Monte Carlo SS - What to do...

[bill25]

So, here is the low:
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4967692481.html
(Yup, it runs, but, the floor is touching the ground...)

The insane:
http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/4934318566.html

Then there is this, but they are probably asking too much.
http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/4943864584.html

[bill25]

Some background:
I have an '03 Corolla and an '09 Mazda 3.

I really don't enjoy the Corolla at all, but it is worth almost nothing - 190,000 miles, rot holes in front of both rear wheels. Other than that it is in really good shape. Maybe worth $1,500???

I like the 3, but the value there is somewhere around $5,400 trade-in or $6,500 private party, so, that doesn't really give much room for a decent platform.


I am a little afraid to get the Monte "Project Car" before the Camaro, because I could end up with a Corolla, and a constantly breaking Monte, which could mean I go from driving the Corolla and 3, to just the Corolla, and I have a money pit in the garage.

This is not an easy move.

[kevm14]

In B-body land, the move would have been to buy a 9C1 of some kind in reasonable condition to drive daily and even mod if you want. But then you could also have a real Impala SS that was the "nice car" that you did what you really wanted to with it (a bit of a garage/show queen). That way the worst thing you drive (the 9C1) is still cool. So you need two G-bodies.

What you're trying to do is like me buying the CTS-V, and then keeping it as a nice car (that I do not use daily), while also modifying my Caprice to be exactly what I want. You'll notice that plan has not been accomplished.

[bill25]

What you're trying to do is like me buying the CTS-V, and then keeping it as a nice car (that I do not use daily), while also modifying my Caprice to be exactly what I want. You'll notice that plan has not been accomplished.

That is correct. A 1LE Camaro, and an '85 Monte Carlo SS. I think I need to win the lottery.

[Fast_Ed]

There is a pretty big difference between driving the corolla now and driving it when you have the Monte. Right now, it sucks, and your only other option is the 3 (no offense). If you have Monte, driving the corolla still sucks, but that's just motivation to fix the project car faster.

I'm sure the corolla's a reasonably reliable car, if properly maintained.. And 5 or 6k in cash to spend on your project is a pretty good start! Make the Monte a "rolling restoration" as soon as you can, so you (and other doubters) see it on the street occasionally and enjoy it.. Not like my stupid saab.

[bill25]

Look at this beauty:
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/fu ... ssue3.html

P.S. Thanks GM, like the resale on these rust buckets isn't high enough already.

I will post a pic to really make you click the link:

light blue Monte.jpg

[bill25]

If I am being really picky:
No T-Tops.
The rims are wrong. They almost look like Asian after market rims.
The tire size in the back is great, but would be better less low profile, more rubber, the wheels up front look a little too big.

Other than that, WOW! They cleaned up the dated markers on the sides, no dumb 80's arcade stripe going around it.


GM - MAKE THIS EXACT CAR NOW! With a Camaro drive train/suspension/interior. I will sell my house tomorrow! (No, I really will.)

[kevm14]

I think it's cool that GM built this as a test bed for the LS376/525 w/ manual trans (their first manual trans crate powertrain evidently).

[bill25]

I like it because they could have used a gen 3 Camaro, that would have already been available as a standard. That would have been the easy way. They did a great job on the exterior. It looks really clean. I would like to know what they did with the interior. That is a real short coming of these cars. Total garbage.

They really should make this body style again to compete with the Challenger. The Challenger seat position is much more like the Monte Carlo than the Camaro or Mustang.

A nice, American coupe that isn't 3 inches off with low visibility (Sorry Camaro, I love it, but not everyone wants to daily drive that low) should be in it's own segment and not even compete with the Camaro or Mustang.