I hate to let my 2001 monte SS go. I've only had it for about 7 months. In the first month the motor spunt a bearing (had to replace the block). Since then I've had a ton of electrical problems, transmission slipping, emergency brakes need to be changed, I replaced windsheild , leaking transmission lines to the radiator, airbag light on, cd player doesn't work, need new front struts, and the suspension just doesn't want to get right. Other than that I love this car. I like how it looks and I like how it drives. The only thing is I'm not trying to put $5000 or more dollars into this car to get it the way I want it. So I have just decided this is the best move for me right now. I'm actually thinking about a buick lesabre. I've always liked them since I had one before and they have the the same engine as my monte. What do you guys think? What be a good car to buy after a monte?

 

Another Monte

 

Sorry you are having so many problems - good luck with you search

 

Another Monte, for sure...I can recommend the 2007 LT. I've had mine over a year and had ZERO problems with it. It's got 46,000 on it, it never burns oil, and gets good gas mileage. The paint looks as good as new (I take good care of it). Let us know what you decide.

 

I thought about another Monte. I but I hear so many people talking about all the electrical problems and just problems in general with the monte carlo. I don't want to get back into the same spot that I'm in now. @ChibiBlackSheep
Thanks AwesomeSS, I'm not really looking forward to the search, but I hope it goes well.

 

Realisitcly every car will have its problems and when you join a board(forum) you will see the what they are

what is your budget for a new car?
how much are you asking for the monte?

then think about it what your budget for a new car is, minus what you where planing on getting for the monte, if it's a decent chunk of money drop it into the monte and get it in tip top shape, not only will it then be fixed but you will you be able to sell it down the road for more than what you would be asking now

 

What ever you do buy, don't get something with the 1999-2004 3400 engine. You'll have constant issues with that too. But then again, you'll have constant issues with almost any car you buy now-a-days. Just do us a favor. Don't buy anything with a huge coffee can/fart pipe exhaust and an aluminum wing bigger than the trunk lid.

 

Curtis24682007, any car can have good and bad experiences. Based on what you listed with issues to your Monte, I completely see why you want to move on, it sounds like you got a lemon and that truly sucks. You need to recognize when you are chasing good money after bad.
The Monte is a a great car. Sure, there are some "common" problems, but as said earlier, you'll find that info in car specific forums. All cars will have that (hence why manufacturers produce technical service bulletins).
Best of luck wth your search, hopefully your next car will be great and make up for the bad experiences you had with your Monte.

@Taz - I know the '99-'04 3400's have some common issues (many of them date back to about '94 with the 3100, left unchanged by GM, such as crapy nylon LIM gaskets). I've known many people with 3100/3400 engines and lots of good miles on them. My '94 3100 powered Grand Am has had the intake gaskets done once and again when I did the head gaskets at 180,000 miles. I also had one spark plug hole strip out (installed a heli-coil with the head on the block, this was around 120,000 miles no known problems as a result). Car doesn't look like new, but still runs like it to this day at 210,000 miles. Regardless, I still prefer a GM 3800 to the 3100/3400 (despite the fact my wife and I bought a '05 Impala with 150,000 miles on a 3400, but the deal was too good to pass up).

 

My budget for my new car is about $5000. I'm looking to get close to 3 as possible for it. After all it is still a functioning monte. Just to many problems for me. The car still rides good and still moves well.
Don't worry Taz no huge coffee can/fart pipe exhaust and an aluminum wing bigger than the trunk lid car in my future.

 

this one's really hit or miss, i've had no problems so far (83k), i almost want it to happen tho so i have more of a reason to pull it all off, instead of just wanting to put my ported manifolds on