Is a Used Lumina a good buy?

[becscar]

I am looking into buying a used Lumina, (I only have between $3,000 and 4,000 to spend). I would love some feedback from people who own these cars. Are they reliable? What years are good?, & which ones should I stay away from?
What common problems are there with these cars?
Is a Lumina a good buy?
I really appreciate any help!
Thanks so much

[popof10]

I bought a used 93 Lumina with 147k on it. It has the 3.1L v6. It has been a depoendable car for me, and when I need to replace things that wear out, (e.g., struts, brakes, waterpump) working on the car has been pretty easy.

[becscar]

Thank you for the information!

[Street18]

i have a 97 3.1 and the car runs GREAT! have no problems with it, good dependable car to have

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by becscar

I am looking into buying a used Lumina, (I only have between $3,000 and 4,000 to spend). I would love some feedback from people who own these cars. Are they reliable? What years are good?, & which ones should I stay away from?
What common problems are there with these cars?
Is a Lumina a good buy?
I really appreciate any help!
Thanks so much

I have a 91 4 dr. It has 214,000 miles on it. I know the whole history of the car, and besides mantainance parts, these are the major things that have been replaced
both rear calipers
all 4 rotors
One front axle
muffler
Ign. control modual and both coils
rack and pinion.
struts
none of these parts are really expensive nor hard to replace if you have mech. knowlege, and most were after 150.000 miles.

As for engine:
timing chain and gear set at approx 212,000 miles. Other than timing set, engine has never been apart, never needed a gasket put on. BUT! this is the all iron 2.5 four cylinder engine... Tho not as much power as a 3.1 or 3.4 in my opinion way more trouble free. And oh so easy to work on too! 214K and still doesnt smoke or use more than a quart a month.and i drive 500 miles a week.

[becscar]

thank you for all your information, it is good to know! Please send me more, Luminas are sounding like a good buy for sure!

[becscar]

One more question, how did the body of your cars hold up?

[becscar]

And another question I just thought of, what is the last year theymade the Lumina? It became Monte Carlo after that, is that right?

[Street18]

yea my lumina has 276k miles on it and still strong

the last year they made the lumina was 1999

[silverado122775]

like most used cars, you want to make sure it is kept up well, do you homework. try to get one the has less than 100K. That way you are less likely to have to worry about anything soon.
I use to have a 94 Lumina Z34 w/ manual tranny. very rare, only 500 made. nothing ever went wrong with the engine. main thing to have checked out is the wiring. They tend to go bad.

Good luck

[becscar]

Good to know about the wiring, we have had a lot of trouble with our Ford recently because of wiring. I will remember to check that out when looking into them.
Thanks for the info!

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by becscar

One more question, how did the body of your cars hold up?

body on my 91 isnt rusted at all, and has been in Maryland, outside, all its life.
And i cant say as to why, but its the only GM i have had that still has original headliner in place and in perfect condition, along with those rubber strips along outside bottom of windows, they are still soft and pliable.
Only thing i never did figure out, and believe me i have tried, is why i always get water in the trunk wehn it rains, stripping is good,window seals, even removed tail lights and resealed those, still leaks. So if you look at a Lumi, make sure the spare tire isnt ready to fall thru the trunk bottom, mine isnt, but i caught it early, cleaned and used spray can truck bed liner in the trunk.

[becscar]

Good to know about the water leak in the trunk. Usually when looking at a used car, we aren't always concerned with what the trunk is like. I will be sure to check that out! Thanks for the advice!!

[occupant]

There are two generations of Lumina. 1990-1994 which could be had as a coupe or sedan, and 1995-2001 which was sedan only. Luminas were produced as fleet only in 2001 and possibly 2000. Most all models have a 3.1 liter Chevrolet-based 60-degree V6. Some 1990-1993 models have the 2.5 liter Iron Duke 4-cylinder. 1991 and later models could have the 3.4L V6, mostly on Euros (94-down) or LS (95-up). You could also have a 3.8L Buick-based V6 on the police and LTZ models.

For $3,000 you shouldn't have trouble finding either a VERY nice 1st gen model with low miles and perfect cosmetics and mechanicals, or a decent 2nd gen model with maybe more miles and not-so-perfect cosmetics. If you want as new as possible, the fleet models from 2000 and 2001 are easy to find, generally are under 100K, and can be bought for $3-$4K.

Personally I'd recommend a 1996-1999 LS sedan with the 3.1L engine. It'll have better options (electric trunk release, tachometer, dual zone climate control, cassette or CD, power seats) and the interior fabric is much more durable and stays cleaner longer. It should also have alloy wheels which IMO look much better than the plastic hubcaps.

$4,000 might even be enough to get you an LTZ in decent shape.

[McLin]

Hi,

i have buy an used Lumina 98 with 3,8 L Engine...

I have an good car, i just must change the Oil an thats was it, now its an good nice car in good condition...