Hi all. I'm not new to the automotive world, but I am new to Monte Carlos. I used to have an '03 LS Sport Cavalier coupe 5 speed, which I stupidly traded away because I thought it was too small. I'm ready to come back to a car, but bigger this time, so a Monte SS should fit the bill nicely. This will replace a 2001 Chevy Tracker LT which was rock solid reliable, but possibly the most boring vehicle ever to drive.
Today I test drove (at a dealer) a red 2000 SS Pace Car which was beautiful. They were asking $6500 and it had 78,000 miles. Ran great, but the A/C didn't work. I wanted to get them closer to $6000, but that went out the window when they found out they had to repair the A/C.
Thursday evening I'm going to look at a 2003 blue Monte SS Pace Car. They're asking $6500 for it as well, and the miles are lower at 67,000. Car is beautiful in pics, and I would actually rather have the blue, so hopefully things will go well Thursday night.
Do the 3.8's have any common weaknesses I should be concerned about? Just curious, as I've dealt with the 3.4 and its leaking intake manifold gaskets in the past...
Looking forward to picking up an SS soon and becoming an active member here!

 

Welcome and good luck on your future purchase. You really don't have to worry about the 3.8L - but you do have to watch out for the upper intake manifold leaking due to the dexcool.

 

Lower miles and the color that you prefer? Go for it. You could probably talk them down the $500 if you show that you are a dedicated buyer. By the way, welcome. There are people here that can help/offer advice on just about any aspect of ownership of these cars.

 

The second, blue one is privately owned and was supposedly garaged from Oct. to May every year. I'm very hopeful that I'll end up with this one!

 

sounds great, welcome to the forum soon where at in PA are you from? I'm from Pittsburgh........

 

About 100 miles east of you. Know where the Breezewood exit is on the Turnpike? About 20 minutes away from there.

 

sorry, don't want to thread jack your original post, but get the Monte and next year you could head out to the Monte Nationals being held next June in York, PA. I went this past year when it was held in Richmond, IN, was pretty cool. I'll send you more info sometime later when you are able to get private messages (PM'S), OK. enough already, good luck on the search.......

 

Welcome to the forum.
There was a beautiful Laser Blue MC SS for sale in PA this time last year. The owner claimed that they never drove it during the winter months. It had a K&N cai and white interior.

 

Monte Carlo 3831, York, that's plenty close enough for me!
Nascar43, this one has black leather.
If I don't end up with this blue or red one, I still plan on getting one. I just may have to wait a few more weeks til I find another one I like. My mind is made up.

 

10 posts, I should be able to post pics now!