2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Less standard equipment is the 2003 story for the coupe cousin of Chevrolet's Impala sedan. Monte Carlo comes in LS trim with a 3.4-liter V6 and as the sporty SS with a 3.8 V6 and firmer suspension. Both are 5-passenger models with front bucket seats, automatic transmission, and 4-wheel disc brakes. ABS had been standard on both, but for '03 is standard only on the SS and is grouped with traction control and tire-inflation monitor as a $600 option for the LS. Similarly, a side airbag for the driver and GM's OnStar assistance system are now optional for both models; they had been standard on the SS. Additions for '03 include standard remote keyless entry for the LS, and a newly optional XM satellite radio with 100-channel digital receiver. Added midyear was a specially trimmed Jeff Gordon Signature Edition of the SS. A supercharged version of the SS is due this fall as an '04 model, and will include stiffer suspension, 17-inch wheels (vs. 16s), and special trim.

Competition

Perennial Best Buys Honda Accord and Toyota Camry continue to shine with refinement, model diversity, and comfort. Both offer economic 4-cylinder or sporty V6 power, have room for four adults, and are reasonably priced. Camry was new last year and Accord holds that honor this year.

Recommended models include the import-flavored Chevy Malibu, sporty Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus twins, and the good-looking Pontiac Grand Prix. All come with V6 power, offer lots of standard equipment, and have pleasing road manners that will suit a variety of driving styles. Despite relatively high prices, the refined Volkswagen Passat is also Recommended. Sedan and wagon models are offered with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive and four-, six-, or class-exclusive eight-cylinder power. Budget-level interior materials and assembly disappointments aside, the Nissan Altima is Recommended for its impressive interior room, road manners, and reasonable price.

News

Monte Carlo news for 2004 begins with the SS model, whose 3.8 V6 adds a supercharger and 40 hp. Additional upgrades include a more prominent rear spoiler, special badging, stainless-steel exhaust tips, firmer suspension, and Goodyear performance tires on new 17-inch "diamond cut" alloy wheels. The revamped SS also gets a few styling changes shared with other '04 Montes. The base LS should be available with the current SS's 200-hp non-supercharged 3.8, perhaps as standard, but Chevy hasn't yet confirmed this.

Boosting horsepower is usually a good way to attract buyers, and the Monte Carlo can use some help there. Though year-to-year sales were up 9.4 percent in calendar 2001, they were off 10.8 percent in 2002 despite 0-percent financing and other incentives.

The fortified SS is one of several planned Super Sport Chevys aimed at winning over younger, more affluent buyers. Even so, Detroit gossips have doubts about Monte Carlo's future. Chevy is known to be mulling a rear-wheel-drive replacement, perhaps sourced from GM's Australian Holden subsidiary like the reborn '04 Pontiac GTO. But if that car flops--or if coupe sales in general don't pick up--Chevy might well give up on Monte Carlo, perhaps by '06.

2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (SS)	Engine noise

Steering/handling (SS)	Road noise

Instruments/controls	Rear-seat entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LS	SS	Class Average
5	6	5.2

Adequate with base V6, thanks in part to responsive automatic transmission. SS is no rocket, but its larger, torquier V6 provides brisk takeoffs, ready passing power.

Fuel Economy

LS	SS	Class Average
5	5	5.3

Both models log low 20-mpg averages in our tests. GM recommends regular-grade fuel for both engines.

Ride Quality

LS	SS	Class Average
6	6	6.3

LS is stable in freeway cruising and comfortable overall, though it floats some on highway dips. SS has firmer damping, but is compliant enough on bumpy city streets.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS	SS	Class Average
5	6	6.1

LS has modest limits, but feels reasonably balanced and secure in corners. SS copes better with twisty roads, showing good grip and only moderate body lean. Both have accurate, if slightly overassisted steering. Braking with ABS feels strong, with good pedal response, but quick stops induce excessive nosedive.

Quietness

LS	SS	Class Average
6	6	5.5

Engines are loud and gruff in full-throttle acceleration. Tire roar prominent on coarse surfaces.

Controls

LS	SS	Class Average
6	6	6.5

Gauge groupings and graphics are excellent; controls fall easily to hand. Cabin finish and materials are pretty mundane, though. And most rivals offer side-airbag protection for both front occupants.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS	SS	Class Average
6	6	5.9

Midsize-car size means more space than in most "sports coupes." Adults can stretch out on comfortable bucket seats. Thick rear roof pillars impede over-the-shoulder vision. Long doors heavy, cumbersome.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS	SS	Class Average
3	3	4.4

Leg room adequate for average-size adults, but head room gets tight with optional sunroof and entry/exit is twist-and-stoop. Still, roomier than rival Toyota, Honda, and Dodge/Chrysler coupes.

Cargo Room

LS	SS	Class Average
4	4	4.7

Trunk is tall, wide, and deep with convenient bumper-height liftover.

