For just over a decade, Chevrolet offered customers a solid contender for what was becoming a popular segment: jelly bean-shaped, front-drive four-door sedans. Thanks to the Ford Taurus and others, the Chevy Lumina is an interesting car that we rarely see on the roads today. The seller has this 1998 Chevrolet Lumina posted here on craigslist just north of beautiful San Diego, California, and they’re asking $4,800. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
For a dozen years (1989 for the 1990 model year until 2001), the Lumina lit up (cough) people’s lives with practicality for those families who insisted on bow ties rather than blue ovals in their respective driveways and garages. One thing about the Ford Taurus is that Ford never made them in two-door form, but first-generation Lumina buyers could get one with just two doors.
This is a second-generation car, made from 1995 through 2001, and Chevy dropped the two-door version for the second generation, sadly. So, of course, I made a two-door second-generation Lumina – here it is. It was related to the Monte Carlo, which only came as a two-door (oh no, I have more work to do!). The seller says this car is a one-owner “grandma-owned” car with 40,900 miles, and it looks as close to new as it can be.
I can’t tell if the seat and carpet are dirty or if that’s the sun, but I’m guessing the latter. I can’t imagine a 40,900-mile car being dirty, unless “grandma” was a major gardener and tracked dirt into the car every time she drove this gem. I’m not sure what the two wires are sticking out of the dash, some sort of USB/phone charging cords? The back seat is nice, I’m sure, but we don’t get to see it, or the trunk, or the underside. They say that it was owned by the original owner until May of 2025, when they got it.
The engine is GM’s 3.1-liter OHV V6 with 160 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. It’s sent through a 4T60-E Turbo-Hydramatic four-speed automatic to the front wheels and they say that everything works as it should. This is one great-looking, low-mile survivor. Have any of you owned a Lumina?
27 years ago when this Lumina was new, they seemed to be everywhere, ( just like the Taurus). I can’t get over how preserved this thing is. The front seat and carpet looks stained to me, but maybe it is just a trick of the light. You’d think Craigslist and others charged like 50 bucks per photo in their ads. It would be nice to see the underside and back seat. The 2 door is a good idea Scotty, I like it!!! ( but no convertible????? Just kidding). I enjoyed your write up Scotty.
Totally off subject here….. But does anyone know what happened to our images? They disappeared for many of us on here. And if this was answered someplace else, I apologize I missed it.
Dang, this didn’t turn out any better than the four-door Eldorado did, I must be in a slump.
Nope. No slump. Looks great as a drop top Scotty.
I recall back in the day cops in our neighborhood had a few of these as ghost cars. Real sleepers. 🚨 😲
I owned a “police” version, a former US government car. It had noteworthy features like Recaro seats and quad exhausts (quite unique at the time).
We need to see the two door Taurus Scotty! Bonus points for a Sable coupe.
I did this one a while ago, Bakyrdhero. I’ll have to work on a Sable…
That’s sharp looking, I’d call that a missed opportunity, but it would have likely bit into Thunderbird sales.
A 2 door SHO???? Hmmmm…. Seems like a good idea to me. I like it!!!
My Grandma’s husband did tons of research on which new car to buy and ended up with a Lumina. Then Grandma bought one also. I, of course scoffed. Years later I bought hers when she had to quit driving. I commuted 60 miles a day for years. Had to eat my words….it was a great car. Never had any major problems with it….Best car I ever had for driving on slick roads.
Mom and Dad had a four door Lumina. Then a four door Taurus. Most reliable vehicles they ever owned (glares at Chrysler)
My wife drove a Gen 1 “Euro” trim when we first got married. After she wrecked it (somone made a left turn in front of her) I found her another Gen 1 that only had the 3-sp auto. Both rode smooth, a little mushy handling, but good for what it did.
I bought a 1999 Lumina in early 2001 after my wife broke her back. It had 55,000 miles on it. Drove if til it blew the lower manifold gasket for the second time and had just under 270,000 miles on it. Still had an excellent ride to it. I wanted to repair it but wife was ready for a different car. Beats anything Chevy has now
I believe at one time they were the most stolen cars in America. I never heard anything but good about them. I will take boring and reliable over flashy and unreliable any day of the week.
Listing update: this one is gone!