Power Steering leaked resulting in the need for a new pump.
Front brakes locked up while driving down highway.
Dash board is curling up.
Great Performance for the cars stature.
Loves gas.
Stuffed engine compartment make it almost impossible to work on.
Changing spark plugs could easily take hours.
If alternator stops working, plan on spending at least a whole weekend fixing it.
Troubles out weighs the extra performance.
I am sorry to hear that you have had a poor experience with this lumina, I have been a lumina owner for 2 years up until recently when the car saved my life..
Never had any problems with mine, (94 4 door 3.1 v6 euro) only had to replace the brakes once, alternator only took 1 hour to replace and sparks have only been replaced once, 175,000 miles and still the engine pulls as strong today as it was 100,000 miles ago.
Body work was great up until about a week ago when I decided to loose control of it and hit a caddy. engine still runs like a trooper, but a-frame, cv axle hood front fender drivers-side fender are all torn right back to the engine compartment if it wasn't for the great design of the car I may not be typing this now!!
I would highly recommend lumina's for their sturdy body!
Hello, I am in the process of getting a 93 Chevy Lumina Z34. It only has 76,000 miles on it. I love the look of the car. It looks like it could take a lickin and keep on tickin. I want something that I can feel safe in and this looks like it. I have been eying this car for about 4 months now. It's in great shape, a.c. still blows cold and it sounds like the engine is pretty strong. We are needing a family car to go back and forth on the highway. We have a lot of family that live down south here in Florida. We happen to live and Jacksonville and we have never had a vehicle that we trusted to go back and forth on any given weekend. Or even for that matter take down and stay for a week and feel safe driving back home. From the previous post it sounds like it is a pretty trustworthy vehicle. But then the prior post to that one sounds like it's a lot of "work". Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Malena.
For such a drive you may want to invest a little money on it. I also have a Z34 and it started just about that time that I had to replace the alternator, timing belt. Those two along will cost you a little fortune once that it is very difficult to work on such a compac engine compartment.
But in all I guess it depends on how much you are paying for the vehicle. Brake problems are also commmon with the vehicle. However any of this work can be done fairly cheap in comparison to other models with the same type of performance.
I have now 112000 on my lumina and I plan on pushing it as far as I can. It is a great car and sure even though 11 years old it still catches attention.
Great engine, my Lumina z34 has 220 k miles on it, still eats Hondas for breakfast. Not easy to do any engine work though. Everything is made in such a way, as it should hinder the mechanic, but if you love it, you'll find the way.
I'm an owner of a '93 Z34 with a 5-speed. I love the car, well at least driving it. I did a little bit of work when I bought the car with 92,000 miles on it (clutch set, timing belt, plugs, water pump, oil, alternator) and it's been running great since. With the 3.4L I agree it is very difficult to change the alternator because it is underneath the front axle. As for the timing belt it is supposed to be serviced at 60 to 70 thousand miles anyway like most cars its age. I would recommend keeping a close watch on it when it gets close to such mileage because if it brakes, so will a lot of other stuff. Warped brake rotors are also supposedly a common problem on these cars, but even with my aggressive braking I haven't come across such a problem. Gas mileage is supposed to be 17-19 mpg city and approx 27 mpg highway, but I've been getting about 14 city 21 highway, its 12years old so I can deal with it. Overall the car drives real nice, almost as nice as my dads '02 grand prix gt, with its upgraded suspension and its power (210+ HP) can get me away from most you know whats on the highway. I'd recommend this car to anyone who would keep up on routine maintenance. It's a comfortable and fun ride.
The nightmare of changing the spark plugs can be made very simple if you have enough socket extensions. The cowl that covers the windshield wiper motor can be removed simply and then you cut holes in the plastic wall that separate the inside of the cowl from the engine bay. Cut the holes just big enough to get the socket in. Makes changing sparks plugs so easy and simple.
I've had a '93 automatic Z-34 for about 2 years now. The previous owner didn't take care of the car at all, so I ended up throwing a rod about 4 days after my warranty ran out. I won't get into the drama involving the dealer.
