why luminas suck

does anyone else have a problem with these cars? All they are are crappy junkers that cheap oily teens try to (and fail to) pimp out

Not all of them are, no. Most of them though. The rest are actually very nice cars that get you from point A to B within a reasonable amount of time.

Then again, cheap oily teens will pimp anything out, given the chance. I've seen some downright ugly things that people are trying to rice out. And it makes me laugh.

Why do you think luminas suck? :screwy: List some reasons for your argument other than greasy teens pimping them because teens pimp whatever they can get thier hands on. :banghead: My 91 has well over 250,000 miles on it and runs stronger than most new cars on the road.

For my 96 lumina, this car has serious electrical problems:

lock cylinder failed
turn signal switch failed
cruise control switch failed
head light switched failed
switch for door lock failed
alternator failed
radio failed

The intake manifold blew spilling ooz on my cam sensor wires and burning them. Crank seal blew. Front seat broke.

Everything on this car is failing, this car is sh*t! My crappy little old mazda never did any of this.

Have you ever herd that song by Adam Sandler "Piece of sh*t car" ???
Get it it describe most Lumina's

133K on my '98 and the only repair was when i replaced the intake gaskets myself 2-3 months ago. other than that, those darn visor clips keep falling out.

oh and my driver door lock switch broke when my car alarm was trying to lock the door while i was trying to open it... had to replace the switch... plastic piece broke on it

Oh, my god, My (insert name of switch here) switch failed..., hey, I own a 2001 Chevrolet lumina, and just let me say that 1998 probe GT I raced didnt stand a chance aginst my 3.1. You complain about switches failing, but, hey, the car gets you from point A to point B, something you couldnt expect form a dang dodge. If you want to bad mouth my car some more, just keep ripping on it, i dont care, best car I ever had. You only have had bad luck because you didnt take car of it. If it was a dodge, it would only have about 120,000 miles, and would be going on its 3rd tranny, so if you dont like luminas, don't drive them, and dont waste your time insulting them.

my post was a compliment for luminas... that which i listed is so very little for 6 years and 130k. i am totally impressed and love my lumina.

I know, I was directing that post to the complainers. Thanks for loveing such a great car.

Hey, I kinda like my Lumina. It's got 166,000 mi. on it and has not had any major work done since new. After changing the air filter and puting in synthetic I get just over 30mpg on the highway with A/C. Only complaints are: the overhead cloth sags and glue won't hold it back up and, the fans are on a jury rigged switch cuz they never turn on. Its either the computer or something to do with the previous owner and the clipped wires underneith the computer. Anyway, I really liked my '02 Accord, but don't knock the Luminas.

You guys get too attached to your cars :) My wife loves our Lumina (aka the Jellomobile), and has named it Elvis. Very apt, somehow.

While I am not overly attached to any car, I have had quite a bit of success with my Lumina.
It's 1990 (I believe it's the first year model, so they hadn't even got to work on any of the bugs that would show up) It's been driven well over 250,000 miles. While it has needed a good number of repairs, it's been going strong. It's still a good deal quieter than many newer cars. Doesn't burn oil. Got good gas mileage for being such a huge thing. I've run into a couple of problems recently, but I'm still amazed it's survived this long.

Its A Chevy, Its quality.

I'm approaching 200 K with my '91! It's my first and only car I've ever owned (driving it for 9 years, been in my family since new). We've had some past troubles with the tranny, but never needed replacement. Other than that it's still one kick A$$ machine. Take care of a Chevy and it'll run forever!

there you said it partner

I bought my 99 lumina back in april and so far it has been great.
I use it as my work car and do about 60 miles a day on average.
I had a leak of coolant i smelled but couldnt find so i use some of that cooper dust stuff and it sealed it and i don't smell it anymore.
Great on gas, so far so good. it currently has 42k. I hope to get to 150k and i would have got my 4k out of it.

wow, awesome price for a relatively brand new car.

