Hey guys and gals. First off I would like to thank this form and members for the wealth of information I have been going through for the past 2 weeks.

I am at a crossroads reguarding a purchase of a 2001 monte ss. I would like some opinions/recommendations/help.

Here is what I can tell you about myself:

I have read and re-read all the how-too's and understand most of the problem areas on this particular monte.

I am moderately mechanically inclined; Know more than the average joe but less than a career mechanic. (been around small block chevys about 18 yrs, built and rebuilt them, rebuilt axles etc.

**I dont have a whole bunch of time or money to fix large problems, but I am not afraid to tackle what I think is wrong now.(more on that later)**

Known's about the car:

2001 monte SS in silver
117xxx miles
new tires, no abnormal wear
the day I drove it felt fine, all power stuff works (windows, dual air, sunroof, heat
no check engine lights

Gas guage finicky- showed full then half. have already looked into the stepper motors and fuel sender and fuel pump. not afraid of steppers/sender but would rather not do the pump $$$

Same finicky temp guage

no water in the oil, no sticker indicating intake gasket recall change,

Has a hiccup when started hot (no smoke, just drops idle real low and picks back up and idles normally) assumption is cat converter??? (dont want to have to change that $$$)

turn signal works/doesn't

UNKNOWNS

the car sat for a while, anywhere from 1 year to 2. Unknown as to why it sat (we did change the battery and it started right up)

Manintence was minimum at best (oil changes for sure) but highly doubtful trans fluid change, belts look decent and some buildup in radiator neck (**concern**)

Other that what I mentioned the car "seems" sound but i dont want to get a problem child. I am not afraid of the minor things but again I dont want to pay for the major either.

The guy wants $2800 for the car and I want it for a daily driver, about 10 miles a day now but future school locations would be 30 miles round trip.

What say ye ol' monte aficionados?

 

Sounds like not many problems.

There was no intake gasket recall, so don't look for that sticker. If the trans fluid isn't brown/black don't worry about it.

Gas gauge problem you might not even have to worry about, just use the tripometer (I've done it for the past 3 years)

Hiccup when hot, could just be bad gas. Could be a dirty MAF sensor or a dirty IAC.

Radiator neck buildup is most likely just old dexcool. It breaks down over time, might not have ever been fully flushed. Doing a full flush would probably clean that all up.

The cat, you can easily buy a ZZP Downpipe + Cat and it is 4 bolts to change yourself

 

Chibi Mike is the man! Speaks the gospel. Sounds like a good price.

 

Hiccup? Mine used to do the same thing when my Cooling fan broke and the Engine got hot. It would also shift hard after a wile when hot. After my Intake gasket blew, I replaced the cooling fan, fixed the intake and the car starting running without over heating. Both problems went away as well. If the Temp gauge is going frisky make sure the fan is working and it is full of coolant. I replaced my pump on the gas gauge and it was a good chunk of change. Its working i would say 90% correct now. Where before it said full all the time. Which i kinda miss lol.

 

Welcome to the Forum

 

Welcome to the Forum ..

 

Not having seen it in person, $2800 sounds like a good price for the car. It definitely sounds worth it from your description. The one thing is I'd definitely plan on changing the LIM gaskets someday.
Welcome to the site.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

welcome

 

Welcome to the site. Seem's like a good price. If it sat untouched for a few years I would check out the other fluids too. Moisture can get into the brake or power steering systems from sitting for a long period of time. Good luck.