daily driver turned to track car: I NEED YOUR OPINIONS!

[69camarokid]

OK so heres the deal. i blew up the engine in my 69 camaro, and i plan on spending the time and money to rebuilt it right. Which means i need a car to get around in in the meantime.

What im trying to do is find i car i can pick up and drive around as my daily driver for the next 6 to 8 months as i fix the camaro. And when the camaro is done i can tear into the daily driver and turn it into a track/fun car.

Id like your guys ideas as to what would be a good idea of a car to get. There are some criteria to follow though:

1. My budget is $3000. i may be able to go a hundred or two over max.
2. RWD, all wheel drive is acceptable as well, but NO front wheel drive. FWD sucks.
3. Lightweight.Id like to be 3000 lbs or under. I already own a 3500lb torque monster, now i want a lieghtweight car that can be a track star.
4. Looks cool! Something i wont be embarassed to drive.
5. Something with a moddable engine, or somehting i can swap a powerful engine into.

Well thats it. Lets hear what you guys think and can come up with. If you have an idea that deviated from the above criteria then let me know why you think its a good idea.

So far ive been leaning towards a fiero GT. Good looks, 2700lbs. Lots of engine swap possibilities, RWD, and mid engine.

[ArtosDracon]

Get a supra and do an LS swap later? Or a Monza?

[KacyZ28]

Sounds like you have been driving your camaro everyday and you want to repair the camaro and put it back to DD use correct?Why not get something that is good on gas and you can drive around in any bad weather that comes along with not having to wonder if and when someone is gonna steal or total it out the camaro.Then the camaro could do track use,weekend cruises etc.

[DartorDemon]

1st gen supra celica. They've got an odd coolness, rwd, and the 22r/e is indestructable.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/130_0904_05_z1985_toyota_celica_suprafro-1.jpg

[Bryce]

How about a 94/95 5.0 mustang.

That is my DD. With a few bolt on suspension mods and really easily "modded" motor you can have a great car. It can fit 275 and 315 wide tires. I can pull .96G and get 23 mpg! I have a 130K miles on mine and still runs strong.

[NOT A TA]

The answer is MIATA.

[joe5.8]

i was gonna say Miata or WRX
Miata can handle 5.0 conversion
and plenty of WRX support out there

[mc84_zz4]

Older 3-series Bimmer
Nissan 200sx, 240z, 260z, all candidates for an LSx engine later
Miatas are cool with a 5.0, but they have a SMALL interior, I hate the shrink-wrap deathtrap feeling
WRX are very cool, but 3K I doubt will get you there
Several friends had Fieros for DD, and love them, also, a real surprise sleeper with an LSx...

[Nessumsar]

83-87 Toyota Corolla GTS (or SR5). Everytime one of these DD posts come up, I say it. The GTS comes with the better 4AGE engine and LSD. TONS of CHEAP aftermarket support, get great gas mileage, and handle really well out of the box.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/perfecttoyotasprintertruenoae86_akashibr-1.jpg

[sik68]

Porsche Boxster, Miata, 5.0, BMW e36 generation, and Z3 seem to be some of the most common track cars. Go to a few track days and look no further than what everyone else drives. I have a WRX (stock) and it would probably take a ton of mods to make it fun on the track. Out of the box the turbo is very laggy and there is a lot of body roll, along with an extreme front weight distribution...not typically characteristics to achieve driving nirvana.

[The Stickman]

I would say the Fiero. More engine possibilities than you can shake a stick at. Lightweight under 3000lbs easy. And do a body kit like I had or some others on the market and fit as big a tire as you want. Can you beat an LS powered car with 295 tires or bigger and under 3000lbs?

[Lowend]

I know you said no FWD - but I've never owned a car that was more fun than my 83 VW GTI.
1900LBS wet with factory 3.90 gears. You can find Mark 1 or Mark II VW's for less than $1000
They handle well, respond VERY well to minor suspension mods and get in the high 30MPG range.
Even the Mark IV's are getting cheap now

[SLO_Z28]

The answer is MIATA.

I agree, if you can fit in them.

[LateNight72]

Miata? Hang on, gotta find your purse....



I'd say older 3-Series BMW or Fiero.

[johnny68]

a nova you dont have to worry bout smog and the parts are chevy
john

[showa]

take one of these...
then add the reversed ring/pinion Subi WRX w/5 speed after for 300hp in the rear of a Vair for a fun track car.....

