CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO

Monte Carlo. An elegant name for a Chevrolet model that has come and gone over the last 30 years.
For model year 2000, the Monte was updated significantly, sharing its basic mechanical architecture with the 2000 Chevy Impala. Prior to that, the Monte was re-introduced as two-door version of the Chevy Lumina in 1995. And before that, the two-door Lumina was called...well, the two-door Lumina (or Lumina Coupe if you must be specific).

The '95 re-make brought new styling to the Monte, or former Lumina Coupe. Some might argue that in terms of looks, the '95 Monte Carlo was not a radical departure from the previous, first generation Lumina Coupe. And it wasn't. General Motors officials at the time conceded that to keep the price down they declined to break new ground in terms of styling and vehicle proportions.

At the same time, Chevy engineers did not completely redesign the Monte's Lumina platform. Instead, it received a much more rigid body and some delicate fine-tuning to improve ride, handling and quietness on the road.

Indeed, to stiffen the body, Chevy engineers added a so-called "bazooka" bar, which extends across and under the leading edge of the dashboard from A-pillar to A-pillar. They also added elaborately improved welds. Make no mistake, the '95 Monte Carlo rides and feels much different-much better-than a '94 Lumina Coupe.

Power came from a choice of two V6 engines: a standard V6 rated at 160 horsepower or a 210-horsepower 3.4-litre V6 with the Z34 model. All cars came with a electronic four-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment on all Monte Carlos from '95 onward included dual airbags and anti-lock braking; power door locks and child-security rear door locks; a theft deterrent system and air conditioning; AM/FM stereo cassette, daytime running lights with the Automatic Light Control system to turn the headlamps on in the dark; and, rear window defogger and engine block heater.

As for the cabin, the instruments are big and easy to read, and controls--such as the big rotary heating, ventilation and air conditioning knobs--are reachable for the driver without lifting one's shoulder blade off the seatback. 

The front seats are firm and contoured to real human dimensions, but the backs, while better than in the previous Lumina Coupe, still are too low and uncomfortable.

The Monte is a pleasant highway cruiser, with a suspension that soaks up the bumps nicely, although the light steering lacks road feel. The trunk is very large and has a flat floor. Thick rear pillars limit rearward visibility.

It's worth noting that in '96, horsepower for the 3.4-litre V6 rose to 215 and the Z34 also got all-disc braking that year. By '97 a new automatic transmission with the 3.4-litre engine delivered better shifts. And in '98, the 3.4-litre V6 of the Z34 was replaced by a 200-hp. 3.8-litre overhead valve V6.
Prices for used Monte Carlos have come in at market average, so great deals will be tricky to find. Quality levels are okay, but there have been a few things to look out for (not Buyer's Alerts).


CURRENT RED BOOK PRICING (avg. retail): Monte Carlo LS
1999--$20,600 ($24,715 original MSRP)
1998-$17,950 ($24,895)
1997-$15,300 ($24,275) 
1996-$13,025 ($23,625) 
1995-$11,150 ($22,578)
1994-NA
1993-NA 

BUYER'S ALERTS:BUYER'S ALERTS: In newer Monte Carlos, a misfire condition might be addressed by replacing the ignition control module (TSB 98059, Oct. '98). Also note that some driveability problems might be traced to fuel injector deposits (99-06-04-005, Feb. '99). Look for fuel gauges that read incorrectly (99-06-03-007, Aug. '99), long, hard starts, rough idle or intermittent misfires that might be traced to material picked up from the fuel tank or to trouble with the Flash PROM (programmable read only memory) (98-77-63-04A, Feb. '98; 47-65-20, Dec. '94; 73-63-13, June '97), a water leak at the cowl (VOL5NO7/4, July, '96), loss of second gear or completely inoperative automatic transmission (Hydra-Matic 4T60-E) that may be traced to improperly manufactured second clutch reaction (steel) plates (CAMP/95C08, Oct. '94), engine squeaking that can be traced to from the exhaust manifold gaskets (43-66-04, Jan. '95), possible fatigue that could lead to a fracture of the front right-hand lower control arm ball joint (94-267, Dec. '94), windows that stick in the full up position (53-10-09, Feb. '95), excessive oil consumption that might be corrected by replacing one or all of the following: PCV harness, valve cover, spark plugs and wires, and oil fill cap (47-61-35, Oct. '94; 47-65-20, Feb. '97).

In addition, look for a trickle drain of the battery charge that might be corrected by replacing the primary cooling fan relay and PROM (57-64-05, September '95), a cold engine tick or rattle that might be corrected by replacing the piston/pin assembly (57-61-24, Aug. '95), harsh or slow shift response that might be corrected by replacing the intake manifold vacuum distribution block (CAMP95C40, June '95), a coolant leak at the front cover outlet to heater inlet nipple that could be traced to incorrect torque specifications (57-62-01, June '95), intermittent neutral or loss of drive at highway speeds or from fourth gear that might be corrected by replacing the control valve body assembly (67-71-64, Feb. '97).
Under recalls, note them for the following years:

2000-No. 1999225 refers to an on-board diagnostics (OBD II) calibration that causes a false evaporative emission system code to set under certain conditions, resulting in Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL).
1999-No. 1998193 refers to incorrectly manufactured ignition coil/control module assemblies.
1998, 1999-No. 1999081 refers to incorrect emission control labels.
1996, 1997-No. 1999083 refers to an issue with some spark plug wires.
1996-No. 1996101 refers to an issue with one of the four brake booster tabs.
1995-No. 1997090 refers to an issue with the rear centre seatbelt anchor plate.
1995-No. 1997039 refers to a strained or separated washer/wiper wire. 
1995-No. 1994181 refers to an issue with the right hand lower control arm tapered ball joint.

THE VERDICT: Okay family-size two-door with room for five adults.
CHECK THE SPECS
1995 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Z34
Market segment: mid-size coupe.
Engine: (front engine/front-wheel drive) 3.4-litre V6, DOHC; fuel-injected; 210 hp at 5,200 rpm; torque rated at 215 lbs-ft at 4,000 rpm.
Transmission: four-speed electronic automatic.
Steering: rack-and-pinion, power-assisted.
Brakes: power-assisted disc front/drum drum with standard anti-lock braking system.
Tires: P225/60R16 all-season radials.
Fuel economy: (litres/100 km) 13.8 city/8.2 hwy.
Wheelbase: 2,731 mm (107.5 in.).
Curb weight: 1,559 kg. (3,437 lbs.)
Pros
* Large, sporty coupe 
* Reasonable ride and handling
Cons
* Okay quality
* Great deals tough to find

OVERALL SCORE: 6.5 (out of 10)

ROAD TEST REPORT CARD for 
Access: C+
Driving position: B
Instruments/Controls: B 
Visibility: C+
Climate Control: B-
Steering: B-
Brakes: B
Handling: C+ 
Acceleration: B
Engine: B-
Transmission: C 
Interior space: B
Trunk/Cargo: B
Noise/Vibration/Harshness: C+

DURABILITY/RELIABILITY REPORT CARD 
Overall: C
Mechanical: C- 
Hardware/Body/Paint/Trim: C-

SAFETY REPORT CARD
Anti-lock braking: Yes 
Airbags (driver/passenger): yes/yes 
Traction control: no
Driver/Passenger Front Crash Protection (0-5 stars with five stars the best): four stars/four stars

INSURANCE HISTORY
Collision cost rating: NA
Comprehensive cost rating: NA
Theft claim cost rating: NA