The Chevrolet Lumina was a surprising hit for GM when it was introduced. With several hundred thousand sold in its first year and roughly a million over the life of its production run, this was no small-time mid-size offering. The base model and entry-level trims were bread-and-butter models, offering modest performance (135 b.h.p. or so) but cushy rides and respectable amounts of standard equipment. The Z34 coupe was a quantum leap over th. standard product offering, combining impressive performance, racy looks, and a generous equipment list. Find this shockingly clean example listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,500.
While I don’t consider the Z34 to be a standout performance car from the 1990s, perhaps it was better than it has typically been given credit for. Everything about this Lumina was different, starting with its coupe-only configuration. Then there’s the body kit, the alloy wheels, the decals, and the dual exhaust (upgraded here with aftermarket bowtie finishers). There was little doubt that Chevrolet was pushing this Lumina in a much different direction than the rest of the trim lines within the lineup.
Then, there’s the power barn. The DOHC 3.4L V6 produced 200 b.h.p. and 215 lb.-ft. of torque, and even came with a 5-speed manual as standard equipment. While most of the Z34s were equipped with a 4-speed automatic, the Lumina could still sprint to 60 in a hair over seven seconds, and was even quicker with the stick. Add in the FE3 sport suspension package and four-wheel ABS brakes and you have a car that’s a competent handler, too. While the Z34 wasn’t going to take down the likes of the BMW M3 any time soon, it was an impressive effort for a car that was otherwise a competent family sedan.
Inside, the floor-mounted shifter also signaled that this wasn’t the standard Lumina, which thickly-bolstered bucket seats also sent a message of sportiness. The interior of this particular Z34 is quite clean with a sharp 3-spoke steering wheel sitting front and center. The seller notes a long-time owner treated this Lumina like a showpiece in his time with it, before leaving it to his family upon his passing. Now for sale in Pittsburgh, PA with 108,000 miles, it looks like one of the cleanest Z34s left in existence today. Do you think this car should have been given more credit as a legitimate performance model?
I rented one of these to drive back to Ky from Daytona shortly after transferring down there in the summer of 93. It was identical to this one except red. Was quite surprised by the handling and acceleration. I had to drive back and forth often leading the M3 and the next trip was a pearl white Lincoln Mark 8. I continued driving that
For some reason the site locked up and sent the above unfinished message with no option to edit. To finish I was involved in a dual M3000 press startup and was driving back and forth from FL to KY. The company rented from hertz the remainder of the project which was 3 months. I quickly forgot about the Lumina after driving that Lincoln!
My father had one of these and like everybody else was surprised at the power and handling. Fun to drive.
This was Chevrolets version of a Taurus SHO, only 10x uglier.
And not as good as the SHO, either, with some real issues.
Lumina. The 2000s version of a Vega. My parents had one. Under 10,000 miles had to have new heads. At 30k miles it fried 2 transmissions in a month. What you had to do to change spark plugs made me wish evil on the engineers. Didnt miss it when they traded it in on a Buick Century, which was a much better car.
Hey, engineers! GET SOME GREASE ON YOUR HANDS, BUST A COUPLE KNUCKLES, OR DONT DESIGN IT
Spark plugs on the Lumina were easy compared to a V8 Monza. Had a ’91 EuroSport, loved it.
I know some of these GM cars, you have to actually take the front bumper off to replace the headlight bulb! Unless you’re mechanically inclined, you’re probably looking at a $300 plus job and the day at the shop for something you could do with 3 minutes and most every other car. There ought to be a law about making headlights easy to replace considering there’s such an important safety item.
Performance….
Always loved these.
0-60 in 5.9 seconds. Uhhh huh. Probably more like 8.5 seconds with the automatic. But a pretty nice example of one of these.
Ugh. That engine. What a nightmare.
Had one as well – injector harness cooked, really bad design flaws ran throughout that motor.
Let’s not forget the timing belt. Those are way too much fun than any one tech should have.
I had 2 of these in Eurosport 4 dr versions. Anemic 3.1 engine, squishy handling and ate front brakes every 15,000 miles. Nice looking and room for the family. If they made as many as they claim, what happened to all of them, you never see a Lumina on the road today.
These were nice cars to drive. Decent performance even with the 3.1 V6. Comfy seats and no dash in your lap and so much better looking than the next generation. I could run this daily.
My dad had a black 92 lumina . Great car .never had any problems with it. Traded it in at 150000. I do agree not the prettiest of cars
What? No mention of the trick or gimmicky beer keg door handle that nested in the B-pillar?