Hello all! I'm Skippy, from central New York. I figured I would do what I always do when buying a new major product; join a forum full of people crazy about that product. For every car in my immediate family, I've joined a forum.

In my constant trolling for the right daily driver, I have found the Monte Carlo I've been looking for - the base of the base, final generation, '06 Monte Carlo LT, all black (inside and out), with the 3.5L V6 and auto trans.

The only concern I have is that it has 87K on the clock. However, the current owner is pretty darn sure that the first owner garaged the car in Winter, so it's unbelievably clean. (I will be removing the rear wheel well plastic on both sides and undercoating the area around the back tires that's known to rust if neglected.)

It also seems like a good price - at $5,500, am I looking at a deal, fair market, or too much money for the mileage? I think it seems to be on the ball for fair value.

First suggestion from you people that know this car inside and out... What sort of specifics should I look for? What recalls have been made so I can ask if the repairs have been completed? The one thing I've read a lot about are transmission problems. Is that a unique problem with some combo of engine / trans, or is it a concern for the last generation models?

Second, is this car worth a purchase at the stated mileage and price? If not, what seems ideal? I'm looking for an inexpensive daily driver (because I'll probably love it, get bored in a few years, and want a change) with less than 100K on it (I put 70K on a Saturn in 10 years). Thoughts?

Thanks in advance; been eyeballing this forum for a while. I've always wanted a Monte Carlo; just can't find one rust free in NY!

P.S., My current daily driver is a 2002 Saturn SL1, with a 1.9L I4; an engine that didn't change much, if at all, from 1991. Oh yeah, with 130K miles...

Edit: I think I already F'ed up, and this could have been instead posted in the "Opinions" section of the forum.

Edit 2: Bought the car - now I just have to get it home!

 

Hey I have the exact same car as the one you're looking at and mine has 144,000 miles. I love this car a ton and have done a bit to it. First thing, if your big about the sound system and want to bump your music loud then change out the sound system. The stock one is good but it's not loud at all for my taste lol. If you turn it up all the way it's just too quiet for me. Second thing, the stock wheels on the 2006 LT make the car look way too plain. The stock ones just kill the vibe of it being a Monte carlo. I went on American muscle and bought some Bullitt rims for mine a while back and just got them put on today with sumitomo tires. It cost around $1000 total for the entire setup but it's WORTH IT. I've only had them on for about 30 minutes, I parked my car in front of the shop and I swear so many people stopped and checked my car out real good. That's how much of a difference it will make. I'll take pictures tomorrow and post it so you can see what I mean in more detail. Other than those two things which aren't even a big deal except to stand out, the car is great! Lots of fun to drive and with the mods that I've done it really makes a difference in the looks, sound, luxuries, performance, everything! I haven't had any problems from mine except once the power steering line had a hole, but I fixed it in an hour and haven't had any trouble. If yours had around 80k it should be good to go and last a long time. It's a very reliable car. I haven't had any transmission problems either and I haven't had any problems with rust. Check out my profile to see the mods done to mine so far and I'll post a thread of pics and info on my review of my car tomorrow, since it's been a while since I've put pics of my car.

 

Welcome to the Forum..

 

Hi Skippy and welcome to the forum!!

 

Hello Skippy, Welcome to the forum.

You on your game being proactive and getting to your wheel well issues before they become ISSUES. Once your wheel covers are off, if any rust is getting a foot hold in there, treat those areas with a "rust arrestor" or "Rust converter" before you paint the are. Then from what I have read the moisture gets in at the seam of the liner and the metal fender edge. When you have the previous repair completed, I would then get a high grade black silicone and seal the edges to prevent future moisture penetrations.

 

Maintaining and care are the keys to longevity, though luck seems to play in there. My car is a commuter, gets oil changes at 5,000 and yearly coolant & transmission fluid changes.

Transmissions are a common subject. 183,000 on mine and it's starting to show signs of needing replacement.

Recalls I've had are the power steering and the infamous ignition key recall. Haven't taken it in for the key one yet, there's been no promise of a quick in and out fix from the stealership.

HVAC blend doors and rear defroster plug. The defroster plug may scare the cr@p out of you.
https://montecarloforum.com/forum/mo...ed-help-51022/

The seatbelt "flutters" in the wind when the window is down. https://montecarloforum.com/forum/fw...atbelts-20606/

An iSimple Gateway will interface an iThing to the stock system with full control of artist/title/playlist from the radio controls including the steering wheel
Gateway Music Integration Solutions (sheesh those have gotten expensive. Check eBay).

Cosmetics are up to you - when I bought it I was lost in the crowd of rental Impalas here so tint and wheels changed it some.