Anyways, after buying a rebuilt engine from a '94, the car started to run great. I added a shift kit and upgraded the suspension, so the car drives wonderfully.
The problems that I'm having with the car are varied. I had to rebuild the alternator myself, since a lot of mechanics won't touch the 3.4L. That was a lot of fun (sarcastically speaking of course). Then my cooling system developed a leak, and I've been looking for the source of it for about a year. About 6 months ago, my A/C vents got stuck blowing out of the defrost vents, regardless of what vent I had selected.
The major problem that I'm experiencing now is that my brakes won't return to their neutral position after pressing the pedal. This results in a really annoying high-pitched squeak while I'm driving, and an even louder squeak when I'm braking.
All-in-all, it's a powerful and fun-to-drive car, if you have the money and patience to deal with the little problems that go wrong with it.
Random fact: A turbo will blow this engine, so don't even try.
The reason your vents don't work is because there is a vacuum line under the battery that is broke or melted. My lumina did the same thing.
I just got a Z34 and I am having problems with the trans. It goes into every gear, but it start out real slow even with the pedal to the floor. Can any one help me find out the problem. Thanks!
I just got a Z34 and I am having problems with the trans. It goes into every gear, but it starts out real slow even with the pedal to the floor. Can any one help me find out the problem. Thanks! email dckhed@gmail.com
I have a 93 z34 I loved the car until I broke a timing belt. I had it replaced then it ran good for two days after that it started to act up. when I first start out it runs good for like 5 miles then it starts losing power and starts puffing black smoke. if anyone knows what it could be please contact me at thug19821@yahoo.com.
I have a 93 Lumina z34 it runs great and handles even better. Just today I was driving down the road and a SUV pulled out into the intersection. I swerved out of the way and my car began to slide through the intersection into oncoming traffic. I counter steered to the right, the car did a lot of fish tails and began to slow down and finally came to a stop facing oncoming traffic. I don't think I could of regain control if I was driving any other car. i think the car saved me a lot of trouble by having the power and control to allow me to regain control after spinning out into oncoming traffic at forty MPH. it saved my life and prob-ally a few others.
I currently own a 91 Chevy Lumina Z-34, its my second one. Just replaced the alternator, took one whole day. It's a nice car, drives great. Cars kind of hard to work on considering the engine compartment is cramped. But the performance and handling is worth it.
i wrote a few months ago about my z i had timing belt replaced and now it runs great when i first start it it then it loses power and starts to puff black smoke if there is any one that can help me please email me at thug19821@yahoo.com Thank you thug19821
Owner of 93/3.4 Euro/Sedan/Lumina
I purchased w/12000 miles. in 94 for $12000.00 I still have it @ 245000 miles. It’s one of my favorites in spite of the Repairs.
“Lumina” was derived from A-lumin-um!
In 88 it was favored to be in NASCAR, but the Aluminum body was considered unfair.
Originally a 300+ Hp. design GM decided to Re:chip the computer down to 210 Hp. Two logical reasons 1: competition for the Camaro (not good) the lumina’s cost was less! 2: they could’nt design a transmission that could handle the 300+ Hp. for the front wheel drive in time for Marketing.
Excellent handling with low profile design & 60/16 tires it really bites the road.
Now in the USA the 2002 Pontiac GTO is actually the “Lumina SS Coupe” from Australia Designed after the Holden Monaro.
Body/Model: Clean and Mean! But some say it looks like Grandmas car (how bout the lil old Lady from Pasadena? give em a wink & SHUT EM DOWN! YEA Buddy
Chassis: replaced a nut and bolt rear anti-sway bar. It now needs struts & shocks.
Brakes: all 4 stock calipers rust @ the pistons. Causing poor brake performance (must keep checking @ pad replacement)
Engine: replaced: timing chain 1, alternator 3, distributor shaft cover leak 1, starter 3, motor mounts 1,
Transmission: Dealer said needed replacement $3000.00 (I didn’t think so) so I had it serviced and BAM it’s been fine since then (@ least 100000K) and still going.
Recently: Catalytic Converter,