1994 Chevrolet Lumina LS 3.8 V6 from North America

Summary:

A great van, that also looks very nice

Faults:

Replaced both rear wheel hub assemblies.

Replaced both front inner & outer tie-rods.

Sliding door window latch has broken in half 3 times since I bought the van 3 years ago.

Windshield wiper motor stopped working, and had to be replaced.

Gas gauge reads 1/4 tank when the vehicle runs out of fuel, previous owner told me the gauge has been that way since new (he was original owner).

General Comments:

I really like the van, it is very good on fuel.

Handles very well considering it has 365,000 k's now.

The 3.8 has great power, and tranny shifts like new.

Handles & drives better than my sons 2002 ford wind-star.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2008

1994 Chevrolet Lumina APV 3.1 from North America

Summary:

Cheap and reliable with a very durable body

Faults:

Normal wear items like front brakes, tires, ball joints, tie rods, water pump, belts, etc.

Intake manifold end seals leaked. (replaced gaskets and seals)

Wiper motor intermittent. (had to repair solder joint on circuit board attached to motor)

Ignition module in distributor failed at 280000km. (was tough to diagnose due to intermittent and infrequent failure)

General Comments:

This vehicle has been the most reliable I have ever owned and still looks great considering the mileage and age.

It is very inexpensive and easy to repair.

It still has the original exhaust system, rear brakes, door handles and alternator!

I have never had it in the shop since I do my own repairs, but I do maintain it properly.

Will probably replace it after the winter, but then I've been saying that for the last three years.

Wish I could buy another one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2008

1994 Chevrolet Lumina APV 3.8 from North America

Summary:

GM should still make these

Faults:

Previous owner had trans rebuilt at 270,000.

Previous owner rebuild front suspension.

Engine known to be original with no major repairs.

Replaced left front wheel bearing to fix ABS sensor.

Engine coolant leak in Throttle Body (stop leak fixed).

Repaired wires in drivers door boot to fix power windows and mirrors.

Replaced wiper relay board.

Replaced door handle (very easy if you have small arms)

Replaced harmonic balancer at 355,000.

Currently (357,000) Trans won't shift out of 1st gear. Everything else working properly.

General Comments:

This vehicle has had normal break and tire wear.

It feels solid on the road in all weather.

It has always started immediately by just touching the starter.

At 357K it is still clean inside with no rust thanks to the plastic body.

I have had back problems, and this is a very comfortable vehicle to ride in.

I don't like the huge windshield in the winter.

The door can be a head knocker.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th December, 2007

11th Jun 2008, 23:14

They actually still do make these vans. Well, a derivative of this van. The Pontiac Montana. They are fairly good built vans with a solid tranny and won't rust thanks to the fiberglass body.

1994 Chevrolet Lumina APV 3.8L from North America

Summary:

Solid and VERY endurable. Great motor

Faults:

Transmission: reverse actuator, better known as the "coffee can"

Replaced radiator.

Replaced power rack and pinion unit.

Replaced outer tie rod ends.

Replaced ball joints.

Replaced brake rotors.

Replaced water pump.

Replaced heater-a/c blower motor.

Replaced both front door exterior handles, and have to re-replace the passenger ones again.

Replaced A/C compressor and drier.

Replaced EGR valve.

General Comments:

Motor is still strong.

Would still pass an emissions test if one were required.

Burns NO oil.

Starts instantly, easily every time... hot or cold.

I have the title, but I have no payments. That's the best part.

I have 221,256 miles and I would still drive it from the east coast to the west coast and back without any concerns. What more could you ask from a Chevy with that kind of mileage?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th September, 2007

1994 Chevrolet Lumina minivan 3.1 liter from North America

Summary:

Underrated, reliable, cheap to fix

Faults:

It is bad on timing belts. The Air compressor failed so we removed it and closed the gap with a smaller belt. For some reason that works better.

Crack in the gas tank at 120,000, was fixed with epoxy, but is still scary.

Gas gauge does not work, failed at 90,000.

Fuel pump replaced twice, normal for a vehicle this age.

Radio needs replacement, but that's due to age too.

Alternator, Starter, and Battery replaced.

None of the doors, save for the back hatch, open from the outside. This was fixed temporarily after the installation of a $2 part on the doors, only for them to break again a few days later.

The power windows have died at 110,000.

Other than that, no major expensive problems besides the door latches. This is a problem for this model (and Astros) I hear.

General Comments:

This car was bought in 1999 at five years old. It is easily the most comfortable ride ever, and is awesome in terms of cargo space.

The seats are removable and rearrangeable in the last two rows, which is nice, and a plus since the seats weight about 30 lbs.

The seats had cupholders when folded down, which is cool too.

When the stereo system did work, it was supposed to be high-end at the time so it was superb.

Power windows and doors! This is a great convenience, but it broke!

The engine is decent, but it tends to be not very responsive. 3.1 liters is not enough to propel a 3700lb minivan. But then again, this is not a race car, and generally it gets okay gas mileage.

In the winter, this van starts up not problem... I've only had one problem where it didn't start up. Most of the time though, I couldn't get it going because the doors were frozen shut.

The heater is awesome.

It is kind of awkward to drive, because the dustbuster design on the front gives it two blind spots and it's hard until you get used to it.

Otherwise, it's a great vehicle, reliable, and although it's a sweatlodge in the summer (we save our Saturn for the summer because it has ventilation) it is great for trips and carrying things around.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd December, 2006