Well, tomorrow I take delivery of a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS. It's black with a dark gray interior, loaded with the Monte Carlo Z34 wheels on it. 160,000 miles on the odometer and it's a one owner car, an elderly lady from Jay NY. She traded it in for a Buick Lucerne.
Even though the Lumina has been a FANTASTIC car for the past year, I am a coupe guy and detest four doors. On top of that, I've always wanted a Monte Carlo, had the money in my 401k to buy it and the garage had to fix everything that was wrong with it before I bought it. Ironically, they were the same symptoms as my Lumina had; signal light switch and filler neck. The Monte did have a wheel bearing on the fail, but the garage fixed that. The windows on the Monte do have an issue that you have to 'assist' them on the way back up. Hell, my Lumina's driver side was starting to do that, but what do you expect for 189,000 miles.

Anyways, I paid $2500 for the Monte Carlo.

So on Tuesday, the Lumina says its adios and gets parked with a "For Sale" sign on it. $500.
I can't say it hasn't been fun.

Sam, I will miss that car...I really will.
Unless... Well, we'll talk about that later.

Shael

A $500 lumina?

Just to have a beater... I wish I had the money Sam.

Posted by 944kid A $500 lumina? Just to have a beater... I wish I had the money Sam.

I can't let her go for anything less than $500, just because of what I have into it. It really has been one hell of a dependable car. I can see why they hold some value. One of my colleagues called a Lumina 'American Camry' just because of the build quality and durability of the car. Those crazy Oshawa Canadians know how to build a damn car!
If I could figure out some way to keep the car, i would.

Coda to this... Took delivery of my 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS. So far, they didn't fix what I told them too and ignored my advice on the SERVICE ENGINE SOON. So, almost a week later and I am still driving around on their dealer plate.

Other than that, this car is still tight and rattle-free. It doesn't thump or make any noise, however it does have tires that generate a lot of road noise. AC works, heater is excellent. Engine (3100V6) loves 93 octane and turned in 27mpg (not bad for 160,000 miles and -18F).

Pics to follow as soon as I get around to them.

As promised, after three months, pictures of the Monte Carlo.
You'll have to excuse the pics... the car was dirty and so was the camera.

arg I cant stand those black head light covers

Posted by Nismo arg I cant stand those black head light covers

Anything made by GTO is trashy. Some people fail to see that.

So what do you want? Big wings, huge wheels?
I like it the way it is.

just to spite you to cretins, i think i'll find a cowl induction hood scoop and stripe it like an old Camaro, just for the fuck of it.

and besides, i wasn't asking for anyones' opinion... i just figured I would show what replaced the Lumina.

Posted by Samurai So what do you want? Big wings, huge wheels?

Might as well do the whole shibang with those light covers. You are halfway there, go for the gold!

Posted by big dave Might as well do the whole shibang with those light covers. You are halfway there, go for the gold!

sure why not.

Check this one out sam.

i love that body kit... always have. the spoilet was originally offered by RK Sport and is still available, although keeping with RK Sports' tradition, it's wickedly expensive. I am still looking for a sweet set of wheels. I am going get black with the polished lip, and I made the appointment to have the windows tinted. I do have to take the intake off the car and replace the intake gasket. On a 3100 V6, the gasket section on the coolant crossover from head to head corrodes and leaks coolant (duh). It runs down the seam for the head-block gasket and gives the impression of a head gasket on its way out.

I also ordered my pain for the car as well. It's called "Sinister Black Metallic" and it was offered on the Chevy 1500 454 SS pickup. My father also picked up some wicked pearl something or other to add to the paint. It should look sex.
I found a parts car with a good bumper and a black interior (mines' gray) so I plan on swapping the seats and door panels at some point. Since January 22, I have put 7,000 miles on the car... still grinning.

Sam,

GM just issued a recall on that vehicle.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/gm_recall

burn em all

it's a bullshit recall
and it does not affect my car as I have the 60-degree V6, the 3.1L
this recall only is for cars with the 90-degree V6, the 3800.


oh, and Nismo, go fuck yourself.
i've had enough of your trolling bullshit.

Posted by Samurai oh, and Nismo, go fuck yourself. i've had enough of your trolling bullshit.

Agreed.

Nismo,



Sam, nice car. Can't wait to see pics of the black on black... maybe get yourself some matte black paint for a couple of stripes (a la Harley Davidson Nightrod Special). That would be fucking pimp.

Posted by velcrozeppelin Agreed. Nismo, http://i189.photob.../1232089075456.jpg Sam, nice car. Can't wait to see pics of the black on black... maybe get yourself some matte black paint for a couple of stripes (a la Harley Davidson Nightrod Special). That would be fucking pimp.

i was thinking of doing that as well, but I'm going to go with this Ultrasilver that my tame body shop guy has. It's going to look awesome on the sinister black metallic. I was doing some checking and even if the engine goes in that car, there are millions of 3100's out there and just as many transmissions... it was a very common 4speed auto across GM's intermediate lines.

the things i like most about this car (the Monte Carlo) is that you can drive it for hours and it's incredibly comfortable, rides like a much larger car than it is, while still retaining some level of handling. It's no sports car, but it is competent on a twisty road. I'd wonder what it handled like if I massage the suspension?

Anyways, W-body forever.
(lol)

samurai, W body i know what you mean, the J body is dead and buried, i got the grand prix out this week ahhhhh. Had to yank the AC compressor because of a fouled clutch, put a bypass pulley in, would you believe gas mileage is noticably better!

Posted by nostra-YOUPPI! samurai, W body i know what you mean, the J body is dead and buried, i got the grand prix out this week ahhhhh. Had to yank the AC compressor because of a fouled clutch, put a bypass pulley in, would you believe gas mileage is noticably better!

you'll be missing that A/C come July, my friend!
my friend Rudy has a 2000 or 2001 Grand Prix GT and we had to shoot PB Blaster into the clutch when the car was running while he cycled the A/C... quieted the clutch down.