1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo
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1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo
- Price Range: $1,000 - $3,000
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Automatic-transmission performance
- Ride
- Antilock brakes
- Passenger and cargo room
Cons
- Fuel economy (3.4-liter)
- Rear-seat entry/exit (Monte Carlo)
- Engine noise (3.4-liter)
- Rear visibility (Monte Carlo)
- Steering feel
Vehicle Highlights
Chevrolet's redesigned front-drive midsize duo rivaled the Ford Taurus and Honda Accord, among others. The 4-door sedan was again called Lumina, but the coupe now adopted a Monte Carlo moniker. Both models got dual airbags, as well as a substantial exterior redesign and reworked interiors. Wheelbase was the same as in the prior generation, but the new models measured three inches longer. As in the 1990-94 generation, the platform was similar to that of the Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and Pontiac Grand Prix. Luminas came in base and LS price levels; Monte Carlo, in LS or sportier Z34 trim. A 160-horsepower 3.1-liter V6 was standard. Optional in the LS Lumina sedan and standard in the sporty Z34 Monte Carlo coupe was a 210-horsepower, 3.4-liter dual-overhead-cam V6. All had a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission. Antilock brakes were standard (except optional on the base Lumina).
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Chevrolet Lumina LS Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo:
Engine output from the 3.4-liter V6 rose to 215 horsepower in 1996. The Monte Carlo Z34 adopted all-disc braking for '96, which also went into Lumina LS models with the 3.4-liter engine. Other models stuck with front-disc/rear-drum brakes. Air conditioning could now be the dual-zone type, with separate temperature controls for the driver and passenger.
1997 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo:
All models gained daytime running lights, and a sporty new Lumina LTZ sedan arrived during 1997. The LTZ included unique front and rear fascias, a rear spoiler, and alloy wheels, with the 3.4-liter dual-cam engine as an option. The V6 was no longer available in the Lumina LS. A new automatic transmission, used with the 3.4-liter engine, promised smoother, more prompt shifts.
1998 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo:
A 200-horsepower 3.8-liter overhead-valve V6 replaces the dual-cam 3.4-liter V6 on Monte Carlo Z34s and Lumina LTZs. Otherwise, changes are minimal.
1999 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo:
Lumina and Monte Carlo carried on into 1999 with little change. Both got more standard equipment, and the Lumina LTZ lost its rear disc brakes in favor of drums.
2000 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo:
Only one Lumina model was available, equipped between the 1999 base and LS editions. Only the 3.1-liter V6 engine was offered, retuned for 15 extra horsepower. Front bucket seats were no longer available, leaving only a standard 60/40 bench. GM's OnStar communications system disappeared from the options list. A new optional Appearance Package included a CD player and 16-inch aluminum wheels with higher-performance touring tires. Chevrolet redesigned its Monte Carlo coupe for 2000, switching from the Lumina platform to that of the new Impala.
2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo:
No changes were made to the Lumina as it was sold exclusively to fleet buyers.
Our road test for the 1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Performance is adequate from the 3.1-liter engine, though it feels a little slow initially. The 4-speed automatic transmission changes gears smoothly and downshifts promptly when passing power is needed. We've averaged 20.1 mpg in a Lumina with the base engine, with about half of the driving on expressways. Expect a few mpg less with the stronger 3.4-liter engine. That one has more potent passing punch, but gets louder during hard acceleration. The smooth 3.8-liter on some later models is even more powerful--especially around town. An absorbent suspension on the Lumina soaks up bumpy pavement without harshness or excessive bouncing. Steering in the Lumina is light and has little road feel. As many as six people can fit in a Lumina--though everyone will be squeezed somewhat. There's ample room for four in the Monte Carlo, but a fifth might feel unwelcome. The Monte Carlo requires plenty of room to fully open its wide doors, and climbing into the back seat demands some bending. Thick rear pillars hurt over-the-shoulder visibility in the Monte Carlo, whereas relatively narrow pillars and deep side windows in the Lumina help give a good view to all directions. Dashboards have a clean, contemporary design. Simple controls are easy to see and reach while driving. Trunks in both models are roomy, with a flat floor that reaches well forward.
Value for the Money
The Lumina is a pleasant, competent family sedan, which deserves consideration if you're shopping in the midsize field. Monte Carlo shares most of its pluses and minuses, in 2-door coupe form.
