1999 Chevrolet Lumina Base from North America - Comments

Bought the car used, so there was a possibility for it to have some issues. However, I will omit obvious problems caused by user-errors:

-Piston slap & valvetrain racket is apparent when engine is under load, occurs when first started after it sits for at least one hour, not fixed.

-Condensation lined the driver's headlight, fixed myself (Cleared water out with compressor and vaccum; sealed assembly with silicone)

-PassKey theft deterrent system malfunctions and disables cars randomly, not fixed.

- Factory CD player died, not fixed.

-Trunk will not close properly, not fixed.

-Weld on exhaust system broke, $20 repair.

The car has been reliable in general. When acquired, I had the fuel injectors cleaned as this can be a problem on 3.1L GMs. $100.

Spark plug & wires changed, included general tuneup, $100.

That is all for expenses.

The car runs well, never fails to start unless the PassKey II system malfunctions. The car is fairly agile, although there is some body roll and oversteer when you drive it hard. However, for most "normal" driving habits, this car is excellent. Fairly quick to accelerate with the 3.1, good with highway passing.

I cannot stand piston slap however, so I will never buy another GM product again. It was not just this car, it's the fact that since 1999, most of their engines through 2004 and maybe 2005 had it, and had it bad. When it takes a major corporation with sales as high as they have SIX years to fix a problem such as this, it completely turns me off to them. Visit www.pistonslap.com for more information on the issue.

Other than that, if you can see past irritating noises and the chance that your car may lose power (compression) over time, this is a great car to buy used. If you can get a 1995 or 1996 model, those were probably the greatest. 1997 and 1998 models didn't have great reliability, and after 1999 the infamous slap became very apparent.

WOW, My Lumina has 110,000 on it and I do not get the noise that you were describing. Must be you need your timing adjusted or use a better grade of gas.

I own a 96 lumina with the 3100. aside from the poor intake manifold design, excellent vehicle. 251,000 miles on it and the thing still get 27+ miles to the gallon and yes it does have the cold start rattle in the engine. drive more than 200 miles a day back and forth to work. never an issue other that the obvious small stuff... egr port plugged,intake manifold leaking oil... just age related items that you will have on any mass produced vehicle...it's the cost of owning a car. I also own a 96 olds cutlass coupe with the 3100.bought it with 49,000 miles and knew of the Gm cold start rattle. today the car has 149,000 on it.i have done brake once, two rear struts, one tie rod end. an alternator, and a blower motor. I am very impressed with the w-body cars from GM.