97 ls or not?

[99DenaliMan]

Howdy all, From the GMC side here. I'm looking at a 97 Lumina. I typically buy in the Late November, December Months when busines is slow and dealers are hurting for business so I don't know if income tax return time is a great time for negotiating for a deal. I typically don't pay over 90-95% of ppv good condition on KBB. I am a mechanic and am aware of the problems with the 3.1 Liter engine. Radiator hoses, Intake manifold leaks, head gaskets, excessive 02 sensor wear rate, etc. However I am still interested in this vehicle. When I talk to the dealer I want to know what I'm talking about. So my question to you Lumina folks is 1.) Here is the vin #2G1WL52M9V1112329. Here is the site to decode the vin #.
http://w-body.com/vin.html. According to this the vehicle is not an LS. What is the difference between an LS and a Base line Model? 2.) MY other question is if they accepted my offer of $3100.00 would that be a reasonable price for this vehicle, Or does that seem kind of high for a lumina of that year? (1997, with 82,000 miles) and 3.) Does anyone have a carfax they would be willing to run for me? I thank you in advance and look forward to sharing with you in the Lumina forum.

oh yea one more thing is is a link to the listing..
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=en&cardist=77
it has hubcaps?

[jeffcoslacker]

My '97 LS KBB's at around $3000 even with 118,000 miles, so I'd say yes, this is a good deal if it is an LS in very good condition. The LS has aluminum wheels, 225-60-R16 tires, ABS standard, 6 way power driver's side seat (may have both) Higher governed top speed (due to speed rated tires) and comes standard with the full compliment of accesories that may or may not be found on the base model (power windows, locks, mirrors, cruise, tilt, etc.)

It sounds like that one is a base if it has wheels covers, I'll have to look at the link.

I just looked, it appears to have most of the goodies of the LS except the upgraded wheels/tires and maybe ABS, since they didn't mention it. My guess is it is a base model with a preferred options package. They say they have a Carfax report, just ask for a copy.

It looks like a very nice car.

[99DenaliMan]

Thank you for your response. It was very informative. I called the dealership today. Unfortunately the vehicle has been sold. I'm guessing it was not an LS anyways. I always thought the base model had different suspension. and the LS had a more luxury ride. Possibly different shocks and not quite as tight of a sports suspension. Theoratically I could find a loaded base model slap some junk yard grand am/ls rims on it and it should value at the same amount? Again thank you for your information now I know what I'm looking for when comparing the two. Hopefully I can find another 6-10 year old Lumina with low miles and pick it up for under $3500.00

But then again if I buy under 130,000 miles that just means eventually I'll have to do the intake manifold and head Gasket's my self :-)
Still like the 3.1 though.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by 99DenaliMan

Thank you for your response. It was very informative. I called the dealership today. Unfortunately the vehicle has been sold. I'm guessing it was not an LS anyways. I always thought the base model had different suspension. and the LS had a more luxury ride. Possibly different shocks and not quite as tight of a sports suspension. Theoratically I could find a loaded base model slap some junk yard grand am/ls rims on it and it should value at the same amount? Again thank you for your information now I know what I'm looking for when comparing the two. Hopefully I can find another 6-10 year old Lumina with low miles and pick it up for under $3500.00

But then again if I buy under 130,000 miles that just means eventually I'll have to do the intake manifold and head Gasket's my self :-)
Still like the 3.1 though.

Could be about the suspension. I checked the code on mine a while back, and it was the soft suspension, FE1 I think. Yeah, there doesn't seem to be a real clear line between an LS and a well appointed base model. I put the spoiler on mine that the LTZ models came with, and removed the pinstriping. Gave it a better look in my opinion. Less like Grandma's car. I may black out the rear panel and blur the line even more.