[Dstoltenberg]

1986-1991 2nd Generation Mazda RX-7

1. You'll be able to find a cherry one for 3k. Seems like they are hard to find though.
2. RWD
3. 2,625~3,140 lbs, depending on the options. With two occupants and tank of gas, its supposed to be at a 50:50 weight ratio.
4. Can easily look better than most first gen camaros out there :lmao:
5. The 13B rotary gets good MPG stock, and with a turbo and some mods can actually be made into a competitive engine. They can take a Ford SB swap relatively easy, and your choice of Small block chevy engines as well.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[79-TA]

My usual 3 suggestions for a cheap rwd car are as follows:

-1st gen Miata
-fuel injected fox Mustang
-BMW E30

You should also consider the E36 3 series . . . there are deals to be had on those if you look hard enough. 3 grand can get you a nice car.


I do have one unique suggestion though. Don't get something that tempts you to modify it to any great extent. You already have one project car and I'm guessing you don't need a second money pit. I myself am spread thin paying for the wear and tear items my Mustang goes through on trackdays while trying to maintain the Trans Am at the same time. A Miata seems like the easiest option. Just leave the engine stock and use it as a learning experience.

[DJW32]

SW has a nice road racing Miata.

[rfalker1]

Maybe, a Supra 89, go for 2000 to 2900 in cool shape

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1311&_nkw=toyota+supra&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[Derek69SS]

Are your track aspirations just HPDEs or some competitive level, such as NASA time-trials or an SCCA racing series?

V8 swaps are cool, but if you want to run in a competitive arena, then you have to mind the rulebook... There's no street-car cheaper to race than a Miata, and there's classes that they excel in with every sanctioning body (except the NHRA :) )

There's no shame in racing a Miata... There is shame in owning one if you don't race it though.

[69camarokid]

ok... some great ideas, some id thought about and others that i didnt think of but are equally cool.

For the people saying miata, that was my first thought. Ive heard of big people fitting in them, and also not fitting in them. Im 6ft and 220lbs. Im not fat, fairly muscular so i have very wide broad shoulders which makes it difficult to fit comfortably in those skinny cars.

The car would just be a for fun track car, no real competative racing. But whatever my choice is it needs to be able to be driven with n o issues for the next 6 to 8 months as i fix the 'maro.

The rx7, and older supra ideas seem intriguing, im gonna look into those.

I went out this last weekend and checked out a nice (for the most part) 88 fiero. Drove 4 hours there to find out the "no issues" fiero had a broken steering coloum and a busted first gear. Big waste of time there.

Looking at an 87 fiero tis weekend, might go check out a supra too.

[parsonsj]

3rd gen F-body. You can pick up a 88-97 Camaro or Firebird for that kind of price.

Hell, some of the 4th gen F-bodies are in that price range now.

jp

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

The answer is MIATA.


co-signed...

[srh3trinity]

3rd gen F-body. You can pick up a 88-97 Camaro or Firebird for that kind of price.

Hell, some of the 4th gen F-bodies are in that price range now.

jp

I would go this direction. I saw a 94 Z on craigslist today for 2900. I can't fit into a Miata very well, so it wouldn't be very high on my list, although I hear they are a blast and very tunable. The RX7 or Supra angle could be interesting. Both of them have documented examples of LS swaps.

[CamaroAJ]

3rd gen f body
fox body moostang

[king427]

You know what you need is a 85 300zx and I could give you a heck of a deal :twothumbs

[69camarokid]

everything is an ls swap these days... and dont get me wrong. i get why. its a lieghtweight uber power extremely moddable engine. and getting cheaper every day.

Im leaning more towards the fiero. partially because i want to try something different then just another V8 car. Ive been looking in to the L67 swap. which is the GM supercharged 3.8L V6. You can pick then up for about 750 bucks to a grand. And swap them into a fiero for about 1200 to 1500 bucks. I like the idea of having something a cool like that.

Im gonna keep entertaining various ideas, but this cash is burning a hole in my pocket.

And no to the camaro ideas. i know i can get an LT1 camaro for 3K. but i already have an LT1 69 camaro. I want somehting based more on handling and less on brutish torque this time around.

