So, my 2002 silver SS is on it's last legs. I hate the body rust from all the Chicago winters, but 180K miles and all that salt have taken it's toll. What really sucks is the engine and tranny are still running strong. I recently moved to San Diego and have started looking around and recently found a couple of nice cars online locally, a 2006 SS with the LS4 in nice shape but high miles, 153K, and a 2003 SS with the 3.8 and 114K, also in very good shape and both are blue as a matter of fact. Would love the V8 but I also know how reliable my 02 has been for me over the years with the 3.8.

What do the forum members think?

 

I think theres too little info to help make any kind of educated guess. Big things I'd look for in order of priority:
-Replacment / service history- primarily the transmission.
-Maintenance / general car condition- especially of the fluids.
-How they drive
-Previous paperwork records (salvage titles, number of owners, number of accidents, etc.)
-Bottom dollar price

I wouldn't get wrapped up in V8 vs not and let that cloud your judgment of what would truly be the better car. Both engines can make it to 200k+ if properly maintained, but both transmissions are suspect unless proven otherwise.

 

I favor the 7th-gen a bit more, since I find its interior & exterior style a nice refinement of the 6th-gen. And driving a V-8 Monte Carlo SS seems like driving the Monte Carlo in its ultimate form. V-6s are good, but common. Coolhand, if I were in your shoes, I'd be leaning toward the 7th-gen, unless you just feel more comfortable continuing with 3800 power. Overall, it might come down to factors like why you choose to drive a Monte Carlo in the first place / what's special about it / and how owning and driving one should feel to you personally.

A quick look at San Diego's craigslist shows a clean white 2006 LT with the 3.9L at 121k, if you're still looking around for other Montes.
(And bumpin's advice is wise when checking out any used car.)