Lumina lights up the tarmac

Chevrolet's Lumina range is a firm favourite with buyers from a variety of backgrounds. Some have shaven heads, tattoos, muscles; some are suited-type adults, going about their lives normally and peacefully.

And then there are fashion-conscious young professionals who hang out at ritzy joints.

However, there is a common factor, and it's a big thirst for speed, noise and danger.

This is why it's imperative that should you decide to get into a pre-owned Lumina, more especially the UTE version, do yourself a huge favour and perform thorough checks on its mechanical health.

The current range includes both Lumina sedan and UTE body shapes.

The sedan is widely available in SS mode only, with the only variation being the choice of an automatic or manual gearbox to stoke the standard V8 motor.

It's a 6.0-litre engine that develops 270kW and 530Nm. For enthusiasts of sideways driving, the sedan Lumina with a manual gearbox is the best way to go.

The big Lumina sedan matched its German rivals - such as the BMW 330i in the power stakes but lacks their technological toys.

So if you are a features freak, you will be disappointed. What it has are necessities such as air con, electric seats, an entertainment system, airbags, traction control and leather seats. A big plus is bags of space for the family and their luggage.

The Lumina UTE, although punted as workhorse, shares all cabin equipment and cowhide with its sedan sibling. It's nothing but a Corvette in donkey's clothing.

Such is its ferocity, thanks to it being lighter than the sedan, only the bravest souls hanker after it.

For work purposes it's spot on with a long, rubberised loading bay and since it sits lower on its undercarriage, loading is easy.

There are also hooks to tie rope, which will be a welcome relief as the precious cargo will be transported at warp speed.

The power also makes it great for towing. The UTE could very well be the ultimate work/play vehicle available out there.

An advantage of buying a second-hand Lumina would be that it would cost less.

The flip side might be its mechanical state, given the less-than-civil way it would have been driven by a previous owner. If possible, buy it new.

Price: R210000 for 2008 and R420000 for 2011 models.