1990 Pontiac LeMans from North America - Comments

The brakes and front tire rods need to be replaced soon (normal wear and tear).

Currently, the gas and temperature readings do not work.

I actually have a Passport Optima (formerly Geo), but it is the same as the Pontiac LeMans, so I decided to put it under this category.

We have bought this car for about $1200 (in CDN-Canadian dollars). The previous owner has actually put a 1993 engine onto the 1990 body. I am not completely sure why, but all we wanted was basic cheap transportation. The engine has about 120,000 km, while the car itself has about 150,000 km.

I would have to say, you do get what you paid for. Not only it is quite cheap on gas and a fast-runner for what we previously expected, it is also an attractive looking vehicle. Designed by Germany, it resembles the discontinued Opel Kadett that you will find in Europe. Therefore, there is definitely a European style to it. However, many of the components are built by Daewoo (Korean), therefore, the performance is different from the Opel Kadett, which I heard, is a lot better than than the North American LeMans/Optima.

The drawbacks to this vehicle that I know about, are its plastic interior... VERY plastic, and its hard-to-find parts. First off, anyone who gets into this car, or gets an opportunity to drive it, will soon find how CHEAPLY made this car is. But then again, if all you want is a cheap vehicle that gets you from point A to point B, who would really care that much?? I personally have got used to the plastic interior, and surprisingly fell in love with the vehicle. It also runs quite smooth, even though the seats aren't at the top of the line.

Parts are hard to find, so I heard from many people and as well as mechanics.

Here in Canada, I can see that this car did not sell nearly as good as it did in the US. Therefore, repairs may cost a little. But with a car that worths about $800-$1000 CDN, there's not much to complain about, is there?

Overall, this car is a cheap and reliable transportation, yet with a stylish European look. So far, nothing big has gone wrong with the vehicle for I haven't owned it for long. I guess I will just have to wait and see in the future how long this will last.

Man, I never knew there was another Passport Optima owner out there, I am frustrated because I need a new axle (boot) and noone out there seems to have even heard of it, I took the liberty and surfed the web and found refuge in your comment. I agree it has EXCELLENT gas mileage and is pretty swift, I travel easy 120 km/ph on highways without effort, but I've been told by one too many mechanics that "you're gonna die in that car!", guess when you see how cheaply made it is, it Can be seen as a highway deathtrap. But I agree, until I can afford another one, this one suits me just fine, and I laugh my way all the way to the gas pump, while friends in SUV's are bitching their way.

Heidi HS, Lethbridge, AB.

Heidihs@canada.com.

Hello I am considering to buy a used 91 Pontiac Optima. It was the very 1st time I heard of that car so I came and looked up on INTERNET and even there is very little. I am in the Montreal area and I would like to get in touch with some other Optima owner. I am concerned reading that replacement parts might be a problem. Advice please. Thanks a lot.

I had a Passport Optima for about 4 years. I ran it to the ground, but it served me well. One excellent feature on the Optima surfaced when I broke down in Swift Current, SASK. After several hours of research, the mechanics at Canadian Tire found out that the timing belt can be ordered and is very easily and inexpensively replaced. I hope this random piece of information will help somebody, someday.

I too own a 1990 Passport Optima. I need a new axle boot, a new temp gauge, and gas gauge, and a muffler. I am debating whether its worth it or not, but we'll see. Post if you find any good places to order parts from.

I have own a 1988 4 door and a 1990 2 door passport. The car has been very dependable and inexpensive to drive for sure. I have found a junk yard that have approximately 12 of theses vechiles Optima's and lemans from 1988 to 1993 in there yard. It is Quicks Auto Wreckers in Leamington Ontario. The parts are reasonable in price. 286 Essex Rd 31, Leamington, ON N8H 3V5

(519) 326 8310 Hope this helps out anyone looking for parts.

I owned a 1988 Optima, bought new in early 1989, for more than 8 years. There were good points and bad points, but overall it was a car I loved to hate. Fastest depreciating car I ever owned, in part due to GM dumping the remainder of their inventory at several thousand dollars below what I originally paid for it.

The best point about the car was the fuel economy, at almost 50mpg on the highway (Imperial gallons). That I still miss. For some time I regularly drove the Optima 500km on the weekends. The worst point was the door locks and rubber seals which froze shut every night during the sub-zero winter months.

The body of the car was quite good and remained rust free for as long as I owned the car. As others have said though it was cheaply appointed, with lots of plastic bits that broke easily. Had a chance to drive a Hyundai model that was almost a clone and it by far better appointed.

The original oil pressure sensors were prone to cracking and twice while still under warranty the engine pumped out nearly all of its oil past the broken sensor. Other than that, and one burned out fusible link, the engine ran very well and was generally quite reliable. Three of the suspension coil springs broke, as did the driver's seat height adjustment crank mechanism, leaving the seat loose on its pivots. The factory air conditioner was a disappointment as both the condenser and steel tubing broke prematurely in around the 4th year. By then the repair cost of the A/C was almost more than the car was worth. The original exhaust system lasted 5 years, replacements no more than 2years. Rather than repairing everything that needed doing at the time I ultimately sold it to the wreckers.