Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Price Paid:  $24000.00 from Used car dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Monte Carlo

Summary:
I've had it since 2005. I've had problems from day one. The main problem is the shifting. I've complained to the dealer several times about it not shifting properly. Just as it is about to shift gears it makes a "thunk" sound and I can feel the vibrations through the gas pedal. The problem only starts once it has warmed up a bit. Dealer said it's not the transmission, but I have my doubts. The problem started while the car was under warranty and, of course, the warranty is over now and the problem is occurring more frequently. I just had a transmission flush, but that didn't cure it (filter wasn't changed as apparently that's the old way of doing it). So the next day I took it to a transmission shop and they did a diagnostic on it and 2 codes popped up which indicated internal damage. So now it's back to the dealer next week. There's only 89,000 kms on it. Last year I took it to the dealer for an MVI and wound up paying over $800 for some steering part that just had to be replaced. I've never had a problem with the steering. Another problem, and this will sound weird, is at times it feels like it is going to "slip" off the highway (worse if it is raining). I can't explain it any better. I've bought new tires, had bushings replaced. It just doesn't feel secure driving it at 100 kph+.

Strengths:
Comfortable drive, fairly good mileage. Trunk is huge and is able to accommodate a wheelchair.

Weaknesses:
For a V6 it doesn't have as much power as I thought it would. Heavy doors. Back seat is hard. If you're over 5'7" there's not much leg/height room on the passenger side.

Similar Products Used:
Grand Pre, 2 previous Monte Carlos

Price Paid:  $8500.00 from Private Seller

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Cheverolet Monte Carlo LS

Summary:
This is my first car, and i got it as my 16th birthday present from my parents. The car runs nice and the car is very fun to drive. I got the car with 53,200 miles on it. The engine is ultra smooth and quiet. Even though this is an LS with the 3.4 Liter V6 and not the SS it handles well. There is only a few problems with the car. The first is that the cruise control sometimes won't work and other times it works very well. The other problem is the front wheels will spin in loose gravel even though the car has traction control. The third problem is the interior lettering on the radio is coming off. The last problem is the rear seat axscess. The rest of the car is wonderful.

Strengths:
A well built car. The ultra smoothe 3.4 liter V6. The power. Good Value. Found one at a great price. Avaliability of parts.

Weaknesses:
Cruise Control. Traction Control Not Working. Radio Lettering rubbing off. Rear Seat Axcsess.

Similar Products Used:
2003 Chevy Impala LS
2003 Chevy Camaro LS

Price Paid:  $21000.00 from Dealer--Unknown

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS--Coupe

Summary:
The 2001 Monte Carlo SS is a fine automobile: plenty of power/torque (3.8L), reasonably stylish design (except nose droop), comfortable/roomy interior, & sufficiently reliable. Best thing about the SS is the power & handling: great sporty character and it has the muscle to support it. The car is also loaded with extensive options (heated automatic seats, leather, sunroof, etc.).

Haven't had too many problems, but it's kept up well—regular maintenance and any repairs are made immediately. Notable problems include: Catalytic converter failed around 60K-replaced for free under warranty; driver's side window regulator replaced (˜$200); click and noise manifested in steering due to u-joint (?) mess up (˜$350), later had to be re-lubricated and will probably need it again eventually. Another issue has been a computer glitch that caused the car to lurch between gears (particularly 2nd to 3rd around 2,200 RPM). Thought it was the transmission (which was way off the mark given it's well established), but, after two dealerships couldn't figure it out, one suggested disconnecting battery to reboot computer. It worked and problem hasn't recurred.

Otherwise, the MC's a gem and built to last—I’m presently putting about 1,500 hard miles per month on it and it’s racked up ˜90K to date. Until recently, I was putting nearly 1,000 miles on it per week for about eight months…no problems beyond recalled cat converter. The car still drives and handles well and it’ll be worth keeping through 150K at least. I added a cold-air induction and Borla cat-back exhaust, both of which seem to give the car more power and certainly make it sound more aggressive. A suspension upgrade is in line since it may be the next maintenance item necessary. More power (HP) would be welcome, but torque-steer always confounds front-drive vehicles and will probably lead me back to rear-drive platforms. The 2007's 303HP on this platform sounds, and probably is, ludicrous—though I’m sure it hauls a*#.

I was put off enough by negative reviews about early model (pre-2000) Monte Carlos to say something about the car that emphasizes its strengths and build quality. For $20K new, this car came loaded and hasn’t had anything extraordinary happen to it to date…I’d buy another MC before succumbing to the media hype surrounding imported automobiles.

Strengths:
In order: Torque (225 lb-ft @ 4K RPM); handling; spacious trunk; roomy interior; styling; easy-to-install and available aftermarket upgrades; reliability.

Weaknesses:
In order: doofus-like and simplistic mechanical repairs (i.e. window regulator, u-joint);

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $16000.00 from Conklin Cars

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Monte Carlo

Summary:
I love my monte carlo to a point. I have spent so much money fixing the stuff that breaks down on it. I have had to fix the BCM which was almost $400. This is the brains of the car and that was not even 4 months after I got the car. Then the catalatic converter went bad and now at 79,000 miles my transmission is going bad. I have also done research on this and many people are having the same problems I am having. I have contact Chevy with my concerns and I think everybody else should because this is something that needs to be recalled. You can't tell me it is the driver when their are hundreds of people with the same problems. I feel as though chevy says that their cars are reliable I have yet to find one that I have not had a problem with.

Strengths:
Nice design, sports looking.

Weaknesses:
Too many mechanical problems.

Price Paid:  $10000.00 from CABLE DAHMER

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 MONTE CARLO SS

Summary:
THE CAR STARTED GOING BAD AT 100000 MILES FIRST THE POWER LOCKS WENT OUT THAT PROBLEM CAME FROM THE BGM MODUAL $340 DOLLARS TO GET FIXED, THEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BURNED OUT THAT PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE CATLYC CONVERTOR AND LUCKY GM HAD A RECALL ON THAT PART FOR MY 2001 AND THE DEALER HAD TO FIX EVERYTHING FOR FREE

Strengths:
THE HEATED SEATS AND SUNROOF

Weaknesses:
THE PROBLEMS THE CAR HAVE ONE AFTER ANOTHER

Similar Products Used:
CHEVY IMPALA