11-09-2005, 02:03 AM
For some reason, I like the way the newer (Gen. 6) Monte Carlos look and I wanted to drive one. Unlike most of you fucks, I remember when the full-size, gas-guzzling, old-school Monte Carlos were all over the road and I hated them.
So...I rented one from Avis to drive to Humboldt. I originally wanted to rent a European car, but since Sacramento is still very much a Cow Town, that was not an option.
The interior fit and finish is typical of a late-model American or Japanese car. It's quiet and plush when new, but somehow I just know that in a few years' time, all the interior trim will rattle and the seats will be saggy. It just is what it is, so to speak.
The base 3.4l V-6 starts immediately and no vibration can be felt, which is good. This engine puts out 180 HP, which IMHO is just at the lower end of what I deem acceptable. It's certainly does not posses the raw muscle of the American cars of yesteryear, but it has no problem in quickly climbing from 60 to 95 mph.
Handling is okay, I guess. It also has front wheel drive. Some people either love it or hate it...I don't really have a preference. I tend to drive like a pussy in the twisties, but I felt quite confident with the Monte. On the way up there, in the twisties on Hwy. 299 from Redding to Arcata, I was only passed by a Mustang and a BMW 325. On the return trip, I took Hwy. 101 South and cut across on Hwy. 20 through Clear Lake. Nobody passed me until I got back into the civilized world of I-5, where I set the cruise control at 79 (speed limit is 70 there).
The tranny is a 4-speed auto. I usually hate auto. trannies, but this one was less annoying than most.
It averaged 25 mpg on the return trip. Not bad, considering the terrain and driving style. Then again, I normally drive a Trooper that gets 15 mpg regardless of how and where it's driven or an Explorer that gets 15 city, 19 Hwy (21 coming home from San Juan Island).
I guess I could see a Monte Carlo in my garage...maybe.
The SS gives you a 200 HP 3.8l V-6, and the supercharged version makes 260 HP, IIRC. That might be teh roxorz, relatively speaking.
Then again, I vowed years ago to never, ever own another GM vehicle again. Now I'm conflicted.
So...I rented one from Avis to drive to Humboldt. I originally wanted to rent a European car, but since Sacramento is still very much a Cow Town, that was not an option.
The interior fit and finish is typical of a late-model American or Japanese car. It's quiet and plush when new, but somehow I just know that in a few years' time, all the interior trim will rattle and the seats will be saggy. It just is what it is, so to speak.
The base 3.4l V-6 starts immediately and no vibration can be felt, which is good. This engine puts out 180 HP, which IMHO is just at the lower end of what I deem acceptable. It's certainly does not posses the raw muscle of the American cars of yesteryear, but it has no problem in quickly climbing from 60 to 95 mph.
Handling is okay, I guess. It also has front wheel drive. Some people either love it or hate it...I don't really have a preference. I tend to drive like a pussy in the twisties, but I felt quite confident with the Monte. On the way up there, in the twisties on Hwy. 299 from Redding to Arcata, I was only passed by a Mustang and a BMW 325. On the return trip, I took Hwy. 101 South and cut across on Hwy. 20 through Clear Lake. Nobody passed me until I got back into the civilized world of I-5, where I set the cruise control at 79 (speed limit is 70 there).
The tranny is a 4-speed auto. I usually hate auto. trannies, but this one was less annoying than most.
It averaged 25 mpg on the return trip. Not bad, considering the terrain and driving style. Then again, I normally drive a Trooper that gets 15 mpg regardless of how and where it's driven or an Explorer that gets 15 city, 19 Hwy (21 coming home from San Juan Island).
I guess I could see a Monte Carlo in my garage...maybe.
The SS gives you a 200 HP 3.8l V-6, and the supercharged version makes 260 HP, IIRC. That might be teh roxorz, relatively speaking.
Then again, I vowed years ago to never, ever own another GM vehicle again. Now I'm conflicted.
