is an 88 fiero better than previous years?

[dgsmooth]

cheers mates - wondering about the difference from and 88 to all other years....i've been told by guys (not fiero owners/fans) that previous to 1988 fiero's shared a lot of parts, mostly steering and suspension, with pontiac acadians and chevettes type stuff. and then in 1988 it was truly its own design (and better?). i currently have an 86 gt, the owner i got it from described the 88 as much more 'car like', smoother steering and ride. (he's owned an 88 as well as couple other years). and the 86 he described as much more of a 'drivers' car, he likened it like a go-cart, really goes where you want it type thing. i guess this is all hear-say and opinion, what i'm really looking for are the facts;

- what years are 'the same'. my guess is 86/87 gt's the same, and 88 different?

- what is different/better about 88 from 86/87?

- what parts are and arent't interchangable from the 86/87 to the 88?

and after the physical parts differences, what are the real world ramifications of all that - are the 88's better handling, more/less reliable?

thanks again to all for the help.

edit - i'm really appreciating all the advice and help i'm getting from this forum. i've joined all the fiero forums i could google and this one is realy great (don't get me wrong, i'm sure there's other good ones as well). i'm a big user of forums, i (was) heavy into r/c nitro racing, own multiple quads, dirtbikes, boat, diesel pusher motorhome, as well as multiple vehicles, and being mechanic do all work on everything i/we own myself. first place i always turn when starting something new is the forums - and i can say this forum is one of the best. i'm looking forward to being able to put something back and maybe help somebody else out. i m putting the chevy small block cam bearings in the 3.4 i have in this fiero, and since not too many threads, or at least with good pictures etc of that procedure, that'll be my first contribution. ciao for now

[TopNotch]

I have an 86 and an 88. The 88 feels "lighter" in handling.
Here are the differences. The 84-87 rear suspension was derived from the Chevy Citation front suspension, except that the tie rods are connected to the engine cradle instead of to a steering rack. The front suspension was derived from a Chevy Chevette. The pieces worked well in a Fiero, but weren't perfect.
The 88 rear suspension is a tri-link suspension that the designers wanted to use from the beginning. And the 88 front suspension is also uniquely Fiero, with a smaller "scrub radius", which makes turning easier, and a tighter turning circle (makes it easier to do a U-turn on a narrow road).
The brakes on the 88 are also different, with vented rotors on all wheels (instead of solid rotors like the earlier cars).
Because many 88 parts are unique, they are sometimes harder to find, and more expensive.
Edit: More differences... The engine cradle on the 88 is mounted solidly to the car. On earlier models, it is mounted with rubber bushings. Some people replace them with solid bushings. Many other early year shortcomings can be "fixed", like the Grand Am brake mod.

[dgsmooth]

mmmmm, based on that 1988 does sound 'better', parts availability and price aside, sounds like better performance for sure, is there a reliability trade-off or not really/necesarily?

reason i'm asking all this as i want to get a low mileage car in original shape and put a small block v8 of some type in it, and likely keep it forever....i know a nice 88gt is not easy/cheap to find, but am i better off (if i'm keeping it for the long haul) to just bite the bullet and pay more/be patient and get an 88? i mean im not rich, but the difference between and $2500 86/87 and a $5000 88 seems minor if i plan on keeping it for a long time. i have a nice 86gt i just got, and its nice - loaded, leather, all original and excellent shape, but still yearn for an 88.....looking for a little experience input from a drivers/mechanics point of view who's ownder and 88 as well as other years. thanks again topnotch

edit - sorry first time i read your reply i didn't see the very first sentance - you have both, the one i have now and the one i want.....i think i'm on the market for a original 88gt. and have a 86gt with 3.4 for sale shortly

[Fierofool]

Almost all body panels are interchangeable from one Fiero to another.  You can make a notchback into a fastback and vice-versa.  All interior parts are interchangeable.  The exterior panels that are different are basically the door skins of the 84, being particular to that year in the way they attach to the door.  Wiring in the 84 is only to itself.  Conversion to a different engine in the 84 can be a major undertaking. 

The 87 and 88 Duke engines are different from the previous years, mostly in their internals.  There is some difference in mounts, and engine management and some of the external parts won't interchange.  The 84 Duke is again, kind of on its own. 

I have an 88 Duke that I gave to the club as a courtesy car.  I've not driven it much, but it does steer much easier than the other 5, 6, or 7 85-87's I've owned.  I've never driven it hard through curves or anything like that so I can't compare handling.  TopNotch regularly swaps between his 88 Duke and is 86 V6, so he can give you some good comparison.

The 85 thru 87 Fiero parts are almost totally interchangeable between 4 and 6 cylinder versions and fastback and notchback versions.  With that comes a larger availability of parts, whether new or used.  With the larger availability usually comes lower prices, and the earlier years can be made to perform and handle just as well as the 88, for anything you would legally do on the highway.