2003/2004 SS Monte Carlo as Daily Driver?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 2003/2004 SS Monte Carlo as Daily Driver?

Posted: 8/12/2017 2:48:24 PM EDT

What does GD think of an 03/04 SS Monte Carlo as a daily driver? I've read they get 20 mpg City and 30 highway with a 200hp V6 engine. Which is appealing as I commute about 80 miles 5 to 7 days to work. So it is a better deal than my truck getting between 15-18 mpg.

What's the good, bad, and ugly of these SS Monte Carlos?

This is a close match to the one on my commute. It does have the gray paint along the bottom of the car and black paint. I don't know if the one I am interested in is the intimidator model or not.

Posted: 8/12/2017 2:49:52 PM EDT

[#1]

Good = Gas Mileage
Bad = Chevrolet
Ugly = The pic you posted

Posted: 8/12/2017 2:51:34 PM EDT

[#2]

Look at a Grand Prix GXP before you decide.

Posted: 8/12/2017 2:52:01 PM EDT

[#3]

These cars were HATED for their looks. I'm no late model GM fan,but always thought they looked pretty good...

Posted: 8/12/2017 2:56:11 PM EDT

[#4]

Drivers usually had Mullets and smoked Marlboro reds and drank Bud Lite

Posted: 8/12/2017 2:58:22 PM EDT

[#5]

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Drivers usually had Mullets and smoked Marlboro reds and drank Bud Lite

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Dang, I guess I'm out on that then.

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:00:19 PM EDT

[#6]

Noting wrong with that
another advantage is pretty much anything it will ever need is $9.99 at Napa

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:03:17 PM EDT

[#7]

I'll know more when I stop and check it out, but is $3000 cash a good deal on one?

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:05:01 PM EDT

[#8]

3800 V6 is pretty bulletproof. Had some issues with the lower intake/egr passage melting and dumping antifreeze in the intake. I'm running a 99 Buick with the 3800 on my 90 mile a day commute. 25 mpg but I have a 5 mile 8 percent grade to pull at 70+ every day. Paid $2200 for it with 74K on the clock and I'm at 136K with just the lower intake replacement and brake job.

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:06:26 PM EDT

[#9]

Does it come with a powder scale and baggies?

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:11:29 PM EDT

[#10]

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Does it come with a powder scale and baggies?

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No, just mud flaps and a Confederate battle flag sticker.

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:12:07 PM EDT

[#11]

I recently got a 2000 SS. It's now my daily driver. No serious problems to report. Just a couple of niggling issues regarding the turn signals and the tail lights fogging up in wet weather. Other than that, it's a pretty good driver.

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:25:49 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I recently got a 2000 SS. It's now my daily driver. No serious problems to report. Just a couple of niggling issues regarding the turn signals and the tail lights fogging up in wet weather. Other than that, it's a pretty good driver.

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Meh. Turn signals aren't necessary in Alabama. Sometimes taillights aren't either.

But thank you. It's been raining here a lot lately. I'll check it out.

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:27:50 PM EDT

[#13]

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Quoted:
Meh. Turn signals aren't necessary in Alabama. Sometimes taillights aren't either.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I recently got a 2000 SS. It's now my daily driver. No serious problems to report. Just a couple of niggling issues regarding the turn signals and the tail lights fogging up in wet weather. Other than that, it's a pretty good driver.

Meh. Turn signals aren't necessary in Alabama. Sometimes taillights aren't either.

You should be fine then.

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:38:15 PM EDT

[#14]

I had the 3.4 non ss. it was a comfortable car but had a shitty cooling system, not much room to work on anything. I think the you posted has a 3.8 motor but not sure. Car shocked me every goddamn day was so tempting to take it to knob creek or something. I donated it to a veterans group after the transmission busted into pieces inside.

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:47:06 PM EDT

[#15]

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I think the you posted has a 3.8 motor but not sure.

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The SS is the 3.8.

My uncle, who I got mine from, drove it coast to coast twice with no problems.

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:48:01 PM EDT

[#16]

Are you black or live in a trailer home?

Answer Yes: then yes daily drive it

Answer No: No don't daily drive it

Posted: 8/12/2017 3:57:58 PM EDT

[#17]

I will say you can get them in great condition cheap (like less than $3k). But there is a reason, they are not really reliable cars. If you have a pickup as a backup it wouldn't be bad.

Posted: 8/12/2017 4:18:15 PM EDT

[#18]

Thanks for the help. I think I'll not fo on it at all.

Posted: 8/12/2017 6:51:07 PM EDT

[#19]

Do you have large kids and want to make them miserable?

Posted: 8/21/2017 9:55:14 PM EDT

[#20]

It's an Intimidator with the supercharged 3.8L V6.

Runs pretty good, going to test drive it for a few days to work and back to see how it is.

Attached File

Posted: 8/21/2017 10:04:20 PM EDT

[#21]

ugliest car ever produced.

Posted: 8/21/2017 10:10:06 PM EDT

[#22]

I like it.

Guy I went to school with had one.

Posted: 8/21/2017 10:12:14 PM EDT

[#23]

They are decent cars. There are some plastic bits in the cooling system that need keeping after. Heavy footed drivers may run into transmission problems. The interior is a bit on the chintz side.