Ya just a great vehicle (not). 85,000 miles on 96 apv. Replaced engine, cracked block, ac doesn't come on anymore, crappy door locks not working, brake rotors completly shot, plastic dash crap falling apart, various other things no longer work. I will never buy US made vehicle again. Had a Honda, 350,000 miles on it, everything still worked including a/c and all options. Want quality? Don't buy Chev, Ford, Dodge or any other POS made in North America. I'll take Toyota or Honda over any of the above

My 90 lumina has 95,000 miles on it and the brakes have been replaced twice prior to 80,000 and right now are needing a third change. Also the struts have gone out twice and are needing new ones again now.

I wnt through a few brake jobs on my 90 lumina also, but, think about it, its the 1st year cheavy made the lumina, so they havn't had any time to fix the bad stuff. Better 3 brake jobs, than 3 tranny's. Oh' ya, my 1990 had 235,000 on it when I sold it.

Is there any recommended aftermarket replacements brands for struts and brakepads?

autozone or whatever *lifetime warranty* brake shoes.

i go thru a ton of them! well not that bad anymore, I had always had problems with wear on one edge of my driver side brake rotor. Wound up getting it ok by replacing the rotor and caliper. It may be a bit expensive, but I recommend replacing your caliper when you change your pads (or every other time). $10-14 apiece. And always get your rotors turned.

As far as struts, no recommendation from me. My right side blew out at 40,000 after a cross country trip pulling a trailer to CA - leaked fluid. Then around 110,000K started getting clunky again. So I wasn't that good a judge of a quality strut. I would like to get a diff kind of strut or spring to stiffen up the ride a bit.

1997 Lumina 3.1 with 200km. Piece of crap. I bought it three years ago with 70km on it and it looked and drove like new. Since then:

Steering Rack.
Steering pump.
AC Compressor.
AC Condensor.
Head Gaskets.
Intake Gasketes.
Several Alternators.
Damn Visor Clips.
Back windows don't work anymore.
Dark blue paint peeling like a week old sunburn.
Motor shutters at 80km/h and the dealer has no clue how to fix it.

I have held out buying a Japanese or European car, but Chev definately dropped the ball on this piece of crap and it is time to look at alternatives. I think that they are currently making cars that work fine for the 3 year lease, then fall apart after that. Second owners are second class citizens in the eyes of GM and they could car less about long term durability.

about the back window. My left side quit working to. I rewired it and it works fine now. I basically soldered two wire traces together and now the window will go up. I have no idea what went wrong, only that it works now.

I've been driving my '92 Lumina for 6 years now, purchased used and it still runs like new. Has a few electrical/cosmetice issues, but nothing important. If I ever have to get another car, it'll be a chevy for sure.

[QUOTE=sysopt]For my 96 lumina, this car has serious electrical problems:

switch for door lock failed


WHAT DID YOU DO TO REPLACE THIS? MY DRIVERS SIDE POWER CONTROL DOESNT WORK BUT THE REST DOES WHEN USING THE REMOTE SWITCH/

If you want good aftermarket pads, Autozone carries Performance Friction pads (about $35.00 per set). I love them. NO, and I mean NO heat fade, and they stop good in wet weather.

[QUOTE=sysopt]For my 96 lumina, this car has serious electrical problems:

switch for door lock failed


WHAT DID YOU DO TO REPLACE THIS? MY DRIVERS SIDE POWER CONTROL DOESNT WORK BUT THE REST DOES WHEN USING THE REMOTE SWITCH/

I had to replace my driver side door lock switch because my car alarm often tries to lock/unlock my door when I'm trying to open the door (partly my fault for not waiting)... i know if you are pulling on the inside door handle when the hitting the Unlock door switch, it will eventually break the switch. I picked up a new door lock switch from the dealer and was quite easy to replace.

I’ve made a decision of buying Lumina SS :iceslolan next year (2006), (where in my country there are four types of Lumina: LS, LTZ, S and SS) but after reading what all of you wrote,:uhoh: I’m having another thought. So can you please help me why I should buy it :iceslolan or should not:disappoin, where I don’t know much about cars:rofl:, but at least I can say which car look nice and which don’t.

yeah brakes are crap for sure, have had to replace rear pads twice, a new rotor, now needs both rear calipers and pads, and the front needs new pads, haven't even had the car probably 6 months

I’ve made a decision of buying Lumina SS :iceslolan next year (2006), (where in my country there are four types of Lumina: LS, LTZ, S and SS) but after reading what all of you wrote,:uhoh: I’m having another thought. So can you please help me why I should buy it :iceslolan or should not:disappoin, where I don’t know much about cars:rofl:, but at least I can say which car look nice and which don’t.


