydraulic dampers that met standards for 7.5 MPH crash tests. These were integrated very nicely into the bodywork. Of course, the body panels were quite thin in non-stressed areas to save weight. An overlooked car for sure, and you should review it as an eighties car. Currently, I own a 2007 Pontiac Solstice. This is another two seater from Pontiac but with a conventional front engine, rear drive layout. This car is a lot of fun to drive and has stunning looks. Like the Fiero, GM was nervous about stealing sales from the Corvette. The base model has 177 HP (277 for the turbo), but because of being built in more modern times, it ends up weighing 2,800 pounds. But it has A/C, Power steering and brakes, oversized 18 inch wheels and tires, air bags, side impact protection, an awesome sound system, and a folding rag top. Each of these features that the X1/9 didn't have add weight to the car. Unlike the X1/9 with its Targa roll bar, it has near zero rollover protection other than it's windshield frame. I have not tested it to date. Because the engine is in front, and the top takes up significant room in the rear trunk, There is precious little storage space in the car. You have to be very creative if two occupants are travelling anywhere. It can't even carry a space-saving spare tire. In this respect, even the Fiero is more practical. This car also meets your criteria for a MOC review. I hope you do!

This is the car that got me into classic cars. Went from not thinking its possible to get a nice cash car to having a porsche 928 and corvette collectors edition

Yes 1 I suggested! Though he said he was already working on it. Thanks again!

Nicely put together. None of those usual boring moans people often say about these. I've subscribed.

Good stuff man. Subscribed

Thanks for video. I owned a 86 2m4 manual. I really liked the car. After I got a lot of the bugs worked out. Oddly enough I now drive and Alante

I had to Fieros. Both were v-6 with manual transmissions. One was red and silver and the other was all black. They were fun cars and a blast to drive. I am into classic cars but since Pontiac made very few of them replacement parts would be hard to find when they get older.

I bought an '88, with the duke,rebuilt it and drove it from Louisiana to the rockies to ski. Averaged 33 mpg at 75mph with the headlights retracted. Not fast on the straight but didn't have to slow down for corners. Much to the surprise of pick up drivers trying to run up my tailpipe. Sadly it ended up with a 40 ft power boat on it,a propeller through the sunroof. My favorite American car and the best $450 I'd spent on buying one.

Thank you for this video! I (botn in '73) always loved this model, though there is zero chance I will ever own one since I'm now a continent away. Nevertheless, it was hugely interesting as all of your submissions are. Really looking forward to your treatment of the MR2 as well because of the similarity and my long-term suspicion that Toyota were taking notes.

I loved the Fiero! I bought an '83 Rx7 Gsl in '88 and fieros were easy money. Last week I saw an almost mint GT (of course it was gold) at Wal-Mart. Dude said he has had it for 30+ years. Good on him. I wrecked my Rx7 in two years... what ever

I have an 86' 2M4, 5 speed. Loved it in the 80s and still do. Now it's only a summer car. 👍

Thanks for the video!

My now ex wife and I special-ordered a very early 84 model two days after the Fiero went on sale. We took delivery in October 1983. The car never did catch fire, although the automatic transmission went out at 68,000 miles. I still have the original window sticker and owner manual.

When these came out my Dad became a Fiero nut! Crazy about them. But since we were dirt poor, the closest he ever got to getting one was a pamphlet and a test drive.

I had a 84 Indy pace car....3 GT'S....I LOVED THEM!

I put over 200,000 trouble-free miles on a 4 cylinder Fiero. One of the most enjoyable, reliable cars I’ve owned. I wish I still had it…along with my ‘68 Olds 442 and 1970 Duster 340 !

I've had 2 88 Formula's and an 84 2M4 I got for $1 on eBay back in the day. They weren't fast, they weren't very comfortable, but I loved driving them. It always felt special just driving around with the sunroof off. They always drew attention.

Great video!

Awesome video from an x fiero owner.I loved my Fiero.

A friend of mine had an 84 Fiero with t-tops and manual floor shift transmission . Neat! He sold it to another guy I know and it burst into flames on him somewhere on interstate 75.

I like that MOC tells the story of the car, warts and all. So many other YT videos either rant or rave about the car they are shooting.