Monte Carlo no more?!

Is it true this is the last year?

I hoped we'd get a RWD, V8 model. I'd trade my GTO in on one, stat.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/28/rip-chevy-kills-off-monte-carlo/

Yep it's toast.

Everything outside of Impala is though, right? At least for a short while, except that Grand Prix is replaced?

Everything outside of Impala is though, right? At least for a short while, except that Grand Prix is replaced?

The LaCrosse will continue.

Not to be blunt, but good riddance. It was butt-ugly.

Of course, if GM came out with an attractive RWD replacement for it, that's a whole 'nother ball game. And, given their latest cars, they certainly could.

The LaCrosse will continue.

But not for to long right? Maybe until 2011?

I'd say it's gone till the new common platforms come on stream. Kinda like the Camaro, I suppose.

I still say that my wife's (fiance at the time) 2001 Monte Carlo SS was one of the best cars I've / we've ever had.

So much so that it prompted me to buy a 2002 Monte Carlo SS, and I had the same perfect experience.

They were very nice, trouble free cars. My wife still misses hers, and wishes she had it back.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/darthxed/Twins4.jpg

They killed it before and brought it back. :shrug:

Although I'm not sure there's really a big market for a large, non-performance, quasi-luxury coupe from Chevy.:think:

I'll say this though. The current gen is a pretty nice car. My mom has an SS and it rides/drives very nicely. Great highway cruisers.

If it comes back in RWD, there would be some overlap with the Camaro, wouldn't you think? I realize the Monte is supposed to be larger, but even so, it would still seem pretty redundant.

If it comes back in RWD, there would be some overlap with the Camaro, wouldn't you think? I realize the Monte is supposed to be larger, but even so, it would still seem pretty redundant.

The only way a RWD Monte would make any sense at all is if it is based on the longer Zeta car (Impala). It wouldn't be redundant with Camaro, especially if it wasn't as powerful or handle as well. Even then I'm not sure you could make a business case for it. I'd expect to see the Monte Carlo nameplate return again "someday", but not in the forseeable future.

I really, really wish there was going to be a Monte Carlo version of Zeta. As much as I obviously look forward to the new Camaro, in my opinion there is still a market for an ATTRACTIVELY STYLED American 5 passenger coupe. I really, really miss my '01 Grand Prix coupe...I loved that car, and were it not for having demos now, I would have kept it for many more years. I always saw the '06 redesign as carrying on the flame from that car...remember, 25% of '02 Grand Prix buyers chose coupes...the last time a coupe was available. That was a good 30,000 coupes alone. I remember selling many people coupes once they heard '03 would not offer one.

The current MC would have sold far better IMO if it had been better styled in '00, and the re-design had been more extensive. Before I got my job with my dealership, I considered seriously buying a new '06 MC SS, but with other financial obligations (and not to mention an interview that went really well), I smartly held off.

Now, back in December my fiance and I were looking for a car for her, and I REALLY wanted her to get an MC, but she just doesn't like the style. To her, its simply "old looking," and I can't really counter-act what she's saying. It looks like a great 2003 vehicle...not now. The re-design is what the car should have been in 2000. I almost jumped on a black, 5k mile '06 SS bank repo at the auction right before I found her Comp G...for $17,500, it was stupid cheap, and loaded. But she insisted on the Grand Prix, so that's what we ended up with. Hell, it sure beats the Ion :D

I saw a white SS go by me on the highway this morning, and I was sad. It isn't that bad looking of a car, but its far from new looking. I honestly believe there's a market for the car if it was done right. Oh well...I've been saying that on here for 5 years now, and no one has listened to me yet...

Isn't the GTO going to be based on a longer Zeta? If that is the case then Chevy can have a GTO sister but still no Firebird for Camaro? I don't buy the whole Firebird got more than its fair share of F-body resources argument. It may or may not have been that way in the past but that doesn't mean the 5th gen has to play by those rules, right?

But not for to long right? Maybe until 2011?

I'm not sure of the precise timing, but the W-car won't go forever.

I really, really wish there was going to be a Monte Carlo version of Zeta. .


I think between the Challenger, Mustang, Camaro and CTS...the RWD, $20-$40K, coupe segment should be pretty well covered.
Maybe I'd rather see a FWD coupe that directly competes with Solara and Accord as MC replacement. Call it Malibu, so Chevy can play with the sales numbers the way Honda and Toyota do.

I still say the Monte Carlo name is the perfect place to drop a large quad-coupe design.

IMO, a quad-coupe setup doesn't bastardize the MC name... it's really always been about semi-luxury / semi-family / large coupe thing anyway.

I don't care if it is FWD or RWD, really.... actually for a car like this, I might actually perfer FWD.

