1997 Chevrolet Lumina LS 3.1 V6 from North America

Summary:

Big ole black lady

Faults:

Fuel pump went out at 110000 miles.

Water pump went out at 120000 miles.

Lower intake gasket blew at 130000 miles.

Engine blew at 133000 miles.

Only drove the car for two and a half years.

Engine blew during normal use, and had no signs of failure beforehand.

General Comments:

Great car for long trips.

Handles beautifully at high and low speeds.

Corners like a sports car.

Fuel economy is out-freakin-standing (24-29 in-town, 35-43 highway).

Could stand to be cheaper to fix when it breaks (average cost of repair --- $675.00, average cost of part replaced --- $120.00).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st January, 2012

1997 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1 litre from North America

Summary:

Awesome

Faults:

The only major thing that has gone wrong is the alternator at approximately 170 000kms. This was very easy to repair.

The brakes do have a tendency to squeak, even recently after a repair.

Stalled in a parking lot on more than one occasion; waited ten minutes and was fine.

General Comments:

I would say that I love this car, it has a good engine for highway driving, and has very maneuverable handling when passing and around curves. The Lumina also has a very roomy back seat, which is almost better than the driver's seat.

The trunk is spacious, and is great for almost anything you need to bring on a trip.

Has stood the test of brutal Canadian winters, and is ready for one more.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th August, 2010

1997 Chevrolet Lumina LS 3.1L V6 from North America

Summary:

Solid, quiet, comfortable, reliable

Faults:

Brakes.

Intake manifold gasket.

Coolant level switch.

Freeze plugs.

Radiator.

General Comments:

This is my first GM car in about 25 years. 187,000 miles on the chassis, 40 or 50k miles on new (dealer) motor and rebuilt transmission.

Not long after I got it, in addition to brakes, the cooling system needed major attention: intake manifold gasket, coolant level switch and freeze plugs all needed replacing, as well as a new radiator. Luckily all that happened at the same time, so I had that dealt with and it's been fine ever since.

I don't know if the shocks are original, but it is still riding great after almost 200k miles.

Quiet, nice ride, ample power, comfortable, big trunk, good stereo, minimal rattles. Gas mileage is not great, but that's to be expected.

I like my Lumina and feel that it is a well-made car. Is that because it was built in Canada?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 27th December, 2009

27th Dec 2009, 14:53

"Could it be because it's made in Canada?"..

That very well may be true. I own a '98 Ford Windstar made by Ford of Canada and it has been the most reliable vehicle I've owned. I've put 80,000 hard miles on it and it has well over 100,000 now on it and I've had NONE of the problems that American-made Windstar owners complain about. Maybe the Canada plants had better quality control or work ethic? I am a proud American, yet am sad and disappointed that the best cars we drive are made in other countries.

27th Dec 2009, 18:15

My first car was a '97 Lumina LS. I bought it in '01 with 120,000 miles. It was very reliable during my ownership. In the 4 years (only about 20,000 miles) that I owned it I only had to replace the alternator.

The transmission was getting a little hard to engage especially in the cold, so I don't know if that ever went.

The mileage was not real great, I only averaged in the low 20's. I have had 2 Buick Park Avenues since and get better fuel economy with them. I also like them much better in general, probably because of all the extra bells and whistles and the extreme comfort when compared to the Lumina.

1997 Chevrolet Lumina LS 3.1L V6 from North America

Summary:

I bought the car for $4,000, I've put $2,000+ back into it, what do you think my opinion is?

Faults:

- Power steering rack needed replacement.

- Alternator (did that myself)

- Battery due to alternator LOL.

- Rear struts rotted.

- Water pump.

- A/C compressor seized so car wouldn't run... Pulled that myself.

- Tie-rod passengers side.

- Muffler rotted up to the catalytic converter..

- Frame is starting to rot (expected though for this age)

- Brakes lines have all rotted.

- The list goes on... and on, and on.

General Comments:

I dislike this car... I don't hate it, mainly because it has only not started for me once. It is reliable in that it will start, but quality wise this car is a nightmare.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th August, 2009

24th Sep 2009, 14:38

Jeez do you live on the East coast or near the ocean?? I can't believe your car is rusting out like that, I own 2 Luminas, a '99 and '98 and both have no rust or "rot". One of them I had transported from NJ out here to Seattle, and no problems. Strange.

25th Sep 2009, 12:22

Your opinion is that it's worth at least 6k.