The Lumina is a pleasant, competent family sedan, which deserves consideration if you're shopping in the midsize field. Monte Carlo shares most of its pluses and minuses, in 2-door coupe form.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Chevrolet Lumina LS Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 46 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Coolant leak:
Coolant loss via plastic intake manifold is corrected by installing upgraded manifold and gaskets plus new PCV kit. (1995-01)
Coolant leak:
The 3.8-liter V6 may leak coolant into the engine from the intake manifold. A new gasket kit, revised throttle body nuts, and sealing compound is available. Redesigned manifolds are also available in the aftermarket. (1995-2001)
Engine noise:
Ticking on cold startup may be due to excessive piston pin to bore clearance. (1996-98)
Engine temperature:
The engine may overheat due to a problem with the heater hoses, which swell, then loosen from the heater core pipes and leak. (1996)
Engine temperature:
Overheating and coolant loss may be due to rough surface on radiator filler neck. Neck should be sanded smooth and cap replaced. (1999-2000)
Fuel pump:
Excess material in the plastic fuel tank can collect on the fuel pickup filter and restrict fuel flow. (1995-96)
Hard starting:
There is a new Flash PROM available to correct hard starting and stalling under high-load, slow-speed operation. (1996)
Oil leak:
Some cars have high oil consumption that is corrected by replacing the PCV harness as well as the valve cover, spark plugs and wires, and oil-fill cap. (1995)
Suspension noise:
A popping noise from the front end is caused by a problem with the struts and can be corrected with an additional jounce bumper. (1995-96)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $525 |
| Alternator | $200 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,180 |
| Brakes | $270 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $915 |
| Exhaust System | $385 |
| Radiator | $430 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $665 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $450 |
Our price chart for this generation Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2001 | |||
| Lumina | $3,200-3,800 | $2,500-3,000 | $800-1,000 |
| 2000 | |||
| Lumina | $2,900-3,500 | $2,200-2,700 | $700-800 |
| 1999 | |||
| Lumina | $2,600-3,200 | $1,900-2,400 | $500-700 |
| Monte Carlo | $3,200-3,800 | $2,500-3,000 | $800-1,000 |
| 1998 | |||
| Lumina | $2,300-2,800 | $1,700-2,000 | $400-500 |
| Monte Carlo | $2,800-3,300 | $2,100-2,500 | $600-700 |
| 1997 | |||
| Lumina | $2,000-2,500 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| Monte Carlo | $2,400-2,900 | $1,700-2,100 | $500-600 |
| 1996 | |||
| Lumina | $1,700-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $300 |
| Monte Carlo | $2,100-2,600 | $1,500-1,800 | $400-500 |
| 1995 | |||
| Lumina | $1,500-1,900 | $1,000-1,200 | $200 |
| Monte Carlo | $1,800-2,300 | $1,200-1,600 | $300 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door coupe | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 107.5 | 107.5 |
| Overall Length, in. | 200.7 | 200.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 72.5 | 72.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 55.2 | 53.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3306 | 3330 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 15.7 | 15.7 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 17.1 | 17.1 |
| Seating Capacity | 6 | 6 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.4 | 37.9 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.4 | 42.4 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.4 | 36.9 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.6 | 34.9 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
The base engine has been a 3.1-liter V6, rated at 160 horsepower. A dual-overhead-cam 3.4-liter engine, installed in the Monte Carlo Z34 and available in the Lumina, started at 210 horsepower in 1995 and rose to 215 in '96. In '98 that engine was replaced by General Motors's ohv 3.8-liter V6 rated at 200 horsepower. A 4-speed overdrive automatic is the sole transmission available. Only the 3.1-liter engine continued into 2000, gaining 15 horsepower.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V6 | 3.1 / 191 | 160-175 | 185-190 | 4-speed automatic: 20/29 | 4-speed automatic: 20.1 |
| dohc V6 | 3.4 / 207 | 210-215 | 215-220 | 4-speed automatic: 17/26 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 200 | 225 | 4-speed automatic: 19/30 | 4-speed automatic: 19.1 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Canada
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1999 Lumina |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1995-2001 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1995 Lumina:
Steering-column bracket bolts on some cars may not be tightened.
1995:
Right lower control-arm ball-joint mounting hole was incorrectly positioned.
1995:
Seatbelt anchor can fracture in a crash.
1995:
Strained or separated windshield-wiper/washer switch wire can cause intermittent or nonexistent wash/wipe operation.
1996 Lumina:
Left front brake line can contact transaxle bracket or bolt and wear through.
1996:
Brake-booster tab is improperly located; if stopping distance is short, crash could occur.
1996:
Faulty power steering bearings may have been installed on certain vehicles, resulting in difficulty turning the steering wheel. Dealers will inspect and replace all affected parts.
2000 Lumina:
Clamp that secures flexible fuel-fill hose to metal fill tube on a few cars could be loose and might separate, causing fuel leakage.
2000 Lumina:
Passenger-airbag modules on a few cars have undersized inflator orifice, so module could explode during a crash.
2000 Lumina:
Right front brake hose on a few cars is incorrectly routed and could be cut or separated.
2000 Lumina w/rear drum brakes:
Bolt heads on rear spindle rod can separate and affected wheel can shift, causing loss of control.
2000-01:
Some seatbelt assemblies were not properly heat treated and do not pass the load-bearing requirement.
2001:
Airbag sensing diagnostic modules could experience a memory error prohibiting deployment in a collision.
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