Would you buy again??

[gw84]

I saw this thread in the Malibu forum and thought I'd see what happened in the Lumina forum. Based on your previous experiences with this model, would you purchase again or pass? Please state your reason(s) why or why not.

[gw84]

I guess I'll start this off. I have already purchased again! My '93 was well worth the $2100 paid for it. Purchased with 105,000 miles it now has 189,XXX miles with very few problems!!! Having had such great experiences with my first lumina, I purchased another this past July.

[john51md]

Originally Posted by gw84

I saw this thread in the Malibu forum and thought I'd see what happened in the Lumina forum. Based on your previous experiences with this model, would you purchase again or pass? Please state your reason(s) why or why not.

Bought a 91 2 years ago for cheap, now has 240,000 on it. Original engine and tranny, only engine parts other than matainance were outside pieces, internal is all original. Had to just recently replace (original) fuel pump and gas tank. One front axle. Wear items such as brakes/rotors/etc.
Yes i would buy again.

[Blue Bowtie]

Not only would I, but I'm shopping for another one (or similar platform) for my other daughter who is about to start driving. I had a pretty good look at the current one before buying, and knew what I was getting into. The "rod knock" that the dealer tried to downplay (but didn't understand) was solved with Mobil 1 and a decent flowing oil filter. The "dead" A/C compressor was solved with a clutch spring plate adjustment. The rear suspension knock/thud was solved with new rear upper strut mounts. And the paint peeling was solved with a little SW acrylic and urethane clearcoat. I've got less than $2K in the vehicle (exclusive of fuel and insurance) and would comfortably drive it any distance. I feel like I stole it.

[gw84]

Originally Posted by Blue Bowtie

Not only would I, but I'm shopping for another one (or similar platform) for my other daughter who is about to start driving. I had a pretty good look at the current one before buying, and knew what I was getting into. The "rod knock" that the dealer tried to downplay (but didn't understand) was solved with Mobil 1 and a decent flowing oil filter...

what year/mileage did you get with your current one? and price?
I can just see the dealer squirming as you question him about the rod knock. "what rod knock" "I don't hear anything" haha too funnY!

[smallbrady89]

My first lumen was a 92 3.1L base model that was given to me as my first car. When I got it, it would not even start but I had faith in it and after replacing the starter it fired right up and ran great. For the 2 months that I owned it I went through hell. The neutral safety switch was acting up, sometimes only starting in neutral/park and sometimes not at all. After a blown frost plug on the backside of the engine and countless overheats because of it, I decided it was not worth repairing and gave it to a scrap yard.

A few weeks later I found a great deal on a 97 3.1L. Only $1000 and it was in great shape. The only thing I did not like was the colour (purple/burgundy) but I plan on painting it black in the spring and getting the windows tinted black as well to give it that LTZ look. Both rear struts had been replaced and it had been kept up to date on all routine maintenance. So far i have only had to buy oil and coolant for it, as well as an upgraded stereo. I thought that the head gasket was shot but after ripping apart the engine I found that every bolt on the heads and manifold where loose (i could turn them with my finger). So I torqued down all the bolts and applied silicone to where the head gasket WAS leaking, just in case.



I like the feel of Luminas and the spacious interior. When my current Lumina is dead and gone i plan on getting a Lumina SS (if GM ever brings it to NA).

[gw84]

Originally Posted by smallbrady89

The only thing I did not like was the colour (purple/burgundy) but I plan on painting it black in the spring...

what's wrong with the purple/burgundy (Dark Carmine Red Metallic) color?

[smallbrady89]

Originally Posted by gw84

what's wrong with the purple/burgundy (Dark Carmine Red Metallic) color?

Haha. Somehow i knew you would be the one to say something like that. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just not for me and i find that most of the other stock colours that the lumina came in just dont suit it well. Though tblake does have a nice white one. Btw, a little off topic but is that an aftermarket grill? and where did you get it? Gives it a very Monte Carlo look. I would like to get some real wheels for mine like yours but i do not know where to buy new stock wheels for it and most aftermarket ones look stupid. right now i am stuck with hubcaps .

[gw84]

Originally Posted by smallbrady89

Haha. Somehow i knew you would be the one to say something like that. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just not for me and i find that most of the other stock colours that the lumina came in just dont suit it well. Though tblake does have a nice white one. Btw, a little off topic but is that an aftermarket grill? and where did you get it? Gives it a very Monte Carlo look. I would like to get some real wheels for mine like yours but i do not know where to buy new stock wheels for it and most aftermarket ones look stupid. right now i am stuck with hubcaps .

My car is 100% stock. It's the LTZ trim, so it came with the grille, rims, etc. The first LTZ I test drove was described as "red" but turned out to be this [maroon] color. At first I didn't care for it, but it grew on me! I also like the white, black, and green.
These rims are often for sale on ebay, but usually cost more than $100 each, used. Sometimes you can get lucky and find a set though. Have a good one!

[john51md]

Originally Posted by smallbrady89

Haha. Somehow i knew you would be the one to say something like that. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just not for me and i find that most of the other stock colours that the lumina came in just dont suit it well. Though tblake does have a nice white one. Btw, a little off topic but is that an aftermarket grill? and where did you get it? Gives it a very Monte Carlo look. I would like to get some real wheels for mine like yours but i do not know where to buy new stock wheels for it and most aftermarket ones look stupid. right now i am stuck with hubcaps .

You will pay dearly for stock alum. wheels. You can find nice and cheaper alum wheels at thetirerack.com.
If you want, you can buy wheel/tires there, they will mount and balance them, and include matching lug nuts at no charge. Just for reference, i priced their cheapest set of alum 16" 5 spoke wheels for another application starting at 79.00 each. And you can spend up to 300.00+ each if you want.

check this site out on what wheels came on what, etc
http://www.ackerwheel.com/

[john51md]

I posted a yes, i would buy again, but i didnt, now sitting in my garage is a 3.0 Mitsubishi V6 4 sp OD auto, in a 94 Dodge Shadow ES 2dr. Couldnt pass it up, to cheap and to good of condition to pass on.
Butdont be offended all you Chevy guys, i still have a great condition 89 Cavilier Z24 too...

[comet240]

i dunno if i would buy again i have 2 91 3.4l luminas

problems i have had like trunk leaking fixed that the irriating rusting wheel wheel on back never seem to fix that i keep sanding and painting it comes back

the engine another story lol so much problems one thing after another

i love the car looks good ass and front is portional so doesnt look like as honda civic shit there is nose but no back

but i love the car i installed my own car starters in them, and ground effect lights i was first to have muliti color ground effect lights in ontario and also on a lumina, so i proud of that, i wanna do more but the engine always gives me a hastle

but i might buy again or id buy new one lol

[1993LUMINATOR]

You Goddamn Right I Would!!!

[run4ever]

I like the looks, comfort & performance...

...but nope, I wouldn't. I've spent way too much replacing intake gaskets on both I own, one of them twice. Same deal on the 03 Impala. Serious design flaw.

[Aherpo01]

I've had mine sence I started driving when I was 16. I'm now almost 21 and its still running fine. There have been some problems with it, but its been a good reliable car and I've been able to smoke any rice burner that came my way. It's not my ideal car, but its treated me well and took my abuse for years. Can't really complain about it.