Chevrolet's Monte Carlo once was a big, brash, fast coupe that was a familiar sight at main street cruises with young drivers at the wheel and at drive-in restaurants where the hot car crowd hung out.
The current Monte Carlo still is big and brash--and fast in sporty SS trim. If you're looking for a sporty iconic American coupe, this is it. Few such cars are left.
The first Monte Carlo arrived in 1970 as a rear-drive "personal luxury'' car with the longest hood in Chevy history. It had a huge, available 454-cubic-inch V-8 with 360 horsepower, although the smaller, standard 250-horsepower V-8 was fine for many buyers. The new Monte Carlo was a big hit, with 130,657 sold, compared with 50,364 rival 1970 Ford Thunderbirds.
It seems as if the Monte Carlo has been sold by Chevy every year since 1970, but the rear-drive Monte Carlo coupe disappeared from 1988 to 1994, and reappeared as a front-drive model in 1995. It's been based on mid-size Chevy sedans ever since.
The Monte Carlo was revamped for 2000, getting a sleeker body and switching from the platform of Chevrolet's dated Lumina sedan to the new Impala sedan. It has much slicker styling than the Impala, but shares major mechanical components.
The 2000 Monte Carlo was the pace car for the 1999 Indianapolis 500 race and has paced other major races. A competition version, which shares few parts with the production model, has seen many NASCAR checkered flags.
The standard Monte Carlo LS lists at $21,110, and the sportier SS version carries a $23,510 base price. The LS has a decent 3.4-liter,180-horsepower V-8, while the SS version has a 3.8-liter V-6 with 200 horsepower and more torque.
Both engines sound gruff when pushed, but are fairly economical in this large, 3,400-pound coupe. The 3.4 delivers an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 32 on highways, while the 3.8 provides 19 and 29. Only 87-octane gasoline is required for both V-8s.
The Monte Carlo has a four-speed automatic transmission, instead of a more modern five-speed unit, but it's responsive. The overdrive final drive ratio lets the engine loaf at 2,200 rpm at 70 mph.
The SS has sport suspension, higher-performance tires on alloy wheels, traction control, rear spoiler, fog lights, tire inflation monitor and anti-lock brakes, which cost $600 for the LS and come with traction control. The anti-lock brakes represent money well spent.
The 2003 Monte Carlo's prices have gone up several hundred dollars since its introduction, but this model has less standard equipment. For example, anti-lock brakes were standard on the 2002 LS. Also, a driver-side air bag and GM's OnStar assistance system now are optional for both versions, although they were standard on last year's SS.
The driver-side air bag (where's the one for the front passenger?) costs $350, and you can't get it for the LS without ordering the $625 leather upholstery. However, the Monte Carlo still is well equipped. For instance, the LS model has such features as air conditioning with dual-zone manual climate controls, tilt wheel, AM/FM/cassette, split-folding rear seat and power windows, door locks and mirrors.
New for 2003 are standard remote keyless entry for the LS, new spoked aluminum wheels for both versions, optional smoker's package, additional colors and optional XM satellite radio with 100 coast-to-coast digital channels.
There also are a bunch of optional packages with many comfort and convenience items. Stand-alone options include the $695 OnStar system and $795 power sunroof. My SS test car had the $1,110 SS Preferred Equipment Group, which contains such items as AM/FM/CD player and power driver seat.
In keeping with the Monte Carlo's racy image, my SS test car had a $2,700 Pace Car Replica Package, with such items as "diamond cut'' aluminum wheels, pace car badging and a "racing inspired'' rear spoiler. It also provides special body striping and is meant to give the look of last year's NASCAR pace car at the Indy 500 track. The package doesn't seem to be worth the money, but some NASCAR fans might like it.
The Monte Carlo LS has adequate acceleration, but the 200-horsepower SS provides considerably stronger performance. An SS with a 240-horsepower supercharged V-6 arrives in June, but its price hasn't been released yet.
The LS has decent handling and a smooth ride with its flex-free chassis and all-independent suspension, although there's some body "float'' over road imperfections. The SS has a firmer suspension; it virtually eliminates float and allows more agile handling and less body lean in curves, with larger stabilizer bars. Steering is precise, and the brake pedal has a nice linear action. Both versions have fairly large 16-inch wheels.
The Monte Carlo's long 110.5-inch wheelbase helps allow decent room for four 6-footers, although a tall driver will wish that his supportive seat moved back a bit more. Long, heavy doors make it hard to slide in and out in tight spots, and entering or leaving the back seat is a chore--partly because the front seatbelts are in your face. The rear seat is roomier than in major rivals, but leg room gets a little tight behind a driver who tilts his seat back a lot.
Gauges are easy to read quickly, and the dash-mounted ignition switch beats groping for such a switch on the steering wheel column. The pull-push control for the headlights seems like a retro item, but works well.
There are fairly large sound-system and climate controls, but some look and feel cheap. Cupholders are nicely placed, but the glove box is tiny and the shallow door pockets won't hold much. There's a fairly deep covered console bin.
The trunk is large and deep, but the car's slick styling causes it to have a rather high opening. The rough-looking trunk lid interior should have some sort of covering, but the split-folding rear seatbacks allow an enlarged cargo area.
The Monte Carlo found about 65,000 buyers last year. No other coupe has its American car character, which is appealing to a fair number of people out there.
CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
Prices:
$21,110-$23,510
Likes:
Smooth styling. Fast and agile SS version. American-car character.
Dislikes:
Long doors. Rear seat entry and exit. Raised prices but less equipment