1988 Pontiac LeMans Base model sedan review from North America

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.

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.