This is a common question with people who are new to this forum.

Question: Why does this forum keep calling the 2006 & 2007 Monte Carlo "7th generation"? Every other forum and website says that there's only 6 generations of Monte Carlo?



Answer: According to GM, there are officially 6 generations of Monte Carlo (as of my typing this). Officially, the 06 & 07 Montes are part of the 6th generation. But officially called a "refreshed" version of the 2000-2005 model.

When the 2006 Monte's were introduced, there was much debate here on the forum. At times, even heated debates. The case was made that there are significant enough differences between the 2000-2005, and the 2006-2007.

• The base model 3.4 litre (180 hp) LA1 V6 powered LS was replaced with a 3.5 litre (211 hp) LZE V6
• The naturally aspirated 3.8 litre (200 hp) L36 V6 powered 2000-2004 SS and 2005 LT was replaced with a 2006 only 3.9 litre (242 hp) LZ9 V6 powered LTZ.
• The supercharged 3.8 litre (240 hp) L67 V6 powered 2004-2005 SS was replaced with the 5.3 litre (303 hp) LS4 V8

The front clip was completely changed. The fenders, hood, lights, and bumper cover were re-designed to resemble the Impala.

The interior, although still layed out similarly to the 2000-2005 model. The look of the dash was freshened up. Gone was the black (or neutral) outdated plastic dash panels and controls. In it's place was freshened up brushed aluminum look panels, a new guage cluster, new controls, and new stereo system. Also updated was the seat design, to help complete the "refreshed" look inside the car.

Most of the updated pieces in the 2006 & 2007 models don't fit or work in the 2000-2005 models. This created a problem on the forum when discussing problems, mods, fixes, etc.

There's a lot more differences, but you get the idea.

So to help eliminate confusion, and end the arguments, it was decided to just go along with it and call the 2006 & 2007 Monte Carlo the 7th generation.

Hope this helps.

 

Nice write up, Taz. I have often wondered why we bothered to call the 06&07 models a new generation when they looked so similar. But, this thread really cleared that up for me, and actually makes a whole lot of sense! Thanks, man!

 

 

Good write-up Lou; I've wondered about the differences for a long time. It's great when you guys post helpful info like this! I'll print this and add it to my Monte Carlo folder.

 

I usually call it the 6.5 lol

 

learned something new today

 

Very good write up

 

Please allow me to repeat. There are many more differences than the ones I mentioned in the first post. I just listed some of the major changes to help illustrate the point. Please feel free to add the ones I didn't mention if you like.

 

good clarification. i just call it 7th gen. i think there is enough different for it to make sense.

 

I concur