1999 Chevy Monte Carlo Review
1999 Chevy Monte Carlo Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Good power in Z34 guise, value priced, relatively roomy interior.
Cons
- Tired, boring sheetmetal, Z34 model not visually distinct.
What’s new
Deep Purple paint is gone. First year for the optional OnStar communications system, a 24-hour roadside assistance network that is accessed through a dealer-installed cellular phone.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$200/mo for Monte Carlo LS
Monte Carlo LS
vs
$213/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
If the name Chevrolet Monte Carlo conjures up visions of tire-smoking personal luxury coupes of yore, then you're old enough to be disappointed by the 1999 Monte. Not that this car isn't good enough in its own right. It's just that it wears the Monte Carlo badge, and it's little more than a Lumina coupe. In other words, today's Monte Carlo is simply another marketing idea from the same folks who resurrected the Malibu nameplate. That's all fine and good if the new product is able to live up to the legend, like the Impala SS had done recently. But we think that Chevrolet should have made more of a styling statement with this car before slapping a once-proud nameplate on it.
Sure, the new-for-1998 200-horsepower 3800 V6 engine under the hood of the Z34 model is satisfying to put through its paces. In fact, its performance is downright stout as domestic midsize coupes go. And yes, this Monte Carlo rides and handles far better than its Lumina Z34 predecessor. But even in Z34 trim there's little to hide the fact that it's still a Lumina coupe. Bolt-ons such as the five-spoke alloy wheels, dual-outlet exhaust and optional rear spoiler don't do enough to give this car a distinct look and personality, which is what sold so many Montes back in the 1970s and '80s.
Chevy racing fans are quick to point out how this Lumin...er, Monte Carlo helped turn the tide against the blue- oval boys in those slick Thunderbirds over the last few NASCAR seasons. But stock car purists wince at the thought of taking a front-drive, V6-powered production car and campaigning it as a V8 rear-driver. At least Ford actually sold V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive T-Birds. So why didn't the Ford marketing boys beat up Chevy for that? Because when the Thunderbird went out of production, Ford replaced it on the NASCAR circuit with yep, the front-drive V6-powered Taurus!
The Monte Carlo enters a carryover year in the wake of last year's powertrain upgrade for the Z34 from the old twin-cam 3.4 to the torquey 3.8-liter, hooked to the beefy 4T65-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. (Power for the base LS model comes from the 3100 V6, which makes a respectable 160 horses.) The 3800 is an award-winning engine that cranks out its 225 foot-pounds of torque across a wide throttle range while delivering world-class refinement. Despite tipping the scales at 3400-plus pounds, the Z34 accelerates with authority. Though both the LS and Z34 feature four-wheel ABS, only the Z34 packs four-wheel discs inside a set of P225/60R-16 Goodyear Eagle RS-A performance tires.
We've noticed improved build quality on the Monte of late, but even well-screwed-together and well-equipped examples fail to excite us -- Z34 included. Perhaps we just can't get past the Monte Carlo's oh-so- vanilla styling that renders it nearly invisible on the road. Lucky for Chevy that the list of competitors is dwindling. Yes, there's a Pontiac Grand Prix coupe, but it is higher up the price ladder. Chrysler and Dodge offer the Sebring and Avenger, respectively, but beyond their good looks lurks a lack of power and refinement. And yes, we know that the Contour-based 1999 Mercury Cougar has flashy coupe lines and a sweet chassis, but it lacks a real performance engine and it's a much smaller car. Consequently, if you're looking for a moderately priced, midsize American coupe, your top choice remains the Monte Carlo.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
5 star(68%)
4 star(24%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
41 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
I Love this car even though I hate Chevy
gdaholic, 11/30/2009
1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe
Even though I hate all non classic and non antique Chevy's I absolutely Love my 99 Hello Sailor Red Chevy Monte Carlo SSLS 3.1!!!! Very comfortable, so much that I drove 12 hour straight from my home in East Texas to Albuquerque, NM without rest breaks!!!! I drive it to the limit in frequency, distance, speed, agility on the road, etc.
4.38 out of 5 stars
the best worst car i ever had
brent, 01/30/2010
1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe
this car drove me crazy bad anti freeze leak and needed a new intake and the block was crack but even through all that it started every single time oh and the starters go like crazy with these cars same as the intake
4.88 out of 5 stars
The best car going
Very Happy, 09/08/2010
1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe
I have owned two Montes, still driving my 1980 around. This 1999 is great I have done Trips to PG and down to Oregon from Vancouver sometimes driving a straight 12 hours never a problem Great engine great P/u and go, Very dependable. I have over 220,000 and still running strong very little maintenance, way to go Chevy!
2.38 out of 5 stars
where is the recall?
never again, 07/02/2009
1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe
I bought my 99 Monte Carlo used with 22000 miles on it. It went good for 3 yrs and then antifreeze started leaking for the first time. Still under warranty, the dealership fixed the intake manifold gasket. GM knows they have a problem with the material the manifold is made of, it warps and antifreeze starts leaking. The car now has 170,000 miles and i just replaced the manifold gasket … for the 4th time at about $450 each time. GM needs to own up to the issues they have with the cars they make. I wrote to them but received no response. I see so many issues they just ignore and that is no way to treat your customers! I for one will never buy a GM product again!!
1999 Monte Carlo Highlights
LS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $200/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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