2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS review from North America

I bought this used and had problems first day. Took my son and wife for ride, it stalled and would not start again - Passlock system went off, "security" light flashed for a few minutes, then it started again. Afterwards I was nervous taking it anywhere, for fear it would stall in traffic. Fortunately the stall was in a parking lot/back road with no traffic.

2 days later, I washed it at self serve car wash, then started it to leave, it shut right off. It started right up again and then ran fine.

I filled the tank with premium gas, and was driving up a long medium grade hill highway, when it started bogging and didn't respond to gas - pulled over and shifted into low, then it was OK.

My old car is a 1995 Grand Prix w/3.4 liter DOHC/178,000 miles and it actually runs better than this Chevy - by that I mean it doesn't stall, bog, and has more power. The old 3.4 rated 210 HP, the Chevy 3.8 rated 200 HP - what's up with that? It should at least be the same.

Now I can see why GM got a bad rep, I'm a GM man and will continue to buy their cars, but I'm keeping my old Pontiac - in case this Chevy dies on me!

Chevy obviously has to get their act together with the quality issues - this is ridiculous. I had a Chevy years ago in the late 1970's and went to Pontiac, now I remember why. Chevys are good cars but they have quality/repair problems. These cars are emasculated with emission controls, for that I blame the feds.

Great looks - relatively stiff sports car ride - lots of interior room - lots of electronic gadgets and interior comforts.

Needs a more reliable engine/trans/computer system, and could use about 25 more horsepower.