It's like 1984 all over again

[lorennerol]

I still remember the first time I saw a Pontiac Fiero in person. In fact, I'd just turned 16 and had a brand new Canon AE-1p in-hand and took a picture of that red car. No car with anything close to a reasonable price had ever grabbed my like it did.

In 1991, as I graduate from college I bought a 3rd-hand, low-mileage electric blue 1987 Fiero GT. I've never been happier driving any car than that one. A lot has changed since 1991. I'm married, I have kids, I drive a 2005 4Runner, and on and on. But just today I washed that same 87 Fiero with my two kids, who weren't even a thought the day I bought it 16 years ago.

There was a period of about four years where I couldn't find a mechanic who could fix an intermittent no-start problem. The car fell into disrepair and sat in my driveway under a tarp (to the profound irritation of my wife). I considered selling it until my oldest daughter reminded me that I'd promised her a ride in it. So I found a mechanic who owns a half-dozen of them and dropped about $3000 into it. The smile on my daughter's face as we drove it home from the mechanic made it all worth while.

The Saturn Sky is the *only* car that has captivated my like the Fiero did in 1984. Yes, it has some quirks and irritations and a less-than-luxurious interior. So does that old Fiero- I've come to think of them as beauty marks...objects of endearment.

A couple days ago I found a local dealer with a used Red Line on the lot. Once they realized I was serious about getting one, they let me take it on a very short test drive. After accidentally smoking the tires on the third turn I realized that this little car has a lot of the endearing qualities of the Fiero with a whole lot more going on under the hood.

Today I took my oldest (10) daughter back for her to inspect it. She's not excited about the prospect of me finally parting with the Fiero (I don't want four cars), so I wanted to get her opinion. "Less leg room", was her first observation. About the trunk she said, "Where? That's it?"

"I think I should take a look at the Pontiac too, Dad", was her final assessment, so she's clearly on the fence.

I think I've fallen off the fence though. The Sky has just the right balance of edges and curves (a lot like the Fiero) and I'm under its spell.

If I'm going to buy one I want a 2008 Red Line with chrome wheels and the Monsoon CD Changer in red with black leather, black with red/black leather, or midnight blue with black leather. I live in the drippy, gray Seattle area and it seems like a brighter car would be better, so red is my first choice. My dark blue 4Runner often looks black, but I don't like the white and I think the yellow is too much (but I'd consider it too, I suppose).

So finally to some questions for those of you who've gone through the ordering process or have one already:

- Is there a significant difference in the delivery time from dealer to dealer, and if so, how can I determine this information?
- Is there an easy way to search for one on a lot that matches what I need, given that no dealer seems to be willing to trade them? I'd be willing to fly to the right car and drive it back.

Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to graduating from gawker to owner, just like I did in 1991.

L

[mbeardsley]

You're making me cry...I too was a Fiero lover. I had a red 1985 Fiero that I traded in for a white 1988 Fiero GT.

I drove that GT every day for 12 years, and it was still in beautiful condition, until some idiot drove a cadilac into it. That was in 2000, and I still miss that Fiero.

You're right about the Sky though, it's got a lot of the same "feel" to it.

My 2008 Redline is on order now, and Deluke seems to think I could get it as soon as mid-July (that seems optimistic to me, but she'd know better than anyone).

The delivery time doesn't really change from dealer to dealer, the key is to find a dealer that has allocations available. This varies GREATLY between dealers. If a dealer has no allocations, you could be waiting several months just to be able to place your order. If the dealer does have an allocation for you, you could have the car in your driveway in just a few months.

The other thing is that many dealers are either charging over MSRP or requiring a whole bunch of "dealer add-ons" to the car.

Finding a dealer that has allocations AND will let you buy the car "straight" can be difficult (but not impossible).

As far as I know there is no easy way to "search the country" for a specific Sky. Though some people have used the saturn website and entered various zip codes to check dealers in each area (this is a tedious and time consuming job with only a medium chance of success).

I checked with a bunch of dealerships in this area, and after some negotiations managed to order a car without add-ons.

Also be aware, typically the dealers will know less about the ordering process than the people on this forum do. If I had listened to what the dealers said, there is no way I'd have a Sky this summer.

Don't be afraid to PM me if you need more info (or if you want to compare Fieros).

[Rick Tinley Park]

Oh Mbeardsley -- You have learned well, grasshoopper

Yeah never owned a Fiero -- but they (to me) were very cool cars... They came out though when I was in my Married Dad Phase -- Now that I am Married Grandpa -- I am VERY popular with my 10 year old grand daughter... She gets rides!

[mbeardsley]

Yes, this forum has been quite informative.

Talking with Saturn dealers (excepting SkySpy of course), has not been.

In case anyone cares, this is what my baby looked like on her 10th birthday.
If you haven't guessed, I'm still not quite over it.

However a new Redline just might do the trick.

[keiffer6]

My best friend in school had a Fiero GT. It was Maroon in color. It was a pretty sweet car.

