Poll: Lumina 96, 97 or 98?

[fopu]

I want to buy a new Lumina (mine is 1991) and I don't know which one has less problems: 96, 97 or 98? Thanx!

[callalilly81]

Originally Posted by fopu

I want to buy a new Lumina (mine is 1991) and I don't know which one has less problems: 96, 97 or 98? Thanx!

I own a 1998. My mom owns a 1996. Both preowned... but I can tell you that my mother has had less problems with hers. Mine is very reliable... but has had problems with batteries, brakes and now, the service engine light is on... and I suspect fuel injection problems.
I don't know how mine was treated before I bought it... all that I know is that it is a former fleet vehicle for an insurance agency. My mothers came from New York. So... that's all I got. Good luck.
Ps... I love my 1998.. even though it has required a little tlc. another problem both I and my mother noticed... rear cylinders went out and caused rear brakes to not function properly. hmmm.

[fopu]

Thanks! I thought they fixed the problem with the rear calipers! I knew that some Luminas (96 or later) have problems with the transmission lines and stuff. I just don't want to trade my problems for others...

[callalilly81]

n/p. i've only had to replace them once. also... i recently replaced the tie rods.

[frstrtdblzr]

I have a 97 Lumina and for the kind of wear and tare I put on cars it has been great. I did put a new used motor in it in 2002, but that was my own fault because I screwed around and didn't get the thermostat changed in time because I didn't think I could do it by myself. So I seized the motor up. I have 162000 miles on mine though and lately I have been driving it on a paper route every day. I am also pretty hard on cars just because of my normal driving habits and it has held up great. I am actually pretty impressed with it. I have had a couple different chvy cavaliers and compard to the lumina they are really a piece of junk.

[mlw35405]

I have a 96 Lumina 3.1. I am a delivery driver and put about 2000 miles a week on it (HARD miles, mind you). It just turned over 205,000 miles. The only problems I had were alternator replacement at 130K, front struts at 180K, and now it grunts on take off so I think I need new control arm bushings. Other than that no problems-no blown gaskets or anything. It doesn't use any oil and still gets around 27 Miles per gallon on the highway. AND it is very comfortable, aside from the fact that the Titanic could turn around tighter than a Lumina...

[callalilly81]

lol. i hear ya about the wide turns. i have to think about it before i make a u-turn... they have, in the past, turned to 3-point turns .
but then again. i love the wide turns. i don't think i could drive something that didn't "swing".

[klkline]

I own a '98 LTZ. I've been very happy with mine, the handling is tight, the acceleration is good (with the 3.8 Series II engine) and the interior is comfortable (for a Chevy). Also, according to the Consumer Guide for Used Cars, the '98 was shown to be high in reliability ratings.

[drake104]

I have 98 Lumina with V6 3.1.. I love this car my grandmother bought it new been in the family ever since I drive it every day to college over 100 miles put on it a day. the car has 207,000 miles on it all original nothing ever wrong in motor the only thing i have replaced is the starter. But for that many miles i cant complain.