It would be unique in the market, and appeal to the people who like the lines of a sporty coupe, with the function of 4 doors.

I'd probably be all over something like this if it happened.

I'm not entirely clear on how cancelling a car at Oshawa is "making room" for a car being produced at Fairfax? Why not just say that the platform is being phased out and the plant retooled for new models?

Should be no surprize to anyone that Monte Carlo is toast. Infact it's been pretty clear for at least a couple of years. A version GMX284 (the so-called Chevrolet GTO) was slated to replace the Monte Carlo, which was known at least 2 years ago.

When Impala got a complete makeover a year and a half ago, the Monte Carlo inherited the Impala's hood, fenders, and headlights, but only had remolded bumpers and new tail lights as new investments solely for the MC. An extremely cheap investment next to already modest investment redoing Impala, and a dead giveaway that Monte Carlo's days were numbered.

The current Monte Carlo SS is arguably the best muscle car to come out of GM since the Buick Grand National. The current MC SS 5.3 will at the very least match an LT1 Camaro (and beating the Buick Grand National!) in both acceleration and in top speed (it's governed at 155!). It's also dirt cheap for the performance you get (it's msrp is $27,670, but I wouldn't be surprised if you can get one for about $24K). It also gets good gas mileage!

No, a STOCK Chevelle SS454 of the "Muscle Car" era can't run away from it.

MC has also infact gained a very stellar reputation in quality, cost of maintence, & since the S/C SS came out, performance. It's roomy, comfortable, has a functionally large trunk, and anyone can get into one without pulling something or unnatural body contortions.

IMHO, the only things keeping the Monte Carlo from automotive legend is FWD and the lack of a manual. It already has everything else.


As far as the future goes, I wouldn't put alot of stock in Monte Carlo returning. I'd expect to see the Chevelle name before the Monte Carlo name returning. Not insider information, just a gut feeling.

General Motors does have a large RWD coupe in their portfolio, and as of January, they still plan to use it in the future. If any GM division gets it, Chevrolet will also have it.

Knowing the General Motors Corperation the way I think we all do, it's probally a safe bet to say that GM will have a car all but done, but wait till someone else tests the market for it (In this case, the large, RWD Dodge Challenger) before they come along with a competing car 2 years later.

Not to be blunt, but good riddance. It was butt-ugly.


Ya got that right.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/2412000-2412999/2412839_11_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/2425000-2425999/2425056_5_full.jpg

Some look pretty good.

If I had bought one, it would've been black, and yes, I woulda tinted the windows, added 18" black alloys with a machined lip, and put a discrete 3 on the back window ;)

I think Darth hit the nail on the head, and this is something I shoulda said before...I don't think it matters whether it was FWD or RWD, and in reality I'd prefer it to be FWD. I think the current V8 W bodies are pretty damn cool, actually...and they can even get through an icy New England winter, something I cannot/will not say about Chryslers LX cars :rolleyes:

Anyone who'd like to argue the point is gladly invited to Greenfield MA the next time it snows, and I have to plow the lot. Have fun pushing them around the lot, stability control and traction control rendered useless because if all these things can do is spin, they don't even move!

The current Monte Carlo SS is arguably the best muscle car to come out of GM since the Buick Grand National. The current MC SS 5.3 will at the very least match an LT1 Camaro (and beating the Buick Grand National!) in both acceleration and in top speed (it's governed at 155!). It's also dirt cheap for the performance you get (it's msrp is $27,670, but I wouldn't be surprised if you can get one for about $24K). It also gets good gas mileage!

You consider a FWD car Muscle? ick! Comparing it to a GN? Shame on you. ;)

I am glad to see that outdated car go. Redneck NASCAR fan ride. ( I know I will get flamed for that one)

I am glad to see that outdated car go. Redneck NASCAR fan ride. ( I know I will get flamed for that one)
I'll agree with you -- the car had a bad image.

And nowdays NASCAR fans drive Camrys anyway. :p

My Ion lease is up in 2 weeks...I wonder if there are any lease deals to be had on these? There sure weren't on the Grand Prix GXP when I called about it (just casually)...

Eh, I'll probably just drive the Miata 'til the salt goes away, then trade time between it and the Camaro until I figure out what to do next.

:(

I think a Monte SS would be a cool car though.

EDIT: I noticed when looking at Chevy's website that the Impala and MC SS models now show a 2.93 axle ratio (same as the Grand Prix GXP w/ LS4). In 2006, they had a 3.29 while the Grand Prix had a 2.93. I wonder why they changed (or why they were different in the first place)?

:think:

You consider a FWD car Muscle? ick! Comparing it to a GN? Shame on you. ;)


Well......the GN also had a V6.