I AM AS AMERICAN AS MOST ON THIS FORUM, HOWEVER, WHY IN THE HECK CAN FOREIGN CAR MANUFACTURERS PUT A 10YEAR 100,000MILE WARRANTY ON POWERTRAIN ETC AND WE (USA) CAN'T? I HAVE HEARD OTHERS SAY THEY DO IT BECAUSE THE CARS ARE JUNK? WELL, IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG IN THIS WARRANTY PERIOD WITH THE MAIN PARTS OF A CAR, I DON'T CARE, THEY PAY FOR IT. PLUS, I DON'T THINK THEY WILL BE IN BUSINESS THAT LONG PAYING FOR FIXES!

THEREFORE MY FRIEND, PLEASE PURCHASE SOMETHING THAT GIVES YOU THE LONGEST WARRANTY GOING UNLESS YOU ARE MADE OF MONEY AND LIKE TO REPLACE:

ALTERNATORS
FUEL PUMPS
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS
MULTIPLE BRAKES
BY PASS TUBES
IGNITION COILS
DOOR LOCKS
ETC, ETC

EVEN THOUGH THE QUALITY HAS BEEN BETTER IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, OUR PEOPLE NEED TO STEP TO THE PLATE AND BE LEADERS. SHOW US HOW WE CAN TRULY BUILD AMERICAN PRODUCTS WITH A 15YEAR 150,000 MILE WARRANTY!!! SHOW THE WORLD WHAT QUALITY WE CAN BUILD!

OUT IN FRONT OF MY HOME ARE:

1 2004 2500HD DURAMAX DIESEL WITH 28,000MILES
1 1999 F150 FORD WITH 180,000 MILES
1 1996 FORD AEROSTAR WITH 120,000MILES
1 1996 CHEVY LUMINA WITH 52,000 MILES
1 1993 CHRYSLER LEBARON WITH 87,000 MILES
1 1990 CHEVY EUROSPORT LUMINA WITH 98,000 MILES

SO FAR THE FORDS WIN WITH LESS TROUBLE UP TO 100,000 MILES. THE HD2500 IS STILL ON IT'S PUNY 3YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY.

THEY ONLY REASON I BOUGHT THE CHEVY WAS IT WAS $100PER MONTH LESS THAN THE FORD F250 I WANTED WITH THE SAME BASIC WARRANTY. WE WILL SEE HOW THE CHEVY DOES AS I DRIVE THE CRAP OUT OF THEM FOR BUSINESS.

TAKE YOUR CHANCES BY BUYING OUR AMERICAN MADE CARS. I DON'T WANT TO FORGET MY INHERITED USA VALUES, BUT THE BIG THREE NEED TO STEP TO THE PLATE SOON. CHRYSLER MADE THE FIRST STEP, BUT WE NEED TO HIT A HOME RUN. IF THEY DON'T, YOU ARE TAKING YOUR CHANCES WITH A NEW CHEVY, FORD, OR PARTIALLY A CHRYSLER

I HOPE NO ONE JUMPS MY OPINION SINCE I STILL OWN USA MADE AUTO'S, HOWEVER, AS THESE CARS AGE, THE KIDS WHO HAVE THEM UNDERSTAND QUALITY NOW MUCH BETTER AFTER HAVING THE CARS THEY DRIVE ALWAYS UNDER THE WRENCH. THEY WILL BE LOOKING FOR LONG WARRANTIES FROM COMPANIES WHO BELEIVE THEIR CARS/TRUCKS WILL LAST!