Posted: 8/21/2017 11:50:05 PM EDT

[#24]

If they only want $3000 for a Dale Sr. edition, it's a steal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-Chevrolet-Monte-Carlo-SS-Coupe-2-Door-/162618432001?epid=109898881&hash=item25dcd05a01:g:6XEAAOSwSbtZlKmp&vxp=mtr

Posted: 8/21/2017 11:58:07 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
These cars were HATED for their looks. I'm no late model GM fan,but always thought they looked pretty good...

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I've always liked how they looked, and I wanted one until I found out NASCAR wasn't like back in the day and it wasn't rear wheel drive with a V8.

Posted: 8/22/2017 12:01:48 AM EDT

[#26]

I do know if you whip reverse doughnuts in one long enough the computer will shut you down and a bunch of the idiot lights will come on

Posted: 8/22/2017 12:24:49 AM EDT

[#27]

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Heavy footed drivers may run into transmission problems.

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We went through three in a buddy of mines.

Posted: 8/22/2017 12:28:47 AM EDT

[#28]

That's an ugly Chevy Lumina.

Posted: 8/22/2017 1:27:05 AM EDT

[#29]

I had one as a rental for 3 weeks when they came out. Nice cruising car. Road well. I liked the way it look e but hate FWD. those cars needed RWD and LS motors.

Posted: 8/22/2017 1:33:46 AM EDT

[#30]

Saw an '86ish years ago. The guy had done the Big Block conversion that was posted in a magazine. Looked like a factory install with the hood open.

Beautiful car, work.

Posted: 8/22/2017 1:38:18 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's an Intimidator with the supercharged 3.8L V6.

Runs pretty good, going to test drive it for a few days to work and back to see how it is.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/399736/IMG_2142-286928.JPG

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Oh. THAT 3.8

Crazy fucking sleeper. Dooooeeeeet.

Posted: 8/22/2017 12:47:05 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
Oh. THAT 3.8

Crazy fucking sleeper. Dooooeeeeet.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
It's an Intimidator with the supercharged 3.8L V6.

Runs pretty good, going to test drive it for a few days to work and back to see how it is.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/399736/IMG_2142-286928.JPG

Oh. THAT 3.8

Crazy fucking sleeper. Dooooeeeeet.

Not really anything wrong with it mechanically, has just over 100k miles on it. Cosmetically there's a few spots that can be worked on but I'm not worried about it right now.

Attached File

Posted: 8/22/2017 12:53:52 PM EDT

[#33]

Needs an LS4.

Posted: 8/22/2017 12:56:17 PM EDT

[#34]

I use to see those in trailer parks when new, now I see them in the hood... I wouldn't drive one.

Posted: 8/22/2017 12:58:51 PM EDT

[#35]

Dad had the number 8 car an '04. Lots of fun. Put in a cold air intake and a few other little mods. The thing was a lot of fun to drive. He had over 150k miles on it before he traded it in last year.

Posted: 8/22/2017 1:03:17 PM EDT

[#36]

Wrong wheel drive

Posted: 8/22/2017 1:06:45 PM EDT

[#37]

Hahaha I never expected to see a serious thread about buying a 2003 Monte Carlo as a daily driver, in 2017

Posted: 8/22/2017 1:47:35 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
Not really anything wrong with it mechanically, has just over 100k miles on it. Cosmetically there's a few spots that can be worked on but I'm not worried about it right now.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/399736/IMG_2144-287287.JPG

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
It's an Intimidator with the supercharged 3.8L V6.

Runs pretty good, going to test drive it for a few days to work and back to see how it is.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/399736/IMG_2142-286928.JPG

Oh. THAT 3.8

Crazy fucking sleeper. Dooooeeeeet.

Not really anything wrong with it mechanically, has just over 100k miles on it. Cosmetically there's a few spots that can be worked on but I'm not worried about it right now.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/399736/IMG_2144-287287.JPG

That's one clean car for $3000.

Posted: 8/22/2017 2:02:37 PM EDT

[#39]

the 3.8 SC motor can make some good power and be a total sleeper

Posted: 8/22/2017 2:12:25 PM EDT

[#40]

Monte Carlo drivers seem to fit a pretty narrow demographic in my experience.

Posted: 8/22/2017 2:13:47 PM EDT

[#41]

If you can get the passlock to let you start the car it should be good to go.

Posted: 8/22/2017 2:14:07 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
These cars were HATED for their looks. I'm no late model GM fan,but always thought they looked pretty good...

View Quote

+1

and i hate modern gm, and nascar.

Posted: 8/22/2017 2:14:49 PM EDT

[#43]

that is one ugly fucking ride

Posted: 8/22/2017 2:23:02 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hahaha I never expected to see a serious thread about buying a 2003 Monte Carlo as a daily driver, in 2017

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wasn't there also a guy here who rents 11 year old cars to review?

Posted: 8/22/2017 2:29:15 PM EDT

[#45]

You'll be the envy of the trailer park, no doubt about that.

I swear to god yesterday I was coming up behind a Jeff Gordon Edition Monte Carlo (very similar) on the highway and chuckled to myself thinking no doubt this guy is sporting a Mississippi mudflap haircut and puffing on a marb red. Get next to him and sure shit he's got a beautiful black mullet and he's ripping a heater with the window is cracked. I couldn't make that shit up.