[DarkBuddha]

I love this kind of thread and the way it gets folks brains working. So you want a $3000, RWD, track capable, fun, reliable, no hassle (no repair?) car with lots of potential? Okay, but that's a tall order. Any "enthusiast" RWD car that is less than $3k is going to be older, which means it's likely to less reliable and/or more hassle (more repairs). Does your $3k price include the cost of repairs/upgrades? A Fiero is a cool choice, but I think finding a good "no hassle" car will be a challenge. I think any 20+ year old car is just gonna require more maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and Fiero's have a bit of a reputation for needing more than a bit. Japanese cars tend to be less hassle and cheaper comparatively, so probably your best bet would be an S13 or S14 Nissan 240sx. Lightweight, inexpensive, lots of aftermarket, lots of performance potential, good looking, tons of enthusiast support, and a would provide a markedly different experience than your Camaro.

[Nessumsar]

I love this kind of thread and the way it gets folks brains working. So you want a $3000, RWD, track capable, fun, reliable, no hassle (no repair?) car with lots of potential? Okay, but that's a tall order. Any "enthusiast" RWD car that is less than $3k is going to be older, which means it's likely to less reliable and/or more hassle (more repairs). Does your $3k price include the cost of repairs/upgrades? A Fiero is a cool choice, but I think finding a good "no hassle" car will be a challenge. I think any 20+ year old car is just gonna require more maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and Fiero's have a bit of a reputation for needing more than a bit. Japanese cars tend to be less hassle and cheaper comparatively, so probably your best bet would be an S13 or S14 Nissan 240sx. Lightweight, inexpensive, lots of aftermarket, lots of performance potential, good looking, tons of enthusiast support, and a would provide a markedly different experience than your Camaro.

Pretty much my whole angle on the AE86 Corolla. Parts are extremely cheap and plentiful, and they were better built than anything American.

[CamaroAJ]

Im leaning more towards the fiero. partially because i want to try something different then just another V8 car. Ive been looking in to the L67 swap. which is the GM supercharged 3.8L V6.

a friend of mine put a 3600 and 6 speed out of a G6 GXP into his fiero.

[Mr. Anderson]

so probably your best bet would be an S13 or S14 Nissan 240sx. Lightweight, inexpensive, lots of aftermarket, lots of performance potential, good looking, tons of enthusiast support, and a would provide a markedly different experience than your Camaro.

My first thought was Miata, of course, but my second was a 240sx. I've become a fan of the coupes. A friend of mine's son has one that's pretty heavily modified with a wide body kit and some wide wheels, suspension, turbo, etc. I really don't know anything about them, but I have looked and they are affordable, good looking cars with a lot of potential.

Every now and then I see a last generation 300ZX turn up for a pretty cheap price. Those could be a lot of fun too.

Oh, and how about a Lincoln Mark VIII? You have to look to find them that cheap, but they can be found. And with 32-valve 4.6 engines, there's plenty to build on. Their air suspensions are problematic but can be swapped out for springs.

[MonzaRacer]

OK so Ill go out on a limb, try looking for one of the 89 up T-bird/Cougars, independent rear suspension, room to fit, watch carefully as you can get them with 8.8 centers and most of the Mustang diff stuff fits, The rear suspension can be made to handle very sell, and Air Ride can be swapped in very easy. These cars can use most of the wheels a Mustang fit too and they will swallow anything from a Turbo 4 on up to a Mod motor and can be had with several trans options.
And if you could source a SuperCoupe supercharged V6, then do the looking for the later Mustang forged piston V6(it was slated to get the SC then canceled) and if you want a turbo 3.8 can put down over 600hp!
Also like the Monza Idea but if your very big they can be tight, as tight or tighter than a Fiero.
And as for Fiero, I had one, always wanted to install a 195hp HO Quad 4/Getrag 5speed. A friend has 2 Fieros, one is a single turbo 2.3 195 HO and makes over 700hp with it, his Frankenstein is a mongrel 2.4 TwinCam, balance shaft delete, poked and stroked to 2.9L and uses an Extrude Honed 2.3 HO head and its twin turboed and making over 1400hp, WILD RIDE.
Also if you had time there used to be a plan out there to make an older Grand Am/Beretta RWD and mostly Bolt on stuff.
Also if room is close look for early GM 2dr full size and do a quickie LS swap/4l60E, guaranteed wheel clearance, LS swap will get great mileage as they are no heavier than Fbody, and then early Fox/ and SN95s make good ideas too.
And heck Any older A,X,B body with a quick LS swap could be a fun car with good potential.
Heck I saw a guy with a 4 dr 77 Nova, had a cracked integral head I-6, he swapped in a newer I-6, added a small ebay turbo and amde 450 hp and it screamed, he decided he wanted to mess with it and didnt need rear doors right away and used late GM smooth door handles in a weekend, perfected plans on rear doors then pass front then drivers, heck he added a secondhand Gbar on it and coil overs as he drove it, the I 6 is still going and he is driving it more than his 69.
Heck I even saw a guy pick up a Bravada, then scrounged parts and converted it over to Cyclone/Typhoon driveline(computer/transfer case rest was retained) .
Dont count out odd ducks, only issues I've had with BMW/MERC is the price of parts and special tools, and heck anything German/European is a pain to mess with.
Also dont over look Stealths/3000GT, they may be fwd but came 4wd and for a song be made RWD in a weekend from what I read.