2001 Lumina with 55,000 miles, not a single problem yet, not one. I'm very happy with my american made car. NO RICE FOR ME, NEVER!!!!!!!!!! They can spice it up with the best warrenty, and the best gas milage, but my 3.1L V6 will kick the shit out of my folks toyota camry, with its 3.whatever V6, only god knows what for a motor. That POS sounds like a god damn dirt devil vaccumm when it idles. I dont know about the rest of you on this fourm, but "Us Americans like our cars fast and our banks closed" I think thats how Homer said it on the simpsons. But yeah, not to get off track. foreign cars do put good warrentys on their cars, but, look how relatively easy it is to work on our american cars. I could damn near do or fix anything myself on my 3.1. Keep in mind "WHEN" something does go wrong with that foregn vehicle, and the warrenty is expired. It is usually a very very costly repair to be made, and sometimes parts are hard to come by. So I think I will stick to my Chevy's. And as for the Lumina SS, I read up on those, and they are some very very sweet rides. I believe what, a 5.7L V8 in them? I know they arent available in the good old USA, but where ever you are at partner, buy two, one for you, and one for myself. ok? Thanks. The 5.7 is a good strong motor. Ok, I;ve said everything I've wanted to say, Pease out everyone.

We have two Lumina's,,,1994 and 97 milage 109thousand and 223thousand respectively. the only work on either have been regular oil changes and tuneups,other than one bearing(wheel assembly). no major troubles take care of them right and their great running cars

American..or canadian?

I wish I had one of those fabled USA-made cars..

now that you mention it, yeah, my lumina is canadian, oops, sorry. its a chevy, its quality

Hello all, what do you guys think of me buying a 1993 Lumina 2-dr with 88k. It has new tires/water pump/catalytic converter/struts and brakes. The seller is asking for is $1350.

I have a '98 Lumina LS with 130k miles on it. My parents bought the 10y/100k miles warranty. And, I'll go ahead and say it... It was a waste of money. Took it in slightly before 100k miles and all they replaced was my ac compressor, and that didn't need to be replaced. The dealership falsely claimed we needed one because they wanted to cheat my insurance company. Anyways, long story short, this is an awesome car. Lastly, I drive both this and a 96 accord and I would say i like the lumina better as far as driveability. However, I will not argue that the accord will last longer then the lumina. But, I still love my lumina and always will.

P.S. Since the 100k checkup the only other thing to be replaced was the water pump. Go, go, Lumina!

Luminas are great cars, they have Power speed and everything for a very nice price. Im riding on a 91 Euro 3.1 with 145.7xx miles. The thing runs so strong, i hot rod it too. ALways have, only mods on this lumina is a stereo, and a (half ass cold air intake) K&N with a chrome tube replacing the stock box area. This car is louder than ricers, faster, and shits all over your little hondas. Honda has nothing on chevy!

A car only lasts as long as you take care of it! if you treat the thing like crap that is whats going to happen to it. Your also supposed to do Preventive Maintenance on it. My headliner is dropping, dash curled, All due to heat (word of advice always keep the windows down a smidge) My doors stick a little, havent been oiled for probably 50 years.... no leaks, or rust. Does not go through brake pads that bad, If you stop making hard stops and learn to drive, you might notice that your breaks wont wear as much. Also dont buy the $10 pads.... thats just stupid, they last 2 months.

My car leaks Tranny fluid, due to a known Pan gasket problem, im not going to pay a crapload of money to replace. My oil pan also leaks due to the same problem. Its cheaper to buy $400 worth of oil, than pay $400 for the mechanic to drop the engine and fix the pan.

Take care of your chevy, and it will take care of you!

I Love my Lumina! I paid $1600 for it from a guy, cause he'd hit a deer with it and wiped out the windshield, but all thats repaired and I just took it on a 1700 miles vacation up the Eastern Shore to NYc and then back to WV and she got 26 mpg..has a few small probs but rides like a welfare cadillac and and is easy on the wallet! Oorah luminas!

I like my Lumina. Even if the tranny finally ends up dying after 130k, I will probably end up getting it rebuilt rather than buying a different car. It fires up just as quickly when it’s 20 below zero as it does when it’s 85 degrees out. Except for the transmission quirk, it whooshes down the highway just as strong and graceful as it did when I bought it 80k miles ago, and it’s as nimble as a car two-thirds it’s size. The body and exhaust are both highly rust-resistant. It sure beats the hell out of the Dodge Spirit I had (well, maintenance-wise anyway. That Spirit would haul butt).