Value within Class

LS	SS	Class Average
4	4	6.2

Chevy denies Monte Carlo several key pieces of previously standard equipment for '03, but doesn't compensate with meaningful reductions in the car's base price. So Monte Carlo loses much of its edge over the majority of like-priced coupes in terms of features-per-dollar. And while it's not as polished as Japanese-brand rivals and won't hold its value as well, it still has its own American-car character.

Total Score

LS	SS	Class Average
50	52	56.1

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		43
Average Score		56
High Score		72

2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/29/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LS 2-door coupe	$21,160	$19,361	$660

SS 2-door coupe	$23,560	$21,557	$660

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

3.4-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone manual climate controls, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, overhead console, visor mirrors, map lights, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, power decklid release, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, 225/60R16 tires, wheel covers.

SS adds to LS:

Powertrain

3.8-liter engine, traction control.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-inflation monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Driver-seat lumbar adjustment, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, remote keyless entry, illuminated visor mirrors.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, rear spoiler, sport suspension, 225/60SR16 performance tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
1SB Preferred Equipment Group 1
SS	$1,110	$988
Mirror Group (heated power mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror), 6-way power driver seat, AM/FM/CD player, driver information center (includes trip computer, compass, universal garage-door opener, theft-deterrent system w/alarm), cargo net, floormats.

1SC Preferred Equipment Group 2
SS	$1,985	$1,767
Preferred Equipment Group 1 plus OnStar System w/one-year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), heated front seats, 6-way power passenger seat. Requires leather upholstery.

Seating Comfort Pkg.
LS, SS	$445	$396
Heated front seats, 6-way power passenger seat. Requires leather upholstery, 6-way power driver seat. LS requires Preferred Equipment Pkg.

Sport Appearance Pkg.
LS	$615	$547
Rear spoiler, special alloy wheels. Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Competition Yellow Appearance Group
LS	$995	$886
Unique floormats, bodyside striping, badging, rear spoiler, bright exhaust tip, special alloy wheels. Requires Preferred Equipment Group, Mirror Group.

High Sport Appearance Pkg.
SS	$2,100	$1,869
Ground-effects body cladding, special rear spoiler, bright exhaust tips, badging, special alloy wheels.

Jeff Gordon Signature Edition
SS	$3,100	$2,759
Full ground effects pkg., special rear spoiler, unique interior trim, bright exhaust tips, badging and graphics, sport alloy wheels. Requires 1SB Preferred Equipment Group 1, Seating Comfort Pkg., leather upholstery, power sunroof, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, satellite radio.

Pace Car Replica
SS	$2,700	$2,403
Includes pewter-colored leather interior accents, badging, decals, special rear spoiler, ground effects pkg., stainless-steel exhaust tips, unique alloy wheels. Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1SB, Seating Comfort Pkg., leather upholstery, AM/FM/cassette/CD, power sunroof, player, satellite radio.

Mirror Group
LS, SS	$165	$147
Heated power mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror. LS requires Preferred Equipment Group 1.

Safety
Antilock brakes
LS	$600	$534
Includes traction control, tire-inflation monitor.

Driver-side front side airbag
LS, SS	$350	$312
LS requires leather upholstery.

Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar System
LS, SS	$695	$619
Includes one-year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available).

Driver Information Center
LS, SS	$295	$263
Trip computer, compass, universal garage-door opener, theft-deterrent system w/alarm. LS requires Preferred Equipment Group, antilock brakes.

AM/FM/CD player
LS, SS	$345	$307
Includes premium speakers.

AM/FM/cassette/CD player
LS, SS	$445	$396
w/Preferred Equipment Group	$100	$89
Includes premium speakers.

Satellite radio
LS, SS	$325	$289
Requires monthly fee.

Steering-wheel radio controls
LS	$195	$174
Includes leather-wrapped steering wheel. Requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Cruise control
LS	$250	$222


Leather upholstery
LS, SS	$625	$556
Requires power driver seat.

6-way power driver seat
LS, SS	$325	$289


Power sunroof
LS, SS	$795	$708
LS requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Illuminated visor mirrors
LS	$95	$85
Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1.

Cargo net
LS, SS	$30	$27


Floormats
LS, SS	$40	$36


Alloy wheels
LS	$350	$312


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine-block heater
LS, SS	$35	$31

2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2-door coupe

Wheelbase, in.	110.5

Overall Length, in.	197.9

Overall Width, in.	72.3

Overall Height, in.	55.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	3340

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	15.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	17.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	36.5

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6	ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.4 /205	3.8 /231

Horsepower @ rpm.	180 @ 5200	200 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	205 @ 4000	225 @ 4000

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	21/32	19/29

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2-door coupe

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

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%. Side-impact 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%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Canada

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Photos

Also in the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Review:

Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Road Test

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Photos

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Full Review

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