[KacyZ28]

anyone thought about a chysler/mitsu conquest/starion rwd 2.6l turbo option rwd should be able to find one cheap put alittle cash in it and make it reliable

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Ive been thinking about getting one of these

[DarkBuddha]

BTW, my original thought was to recommend a Merkur XR4TI, as I'm very fond of mine and know they meet most of your criteria. But then I noted that you posted:

4. Looks cool! Something i wont be embarassed to drive.
They're definitely not everyone's taste, and I can't guarantee you won't be embarrassed driving one. But if you like the looks (like I do), check 'em out... they are cheap for initial purchase, reasonably reliable (once you do the usual cheap Merk-ism fixes), plenty of support and aftermarket for 'em, lots and lots of potential, RWD, IRS, near bullet-proof turbo 2.3, will take all kinds of motor swaps (I've seen 'em with LSx, 5.0, 4.6, SHO V6, Duratech, Cosworth YB), and can be converted to AWD. The XR4TI has significant racing lineage and in 2009 an XR took the SCCA DSP (D Street Prepared) National Championship, and can be very competitive in rally, auto-x, road racing, etc. If you're interested, I can point you in the right direction(s).

[ArtosDracon]

If you like to get your hands dirty and want cheap you can pick up a running S10 for about a grand with a V6, manual tranny if you want it. Front suspension is narrowed G-body and rear is leafs, so it's pretty simple and cheap, and they're starting to get a decent following besides the silly mini-truckers. The 4wd\AWD ones use a different front suspension, but it's rather easily modified too, VERY easy coil-overs at that.

[Nessumsar]

anyone thought about a chysler/mitsu conquest/starion rwd 2.6l turbo option rwd should be able to find one cheap put alittle cash in it and make it reliable

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Ive been thinking about getting one of these

I almost went that direction, but from my research they don't tend to be that reliable. I did come very close to buying one before I bought my Nova.

It looks as though Camarokid bought a Fiero GT.

[69camarokid]

Give nessumsar a prize he called it.

I was leaning more towards the fieros but entertaining a lot of different ideas and possibilities.

But i cam across an 87 GT in good running condition for a fair price and picked it up.

ITs an 87 Gt.
5 speed manual
2.8L V6
fastback

The car runs great, starts up immediatly. All the lights and signals work. Front head lights converted from a vacuum system to electric. Car hands awesome. I feel like im in one of those pod racers from the first new starwars movie haha

Does have some issues. No power steering, no biggy. Both back windows are cracked. Replacements are 150 for both at the fiero store. The radio doesnt work, im going to drop in an ipod intigration system anyways. the car is purple.... yes, purple. god help me, but ill be painting it myself in the next few months as i finish prepping it for the paint. And the head liner is hanging and torn, but im gonna make a new one anyways.

Ill be starting a build thread on it shortly. but itll be slow going as ost of my money and effort will be going into rebuilding the blown camaro engine in my 69. ill post some pics this afternoon.

[The Stickman]

Give nessumsar a prize he called it.

I was leaning more towards the fieros but entertaining a lot of different ideas and possibilities.

But i cam across an 87 GT in good running condition for a fair price and picked it up.

