1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LX review from North America
"Very costly to maintain"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Manifold in back of engine cracked and cost-ed $280 for a used manifold!!
Console is cheap and likes to break repeatedly (ash tray lid, cover). Glove box shut for good, had to break it open with a flat head screwdriver (cheap).
Water pump went.
Fuel pump went.
Belt tensioner went.
Power window on drivers side is off its track.
Hazard light switch broke.
Paint chipped on window ledge (outside).
Idles choppy and has a funny clicking sound in engine and a clunking in lower front end of engine. Lower end seal was leaking oil $600.
Car is starting to bump in the front end when braking.
All struts needed to be changed.
All in all I have spent about $2500 to $3200 in repairs on this car in about two years of use.
Seals on exterior of windows are starting to droop down.
Door panels are flopping around and I had to glue them down twice.
I have a backyard mechanic who almost starts to cry when I bring this car to him to fix because he has had so much fun with it. (Mainly taking the heat shields off the manifold to change manifold is what mostly caused a lot of his pain). Hope you have alot of time to work on this car if your going to do it yourself!
Welcome to my nightmare.
General comments?
Overall I love my monte, handles good and its fast. Put a $3000 stereo in this car, crank some tunes and ride till the wheels fall off!
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.1 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 129000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 198000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Chrysler Dynasty |
| Date of Entry | 12th May, 2003 |