To Be Or Not To Be; Lumina That Is

I am looking at a 1996 lumina 3.1 with 59xxx original miles, I know that they have a a major problems with brakes and especially intake manifold gaskets. My question is what is at what kind of mileage do the intakes start to fail. I have worked on chevy 350's but never on a 3.1 ltr is it a pain to change the intake manifold gasket. Are there any other COMMON faults other than brakes and mainfold gaskets that I should : look at. Thanks

I thought the brake issue was resolved after the new luminas came out in 1995. I know my 2001 has 50,000, and not one single problem yet. I know a guy that has a 1997 lumina with 150,000, and he only put an alternator in it. I dont think you have to worry much about the brakes, maybe change the pads and rear shoes every now and then. Just do a coolant flush, and put the green kind it, that way if the intake does blow, the Dex-Cool (death cool) doesnt eat away at the intake. I dont know what else to say. Go ahead and buy it. The 3.1's are relatavely easy to work on once you know them.

I agree. No brake problems with 96. (94 and older had the brake problems). My intake gasket went at 60,000 miles. NOT hard to change at all.

not hard to change from a 350 to a 3.1 except the pushrods intertwine the gasket they have to be pulled. no brake problem on my 97