ITs an 87 Gt.
5 speed manual
2.8L V6
fastback

The car runs great, starts up immediatly. All the lights and signals work. Front head lights converted from a vacuum system to electric. Car hands awesome. I feel like im in one of those pod racers from the first new starwars movie haha

Does have some issues. No power steering, no biggy. Both back windows are cracked. Replacements are 150 for both at the fiero store. The radio doesnt work, im going to drop in an ipod intigration system anyways. the car is purple.... yes, purple. god help me, but ill be painting it myself in the next few months as i finish prepping it for the paint. And the head liner is hanging and torn, but im gonna make a new one anyways.

Ill be starting a build thread on it shortly. but itll be slow going as ost of my money and effort will be going into rebuilding the blown camaro engine in my 69. ill post some pics this afternoon.

Actually all Fiero's came with electric motors for the headlights. Vacuum was never used. None of them ever came with power steering either. Good luck with it though.

[sik68]

Congrats on the car!

Sounds like you're already deviating from your track car plans though...no headliner needed, Lexan will save some weight on the windows, and you're not allowed to have the stereo playing on a racetrack! :)

[KacyZ28]

I almost went that direction, but from my research they don't tend to be that reliable. I did come very close to buying one before I bought my Nova.

It looks as though Camarokid bought a Fiero GT. that maybe true about the reliability,but the fiero was exactly the best car either.

[cheapthrillz]

Maybe, a Supra 89, go for 2000 to 2900 in cool shape

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1311&_nkw=toyota+supra&_sacat=See-All-Categories


3rd gen F-body. You can pick up a 88-97 Camaro or Firebird for that kind of price.

Hell, some of the 4th gen F-bodies are in that price range now.

jp

Wow, if you guys only knew.

I had an 89 Supra that I used to call my little Japanese Ferrari.... killer looking car and a ton of fun too!

I got rid of project cheapthrillZ (86 Z28) because I couldn't afford it anymore.... It was a fun car, but I think it had gremlins.

Both of these were my first two thoughts!

PS. WE WANT PICTURES OF THE FIERO!

[69camarokid]

Actually all Fiero's came with electric motors for the headlights. Vacuum was never used. None of them ever came with power steering either. Good luck with it though.

interesting. The first car i test drove the guy mentioned he was having issues with the lights because of a vacuum leak. I never checked his claim, so perhaps he was mistaken like u said.

As for the power steering i dont know if it was indeed a factory option or not, but the first two i test drove both had power steering. maybe an aftermarket kit on those two?

i already ripped out the hanging headliner.


as for the no stereo that sik68 said, it is gonna be a daily driver as i rebuild the camaro engine so ill need some tunes!

[Mr. Anderson]

A Fiero is one of those cars I like, but wouldn't ever have the guts to buy. Congrats on the new toy, and have fun!

[69camarokid]

A Fiero is one of those cars I like, but wouldn't ever have the guts to buy. Congrats on the new toy, and have fun!

yknow its strange, i think theres a generation gap with this car. Because every guy i know in his 40s to 50s ( my dad and his friends) have all commented on how they love the car, they always liked them and would love to have one but they could never get one because they are considered a chicks car. But everyone ive shown it to who is around my age (24) things it looks awesome and now wants one. I think my buddy alex said it best when he said it looked like the sexy ******* offspring of a ferrari 355 and a nissan 300zx.

its only ben 2 days now and i am in love with this car! i feel like im driving a large gokart around town... legally!

[79-TA]

Is your Fiero a GT?

[indyjps]

BMW 1992-1998 3 series, find one with decent service records, stick, and high mileage for lower cost. when its not your daily you can swap to a newer larger engine if you want. Already has good brakes and suspension just improve it when you take it to the track, small sports car doesnt make the best daily driver. Newer parts swap onto these pretty well, brakes, wheels etc to freshen up the look and performance.

[The Stickman]

interesting. The first car i test drove the guy mentioned he was having issues with the lights because of a vacuum leak. I never checked his claim, so perhaps he was mistaken like u said.

As for the power steering i dont know if it was indeed a factory option or not, but the first two i test drove both had power steering. maybe an aftermarket kit on those two?

i already ripped out the hanging headliner.


as for the no stereo that sik68 said, it is gonna be a daily driver as i rebuild the camaro engine so ill need some tunes!

Are you sure they had Power steering. I was into Fiero's for a very long time and I know the factory never offered it in any way. There have been alot of people saying they would want to do it but it's not really that simple. I have seen alot of ads that say the car has PS because well what car doesn't have it from the 80's on? If they had it what kind of system did it use as it would have had to come off another car?

