Pontiac Had Something Special With the 1987 Fiero
Pontiac had many classics over the years, like the 1987 Fiero. Read on to see why we think the ‘87 Fiero deserves a spot in the history books.
Written by Hannah DeWitt
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
There are plenty of
classic cars
that we wish still existed in mass-produced quantities today. Many of the worst classic cars
still have dedicated followings for their unique designs and histories. Being able to score great savings
on classic car insurance is also a plus for buyers.One year before it was discontinued, the 1987 Pontiac Fiero was seemingly in its prime. Let's look at what made this classic Pontiac so special, with some insight from
Hagerty
.The beginnings of the Pontiac Fiero
The Pontiac Fiero was first released in 1984 as GM's answer to the rising demand for commuter vehicles. However, it was far sportier than its rivals with its mid-engine layout. The interior was also home to some unique features, like headrests with integrated speakers.
Still, with only 92 horsepower on tap, it was no thrill-seeker. The Pontiac Fiero proved its worth as a city car, rated for an impressive 31/50 mpg city/highway with the five-speed manual transmission. A three-speed automatic gearbox was also offered, but it reduced the Fiero's gas mileage considerably.
The Pontiac Fiero was well-received by the general public, even with the occasional complaints of engine fires. One year later in 1985, certain Fiero trims would receive an optional V6 engine with 135 horsepower. One of those, the athletic GT, also had a rear spoiler and a new roof added to its list of options.
To accompany that new engine, the 1987 Fiero's five-speed transmission was updated. The base engine got a slight bump in performance, now up to 98 horsepower, and an aerodynamic nose to match the GT's.
Why was this car discontinued after the 1987 Fiero?
1988 was the Pontiac Fiero's final year, but the news of its demise was somewhat unexpected. After all, the Fiero had just received the suspension upgrade that its engineers had originally wanted to implement in 1984. This racing-tuned suspension was complemented with new disc brakes and wider wheels.
Unfortunately, slow sales prompted GM to end the Fiero's production run.
Do people still buy the 1987 Fiero?
According to Hagerty, the average example in good condition from this model year usually costs $3,600. However, some have been sold for as low as $617.
The majority of Pontiac Fieros have been well-maintained over the years, so three-digit prices aren't common. The latest Pontiac Fiero sale on Hagerty closed for $6,600. The highest Pontiac Fiero sale ever recorded by Hagerty reached $57,330.
Since the V6 models are the most popular, it's safe to assume that expensive sale could have been for a Pontiac Fiero GT. Collectors prefer this version because of all the performance upgrades, plus the wider availability of the GT's iconic body style. The Indy Pace cars, which served as the inspiration for the GT, are also prized among Fiero fans.
The Pontiac Fiero still had its fair share of problems, such as pricey maintenance fees and sluggish acceleration. Still, the Fiero's unique appearance and fun features continue to attract buyers in the modern age.
Is 1987 Fiero insurance cheap?
With the exception of rare and high-demand models, classic car insurance is almost always cheaper compared to modern cars. That's because these vehicles have had decades' worth of depreciation. Additionally, since collectors want to keep their cars in good condition, most vintage vehicles are only driven for a few thousand miles each year.
If you want to save money on car insurance, the
Jerry
app is a good place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
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