Sittin' on a gem here

[LeftVentricle]

I work at a Chevy dealership here in Las Vegas as a security guard (there are only four, you've got a 25% chance at guessing), so I'm privy to what cars get traded in. Today I went up to the "bullpen" (secure area we keep trades) and was pretty surprised to find a white 2000 Lumina among the current crop. 3100 V6, 62 thousand miles, good shape. I thought, hell yeah, better fuel economy than my 86 Suburban! But then I looked a few cars down and saw another Lumina LS. Red/grey two tone which gives it a grizzled, 5 o'clock shadow look, buzzsaw aluminum rims, 1995 with 28 thousand miles!

So I started it up and listened to the engine purr (and tick, standard lifter issue), then popped the hood and BAM! I'm face to face with an LQ1. I about shit a brick, I was totally not expecting that. I then inspected the paperwork in the car and found that we only gave the person who traded it $1400. Even without the twin dual cam, this would be an awesome find, but that's just icing.

So I'm gonna ask the stupid question: Should I trade my Suburban, which has been an absolute trooper, 150 thousand miles, for this Lumina?

As an aside, what kind of fuel economy should I expect, and do I have to use premium? I wouldn't mind if I did, but I'd like to know beforehand, since it didn't have the owner's manual and I couldn't find anywhere on the car where it mentioned recommended fuel.

[DrRodey]

Grab it and Fast....

As for the fuel economy question, i'm runnign 89 octane in my GP and doing about 25-28mpg 70%hwy

Good find.. you are one lucky bugger.

[LeftVentricle]

Something else... The engine cover reads "3.4L DOHC V6." (EDIT: I think...) I'm curious... is it actually a quad-cam? Is the DOHC thing just so they didn't step on Toyota's toes?

[RebelGT]

yes, there's 4 Cams

[smilinguy99]

My $0.02? Keep the suburban, buy the car, and get an old open trailer.

Turn the Lumina into a track-only racer and have some fun.

OK, this might not be practical. But it's a thought.

Isn't there a road course on that oval track there in LV? A drag strip?

sg99

[SappySE107]

WIth 28k, you can't go wrong at that price. They changed the engine cover in 93 from twin dual cam to DOHC. Same thing. Im modded but get around 24 mpg 80% highway and I only run midgrade. Premium could be used but then again, so go regular.

There are more maintenance issues with the DOHC over a 3100, and for a daily driver I would take the 3100. If you want something with more performance though and can have the dealership or you yourself can work on the engine, get the DOHC. I love mine but recognize the need to inspect the timing belt often and keep an eye on the charging system.

[LeftVentricle]

Isn't there a road course on that oval track there in LV? A drag strip?

Yes sir, it's called The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Every Friday they have open racing, it'll cost ya ten bucks but it's good fun.

There are more maintenance issues with the DOHC over a 3100, and for a daily driver I would take the 3100. If you want something with more performance though and can have the dealership or you yourself can work on the engine, get the DOHC. I love mine but recognize the need to inspect the timing belt often and keep an eye on the charging system.

That's what I hear, and after looking over this site linked in the sticky thread, I'm just the teeniest bit worried about the maintenance aspect of this car. Not too worried, mind you, since I get insider pricing on parts and service since I work at a dealership?hell, I'd get it at any GM dealership here in Vegas, since I'm technically a GM employee. Also the discount for cars, which is why I'm thinking I can get the Lumina for my truck + a few hundred bucks to cover doc and smog and whatnot. I'm going to talk to the guys at the used car desk and see what its status is, since we keep cars in the bullpen until the deal gets financed (or not, in some cases, whereupon the trade gets returned to a usually irate customer, but that's a story for another thread).

Also, is there a governor, and if so, how fast before it kicks in?

[Lyle's GTP]

My 94 tops @ 186 KPH. But Ben has a very reasonable custom chip available, that will eliminate that problem right now.

As far as maintenance goes. These cars are far from lemons. Scince I have bought mine I've had only minor problems. The same ones you would have with any 3100. But no electrical problems otrher than starter/alternator. This beast starts everyday and goes hard when I want it to. I never hesitate to take it on a long trip either.

Definatily worth the money, don't let it slip away.

PS so is your 86' suburban. If it were in good shape, I'd keep it.

Lyle

[SappySE107]

That above site linked is old and full of rumors. As long as you keep on eye on the charging system and your belt, it should be good. Other known issue is the distributor oil ring. Pushrod modded block for the DOHC that still has the spot for the distributor, and there is an O ring that goes bad and leaks oil. There is the faster fix of cleaning it up and epoxying it so it won't leak. The best way is to pull the rear head and replace the O ring though, and then epoxy if you want. Ive never had that sucker leak on me, though I tear my top end off once a year anyway to try out different stuff and check it out while its apart.

Yes, for the money its a killer deal. Id take it for that price!

[LeftVentricle]

Update while I'm on lunch break:

"Six grand out the door," is what the desk manager said to me. Crestfallen, was I. I really can't understand how we can give someone $1400 for a car and turn around and sell it to an employee for four times that. As far as I understand, it's supposed to be cost + 10% + doc/tax/etc., which shouldn't come out to much more than two grand. I'll just have to talk to the other guy I know at the desk and see what he says.

Also, I found out from the mechanic doing the safety inspection (it came out of the bullpen today for that, which means it's cleared finance) that it's got an oil leak. I'll let him know about the O ring thing.

[LeftVentricle]

Okay, so the oil leak, I'm told, is around the oil pan or timing cover area. It was recommended to me to change the oil and use a high mileage oil, despite the low miles, because it contains seal conditioners and would probably, at minimum, decrease the size of the leak, if not stop it.

Also, I'm gathering that the $6000 is somewhat in stone, and, to quote the desk, "It's gonna be tough to get you financed. Give me until tomorrow, I'll see what I can do, pull some favors at some banks, you know. We'll get you taken care of." So fingers crossed on that.

[Jakemetz63]

6,000 is way too much for that car. 1,400 definately buy it...but thats over 4x that.

[Lyle's GTP]

6000 is definatily too much. To bad they are being dinks about the price.

Lyle

[scrappy]

nice how they will even rob their employees! I wouldn't buy it for more than $2500

[Fierobsessed]

Wow, sounds like you got kicked in the left testicle. So, witch dealership is this? Just need to know where to avoid. Is it Desert something? or Bill Heard?

I happen to live in Vegas and deal with the dealerships from time to time... but only when I don't mind paying out the wazoo.