The 1987 Pontiac Fiero is a compact, mid-engine two-seat sports coupe designed to deliver sporty handling and eye-catching style at an affordable price. It’s ideal for drivers who want a classic 1980s American sports car experience, weekend cruising, and an engaging DIY-friendly ownership community. By 1987, the Fiero was in its first generation and benefited from several refinements introduced after early production years, making it a more mature and better-sorted version of the original concept. In the market, it competed with entry-level sporty coupes while offering a unique mid-engine layout that few rivals could match.

- Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout: The Fiero’s engine sits behind the seats, improving weight balance and giving the car a distinctive sports-car feel compared to typical front-engine coupes. - Engine options for 1987: A 2.5L inline-4 (often called the “Iron Duke”) was the economy-focused base engine, while a 2.8L V6 offered stronger performance and a more classic sports-car sound. - Manual or automatic transmissions: Many 1987 Fieros were equipped with a 5-speed manual (popular for driver involvement), while an automatic was also available for easier commuting. - Spaceframe construction with composite body panels: The underlying steel spaceframe and non-structural exterior panels resist minor dents and give the Fiero its sharp styling, while keeping replacement body parts relatively straightforward. - Sport-oriented trims and upgrades: Depending on configuration, 1987 models could include sport suspension tuning, alloy wheels, aero styling elements, and interior upgrades that make the car feel more special than a typical economy coupe.

Shoppers researching 1987 Pontiac Fiero problems, 1987 Pontiac Fiero reliability, and 1987 Pontiac Fiero common issues should know that a well-maintained Fiero can be dependable for a classic car, but age, heat, and neglected service are the real enemies. Here are common issues owners report: - Cooling system and overheating: Fieros rely on long coolant tubes running front-to-rear; leaks at hoses, clamps, radiator end tanks, or tube connections can lead to overheating, often showing up around 80,000–120,000 miles or sooner if maintenance is ignored. Air trapped in the system after service can also cause hot-running complaints. - Oil leaks and engine wear (especially the 2.5L): The 2.5L can develop oil leaks from valve cover gaskets and seepage around seals; higher-mileage engines may show lower oil pressure or valvetrain noise if oil changes were skipped. Expect more leak-related complaints as mileage climbs past 100,000. - Ignition and drivability issues: The V6 models can suffer from distributor/ignition module heat-related failures, aging plug wires, and sensor problems that cause misfires, stalling, or hard starts—often intermittent and worse when hot. - Electrical gremlins and aging plastics: Pop-up headlight systems, window motors, grounds, and connectors can cause intermittent operation as components age. Interior plastics, headliner materials, and switches also commonly show wear after decades of sun and heat.