27k Original Miles: 1993 Chevy Lumina Z34
Did you ever expect that an early-90s Chevy Lumina would ever be considered collectible? It really doesn’t seem that long ago that they were new, then a few years later just a typical used car. Then, they slowly faded from the roads, and now I can’t even remember the last time I’ve seen one in person. However, this example is just shy of 30 years old. If you were to buy a 30-year-old car in 1993 when this Chevy was new, you’d be looking at one from the early 1960s, which kind of puts this in perspective. Anyways, this 1993 Chevy Lumina Z34 coupe is up for sale with just over 27,000 original miles, and looks like it just came off the showroom floor. You can find the listing here on craigslist in Kirksville, Missouri. The asking price is $11,400. Thank you Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the tip!
The Chevy Lumina was introduced for the 1990 model year, and the name was used on a coupe, sedan, and van (the Lumina APV, later replaced by the Chevy Venture, which thankfully cleared up the naming confusion). The Z34 trim was a higher-performance version, which included a variety of cosmetic and mechanical upgrades. On the body, you can see the “aero” styling, with the front and rear lights and body kit. This light blue paint color was added in 1993, and looks fantastic! This is probably my favorite color for this model, and with the aforementioned molding, plus red striping, trunk spoiler, and subtle decals, this car looks sporty without being too obvious. The paint, wheels, glass and trim all appear to be rust and damage free, and there are new tires on it as well.
The interior continues the trend of immaculate presentation, with no stains, tears, or flaws to be found. The gray color is nothing special, but gives this a neutral feel that doesn’t seem tied to any specific era, which I appreciate. The bolstered bucket seats look comfortable, and even the rear bench doesn’t look too bad. I wish there were close-up photos of the dash, because I really like the styling and would be curious to see the layout of the gauges. Common options for the Z34 were upgraded sound systems and tachometer, but it’s hard to tell if they are present here.
The standard Lumina was offered with various engines over its run, including the 2.5L “Iron Duke” straight-four, a 2.2L straight-four, and a 3.1L V6. The Z34 was upgraded to provide better performance, with a 3.4L twin dual-cam V6 giving 210 horsepower at 5,200rpm and 215 lb-ft of torque at 4,400rpm, leading to a 7.5 second 0-60 time. Not bad for the day. The automatic transmission, which this car was equipped with, dropped the horsepower down to around 200. The engine bay looks exceptionally clean, just like the rest of the car, and the owner says the following items have been replaced in the last 2 years: alternator, intake gasket, timing belt, water pump, shocks and struts. This car appears to be a fantastic turn-key option for someone who wants to own what is now a fairly unique car.
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Comments
I didn’t know they made these in this color blue. I’ve only seen white, black, red and grey. An old girlfriend had a 91 base coupe with the 3.1 liter. It felt like a fwd Monte Carlo ie: big and slow, it kind of floated down the road like a boat. My 91 Z24 with the same motor and painted this color felt like a pocket rocket in comparison. These Z34’s were a bit different though and I certainly wanted one back in the day.
I believe the z34 only came in white.
I’ve had 4. One blue, two white colored, and the last one was black, which was the 94 model. I was too young to know better and having a gd job, did not mind to keep draining my checking acct. in constant repairs.
These cars are junk. I would tell anyone to stay away at all costs. Engine block leaks on all of them after 50K. This one must have a dried out gasket (where the hole still exists from the Dist.). Then the tranmissions are junk, the manifold gaskets start to have trouble with vacuum leaks, as in this one that is for sale, NOT CHEAP to fix. Then the alternator’s are only good for 45K-50K bc of the extreme heat in the engine comp, which was so badly designed. Then lets add in the brakes are total trash, lasting maybe 30K and most everything always needing replacing.
If you can get past these expensive yearly costs, go ahead and buy it. Still I loved these cars. NASCAR all the way.
Lastly, you cannot get any parts for these-PERIOD. Way back in 99 when I started purchasing for my fours Z’s, after not even 10 years passing, GM discontinued many parts. The federal law states 10 years all parts must be aval. for purchasing. No, not this car. In the last 15 years, I have not seen a one. They are gone. crushed. Do not buy this. You get into an accident, it is done. No fenders, no bumpers, no sport hoods, no nothing.
But good luck if you decide to completely waste your money.
I miss seeing these on the roads. Hope to one day see them at shows. Thanks for sharing this!
My buddy had a white one, nice car. This one is a beauty and will make someone a nice car
I really like this in blue. I had a ’93 Z34 in gray, and it was a great car.
Mine was a 90 Eurosport model in silver, which gave it mild mods visually and the V6. Digital dash, which was neat to me. It was comfortable, predictable, looked far newer in design than it was and 100% rental car bland.
