cool maybe i'll see you at branson next year for the grand prix/wide body meet. i'll send you a link in a minute that i attend on labor day. i was the only monte carlo surrounded by grand prix lol. the filter is same as impala, regal, and grand prix. yes i would change the filter too.

here's some pic, i'm pretty sure you can tell which car is mine lol.

https://montecarloforum.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=15992

 

both you guys, i don't mean to butt in, but i'm just letting you know what i've seen and heard! not trying to be a jagoff or anything!! i hope you get the car because it is sweet!! see ya

 

yes you sound like a jagoff chris for butting in , lol...j/k
yeah hope you do get the car as well...this way i'll see you in branson next year. so far i have 3 monte car said they planning to take the trip. i hope more mc do come.

 

Tires range about $100 to 200. $130 and up it only gets better

 

The Dale Jr edition came with 235/55R-17 "W" rated Goodyear RS-A tires from the factory. In my opinion, the W rating was more for bragging purposes.

Unless you plan on driving the car over 100 MPH on a regular basis, I think buying "W" rated tires is overkill. I don't plan on driving mine too much higher than the legal speed limit. So when I replaced the original tires, I went with a more realistic speed rated tire. And saved myself some money too.

If you are replacing the tires on it, I personally would NOT recommend getting the Goodyear RS-A tires. A number of people here, including myself, did not like them. With the supercharged 3800 engine, they're okay on dry roads. Not so good in rain. Horrible in winter.

As for the gas...

I got the "premium unleaded only" surprise AFTER I bought the car and drove it off the lot. My Dale Jr edition was a dealership demo for a year, then sat around for two years until I bought it. The salespeople were filling it with regular unleaded quite often while they had it. I threw in a bottle of STP the first couple times I filled the tank, and it was fine. But I use premium all the time now.

I made the change to full synthetic oil about a year ago, and was pleasantly surprised with how much smoother the engine runs compared to regular oil. Got a slight improvement in performance and gas mileage too.

I notice that my sunroof occasionally stops part way while opening or closing. Doesn't happen often, but just enough to be a little annoying. Almost seems like a bad switch or something. My tracks are well lubed also. I've decided to live with it unless the problem becomes worse.

Something to remember is this: The Dale Jr edition is an appearance package. Mechanically the car is exactly the same as the other 2004 supercharged Monte Carlo's

I hope this thread has helped you to make a more informed decision.

 

Sorry to go off topic with your thread here, but I have to ask...How much was this to have the whole pan replaced? And where did you have it replaced? Dealer?

And as far as the Monte your considering, it sounds like a great deal to me, with only normal wear and tear. Most people are not as particular about their cars as those of us on this forum, and most used cars, especially 6 years only with 88K will have some signs of being used. This one sounds like a good deal though.

I agree with silverbullit, if you buy it, change all the fluids: Go with Synthetic oil, change the transmission fluid (use Dexron VI) and change the coolant (prestone all make all model is good stuff), also change the supercharger oil (probably never been done). Check the air filter, and change the fuel filter...

Good Luck!

 

Thanks guys. I told the lady today I would buy it. She is selling it to me for $8,500. I just have to give my credit union a copy of the title so they can do their checks so I can get my loan. I'm already approved so hopefully I'll have the car by Friday. I will just have to find a way to bring it home since my fiancee broke her ankle almost two weeks ago and can't drive.

MAMONTE, we had the oil pan replaced by the dealer. The car was already out of warrenty but we had complained of oil leaks while the car was still under warrenty and they had replaced the pan gasket a couple of times with no luck. So, the dealer replaced the pan for free, probably because I was complaining about a door panel falling apart and a window regulator going bad with hardly any use.

Silverbullitt,
Let me know when the branson thing is next year and I will try to go. I would enjoy that. Thanks again guys and I'm sure I will have a ton of questions when I actually get the car.

Wayne

 

Oh ok, thanks for the response!

Congrats on purchasing the Monte! You are going to love it, i'm pretty sure of that!

 

Well, tomorrow I'm getting the check from the CU and getting the title to the car. I probably won't pick it up until Friday though when I have a day off and I can figure out someone to help me go get it. The lady at the CU said the value of the car was $11,200 thru NADA. They must have a different version because when I went to NADA's website, I got $10,775 as a value but that didn't take into consideration that it was a special edition car. Of course I don't know if the CU's figure did either. Anyway, I should have the car by Friday.

Wayne

 

congrats, great car and please post some pics when you get a chance!!!