1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34 review from North America
"I love my Monte, but it is killing my back!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The alternator went at about 80,000km.
The floor rug is wearing thin unexpectedly and large bald spots are opening up.
There seems to be a problem with the thermostat; the engine is running at a lower than expected temperature. The replacement doesn't match (I believe Chevrolet made the change) and it does not correct the supposed problem.
General comments?
There is too little headroom with the leather seats. Being 188cm (6'3") tall I notice this more so than others would, but still, my friend's 1991 Camry has more headroom than my Monte. I have the power seat adjusted all the way down and tilted to the point that 1 more nudge will make the seat rise. Even after making these adjustments, I must recline the seat to keep my head from hitting the roof, and usually must view traffic lights through the sunroof. This interior is quite short and not designed for anyone average height or taller. I have been considering trying to move the seat track back (probably not possible) or purchasing a new drivers seat from a performance company.
Recommended reviews
| Z-34 is a decent all around car |
|
| A sleek, luxury coupe with unparalleled styling and adequate performance |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.8L V6 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 33000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 108000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Malibu |
| Date of Entry | 7th March, 2004 |