Chevy Lumina
- Thread starter Nick R
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If he's not in a hurry to get a car it might be worthwhile to watch kijiji or craigslist for a quality private seller. That Lumina on trade in probably was a $800 car.
The first filter I would use is if the seller has maintenance records and if they've owned the car for a few years.
The first filter I would use is if the seller has maintenance records and if they've owned the car for a few years.
My inlaws just dumped their 2001 Lumina. It was having major troubles. They just replaced the head gasket last year, then the intake gasket, and the last few months they were having transmission problems.
I'd be concerned about the gaskets.
I'd be concerned about the gaskets.
The fair price is likely $2500-$3000. Those small dealers need to make money.
As far as it being a good car, anything 10 years old+ irregardless of brand it is really comes down to luck if no known history is available including maintenance, driver habits/style, and moons aligning.
As far as it being a good car, anything 10 years old+ irregardless of brand it is really comes down to luck if no known history is available including maintenance, driver habits/style, and moons aligning.
My aunt used to have a Lumina. The transmission went around 100k, the interior was falling apart, and for the size, I don't remember it being very comfortable. It got totaled in an accident. I don't know how bad it was or how it held up though.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Why doesn't he get a Crown Vic?
OK, believe it or not, one of the first thoughts I had upon seeing this thread was whether or not there'd be a "counter-proposal" re an older CV. You have not disappointed!!!
But hey, I love my chosen cars too so all is good, of course.
p.s. OVKL, I hereby appoint you as Chairman of the Board of the BITOG Crown Vic lobby!
Why doesn't he get a Crown Vic?
OK, believe it or not, one of the first thoughts I had upon seeing this thread was whether or not there'd be a "counter-proposal" re an older CV. You have not disappointed!!!
p.s. OVKL, I hereby appoint you as Chairman of the Board of the BITOG Crown Vic lobby!
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
I see very few of those around now...
Undoubtedly because for the vast majority of owners, who may have liked the cars, but not "romantically" so, the low residual value dictated removing them from service (in other words, "send to junk yard") after the first serious/expensive problem hit after eight years or so.
I see very few of those around now...
Undoubtedly because for the vast majority of owners, who may have liked the cars, but not "romantically" so, the low residual value dictated removing them from service (in other words, "send to junk yard") after the first serious/expensive problem hit after eight years or so.
Originally Posted By: rjundi
The fair price is likely $2500-$3000. Those small dealers need to make money.
...
This segment is really problematic for these guys. I suspect that a lot of Luminas, and similar products from other makers, foreign and domestic, are rotting in junk yards simply because little guys at auctions all decided that the profit that they could make on a marginal-value, yet operational vehicle, was simply not worth the trouble.
The fair price is likely $2500-$3000. Those small dealers need to make money.
...
This segment is really problematic for these guys. I suspect that a lot of Luminas, and similar products from other makers, foreign and domestic, are rotting in junk yards simply because little guys at auctions all decided that the profit that they could make on a marginal-value, yet operational vehicle, was simply not worth the trouble.
1) you can't usually finance a vehicle over 8 years old.
2) dealers don't want to "confuse" buyers with any beater under $3k (or some other arbitrary point) so they get forced into buying "more" and financing. Banks will loan somewhat over blue book.
Auctions here tend to take the horrible rusted out cars and either sell a few as one package, or will stick a junker with a good one. Strange! I looked at a VUE with missing exhaust, misaligned door etc that the dealer got with a "nice" VUE Redline at auction.
Pretty sure there's a lumina/monte carlo on every junky corner lot here. The "boring" malibu is everywhere too. Used/auction W-body buick centuries I think are coming into the state by the car carrier load.
I still like midsize sedans for reliabile beating around; you get a little more room and the suspension/brakes haven't been downsized/lightened/cheapened to such a degree early failure is likely.
The private party (eg craigslist) car shopping is very tight right now; I think if someone tires of their car they just let it get buried with snow and forget about it.
2) dealers don't want to "confuse" buyers with any beater under $3k (or some other arbitrary point) so they get forced into buying "more" and financing. Banks will loan somewhat over blue book.
Auctions here tend to take the horrible rusted out cars and either sell a few as one package, or will stick a junker with a good one. Strange! I looked at a VUE with missing exhaust, misaligned door etc that the dealer got with a "nice" VUE Redline at auction.
Pretty sure there's a lumina/monte carlo on every junky corner lot here. The "boring" malibu is everywhere too. Used/auction W-body buick centuries I think are coming into the state by the car carrier load.
I still like midsize sedans for reliabile beating around; you get a little more room and the suspension/brakes haven't been downsized/lightened/cheapened to such a degree early failure is likely.
The private party (eg craigslist) car shopping is very tight right now; I think if someone tires of their car they just let it get buried with snow and forget about it.
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