2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS review from North America
"Not too bad, should have been rear wheel drive"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Slight oil leak around head gaskets.
Transmission slipping.
Oil leak around oil pan gasket.
Pink sludge built-up in the radiator.
Rear exhaust pipes rusted at 30,000.
Water leaking in floor board of rear seats, only when there is a hard steady rain.
General comments?
I have 2003 Monte Carlo SS with 90,000. The car is not so bad if it wasn't for the maintenance. I try to do everything myself in my military post auto shop, which has been a great help.
I currently have an oil leak around my oil pan, however I was told that is an $8.00 front crank seal, and that the oil on the pan and bolts was just blow back. The total cost $200.00 for me to get this fixed. Not too bad, except I still have the same leak on the under belly frame. So I now am going to attempt to do the oil pan gasket myself, which if I can't accomplish this, I got quoted $375.00 to have somebody do it. I lose about 1 quart every 3,000 miles.
I also have a transmission that's slipping as well. No matter what it is, I will probably just send it off to a high performance shop for $2000.00, because all said and done, I spend more money, but it will out perform the old one.
That being said, I like car; it gets great gas mileage for what it is, it looks great and there are few performance mods for it as well.
T.O.G. headers.
High flow cat.
Magna Flow cat-back exhaust.
MSD ignition.
After market flashed PCM.
Recommended reviews
| 2003 - Monte Carlo Base 3.4 Liter V6 Good car except for brakes and headlights |
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| Love it and will keep it! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 2003 |
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2007 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8 liter L36 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 30000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 90000 miles |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Silverado |
| Date of Entry | 3rd October, 2009 |