I can't get excited about a FWD car. Sorry. And of course, that is personal opinion/preference.

 

i like them (except for the rims), even if it is fwd (though i much prefer rwd)
i think the point that everybody missed is that fwd is a little bit harder to launch than rwd
the car will naturally shift weight to the rear which makes it harder to get traction
i would estimate about a 14 flat, a little quicker maybe without the tq management
either way, i give it a for a nice family car

 

guion,

To answer your question...most people here haven't, but I sure did I knew the MC weighed less than the GP, and I did the math. Why the HELL did people wonder why I want one so bad???

Just today I was thinking about going to test drive the first one I see. With my fiance in the job hunt right now (having just graduated), in another year or so my intent is to trade her GA in on an '07 MC SS and let her keep the GP. Long live GM FWD coupes At least in my driveway!!!!

The only thing that bothers me is the 18s. They're ugly and a little big for me, as I just bought gorgeous 17" American Racing 5 spokes for my GP. Assuming the 17s fit just fine (don't see why they wouldn't), I'll be the first person ever modding a car by DOWNSIZING the rims

 

The front wheels do the turning, they handle 70% (thereabouts) of the braking, and now GM decided throwing a 300hp V8 at them on top of all that is a good idea? Sure, with an econo car, it's no biggie - but a this?

It's just getting silly now, I wouldn't spend a dime on one of those goofy cars.

 

I'm going to be the first to predict 14.2@99 mph from Motortrend. Just a guess.

Oh yeah, and I don't like the NASCAR looks of the Monte, but that's just my opinion.

Dan

 

The Monte will be hard pressed to get under 14 seconds. The W-body with the supercharged V6 is near impossible to launch. Throw in a V8 with 40 more HP and no TQ management (according to the exec who posts on ClubGP), and you are gonna have a mess getting off the line.

The GXP may be 100lbs heavier, but it also has wider front tires which should make it launch quicker than the Monte.

I wonder how much wheelspin the guy who got the 14.2 out the GXP had.

 

Should be a very quick car, but it still doesn't interest me - it's missing something; namely, the ability to coat the rear fenders with tire rubber while kicking out the rear end in massive throttle-on oversteer.

I also remain skeptical of this vehicle's all-weather capabilities. This is the sort of application that begs for multiple user-selectable throttle response curves. It also screams for a proper torque-biasing limited-slip differential, but I won't hold my breath.

 

I know with my GP...I hate driving it in the rain because it is so easy to spin tires. The slightest wetness on the ground, and you have to feather the throttle or you will spin tires and loose traction.

 

Do you still have the RS-A's? Actually I don't know if the 04+'s even came with those tires standard, but my GTP did and they were horrible in the rain. They really felt dangerous. I switched to BF Goodriches and their terrific - and they've lasted much longer to boot.
If you still have the RS-A's get rid of 'em. You'll like the car much better once you have more competent tires on them.

More on topic, how is this year's Monte Carlo so much faster than the Impala and Grand Prix? Last year's MC SS netted the same numbers as all the other 3800 II S/C cars. Is this year's lighter than in the past?

 

I don't think hideous is a gross enough word to describe them.

 

I don't care for the Monte's since they started NASCAR-izing them....

 

Agreed.

It does cater very well to a specific segment of the American public, but I'm not in that group either.

Dan

 

If you still have the OEM rubber , theres your problem . A world of difference would be felt with a tire like Pirelli Nero Zero's or bridgeston potenza A950 , both all season high performance . Throw a set of et drags on some old 16" 5 stars and your set at the strip , in stock form anyways

 

The only monte carlo i can see my self buying is a 4th gen monte carlo. I had an 87 MONTE SS 355CI true duals made over 350 horse. I loved that car but i had to sell it and get something with A/C and was more reliable. I like my camaro but my monte back in HS was the ******* mobile with a back seat actually big enough to do "stuff" in

I think that this model is a step up from the 3800 v6 cars. A v8 wont hurt but like stated unless it gets rwd its just going to be an akward car to drive. However, i dont see GM haveing 3 sport coups in thier line up with RWD (VETTE, CAMARO-IF IT EVER GETS BUILT, MONTE SS)

 

From a sales standpoint, I think it is a novel idea - V8 FWD. The "dumb" shopper will think,"Hey, more power AND it will go in 24" of snow! I'll take it!".

Truth is, it will do horrible in the snow and slick stuff compared to a 4 or 6 cylinder with lighter transaxle. Additional weight over the front tires is OK for normal and friction forces, but remember that the tires have to MOVE that additional weight too, requiring more traction. Then you have the V8 with gobs of torque or nothing at all - not the best condition on slick surfaces. Law of diminishing return applies here.

Then we get to the power going through the front suspension... IMO, this is not a good thing. As someone else already eluded to, it is commonplace to design the front suspension for thrust-loads due to breaking, and up to 80% of the braking power is done on the front wheels after weight transfer is complete. Now, to have to design a system that will take 80% of braking, and 100% of forward thrust TOO... whew... glad it's not MY JOB. Even though you can stiffen the arms, links, pinions, and you can add beef and heft, you still have to have bushings somewhere in the design. And shocks. And this is where the weak link will rise up. I predict these cars will be notorious for having suspension work done on them... replacing bushings, tie rod ends, and the like. And be aware that "beefing" all the suspension parts up to take the added torque will add weight to the car too, so just making the arms from thicker steel is a trade-off at best.

Besides...
Anybody here NOT like throttle-steering?!?!
How are you gonna play with this car at a drag strip?!?!

My overall predictions...
This car will sell well to the average daily commuter that wants a V8 - I really think so.
The car will actually last a long time and do well if it is driven civilly.
The car will be "fast", but if you pound on it, it will pound on your wallet soon after.
The car will not give the same FWD benefits as a V6 or 4-cyl car due to the added heft.
Aftermarket will not embrace this car because there are too many limitations put forth from the FWD.
I personally think resale values and depreciation will be terrible on this car, due to same reasons listed above (pounding on it, etc).
You won't see this car showing up at many SCCA events or at autoX's.
And finally, the "true enthusiasts" that would jump on a 1986 Monte SS will not touch this car.
So all-in-all, I think Chevy may have found a niche market here that nobody else is servicing... but how many buyers are in this niche market - I have no idea.

Side note : Smoking a front tire with a V8 is just wrong IMO.