1988 Pontiac LeMans from North America

Summary:

Cheap, reliable transportation

Faults:

Air conditioning.

Clutch went out.

Gearshift handle broke.

General Comments:

Firstly, my mechanic said my LeMans was the best he's ever worked on. It handled well - steering was tight.

Even tho' it threw an oil-plug and I ran it full-steam for an HOUR to get home one night (I had been running Dura-Lube - no problem) - it cranked back up the next morning and kept on going for another 2 years. This car made it across the U.S. TWICE, back and forth from Houston to Austin several times, and around in Houston for 2 years after that - and the car is now 13 years old (5/3/01)!!

I can't complain about "Pepe LeMans". The transmission just broke yesterday, but he had it coming! We may have a funeral for him...

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

Review Date: 3rd May, 2001

1988 Pontiac LeMans LE Aerocoupe 1.6 from North America

Faults:

New exhaust at 60,000 and 180,000.

Temperature sensor failed at 80,000 miles.

Original battery gave up after 10 years, 180,000.

Original timing belt gave up after 10 years/180,000.

Brake system was gutted at 190,000.

General Comments:

My LeMans has served as a commuter car, canoe hauler (with rack option), pickup truck (it has a huge trunk area) etc.

At 215,000 miles it still starts instantly, runs well, and avoids reverse in cold weather.

Surprisingly, the motor is the only thing that hasn't been touched. 300,000 might be a possibility.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd January, 2001

1988 Pontiac LeMans Base model sedan 1.6 Liter SOHC L-4 TBI from North America

Summary:

The biggest mistake in the history of automotive engineering

Faults:

It was made, for one thing.

The fuel delivery system did a better job of adding weight to the car than it did at actually metering the air/fuel ratio. I eventually got used to the 4000 rpm idle, though.

The oxygen sensor was installed wrong from the factory, so when we attempted to replace it, it stripped every thread on its way out. Strangely enough, it ran exactly the same as before without the sensor, and the exhaust note coming from the hole in the manifold was hilarious. My car was louder than all of the V8s with dual exhausts in my high school parking lot.

There are countless more stories of LeMans parts failure, so I'll spare you the tears.

General Comments:

If Daewoo ever managed to produce a V12 supercar that could outperform an F1 car, get 70 mpg, and carry six people, I still would not give it a second glance after my experience with the LeMans. What the hell was GM thinking?

The negatives of this car are so strong that the positives become a moot point. It gets great gas mileage, the trunk is larger than most would expect, and the handling is respectable considering the price (oversteer can be a suprise in a FWD car).

However, non-existent reliability, stagnant engine performance, and high maintenance costs will make you quickly forget the money you think you're saving on gas. What's the point of trunk space if you can't start the car?

Seriously, if you buy a LeMans, make sure a pair of comfortable shoes comes with it. You'll need them for all the walking you'll be doing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th December, 2000

10th Oct 2001, 09:57

I found this review somewhat difficult to swallow, given that the owner, who considers this car to be such a lemon, would drive it for 177000 miles. I understand being frustrated and negative regarding all the apparent problems, but my advice to someone having such difficulties with a vehicle is this: get rid of it for ANY price, and find something else! Certainly the cost of repairs that would likely occur after perhaps 100000 miles of frustrated ownership would have been saved, and selling it for a few hundred and getting something rated as being a reliable choice for a used car, plus the benefit of being HAPPY about the vehicle you own would surely be worth the money spent! Regarding the info provided in the review, it would have been useful to know at what points the problems arose -- was it mainly after 100000 miles, or much sooner? Etc.

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