Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-49
Replaced the brakes every 8000 miles.
Three alignments.
Seal around the intake manifold.
Lid on the compartment between the seats has broken twice.
Extremely fast, but guzzles gas and is expensive to maintain.
Tires expensive, suspension expensive and it eats brakes.
I have to agree, I love my Monte Carlo ('97 Z34), but I have had nothing but problems!
Main computer just replaced, new transmission @ 47,000 miles, replacing the water pump tomorrow.
And WOW, what a gas hog!
Have a 95 Z34, its a comfortable car but eats gas. Its sad its front wheel drive and a V-6.
Nice car fast, but rear wheel squeal in reverse, only on mornings.
Great car for daily driving, but with the automatic tranny, it's no sports car. My girlfriend actually owns it, I drive it every once in a while. Severely lacks get up and go, but makes an impressive exhaust noise and top end power is not too bad for its class. I have several issues with new GM automatic transmission, they lack acceleration, and there is a huge lag between mashing the accelerator and making power (It's worse than Turbo lag on my 89 Supra).
I work on these cars on a regular basis, and I must say that if you're doing brakes every 8,000 miles, then there is something seriously wrong. It is either with the mechanic, the car itself, or simply you drive too fast.
Intake seals are a common problem with those engines. The 3.1 and 3.4DOHC, are well known for intake seals.
As for the gas hog comment. Well, figure it like this: a 4,500lb car being moved by a small V6. If anything, the gas mileage should be decent as long as you're not racing everywhere. I own a 1995 Monte Carlo Z34 myself, and I've had no complaints at all.
I have a 95 z34 Monte myself. it is modified a little and pushing 275 hp, not bad for a fwd (by the way it eats v8 mustangs) the transmission is freshly rebuilt (not too bad for 120,000 miles. keep the timing belt maintenance up to snuff and you will have hardly any problems. I work at a Chrysler, Jeep dealership and trust me I would take my fine g.m. product any day over one of those crappy Mopars. oh yeah by the way there isn't even a Chrysler close to keeping up with my Chevy on the road (be it the 300m or Sebring or stratus or talon or intrepid etc...) CHEVY RULES (G.M. PROUD)
My son had a 95 Monte. The engine went caput!!! Broken rod we were told. We are trying to find another to put in it. We have no been told that the 95 engine was unique and you can't interchange a 96, 97 engine. No one will tell us what the difference is. Does anyone out there know!!! I have a 16 year old who is down in the dumps because he has no wheels and he loves this car!!!
I have a 95 Monte Carlo and I just blew the motor I was told that the oil pump was gone and I was driving the car for 2 weeks with it like that, some how doesn't seem possible, but if anyone know where I can get a 3.1L engine for a fairly descent price, email me and let me know. Cmitch12582D@aol.com thanks.
I just purchased a 1995 Monte Carlo Z34.There was a problem with one of the valves. It was burnt!I was wondering if this has been a problem with anyone else?Other than that, no complaints.
We have a 95 Monte Carlo Z34 and we love it. The problem with our is the extended warranty we bought at 38,000 was to pay for the camshaft timing belt and many more major things that can go wrong. Well "LOOK" out. The owners manual said to inspect the camshaft timing belt at 60,000 and not to replace it. And every 15,000 miles after keep having it checked. We are going to try to recover the
$ 2,217.00 for the repair work that the insurance company wouldn't pay for. Our owners manual has nothing in it about replacing the belt at 60,000 like the warranty company said was in the manual. The dealership made the mistake of telling the insurance company that the enhanced maintenance schedule is to replace the belt at 60,000 miles and since we have 83,000 they said we didn't keep our normal maintenance schedule on the car so they denied the claim. We are semi_stuck for the bill except it isn't in the owners manual to change at 60,000. You need to inspect it to prevent serious internal engine damage. It has been a good car. We can't complain about the performance of it. It looks sporty and is used for our family car. Gas can get costly, but isn't it costly for all vehicles. My ford explorer is a costly vehicle to fill and I still love it. I think our Z34 is very classy vehicle and I'd rather repair it instead of making car payment. I would say. I'm told that it is a high maintenance vehicle. But until now it hasn't cost us very much. So I'm not going to complain.
Sharon.
Jan. 2003. I am considering buying a 95 Monte Carlo for my daughter. I am concerned that is an older car. It has very low miles and seems to be maintained well. I am wondering about problems that a car this old may have. Please anyone comment and let me know what you think before I make this purchase. She will be commuting to college and I want a dependable car for her. Thanks.
I have a 1995 Monte Carlo LS and have had it for about 4 years now. I have had nothing but problems with this car even though it has low mileage! My transmission gave out recently in addition too many others. I suggest your daughter keeps looking!!
Lee Ann.
I have a 1995 Monte Carlo LS 3.1L
It was the worst purchase I ever made. The fuel pump blew with half tank. The windows on the driver side don't work. The door locks can't be unlocked with out using the key. The temp gage has a mind of its own causing the car to be very hot or very cold when using the heat. The exhaust system seems to be falling apart. The car jumps between 2500rpm and 3000rpm on starts, and stalls when the air conditioner in on. I will never buy a GM product again.
It was an awesome car for about a year, and then it went all to hell.
I purchased a 95Z 2 years ago with 87K. It now has 118k. 1. Problem with alternator. 3.4L bad news. It's located on the bottom. I had to drop the engine down and take it out through front passenger fender well. Took me all day. 2. Power door locks. There is a small white rubber piece that the power actuator linkage fits into. I guess it acts like a cushion. If it rips, the linkage falls out and then the actuator just moves air. It's a real bear to get to inside the door. I glued mine back together. Both doors. 3. Front Brakes. Fixed them three times in 30K. I think the good steel pads and a lot of town driving over heat the disc and makes them warp. I put performance discs on. (The ones with holes in them) We'll see what happens. 4. My console lid is broke too. I think they all are. 5. Intake manifold gasket. 3.4's are known for that. Does your engine race up to 2k rpm then fluctuate around 1k (idle rough) on a cold start? Does it run better after warm?The gasket alone is $65. For that it should last forever. 6. ABS is out. Light's on the dash. Not the blue one, the yellow one. Brakes work, just not anti-lock. Can't find any information on how to check it out. It all says DEALER SERVICE ONLY. That means bend over. 7. One last thing. I've got a knock or clunk in the right rear when I hit a hole or dip. Had new rear struts put in, but it's still there. Two places have checked it out and can't find anything. It really bugs me. If anyone can help me with this or info on ABS I'd appreciate an email Thanks Paul paulfkroll@yahoo.com.
I have a 1995 Z34 with 126,000 Miles. I too have replaced an alternator, but I consider that OK for a car that had 100,00 at the time. Yes it was a pain, but when you start putting engines of this size in small compartments, something has to give. Otherwise I've had no real problems at all. I've replaced the front rotors, but doing it yourself is easy and only about 200 bucks (with new pads). That was done at 110,000 so they should have some life left in them. All in all I think the car is great... in fact I keep trying to convince myself that I should get a new vehicle, but can't seem to find one as good.