I like my Lumina. Even if the tranny finally ends up dying after 130k, I will probably end up getting it rebuilt rather than buying a different car. It fires up just as quickly when it’s 20 below zero as it does when it’s 85 degrees out. Except for the transmission quirk, it whooshes down the highway just as strong and graceful as it did when I bought it 80k miles ago, and it’s as nimble as a car two-thirds it’s size. The body and exhaust are both highly rust-resistant. It sure beats the hell out of the Dodge Spirit I had (well, maintenance-wise anyway. That Spirit would haul butt).


The last 2 posts are very positive for the Lumina. Let me say this first.
When I first bought my 1990 Lumin Euro Sport from the mother in law with 25,000 miles, it was a little peppy hotrod. However, now at 83,000 miles with my kids literally just driving it to school and home, here is what I put into it so far.

1. Heater Hose assembly that rusted away
2. Water Pump
3. Thermostat
4. New Coil Packs
5. New Transmission at 52,000 miles
6. New calipher for right rear brakes
7. New shocks
8. New Front Engine mount assemblies
9. Valve Cover Gaskets
10. Transmission Pan Gasket
11. Brakes
12. Tires
13. The 2nd muffler is hanging from one clip in the rear again
14. 2 batteries.
15. 2 Alternators

Now it is misfiring again with some transmission slippage when we slow on the corner then speed up? Oh well, the life of a lemon lumina??

Now, this would be normal for me if it had over 100,000 miles. Most of this was done under 70,000. Maybe I have the kinks out now. However, needs muffler, tail pipe and rear struts again.

I am selling it because I can't afford it. I just changed the intake manifold gasket on my daughters 96 Lumina 2 weeks ago. We must quit buying our grandma's low mileage non drivin Luminas? Grandma has a Impala now? Huummmnnnn, should we take a chance when she gets ready to sell it to us when it hits 18,000 miles this year?? 3.8 V.6???

The last 2 posts are very positive for the Lumina. Let me say this first.
When I first bought my 1990 Lumin Euro Sport from the mother in law with 25,000 miles, it was a little peppy hotrod. However, now at 83,000 miles with my kids literally just driving it to school and home, here is what I put into it so far.

1. Heater Hose assembly that rusted away
2. Water Pump
3. Thermostat
4. New Coil Packs
5. New Transmission at 52,000 miles
6. New calipher for right rear brakes
7. New shocks
8. New Front Engine mount assemblies
9. Valve Cover Gaskets
10. Transmission Pan Gasket
11. Brakes
12. Tires
13. The 2nd muffler is hanging from one clip in the rear again
14. 2 batteries.
15. 2 Alternators

Now it is misfiring again with some transmission slippage when we slow on the corner then speed up? Oh well, the life of a lemon lumina??

Now, this would be normal for me if it had over 100,000 miles. Most of this was done under 70,000. Maybe I have the kinks out now. However, needs muffler, tail pipe and rear struts again.

I am selling it because I can't afford it. I just changed the intake manifold gasket on my daughters 96 Lumina 2 weeks ago. We must quit buying our grandma's low mileage non drivin Luminas? Grandma has a Impala now? Huummmnnnn, should we take a chance when she gets ready to sell it to us when it hits 18,000 miles this year?? 3.8 V.6???

I know exactly what your car's problem is, and it isn't it's fault. I recognized all the repairs you have done to it from when I worked in a shop. They are very typical of a car that isn't used enough. After thinking about that, I figured your mileages, and that car has seen an average of around 5000 miles a year :sly: . And I be willing to bet that included a lot of sitting around unused, and/or making short trips at the front end of it's life that don't get the exhaust hot enough to burn the condensation out, fully warm up the engine, remove deposits from combustion chambers, get the tranny seals warmed up, get the brakes hot and moving fully, etc.

ANY car that lives that lifestyle will fall victim to this syndrome. We called it "little old lady disease" at the shop. You could just tell them when you saw them come in, even if you knew nothing about the car. They always are great looking, low mileage older cars with the full gauntlet of lack of use problems, everything from siezed brakes and dry rotted tires to slipping trannies with atrophied seals and birds nests in intake boxes, rotted coolant hoses, locked tie rod ends, etc. The list is endless. I've seen it all at one point or another.

