My Z-34 Lumina

[Mitternacht]

Not sure if I ever threw pictures up of this, but when I'm not driving the GT, I've got this; a 1993 Z-34 Lumina.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3039589/2


I bought the car the same day that Big Ben was involved in the motorcycle accident 3-1/2 years ago; I heard about it on the radio on the Ohio Turnpike in transit to picking the car up. It was a great eBay find at $3100. I've been daily driving the car since. I've also kinda dumped money into it; a lot of money. $1,700 transmission, $900 suspension, $1000 engine parts, $250 brakes, etc. But even with those repairs, it's been one of the best cars I've owned. I like it better than my 89 Corvette, I like it better than my Supercharged, ridiculous 98 Mustang with its picnic bench rear wing.

I fully intend to keep this car for a long time. One popular thing people like to do with W-Body cars is the L-67 Swap, which involves taking the Supercharged 3.8L V6 and auto transmission from the Riviera, Grand Prix GTP, Impala/Monte Carlo SS and throw it in an older Lumina, Grand Prix, Cutlass, etc. Even Whipple makes upgraded superchargers for these cars, so atleast theres plenty of aftermarket for this motor, unlike the stock LQ1.

Its funny to think between selling the Z-34 and my Corvette, that I sold the vette. I just hope that this may be one of those cars that will escalate in value, like the older muscle cars such as the Trans Am and the Grand National. But unfortunately, it's covered in salt right now; and needs new brakes.

[somethingclever]

Chris,

Firstly, I'm glad you like your Z-34 lumina as a DD.

Secondly, I don't think there is a snowman's chance in hell that car will be a collector car in the future.

With all the new parts on it I hope it lasts a really long time.

[Viper_ed]

Secondly, I don't think there is a snowman's chance in hell that car will be a collector car in the future.

With all the new parts on it I hope it lasts a really long time.

Agreed John, the only way it will escalate in value is with the collection of loose change that will gather in and under the seats with time.

Those cars were also notorious for starter issues.

[vitaleffects626]

nice car but its a throw away car

[95riosnake]

Yours is in good shape and props to you for keeping such an old car nice. Anybody who knows me personally knows I used to DD a 92 lumina euro (yes I know a Z34 is a bit better and has the 3.4), and while that thing was a beast in the snow, I couldn't wait to get rid of it. The trunk leaked, which is a common issue on luminas as I found out when I was researching on the internet to figure it out after pumping tube after tube of caulking into every seam in the trunk to try to get it to stop. Another issue was the rear calipers (another problem with them), which I had to replace 3 times in the 4 years I drove it.

I ended up selling it in June when I picked up my new DD because I wasn't willing to put any more money into it. It wouldn't pass inspection, and I was tired of taking my chances after driving it that way (for over 2 years )

The car was very dependable and was a tank in the snow (not to mention it was a great car for stuffing a bunch of my drunken friends into), but I hated the way it sounded (the all too familiar exhaust note of that generation of GM's, Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, etc...), the pickup truck style dash, front bench-style seat, the transverse leaf spring rear suspension that squeaked over every bump because the rubber end caps fell out and did again after I spend $45 to get two new ones, and the fact that ever taking a girl out in it was never an option.

With a s/c yours may be pretty peppy though, but like others have said, the chances of it increasing in value is pretty unlikely given that it is essentially a front wheel drive family car, regardless of the fact that it has the sport package.

I apologize if my post sounds harsh, it wasn't meant to. Enjoy your car and do whatever you want with it. It's all in what you like.

[biminiLX]

Tough crowd :)
-J

[no1fordgirl]

nice DD

[FineLineMtrSprt]

I remember when these things first came out. I was at the chevy dealership with my best friend. He wanted a new Z28..his dad wanted to get him something he could actually drive lol. The salesman tried to tell us he raced a "loud as hell" 5.0 in the Z34 which had the a/c blasting and he beat the stang like it was standing still. i just looked at him and laughed. My buddy ended up getting stuck with a 2dr S10 blazer lol.

[White5.0]

glad to see you take care of it. looks like its in good shape. i agree with the above though...dont think this car will end up being valuable anytime

[Killercanary]

I was starting to drive when those came out! LOL!

There is a local guy with a Buick regal that is SICK! He started out by putting a turbo on the NA 3.8, he later pulled it out and stuffed a 3.8 engine from a SC'd model in it with the turbo. Its an 11 second sleeper that traps on the low 120's. The car is the biggest sleeper I have ever seen! A lot of power can be made with a properly boosted 3.8L and it should make for quite a fun car.

[SAC81]

There is a local guy with a Buick regal that is SICK! He started out by putting a turbo on the NA 3.8, he later pulled it out and stuffed a 3.8 engine from a SC'd model in it with the turbo. Its an 11 second sleeper that traps on the low 120's. The car is the biggest sleeper I have ever seen! A lot of power can be made with a properly boosted 3.8L and it should make for quite a fun car.

You've got to be talking about Ed. His car is brutal from a roll! 11s don't reflect how hard the car pulls, since it can't hook at all.

I like forced induction 3800s, I've got two of them myself. An L67 swap in that Lumina would be a cool sleeper, but why not just buy a GTP/Monte/Regal GS/waddever? They're so cheap now.

[Killercanary]

You've got to be talking about Ed. His car is brutal from a roll! 11s don't reflect how hard the car pulls, since it can't hook at all.

I like forced induction 3800s, I've got two of them myself. An L67 swap in that Lumina would be a cool sleeper, but why not just buy a GTP/Monte/Regal GS/waddever? They're so cheap now.

Yes, I'm talking about Ed. He's a super nice guy. I've drag raced and autocrossed with him several times. At the last autocross he had MT ET streets up front on the regal and like 3 people in the car with him! He hangs out with us all the time in the summer at the Altoona cruise-ins.

I wish I had a picture of it, other than the wheels which are faily subtle, its a total sleeper.

[05mineralgt]

car is pretty man


for v6's 3800 FTW. minus the 89-95 SHO 3.0's and 3.2's ha i had a 94 SHO raced my bro's 97 monte carlo Z34.. even til about 60 and i just pulled it plus too when he hit 95 his governor said nope no more.

[dpstang98gt]

wow!

[John4cam]

the 3800's are indestructable. The transmissions on the other hand. A different story.

Nice car.

[Psycho5_0]

Super nice Lumina! I had a White 91, sorry i got rid of it!

[Slow01GT]

Yes, I'm talking about Ed. He's a super nice guy. I've drag raced and autocrossed with him several times. At the last autocross he had MT ET streets up front on the regal and like 3 people in the car with him! He hangs out with us all the time in the summer at the Altoona cruise-ins.

I wish I had a picture of it, other than the wheels which are faily subtle, its a total sleeper.

Rota's ftw. It would be even more of a sleeper if it didn't say sleeper on the plate and have those turbo 6 badges on it. I am a fan of that car though.

[412mustangz]

good lookin DD

[How Much?]

Nice ride,,,,guy in High School had one of those with that goofy quadcam motor....and it was a stick!!! Ran like a freak

[shockstang]

[quote=Mitternacht;222919]Not sure if I ever threw pictures up of this, but when I'm not driving the GT, I've got this; a 1993 Z-34 Lumina.
Nice car man. I almost bought one just like that when they were new. I ended up buying a pickup truck insteaed.