This engine’s pistons tend to be a little slappy on cold mornings, but it doesn’t seem to affect anything.

It’s nothing exciting, but by this time GM had ironed most of the kinks out of this engine, give or take an intake manifold gasket or two. It uses the corporate 3.1 liter V6 and 4T60-E overdrive automatic found in millions of other cars.

The Lumina is based on GM’s long-serving W platform. But the seller claims it runs like a top, and if I have to choose, I’ll take reliable over pretty any day. The upholstery has what looks like cigarette burns all over the center armrest and seat, the paint is faded strangely and in odd places, and there is trim missing both inside and out. Looking at the photos, I think it’s good they claimed best running and riding, and not cleanest, because this thing is rough around the edges. I mean, a second-generation Lumina is a pretty nice car as domestic sedans go, and I can’t speak to the quality of other used cars in the area, but that seems like a pretty high bar. The finest way to spend two grand on transportation south of the Mason-Dixon line, if the superlative-laden ad is to be believed. Well, here it is, the pride of the north Atlanta suburbs. Runs/drives? Better than cars half its age, if the ad is to be believed What say we kick their tires and see what they have to offer? 1995 Chevrolet Lumina – $2,000Įngine/drivetrain: 3.1 liter OHV V6, 4 speed automatic, FWD Today, we have “THE BEST RUNNING/RIDING $2K CAR YOU CAN FIND,” at least in the Atlanta suburbs, and what looks to be a real cream puff of a Dodge, located in Florida. Honestly, I thought it would be even more lopsided, though I see that both cars have sold already, so there wasn’t really a bad choice. But before we take our trip, let’s settle up on yesterday’s wagons: But today, I thought it would be fun to visit the opposite corner of the country, and see what the south has to offer. I’ve been sticking close to home for a lot of these searches, I know, and making some commenters green with envy at our rust-free West Coast cars.

Chevrolet lumina