Well, I bought myself a 1998 Lumina LTZ with nearly 300,000 miles. Haven't picked it up yet, but its on hold for me for a grand price of $200. I'm buying it to drive for this summer while I look for a new car to replace my Oldsmobile Alero. Once I find a new car (preferrably another Bonneville SSEi, or a Regal GS or 2004+ Grand Prix GTP) I plan to give this Lumina to my younger cousin who is turning 16. To make it last, I was wondering if anybody knew specifics of this car (does it have a 4T65E?) and if adding anything like a shift kit would make it last longer (300K is kinda scary). I plan to change all fluids (royal purple 5w30 synthetic, Dextron IV, new dex-cool) and put some new brakes on it, but otherwise don't know what else could make it last longer?

suggestions?
specific information about this car?

P.*. I tried joining the W-Body forum but I never got an e-mail saying my account was activated so I guess they don't like new members.

Do your basic maintenance on it, and you'll be good. For that car, i recomment mymonte.com, as that is more tuned for the 95+ monte carlo and Lumina LTZ. Brakes are pretty easy. Do your basic tune up stuff, and you should be set.

If you ever need to take the seats out, make sure you have an e-torx bit.

If it has a sunroof, you might want to check and make sure all the drain tubes are still connected. If the console lid still works and is not broken off, remove the console, find one with a broken lid and install it. Then take the good one and sell it. I've seen some go for as much as $150. It'* going to break on you at sometime anyways, might as well sell it first and be ahead of the game.