Faults:

The transmission is of poor design. I had to replace the vacuum modulator and speed sensor, as well as filter and fluid replacement. It was replaced a year ago.

The engine failed in my 1st month of ownership. The intake gasket failed and coolant went into the oil through the leak, causing failure of my crankshaft bearings. $500 later, I had a used engine and put it in with help from my brother in law. I had to replace the intake gasket 2 times in 4 years. My engine lasted past the time it was sold for $500.

General Comments:

The Chevy Lumina is as good as the maintenance put into it. I can't knock the car completely, as it rides very well and is a great cruiser.

I tell people to change the intake gaskets every 2 to 3 years, as it will ensure long engine life. The home mechanic can do as long as they keep the push-rods in the order they came out. The push-rods are different in length, (exhaust and intake).

Faults:

I had to replace only a throttle position sensor and a window motor during the three years I have had this thing and have drove the crap out of it ever since.

General Comments:

I have no clue what goes on with cars on this site, but my 1995 Cheverlot Lumina is an awesome car. I drive this car 20 minutes at 55 mph to school everyday and around town and also never have any problems. So the every 5,000 miles I put on I have to replace this and that I do not understand. My brothers 94 Grand Prix trust me identical car had 230,000 miles before he let it go and did not have 1/10 the problems of people claim on this site.

Faults:

Basically, the only things that have gone wrong in the year I've owned it are either basic maintenance that I didn't do or the cause of beating on it. I'm a lube technician, and I'm also in school for mechanics.

The first thing to go wrong was fo inspection it needed ball joints, that was the first week I had the car, so it was from the previous owner.

The next thing was the battery died, easy fix.

Next was the alternator, and when having that done I also had them do my serpentine belt.

After that my brake pads wore off and started grinding against my rotors, which is typical for any car if you don't replace the pads in time, but it was still an easy enough fix.

My heater core started leaking, but I used some sealant to stop the leak.

I replaced the thermostat which was kind of a pain, but not the worst thing in the world.

I also replaced the exhaust gasket (manifold-downpipe), and a few weeks later the entire cat back exhaust due to large holes in the muffler, all of it was fairly easy.

General Comments:

The car has been very good to me. It is very roomy, which is convenient because I'm a bassist with large equipment. It is very comfortable, and I make 5 hour trips from NH to NY about once a month.

Although it's not the fastest car in the world, the thing still has balls. I've raced many a rice beater and put them to shame in a little family car. It's no WRX, but it definitely beats those Civics and Celicas out there.

The handling is fine, no complaints about it really.

All in all, it's a great car. I only wish they had made them with 5 speed manuals, that would just make it perfect.