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From: cpr0@bunny.UUCP (C. Rosebrugh)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Pontiac Fiero
Message-ID: <52@bunny.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-Feb-85 23:17:46 EST
Article-I.D.: bunny.52
Posted: Mon Feb 11 23:17:46 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 03:24:59 EST
References: <283@edsel.UUCP>
Organization: GTE Labs, Waltham, MA
Lines: 65

I'm a very happy owner of an '84 Fiero SE. I think everyone is entitled
to their opinion about cars, so I'm not in the mode of criticizing
others choices of transportation. Anyway, I want to say and ask a few
things about the Fiero.

The car is not built for practicality, nor has this ever been claimed.
For the first model year, with NEW ideas in body/chassis/frame
engineering, Pontiac did a heck of a job in developing and opening
up new markets for small cars. Not only is Ford scrambling to put
out a mid-engine 2 seater, but the other GM divisions (Buick and
Oldsmobile - I don't think this is one that Cadillac will touch -)
are now designing the same style for 1988 release.

I personally bought the car for fun in the sun, while living on the 
west coast - with the sun roof off, the windows down and the 
high-ended stereo blaring (with the speakers in the headrest),
the money paid for the car tends to be quickly forgotten.

Also, the engine is fairly simple to work on since all the cooling
and air conditioning is in the front. I bought the car knowing that
the ride, power, and handling all needed some help - but the idea was
to work on just that. There's a company in California -
 California Coachworks (408-778-3583) in Morgan Hill -
that specializes in customizing Fieros. They have all kinds of
stuff - spoilers, wheels, progressive rate springs, anti-sway bars,
gas shocks & struts, etc, (also a turbocharger) customized for the 
Fiero - the prices are good, too.

Also, the car seems pretty tough - I moved from Portland, Oregon
to Boston in August and drove the car after having bought it in
June. I covered the distance in 4 days: 600, 1000, 1000, 620
miles @ an average trip speed of 67 mph, travelling at ~75 mph -
(I have a Spectrum Whistler radar detector, also) - without
any problems at all. Mileage was 29 mpg.
The trip was like sitting on a living room couch listening to 
the stereo (I'm not into being a tourist).

So now the problem - a couple of months ago I started to have 
a very squeaky belt problem. While under warranty, I took it to
the dealer (twice) to have them checked and adjusted - but they
still squealed: first for a few minutes after starting the car,
then at about 1 minute intervals when highway driving.
It was especially bad after it rained or snowed. Then, 
the alternator belt ripped off and chewed up so badly that
I only recovered 3 pieces about 4" long. It was then that I noticed 
that the alternator was about 3/4" out of line with the other pulleys!
I took it to an independent mechanic and he shimmed the alternator
and put a new belt on. Three weeks later the belt got itself chewed.
No warning - one squeal and Poof! I had a new belt put on and took the
car to an alternator shop - they said there was absolutely nothing wrong
with it - that it's a belt problem. They  tightened the belts and sent me
on the way. Two days later the squealing started again. Now I just
keep moving the alternator back, tightening the belt up again - 
but it's happening every couple hundred miles! 

Can anyone offer a suggestion? The belts used so far have been
different brands. I don't know alot about cars, but I'm learning fast.
I'm also interested in other Fiero owner's problems. Please write 
if you have any info.

Sorry for the verbosity.

Chris Rosebrugh
GTE Laboratories
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