It is only logical to assume that once a car treated like this hits the road in everyday service, it will self destruct. I've bought a few of them from customers, knowing exactly what was going to happen. I was going to spend the next 50,000 miles replacing one thing after another until all the bugs were worked out. That's OK, 'cuz I do labor for myself real cheap. :biggrin:

But really, I am telling you the truth. It's not that car's fault. It wouldn't matter if it was a Honda Accord or anything else. If it sits around or doesn't get driven enough, it'll fall apart as soon as it finds an owner that'll drive it.

My grandma was one of those, too. She liked to drive, but not too far. She bought a 1989 Escort new in Sept of '88. When she died in 1999, it had just over 20,000 miles on it. Consider this. In that time, the timing belt broke once, and got so stretched it was slapping the cover when we sold it. Reason? Lack of use. Belts don't like that.

The front brake calipers siezed and had to be replaced. Reason? She didn't drive enough or far enough to really use them. Moisture built up under dust seals and pitted the pistons. Ditto the slides. Then the rear wheel cylinders froze up. Again, lack of use, and lack of agressive use when they were used. Actually one was siezed, the other was still useable. That's typical on "little old lady disease" cars. They don't brake hard enough to make both rears apply. Whichever one has weaker return springs will apply, the other just sits there.

The thermostat went bad at least 3 times. The spring and element in them were just getting stuck closed from lack of normal use.

I could go on and on. But you see where I'm going. At that same time, a friend bought one just like it new, and he bought it because he drove 80 miles one way to work, and needed a gas sipper. When he sold it in 1995, it had almost 200,000 miles on it. And never had a day of trouble. Still had the original belts and hoses on it.

I'm seeing a pattern here. Those of us who drive far, drive often, and drive 'em like we stole 'em are getting great service outta our cars. My 1997 Lumina has 118,000 on it now, and besides regular maintenance, it has had replaced:

1 water pump
1 belt
1 battery

I put a set of plugs in it last summer, figured I'd retire the factory ones after over 100,000 miles of service. I've put one set of front brake pads on. I'm still on the factory rear linings. The A/C has never had to be serviced, and will still freeze you outta the car. It uses 1/2 quart of oil between oil changes. (5000 miles, I use synthetic oil) For all practical purposes, it is still the same car I bought in '97. I would take this car anywhere without reservations about reliability. It's been to Michigan, Florida, Colorado, Texas, and always got great mileage and run perfect.

Anyway, 12,000 miles a year is considered average mileage for a car. It is actually getting to be more like 15,000, as people drive more. But if a car sees less than 8,000 a year, or sits for more than 3-4 days at a time often, you are gonna see some deterioration that is going to manifest itself sometime in the future. If you know someone who is like that, elderly or just doesn't drive very much, you can do their car a favor by taking it out yourself at least once a week, get it up to highway speeds for at least 20 minutes, use the hell outta the brakes, etc. Just get everything to do what it was made for. It will save them (or someone else) a lot of headaches down the road.

I have read most of the posts on this subject, and have found that any car, or any brand will have it's problems. Some can be from lack of use to abuse, I personally have a 1996 Lumina PD, with around 135K. Now any car that car be abused as a PD car and still run and handle well at this milage has to be pretty darn good. It does have some problems, intake leak and now a few bad lifters, but over all after correcting some really stupid mistakes made by the PD mechanics or garages they used, this car has been flawless in operation. I have never been a fan of GM, especially after their buy what we make attitude of the late 70's and early 80's. They learned real quick that that kind of attitude of the 50's doesn't work any more.
As far as warrantee, US manufactured cars have a warrantee that will support the owner of the vehicle without bankrupting the company. If you don't like the warrantee buy the optional one, for if the US manufacturers offered comparable to the Japs or Euro's, the car would cost at least what it does with the optional purchased warrantee attached.
What some people don't know is that the Japenese car manufacturers are supported by their government, their taxes support all industry in that country, thats why they can offer a car warrantee as long as they do, THEY don't pay for it, the Japanese taxpayer does! Another thing that they got caught at within the last 5 years was doing warrantee or silent recall repairs unknown by the owner whenever the car came in for an oil change or other work to be done. Of course this makes their car look better in the quality numbers, but in reality their cars have about the same failure rate as US ones. They just hide it better.
Granted we all would like a car that costs nothing, uses little gas, for cheap operation, and lasts forever, but that not going to happen. The best we all can hope for is a car that is reasonable in cost, uses the amount of gas we need to use for the use we have bought the car for, and runs well and is safe for an estimated life of about 5-7 years. Anything more and we won't be buying American anymore for the US manufacturers will be all gone. And then with no competition you will see what it realy costs.

