1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS review from North America
"Great car... until about 110,000 miles"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Transmission went out around 45,000 miles.
Power locks went out around 100,000 miles, I could lock the doors with the remote, but only unlock the door with the key.
Center console lid broke around 100,000 miles.
Switch for automatic seat broken so seat position can no longer be adjusted around 100,000 miles.
Starter replaced at 115,000.
Two new water pumps installed at 120,000 and 125,000 miles.
Exhaust leak in engine around 115,000 miles.
Power window started getting stuck when going up and down. This was result of a bent bar in the door frame. No impact to the door ever, not sure how this happened. Motor/regulator for driver side power window then burned out. Fiddling with the controls after this burned the switch out. Prior to these troubles, the driver side control switch would sometimes get stuck.
Oil leak in engine around 125,000 miles.
Rear-view mirror on windshield fell off.
Engine Sensor malfunctioned around 120,000 miles causing the rpm of the engine to change wildly before car stalled out. Problem reoccurred 2000 miles after sensor was replaced and continues to occur every 6 months or so. Problem not diagnosed.
Car sometimes won't start. I'll turn the Key and nothing will happen. If I let it sit for 20 minutes, it will work again. This happens about every 3 months.
Leak in coolant lines around 120,000 miles.
Engine noises since 127,000 miles.
Leak in windshield wiper fluid around 130,000 miles.
All this is in addition to normal maintenance such as changing plugs, wires, engine gasket, muffler, brakes, etc.
General comments?
Car ran great aside from the transmission going out at 45,000 miles until about 115,000 miles. Car ran smooth. The ride was comfortable. After that, many problems have crept up making maintenance very expensive. Interiour items, power seats, locks, windows seem fatigue prone. Electrical problems in engine near impossible to diagnose. My opinion is this is a good car to own until about 110,000 miles. At that point, get rid of it. It just isn't reliable enough after that point.
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| 1995 - Monte Carlo Z-34 3.4L DOHC Best car I have owned |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1995 |
| First year of ownership | 1995 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.1L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 6 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 10 miles |
| Most recent distance | 131000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 3rd November, 2005 |