There'll be muscle car buffs that will argue on that point as well. ;)

Well......the GN also had a V6.

There'll be muscle car buffs that will argue on that point as well. ;)


I thought the 5.3 montes were running 14.0-14.3 in the 1/4ths? Their has been several GXP's faster but I hadn't heard of any SS's. Supposedly the gearing difference hurt the end times.

Still love the GN though. I just put one in the garage. I would have loved to buy a 06-07 SS but wanted NAV and hud.

It needed to die. If people want coupes today, they don't likely want a practical one, they want a fun one. Also, the camry solara is going to be dieing too. But, mustang, camaro, and challenger sales will do fine, fun coupe, not practical.

Most people cant stand the monte carlo looks. Honestly, the took an Impala and shortened it. I like the Impala. I would not even look at a monte carlo.

I personally liked this one better, mostly b/c I don't like the 2000-up rear.
http://i19.ebayimg.com/07/a/000/77/47/a0e5_4.JPG
I'm not a huge fan of the decals tho..

I would have loved to see the MC come back on the Malibu's platform. I would be one that would be very interested in a Malibu sized coupe that would have FWD and possible AWD capability. The thing that kills me about Chevy's in the 90's is the lack of coupe's The only one that appeals to me in the late model market is the Camaro and a 2000-2002 Cavalier LS sport or Z24 and finding one in good shape can be a pain at times. Being a Nascar fan you would think I'd like the old Monte's but I just can't get over the look of them being basically 2 door Lumina's though they can be ok in appearance. The closest thing Chevy did offer at a time to a Malibu sized Coupe was the Chevrolet Beretta. And the only ones I liked from those models were the Hi Po models.

I have liked the 2000-2007 generations of the MC expecially the 06-07 models I really like the look of them along with the 5.3 SS. I wish GM would offer the MC or a Monte Carlo like vehicle to be an alternative to the G6 coupe. The G6 coupe just doesn't appeal to me, I liked the Grand Prix and Grand Am much better. I think a 2 door Monte Carlo on the Malibu's platform would be great expecially with the 5.3 V8 and it styled to appeal to lots of people. Though I would settle for a Malibu Coupe I just like the idea of a high powered smaller sized coupe.

If I could take my 90 z24 and modernize it with a newer V6 and better interior and exterior refinments I would be a happy man. I still think though that GM is missing a niche area where the Eclipses and Tiburon are at a small FWD coupe powered by a V6. The Cobalt is nice but I'd like to have the extra torque and sound a V6 could get you.

a FWD V8?? This is a good move by GM....

I really, really wish there was going to be a Monte Carlo version of Zeta. As much as I obviously look forward to the new Camaro, in my opinion there is still a market for an ATTRACTIVELY STYLED American 5 passenger coupe.

I certainly hope so. Everyday, the future seems to grow bleaker for the fans of the practical coupe (formerly known as 2-door sedan).

What is one to do when in need of car with a usable back seat, but abhor the 4-door sedan profile?

I wonder just how many 2-door 5-passenger models are available in the U.S. market.

How come the American companies feel the coupe is dead yet Honda is redesigning the Accord coupe and Nissan is bring out an Altima coupe and both can be had with manual trans and pretty peppy V6's.

The thing that kills me about Chevy's in the 90's is the lack of coupe's The only one that appeals to me in the late model market is the Camaro and a 2000-2002 Cavalier LS sport or Z24 and finding one in good shape can be a pain at times. I always liked the Beretta's, the GTZ's and GTU's and Z26...tho as someone said, they were plagued with interiors made of CHEAP plastic which broke apart after enduring some cold winters and hot summers.
GM's past trouble: Good Designs + cheap materials = breakage, unappealing.

a FWD V8?? This is a good move by GM....Have you been under a rock for the last decade? :p There have been fwd V8s from GM for a while. Previous Caddy STS, El Dorado, DTS, for example. The Impala SS, Grand Prix GXP, and MC SS have had them since at least '06. Did you mean having a fwd V8 is a good move (being sarcastic), or did you mean it is a good move to be canceling it?
How come the American companies feel the coupe is dead yet Honda is redesigning the Accord coupe and Nissan is bring out an Altima coupe and both can be had with manual trans and pretty peppy V6's.You mean like the G6 coupe, which you can get with the 3.9L 240 hp V6 w/ 6 speed manual, or the 3.6L 252 hp V6 with paddle shift six speed auto?

:think:

BTW, it isn't just the American companies. Toyota has said they think the midsize coupe market is stale, and I think (as mentioned) the Solara is going away, which was basically a Toyota Monte Carlo. Mazda doesn't have a coupe version of the 6.

