Alternator died at around 80k, then again at around 86k due to shoddy labor "rebuilding" the original alt. (Please note was the 3rd-party service station's fault, not that of the manufacturer or the dealer.) I got a new alt with a lifetime warranty from NAPA through a different shop, and it has been going strong ever since. The second shop was cheaper with a NEW alt than the first was with a junky rebuild. The first was $490 P/L and the second was $380.
Master cylinder ruptured at approx 95k. Brakes were less responsive and the pedal would go to the floor if it was pushed normally, but brake fine if it was slammed. Simple fix; it took about 2 days to get the part and another day to have it installed. $220 P/L. Brakes have been extremely responsive since then.
Engine seized at around 102k, due to lack of oil. My fault, not Chevy's or the dealer's. I admit it, I'm a dumbass. The oil light was only coming on when the steering wheel was turned all the way in either direction, so I thought it was some electrical quirk and it never occurred to me that the oil was actually low until it locked up while I was driving home one evening. They said if I get a remanufactured engine I should expect to pay at least $2000 to fix it. Fat chance. I'm going to open it up to see if the damage goes beyond the cylinders. If not, I can get a complete piston/ring set from NAPA for around $500 and have a mechanic friend install it. If the engine is completely screwed, I'm going to save my dough and drop a supercharged L67 in it.
Overall, this is an excellent vehicle that has retained its value extremely well. (I bought it in May 2000 for 5 grand, and the Blue Book says it's worth about that much now, Feb 2002.) It has a great sporty look to it and is a lot of fun to drive.
The factory Bose system is clear and QUITE LOUD.
The fuel economy is fair, I think at some point I calculated that it gets approx 20-25 mpg/highway.
I've never modified this car, and I've never lost a drag race with it. (My Sentra got smoked a couple of times though.) I lost one drift race on the interstate, and that was to another Z34 (the driver gunned it before I was ready, but I'm not making excuses).
The stock setup is sweet, and there's a TON of stuff you can do to make it perform even better. I highly recommend this car to anyone who doesn't necessarily want a brand new car, but a reliable one and one that has a bit more power than your typical coupe.
I would like to know where to find the tons of stuff you can do to this car. Because I have been looking all over for high performance add ons.
Just purchased car and I couldn't agree more with you. Had custom heads made for it and this increased horsepower dramatically. Later, keep on rolling.
Joe E. Rasar.
I have a 1993 Z34 that I bought from my big sister 13 months ago. I have had to replace th timing belt at 75,000 miles (which I have heard is common). My sister had just had the belt replaced six months prior, but by a poor mechanic. I also had to put new power steering lines on in August. It wasn't cheap, but it is not a new car either. I bought my Z34 for $1000 less than book and it is paid for now. Even though I had to put some money into it, I still think I got a great deal. It gets good gas millage, it handles like a dream, and it's FAST! When it is time for a new car, I will still be keeping my Z34.
Do any of you know what to do to replace the braking problem with the Z34? I hate the fact that it takes me forever to stop, even when I slam on the brakes.
To the performance question, I have a custom intake ($80) and exhaust and tips ($200) on mine. Runs nice!
Hey any 3.4 DOHC performance questions (brakeupgrade, underdriven pulleys, chip, intake, whatever..) you can email me at rob.daniels@rogers.com and we can trade some info and ideas, I have a Euro 3.4 tuned for performance so I hope I can help,
I've had my 1993 Z34 Lumina since 1994. I love my car and can't find another that I can even get interested in buying, but I now have to put a FOURTH alternator on this car, and it is not an inexpensive job to have done. Timing belt broke several years ago, which was an even LESS inexpensive repair, but overall (excluding the transmission re-build last year) I wouldn't say the repairs have been any worse than for any other car that's 10 years old. It's a decently-sized, sporty-looking car and I really enjoy driving it, not to mention that it's a nice, smooth ride. And yes, for a factory radio, it has a good one!
I bought my z34 in 2003 and I love it. I had to replace alternator around 103 thou miles and then jack azz mechanic didn't put axle back on right and I broke a ball joint. Then just recently my antifreeze injection line cracked drove the car 65 miles with no antifreeze to a shop and it runs like a charm. Never lost a race against a rice burner. Payed only 1500 for it and its mint needs a paint job tho spoilers a lil faded. As for the factory stereo the sucka sounds like its got subs in it. Great car smoothe ride fast and reliable I love it. I wish I could return it to original state to factory state. But I need cash lol something I haven't had since I bougt it lol.
A r you selling the custom intake for the luminaz34 if so give me a holla I trying to find one or make one..lb253@blackplanet.com.
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