My 91 has 148k and has the most problems with running rough. I turned a regular plug change into a real knucklebuster cause of these hamhocks I have, and killed those ready to go to dust hard black plastic vaccum advance hoses by the firewall. Yep took em all to hose heaven. I got them all put back on at poop boys and it never has been right since they blessed the car. They put on a 4 hole adapter when only 3 hoses are used. The old piece was a 3 hole. So eventually I found this and plugged number 4. However, like a lot of folks, I'm on the way to buying a whole new lumina part by part. I will say, that when she does run right, its like a cat with its butt wiped with turpentine. Thats the fun times. A mechanic told me that the brake issues are the front to rear weight and stopping ratio. Its hard on the brake package. Use the good 50 buck rotors and matching quality brakes carbon semi-mets and they will take the heat and not need replacing evey 3 months, and make sure they lube the calipers so they can move/adjust noiselessly. I also put in the aftermarket stuff black lightening I think it is, in the tranny at 92k to replace the factory lubrication and petroleum spirits that burn off over the miles. That has seemed to be a very good move as I've not had tranny issues thus far. Now I just have to check if I put the stupid plugs in the right firing order. I took me 12 years to count to ten, and these guys gotta go mix up the numbers on me. I'll be out there a while. (just kidding) =(:~>)

just wanted to join in im a bit of a newbie to this site but ive owned two luminas ive only been driving for three years my first one i had to get rid of because it had motore mount problems but for having over 300000 on it i didnt expect to not have some probs but i tell yathat engine would never die, my new lumina 99 ex cop car, base lumina body with the 3.8 under the hoodand man the last thing that was actually able to catch me in the last 6 months was a crysler 300c and my bosse's tricked out ram 1500 (480 hp) but any way to cut to the case luminas are good reliable cares you just gotta treat them right...........hmm just like any car

Usually the reason things start falling apart on a car is the same reason an abandoned house falls apart. Lack of maintainance. Now i said usually and i emphisize on that. My only suggestion on not getting a bad egg is buy a wednesday car.

i got stuck with my lumina, but i suppose it's better than no car...we've kept up on the maintence and this thing is still falling to shit. it's broke three times this week already and has had many things needing to be replaced or repaired in the 8 months since i got it from my dad. it's ugly as hell and i can't park in it cuz it's soo big and i'm waay too short for it. it's the car for some middleaged person that just needs to get from point to point and doesn't care too much else about it. the only good thing i can say about this POS car is that everyone loves how comphy my seats are

its too big for you? do your drive the apv van cuz im talking about my car the small car.

it's ugly as hell and i can't park in it cuz it's soo big and i'm waay too short for it. it's the car for some middleaged person that just needs to get from point to point and doesn't care too much else about it. the only good thing i can say about this POS car is that everyone loves how comphy my seats are

Ugly as hell??? Only good for middle aged people who need to get from point to point and don't really care about it????

ok, I am nearing middle age, but take a peek at my lumina:

The Grim Sleeper (http://www.cardomain.com/id/manny_boy)

I'd rather drive this then plenty of other cars I've worked on...