[69camarokid]

i was playing around on youtube looking at fiero videos and came across an old comparison video from 1988 by car and driver testing the 99 fiero gt vs the Toyota MR2. in the video they talked about the factory power steering system in the fiero. but maybe that was only for 88?

[The Stickman]

i was playing around on youtube looking at fiero videos and came across an old comparison video from 1988 by car and driver testing the 99 fiero gt vs the Toyota MR2. in the video they talked about the factory power steering system in the fiero. but maybe that was only for 88?

They never came with it. Pontiac wanted it mainly so it would sell better to women. they tested an electric unit but it never went any further than that. I have heard rumors that someone may have done a swap using a Sunbird unit with the remote revisior. But that required moving the battery.

[srh3trinity]

Cool purchase, I had to google to look through some images of what you meant by fastback. They have better lines.

[Mr. Anderson]

yknow its strange, i think theres a generation gap with this car. Because every guy i know in his 40s to 50s ( my dad and his friends) have all commented on how they love the car, they always liked them and would love to have one but they could never get one because they are considered a chicks car. But everyone ive shown it to who is around my age (24) things it looks awesome and now wants one. I think my buddy alex said it best when he said it looked like the sexy ******* offspring of a ferrari 355 and a nissan 300zx.

its only ben 2 days now and i am in love with this car! i feel like im driving a large gokart around town... legally!

Well I'm 26 and kinda feel like your dad and his friends! My first suggestion of a Miata is the same situation. I've driven enough of them to realize the potential, and they are a LOT of fun to throw around. I've got an old acquaintance who messes with a lot of miatas, but I just can't help but chuckle whenever I see him get out of it.

I actually think a Fiero is a manly-er car! Haha. I'm glad you are having fun with it, stay safe!

[Rhino]

I know you said no FWD - but I've never owned a car that was more fun than my 83 VW GTI.
1900LBS wet with factory 3.90 gears. You can find Mark 1 or Mark II VW's for less than $1000
They handle well, respond VERY well to minor suspension mods and get in the high 30MPG range.
Even the Mark IV's are getting cheap now

Agreed. I'm not a huge fan of FWD myself, but that is a fantastically fun little car.

[ZuperZport]

Congrats on your Fiero purchase.

They are fun cars, but as mentioned before have their "issues". All are "fixable" with out too many headaches. The only real b-buster is the clutch.

My lady had an 86 that had every problem occur at least once, except for any fire. The clutch was an expensive repair as we could not fix ourselves. I did finally get her to agree to let go of the 86, which was difficult as it was her "first" car.

Several years later I found her a 11,000 original miles 1988 GT. We drive it only in warm months here in NY but it really is a fun car. Somewhat quick and pretty nimble it is a hoot to drive. Many people (read: young) have no idea what it is since it has been so long since they were relevant.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[1969CamaroRS]

How about a 94/95 5.0 mustang.

x2, like Bryce said lots of mod opportunities there.

[1red68]

I hope you have a good time with your Fiero. they are a fun little car to rip around in.
Didn't GM have a recall on them for fire issues? something about the valve-covers leaking oil on the hot exh manifold???

[The Stickman]

I hope you have a good time with your Fiero. they are a fun little car to rip around in.
Didn't GM have a recall on them for fire issues? something about the valve-covers leaking oil on the hot exh manifold???

The main recall was for fire due to the fact that the con rods were being made by an outside contractor that was being paid by the ton and there was no QC. something like 1 in 4 rods was bad. Not a great ratio when you are building 4 cylinders. This was an 84 model year problem only. Problem is there were over 100K sold that year. Rods would pop thru the block and one one side was the Cat and the other the muffler. The exhaust was all around so rod comes out oil hits hot exhaust and you have a fire. So they got a bad rap for that. But look at recalls in general for all cars and see how many are for fires.

[Nessumsar]

:postpics:

:)

[The Stickman]

:postpics:

:)

Here are what I think are some PT worthy Fieros. None are mine.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSCN0430_Small_2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSCN0438_Small_1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSCN0446_Small_2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSCN0470_Small-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/090207001chopped-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/507-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC01315-1.jpg

[srh3trinity]

Those are awesome examples of Fieros.