1988 Pontiac LeMans SE 1.6 from North America

Summary:

Do yourself a favor and don't buy one

Faults:

I had to replace the radiator at 95,000 miles.

The air Conditioner Hoses had to be replaced shortly thereafter.

The motor had to be replaced, because you cannot replace the oil pump. The oil pump is part of the block.

To this current point and time I am still having trouble with the fuel system.

General Comments:

To be totally honest with everyone this car was a blunder by Pontiac. Whenever you have to fix something on the car, you can't just go to the local parts store and pick up whatever you need. The part has to be ordered and is usually very costly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th August, 2002

1988 Pontiac LeMans GLE 1.5 OHC carby from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A cheap reliable runabout

Faults:

Oil change @ 158000 k.

Oil & Fuel filter change @ 158000 k.

1 new headlight @ 160000 k.

New Clutch @ 156000 k.

General Comments:

I bought it for $1700 earlier this year and it has gone sweet as since I've had it, it may have slightly higher km's, but it goes like its just out of the factory. I would recommend this car to anyone who is after a first/second car.

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

Review Date: 24th June, 2002

1988 Pontiac LeMans 3D Aerocoupe from North America

Summary:

A sporty car for the college kid, but high maintenance

Faults:

Brakes (had them changed every six months for 4 years).

Rotors & calipers (had them replaced 3 times).

The radiator system blew up. That was my fault.

Had a few oil leaks.

The temperature gauge went. Cost a pretty penny cause it was behind the timing belt.

Oxygen sensors went.

For a period of time, the RPM's would drop when stepping on the brake (mechanic fixed it easily after driving it home and he had it stall on him).

Got to the point where I couldn't put more than two people in the car cause the exhaust system would rattle against the chassis of the car.

No air conditioning from the time I bought it.

General Comments:

The LeMans was my first car ever. I loved it. It was very difficult to part with it, but I ran that little thing into the ground. Had I decided to fix it in the end, I probably could have gotten another couple thousand miles out of it.

It had more than enough cargo space. It had just the right amount of pep I needed in a car at that time. I loved it cause it was so easy to park. I could fit it anywhere. It was sporty too.

The heating system in that little car was better than any of my friend's cars. It could defrost a window in no time flat.

It was my baby. As I said before, if things hadn't started to go wrong with it to the point where it was costing mega bucks, I would have kept the little car. But I got rid of it and now it is probably on some wholesale lot somewhere. Oh well, life goes on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th October, 2001

1988 Pontiac LeMans Base 1.6L from North America

Summary:

If not abused, This car is reliable and inexpensive to maintain

Faults:

The dash lights didn't work when I got it.

The valve cover gasket leaked.

General Comments:

I bought this car for $600 from a neighbor. It is probably one of the most reliable and most inexpensive to operate cars I have ever owned.

Most of the little problems with this car are ones that you would expect in a 13-year old economy car and were easily repaired in my driveway.. And parts for this car are cheap, too, as many of them are already in the junkyard so spare parts are readily available!

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

Review Date: 15th June, 2001

27th Apr 2003, 18:10

Update-The Le Mans now has 200,000+ miles on it and I still love this car!

I have had to replace the cam, rocker arms and lifters (No.1 intake compensator stuck and wore out the cam lobe-but with no noticeable performance loss-drove from Connecticut to Canada with it banging away-This is a very good valve train design. Very forgiving.

I have upgraded the sound system (many goodies).

I have had the car repainted (Black) as the original paint had seen a lot of "industrial fallout" damage.

Replaced the CV boots with "quick boots" and repacked CV joints at 196,000 miles.

Still gets about 45 MPG on the highway.

The only gripe I really have with this car is that the interior could've been made of tougher plastic... things just disintegrate eventually.

Still, it's a small price to pay for such a reliable car.