I remember seeing a Fiero with a body kit to make it look like a ferrari.

[grs88v8]

I too have had a few Fiero's since 1986 (currently do a custom rebuild on a 1988 Formula), this is number 8. I agree about the Sky. I really love the looks and performance of the R/L, but I still can't wait to get my Fiero back on the road. Nothing handles like a mid-engined car, mine has major suspension mods and a Chevy 350 TPI motor in it. I think that the Sky R/L might be faster, but the V8 just plain sounds very cool, really rattles the ricers, they don't even try to mess with me. I just hope GM doesn't pull a Fiero on the Sky down the road.

[jayman]

Must be a generational thing...i too had a Fiero poster over my bed in high school...right next to Christie Brinkley, ....wanted one sooo bad...and ended up getting a '74 Opel Manta...talk about a humiliating P.O.S

[mbeardsley]

Originally Posted by jayman

...right next to Christie Brinkley, ....wanted one sooo bad...and ended up getting a '74 Opel Manta...talk about a humiliating P.O.S

Yeah, I wanted a Christie Brinkley sooo bad too...and ended up getting a...ummm...nevermind.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by mbeardsley

Yeah, I wanted a Christie Brinkley sooo bad too...and ended up getting a...ummm...nevermind.

ummm....a poster of the Facts of Life girls...

[lorennerol]

Originally Posted by jayman

Must be a generational thing...i too had a Fiero poster over my bed in high school...right next to Christie Brinkley

In my case it was Madonna's 'Boy Toy' poster next to Christie...

I do have a pic of my Fiero on the track at Michigan International Speedway. My dad had an in there and took it over for a spin one week when we swapped cars so I could move my stuff home from my college apartment. I'll see if I can dig it up so I can scan and post.

I had the Fiero pegged out in driving through the Oregon desert in 1997 or so. I'm not sure I'd have the stones to do the same with a Sky- the Fiero speedo only goes to 120.

[jayman]

Wow...freakin' weird...i had Madonna's True Blue poster

[lorennerol]

Originally Posted by jayman

...and ended up getting a '74 Opel Manta...talk about a humiliating P.O.S

I drove two 1976 Monte Carlos before the Fiero- the first had burgundy vinyl, chrome seat belt buckles, and NO AIR. Those hot summer days in Michigan made for quite an adventure getting into that thing after it sat in the sun all day while I was working, and of course I worked all the time because I had to buy gas for the 400 4-barrel that got me about 13 MPG.

Ahh, the good old days!

[Rick Tinley Park]

Holy crap you guys are babies
I had Annette Funacello in her Mickey Mouse ears....

[jayman]

Originally Posted by lorennerol

I drove two 1976 Monte Carlos before the Fiero- the first had burgundy vinyl, chrome seat belt buckles, and NO AIR. Those hot summer days in Michigan made for quite an adventure getting into that thing after it sat in the sun all day while I was working, and of course I worked all the time because I had to buy gas for the 400 4-barrel that got me about 13 MPG.

Ahh, the good old days!

Yeah...know what you mean...after my Manta died i had a '75 Chevy Malibu with vinyl seats...think i still have the burn marks on my legs...great back seat though

[grs88v8]

Originally Posted by lorennerol

In my case it was Madonna's 'Boy Toy' poster next to Christie...

I do have a pic of my Fiero on the track at Michigan International Speedway. My dad had an in there and took it over for a spin one week when we swapped cars so I could move my stuff home from my college apartment. I'll see if I can dig it up so I can scan and post.

I had the Fiero pegged out in driving through the Oregon desert in 1997 or so. I'm not sure I'd have the stones to do the same with a Sky- the Fiero speedo only goes to 120.

If you want the speedo to read faster, just pull the peg out, it will continue to go past the peg then. That's how mine is, you have to guess a little, I've seen it in excess of 130. I know I'm a bad boy, late at nite no one around. Our SKY R/L only has about 800 miles on it so it might be awhile before I try, maybe?

[SKYSLMT]

Thank you for bringing up 1984 - that was my graduation year, my best friend had a red Fiero, and I too had posters of Madonna...she outlasted the Fiero though

[lorennerol]

Update: I found a dealer with an open allocation and just sent my deposit info. I'll have to fly to get the car, but the drive home up highway 101 will make up for that. I'm 90% certain I'm going red with red leather. My buddy who's encouraging me and my wife both thing black with red leather, but you know, Seattle is so freaking gray that I want a car that is a COLOR. Now, if I could get electric metallic blue like my Fiero I'd be all over it- I even called a body shop to find out how much it would cost to get a new Sky repainted...

Thanks all here for the help and encouragement. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Loren

[SkyBaby]

I have been seeing Fieros all over the place here lately... and.. I had a red one... and posters... beside a few other posters myself... SkyBaby

[Talz]

Well I do like Black/Red better than Red/Red but either one will look good, it's not like you are getting a green/red christmas car. If you want it go for it!