Stephen Rabinowitz

There is a trend amongst some members of the Fiero community to
overvalue when they are selling and devalue when they are buying. I'm
happy to see no one has rushed in here to say "Nah, that's too much.
There's a Formula down the street for $2500 that I can buy if I wanted
it." Really irritates me that we are the first to sabotage our own cars
of choice amongst ourselves but defend to it the death when someone
queries about "don't they all catch fire?" Human nature, I suppose.

It's a fact that the cars we see on the road are becoming so old that
they won't be seen as daily drivers much longer. They'll be kept
polished, in garages, and seen at cars shows and Sunday rallies. Today
it's almost impossible to find a good mechanic who will work on a Fiero
or even remembers how. My recent guy dropped mine off his lift and
busted it all up and in three successive tries, has not fixed a sticking
brake. To successfully drive a Fiero daily, you have to do your own work
and be good at it.

I have three dead ones in the yard, having lost the desire to try and
keep them all healthy and active. My one remaining operational car, an
86GT, is now dripping antifreeze onto the highway. There's always
something. Two here I know personally do their own work and are good at
it: Jazzman's become a genius at it and Phil Randolph is particularly
adept at turning a bucket of parts into a showcar. To me, this is the
way you have to own Fieros today... that and take an occasional trip to
Alabama for a really good tuneup and a Mexican dinner with Ed.

These things considered, your car "sounds" fine and the final answer in
your case is that if you are willing to pay $4000 for a Formula, then
it's worth it. To me, Formulas are special. You have to decide the
condition of the car: is it a color you can live with; does it need work
you are willing to do; how much longer will one be able to buy a
Formula? It's almost twenty years old. It might make a good daily driver
or it might just be too tired, need too much work. Look at it, drive it,
and analyze your own abilities to keep it on the road.

I'd ask why was it repainted and why was the engine rebuilt. If it was
abused, there's a lot more parts that might be on the way out. On the
other hand, if it was painted merely because it was faded, no big deal.
My GT has 140K on it without a rebuild. What happened to the engine
might indicate what happened to the tranny and differential too.
Whatever you decide, all things considered, I might be tempted to buy
that one. At least look at it.

Long write, I know. Just felt like shooting the sh.t a little. Been
quiet lately. :-)

Im my opinion, it depends mainly on the condition of the mechanics & the
quality of the paintjob. Most folks don't know the difference in
paintwork, so I would see if I could talk to the painter. Did he use epoxy
primer? Quality base-coat clear-coat? Was it well sanded? If no to any of
these questions, it will cost you three grand (at least!) to have the car
stripped & repainted when you start having peeling, chipping, or fading
problems.
You're usually better off getting a car that has *not* been painted &
having someone you trust paint it for you.
You should be able to find a good Fiero for 1/2 that.
My 2 cents...
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Easy on the Giggle Cream!