OK, I've went through and read everyone's entries as to why Luminas suck and dont suck and I have to say that my Lumina is one of the best cars I have ever driven. I bought a 92 Lumina August 2004 for $2000 with 65000 miles on it and I've put over 12,000 miles on her since then. I have had NO major mechanical problems whatsoever. The only thing I've replaced on my car was the starter.....and even that wasn't totally bad yet. I get on average between 29-33 mpg on road trips. She's got a lot of pep to her and I've blown so many cars out coming off the line at a stop light. You have to take care of your car....otherwise it's gonna treat you like shit. My car has never left me anywhere or messed up on me in any way. My car has proven her worth to me and was a great investment on my part. She's staying with me until she rusts into the ground...if she ever does.

well here i am a broken man, i still stand by luminas they are great cars mine just happens to be crapping out on me hardcore right now but i cant really expect much more than that out of an ex cop car

no it's not the APV van, just the regular car is way too big for me :/

buy a spirit then, they are nice and tiny with thier three cylinder engines also fit nicley in the suburbans tire tread.

buy a spirit then, they are nice and tiny with thier three cylinder engines also fit nicley in the suburbans tire tread.


:lol2: :lol:

I'm guessing this is a younger person. To me, my Lumina is a compact car. I feel like I'm driving a go-cart.

I have always had land yachts, 1960's and 70's era full size Ford LTD's, Chevy Caprice, 1972 Olds Delta 88 convertible, stuff like that. :iceslolan

Cracks me up when somebody complains about too big on cars now, but I can see why. Cars have changed so much in the last 15 years or so.

I often think about this. I was the last of my generation to be really familiar with cars the way they were for most of the time cars have been around. My sisters, who are much younger, have never:

Tried to start a motor with a carburetor in the cold
Never "flooded" an engine
Rolled up a window with a crank
Had to buy a 15" tire
Seen a full sized spare tire
Scraped ice off a back window
Turned a knob to change radio stations
Had to get out and put the antenna down before going into a car wash
Had a car overheat because the "fan belt" broke
Paralell parked without power steering
Seen a car without A/C
Unlocked a car door with a key (chirp)
Had to take the air cleaner lid off and put gas in the carb after running out


and lots of other things. I don't care what people say, cars are much better than they used to be.

Hell, I remember having to keep them "tuned". (points, carb, etc) It was a constant process. This '97 Lumina got a set of plugs at 115,000 miles. Other than that, it's still factory. Gotta like that. :iceslolan

and yes this is a younger person but i was making a sarcastic remark luminas are fairly small cars, thats why i dont understand why quteasabutten was calling em big, i learned how to drive on two, 1/2 ton trucks two suburbans, one 1/2 ton van and a cube van, i know what big vehicle means

and yes this is a younger person but i was making a sarcastic remark luminas are fairly small cars, thats why i dont understand why quteasabutten was calling em big, i learned how to drive on two, 1/2 ton trucks two suburbans, one 1/2 ton van and a cube van, i know what big vehicle means

I got ya'

I was talking about quteasabutten too. My sis said the same thing when the dealer gave her a Ford Taurus for a loaner while her ZX2 was in the shop. "I can't park this thing, it's too big!" :lol2:

I drive a 2003 Freightliner Classic Condo with 72" sleeper and a 53' trailer for a living, and I can paralell park it quicker than she can back out of a parking spot at the grocery store. :lol:

yeah im the same with the suburban parking big vehicles is alot easier i find any way, nothing compared to a semi but still

I love my 97 Lumina ..I mean yes it has its problems here and there but what car doesn't?It has only had 2 owners myself and my brother in law. I find that i am going through alot of Alternators though i had 1 replaced last year and got a new battery and then last week had it replaced again...my lights on the dashboard stay on but so far everyone i talked to says they have to be reset...what ever that means..lol...Its great on gas,and other then what i have said i have had no other problems.I am just starting to show signs of rust in a few tiny places ,this is the cheapest "parts" car i have ever owned when something does go wrong parts are pretty cheap to get for it....I think my car was a great value for the money ,but thats just my :2cents: ..

the only complaint i really have with my 92 euro and the 90 euro i used to have is the stupid fibreglass rear leaf spring first that its so damn expensive and second i hear they are too hard to change yourself

yeah brakes are crap for sure, have had to replace rear pads twice, a new rotor, now needs both rear calipers and pads, and the front needs new pads, haven't even had the car probably 6 months

Well if a 91 Lumina with over 200,000 miles in it sucks for only having bad rear brake design, original engine never being apart and still no smoke,same transmission.same axles and rear bearings. , only major repair was a new rack, still runs great, drives straight, no rust outs, no rips in seats, no saggy headliner, than i spose ill just keep on driving a sucky car...:)