1999 Chevrolet Lumina from North America

Summary:

Reliable and well built, and mostly trouble free

Faults:

Lower intake manifold gasket when the car was 10 years old.

New alternator at 6 years.

Something with a cylinder control at 5 years.

Rear brake cylinders at 13 years old.

Needed new spark plug wires at 12 years.

ABS brake sensor at 11 years.

Radio station present light burnt out, very minor, but how do I remove the radio from the dash to replace it?

Camshaft position sensor code comes on and then goes off every few months, but the car runs normally, so I'm waiting to fix it when it needs a new serpentine belt.

General Comments:

The car has held up amazingly well for a 14 year old car, and when it was 5 or 6 years old I noted that it still looked and ran like it was new.

No rust, the hoses and cooling and body are still original, and the engine and tranny are still going like new. No leaks, no fluid consumption.

Gas mileage has gone down from 25 MPG to 20 MPG. I've done a new air filter, fuel filter, new plugs, new tires (maybe that's why), or it's the ethanol gas.

It's not sofa comfortable or amazingly roomy, but was always a quiet, smooth, responsive ride, with room for six in a pinch.

A little slow to launch or go up hills, but it can move at 75 MPH with no effort on the highways.

If I had one gripe, it was lack of better cup holders and arm rests.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2013

31st Dec 2013, 21:59

They are OK cars, and you're right they usually age well... just don't buy a white one. The paint comes off prematurely; my '98 and '99, both white, had the paint coming off in chunks before 120k miles (on the '98 before 50k miles, it started on the hood). I've seen others like that also. Any color on these things but white, and listen for "piston slap" when the engine is first started (cold) before it's warmed up, and it sounds like ticking valves or lifters. It's worse than that. It is usually the '98 and newer Lumina, and many other GM products have this problem.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina from North America

Summary:

Roomy, dependable, fiscally responsible

General Comments:

This car has been fantastic, still getting 27 miles per gallon with almost 320,000 miles on her.

She's just starting to fall apart, however (about time, eh?!), since I've had to replace the fuel pump, alternator, etc just lately, but with the money I've saved on car payments with this VERY economical car, I don't mind at all.

Although the seating is reviewed as uncomfortable by almost everybody, I guess it's what you're used to- fine with me. I still drive 50 miles one-way to work on the freeway, with great air-conditioning (year-round here in South Texas), and pickup for passing.

I'm sure gonna miss Delores when she finally does die -- she still looks good too!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th August, 2008

30th Aug 2008, 13:21

I think these are one of the most underrated GM vehicles. If you go to the junkyard you want to find one with less than 200k on it.

1999 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1 Liter V6 from North America

Summary:

I started calling it the Lemona

Faults:

Almost everything.

I changed the oil every 3000 miles.

Had to replace the A/C compressor every year for two years (the third time I just let it go).

Replaced the water pump, alternator, and the thermostat twice, (this is the hardest part I've ever had to replace. It's on the driver's side, in the block, behind the exhaust crossover, and underneath the air intake. The first time it took three hours).

In the second year the fuel pump started squealing, and everyone said to just ride it out, so it finally went out in 2005.

Had to replace the intake manifold gasket twice.

Turn signal switch went out. When we replaced it the steering wheel made a grinding noise when turned.

Definitely won't buy another American car again, until reliability and fuel economy are addressed.

General Comments:

Interior reasonably comfortable.

CD player quit in 2004.

A/C vents are in the perfect place to get hit by knees.

All the radio backlights went out in 2004.

In 2007 I wrecked it, and sold it to my brother for $500. Two weeks later someone totaled it in the parking lot at work. We gladly replaced it with a 2007 Kia Sportage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th June, 2008