:shrug:

One thing that made the MC unique was that it WAS the only real 2 door-sedan-style coupe left. To me, this car should have gotten as thorough a re-design as the Impala, used the same dashboard, and been allowed to continue on. If it didn't look so old, I know wifey would have let me get her one...we don't have any real need for a 4 door. To be honest, other than a winter beater '87 Buick Skyhawk, this is the only 4 door I've ever owned, and that's the one thing I dislike about it! I like bigger doors, the style that goes with a coupe, and not having a B Pillar stuck in my forehead when I'm trying to merge onto the highway (imagine that, someone who does more than look in mirrors!!!).

The b pillar in the GP is ALWAYS in the way in a scenario like that, and we both have trouble seeing out...

Any idea how the G6 coupe is selling, the percentage of the total G6 units?

FWIW, Cadillac and Olds had FWD V8s in the 1960s. :p

I always liked the Beretta's, the GTZ's and GTU's and Z26...tho as someone said, they were plagued with interiors made of CHEAP plastic which broke apart after enduring some cold winters and hot summers.
GM's past trouble: Good Designs + cheap materials = breakage, unappealing.

I believe the GTZ's were the most powerful of the crop with the most powerful of the quad 4 with like 185hp 4 cylinder. My first car was a Chevy Corsica, the Beretta's 4 door cousin and I had always loved the 3.1 that it had. I remenber having a 96 z26 that was black in shop class that was a class project car from a local Chevy Dealership. The thing ran perfectly fine but was a write off for the dealership and company so when the school was done using it for teaching purposes it would be destroyed. It was a shame too as the car was in mint condition.....I really loved the rims on it. They were quite wierd looking for a set of sport rims but they looked really cool to me. (Though some of GM's 80's and 90's wheel designs will be in the record books for being strange like the rims on the 88-91 z24's lol) I'd pick up a GTZ or a Z26 if they were just newer models. Since being discontined in 96 it would be really hard to find one to be practical enuff and be in good enuff condition nowadays.

I would have loved to see the MC come back on the Malibu's platform. I would be one that would be very interested in a Malibu sized coupe that would have FWD and possible AWD capability. The thing that kills me about Chevy's in the 90's is the lack of coupe's The only one that appeals to me in the late model market is the Camaro and a 2000-2002 Cavalier LS sport or Z24 and finding one in good shape can be a pain at times. Being a Nascar fan you would think I'd like the old Monte's but I just can't get over the look of them being basically 2 door Lumina's though they can be ok in appearance. The closest thing Chevy did offer at a time to a Malibu sized Coupe was the Chevrolet Beretta. And the only ones I liked from those models were the Hi Po models.

I have liked the 2000-2007 generations of the MC expecially the 06-07 models I really like the look of them along with the 5.3 SS. I wish GM would offer the MC or a Monte Carlo like vehicle to be an alternative to the G6 coupe. The G6 coupe just doesn't appeal to me, I liked the Grand Prix and Grand Am much better. I think a 2 door Monte Carlo on the Malibu's platform would be great expecially with the 5.3 V8 and it styled to appeal to lots of people. Though I would settle for a Malibu Coupe I just like the idea of a high powered smaller sized coupe.

If I could take my 90 z24 and modernize it with a newer V6 and better interior and exterior refinments I would be a happy man. I still think though that GM is missing a niche area where the Eclipses and Tiburon are at a small FWD coupe powered by a V6. The Cobalt is nice but I'd like to have the extra torque and sound a V6 could get you.


Yes, I think Chevy dropped the ball with the '95 Cavalier redesign when not giving the Z24 the Gen III 3.1 V6 which at the time had 160hp and loads more torque than the Quad 4 in '95 which the Z24 got. As a former owner of a '91 Cavalier RS Convertible w/ 3.1 V6 and a 5-speed. I loved that package the J-Body platform was light and the V6 made it a mini-muscle car. The 5-speed manual was geared low, so they were quick of the line but ran out of steam by 3rd gear. I don't remember losing many stop-light races, couple that stand out were a '92 Camaro RS with 5.0 TBI auto, left it sitting on the line and it never caught up, and a Ford Taurus SHO auto, beat it off the line but by 50-60 mph it screamed by. But take the Cavalier on the highway and do some down shift punches and it would fall on its face, gearing and convertible top drag didn't help either.

I kind of wish I held on to that little convertible, It was the only one it town that had the all white pkg. I recently did a nationwide search on AutoTrader.com and there were several '91s on there with the all white pkg.(white car, wheels, interior, top)w/blue pin stripe and emblems, like the one I had but none of them were 5-speeds. In fact none of the convertibles in the entire search were 5-speeds, all were autos even including years '91-'94 when the 3.1 was available. So either they didn't make that many 5-speed V6 convertibles or they are all sitting in a junkyard somewhere.