No excitement, no challenge, but very reliable, which considering my budget range was actually a good thing. Eventually traded it in on a 94 ASTRO van.
Even with people trying to get rid of money like it’s toxic waste, I think 11.4 will be a tough sell for a 1990s W-body. A year ago this is maybe 6-7. I’ve seen them in the 5 figures but only mint low mile Turbo Grand Prix. It’ll be interesting to see.
Do you really think it is for that reason, or just another excuse to buy stuff? If the economy turns into post WWI Germany, you are going to have big time problems that owning this (very nice BTW) Chevy will not solve. I have been around for a long time. My advice, sit tight, your money will be fine. The big money men are smiling and laughing all the way to the bank while the “little people” panic. Of course, this is a really sweet car, so if you feel the need, buy away, just be careful (as you said), on the price.
I had 2 Eurosport sedans with the 3.1 engine. Both ran to over 200k. The thing to watch on these is the dash starts to roll up after time. Always like the Z34’s. A friend had with a 5 speed.
A certain subset of our society really wants to go back. They do think that a car from a happier time will make things better. Natural feeling of course but never have seen it on such a crazy scale.. We really don’t have precedent for it. It’s a byproduct of our divided political climate.
It might make them feel better temporarily but I think those trading their money for immediate comfort are going to regret compromising their financial futures later. But you can’t argue with what is happening now.
The Eurosport had a nice exhaust sound. New a girl with a very nice blue one
This one definitely has a tach to the right of the speedometer. as well as the premium sound system. It’s about as loaded as they come and with the transmission cooler to boot. Keep the timing belt changed, and perform regular maintenance. The alternator is a bi…lliard table to replace.
Otherwise, it’s a cool vehicle for Cars and Coffee.
My understanding in the back bank of plugs aren’t a picnic to replace either!
This car has the CD player, but not premium sound system. Premium sound for these cars (Delco/BOSE) would have speakers in the lower forward area of the door panels. Clearly not there in the photos.
Looks very nice and I’d consider it but the deal breaker is the GM Rubik’s cube like automatic seat belt implementation of this era.
I drove the base model 4-door in Drivers’ Ed like 25 years ago. These z-34’s were real sleek and sporty in their day, and I think the design has held up well over the years.
The price is a little “up there” but $10k does not seem out of reach. Nice find.
Yummy!
I bought one brand new in 91. It was quick and I really wanted to love it but….endless problems.
A nearly perfect example of mid 90s GM mediocrity.
Don’t you mean mid 70’s and up?
What a beautiful car! That 3.4 litre has a great sound and loves to rev with a manual. What jap or kraut mobile from the early 90s has anywhere near the style of this car?? None.
Thanks to Tom Cruise and Days of Thunder for showing the Lumina could look great.
Hi Mr. Stuckey, MAN O MAN, that is a VERY fair price for your Z34! If that beauty doesn’t sell right away, I’ll be very surprised. I have a small dealership in WA state and anything at all is very hard to find for around ten-grand, especially a vehicle that is as nice as this one. I’m trying to retire and if I weren’t, I’d be all over this Z34. I’m not sure where your located but shipping cost’s arn’t as bad as people might think. I’ve shipped car’s all over the state’s including Hawaii and N.Y. Thanks! John
These were terrible new and worsen with age.
Had a 1992 silver, 5 speed with the hideous red interior that I bought used and it was great. Kept right beside numerous 87-93 5.0’s. Unfortunately, I hit a deer, rebuilt it, hit another deer and gave up on it after the 2nd deer. Loved that car!! But yes, the alternator and timing belts are a pain and a clutch pack was roughly $1000 for parts, no labor cause I installed it!
I’d love to have this in my garage. Sorry to hear the comments on this being a problem car.several of them in my circle of friends and family back in the day and were awesome dependable cars.
Don’t you mean mid 70’s and up?
I had a black 93 Z34… Waited two extra months to get it with the five speed… and it had the maroon cloth interior which I settled for only because no dealership in the tri-state area could find a manual with a gray interior.
It was quite lively with that five speed and would roast the tires if you dumped the clutch at about 3000 RPM. Although I did have to have two slave cylinders replaced under warranty…
Wife & I were looking at the back lot of local Chevy dealer in 93 and came across 4 Z34’s , Had no idea what they were but liked the looks even though they were covered in a years worth of dust. A red one, white, silver & black. I Asked the sales guy if we could demo and he said come by tomorrow and I’ll have them all cleaned up. We took the white one out the next day. The wife was driving on a nearby highway and we were doing around 45 I said get on it, she floored it and we both looked at each other in amazement. Boy could that car go. Got a great price and ran that car over 170000 miles and sold it to my cousin,wish I’d kept it.