If you can't afford a Ferrari . . .
If you can't afford a Ferrari . . .
OK, I'm still a sucker for a fun ride!
Fiero is one of many innovative cars that General Motors has produced and abandoned for non-obvious reasons. (Obtuse timidity? Corporate politics? Misplaced financial conservatism? I don't know.) Schizophrenic Fiero's mid-engine layout and low-profile 2-seat configuration are modeled in part after Ferrari 308, but built from off-the-shelf mechanical components. At heart an econo-box, Fiero wants to be a Grand Touring sports car. Perhaps Fiero does not entirely achieve its ambition, but it's close enough to fool me.
Fiero gets an undeserved bad rap for unreliability. (Early 4-cylinder models had a disturbing penchant for engine fires due to massive oil leaks, and headlight motor failure is an ongoing problem.) I suspect that most of Fiero's problems -- and its ultimate demise -- sprang mainly from GM internal politics and parts quality, rather than bad design. I have read that Europeans think Fieros are great! Perhaps they compare Fiero's reliability to MG, Peugeot, Audi, Fiat, Trabant, Saab, et. al., rather than to Ford and Toyota.
Despite its confused heritage, Fiero is a joy to drive, and -- unlike Lotus Europa -- I don't have to remove one shoe to operate the pedals!
(Before)