2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This coupe cousin to the Impala sedan adds a supercharged performance model for 2004. Monte Carlo comes in LS, SS, and new Supercharged SS trim. The LS has a 3.4-liter V6. The SS uses a 3.8 V6 and firmer suspension. The Supercharged SS has a supercharged 3.8, stiffer-yet suspension tuning, 17-inch wheels vs. the other models' 16s, and special trim. All Monte Carlos have front bucket seats, 4-speed automatic transmission, and 4-wheel disc brakes. ABS, traction control, and a tire-inflation monitor are standard on both SS models and are grouped as an option for the LS. A driver-protecting side airbag is optional on all models, but a side airbag for the passenger is not available. OnStar assistance and satellite radio are optional across the line.

News

Monte Carlo again pitches the collector-car crowd by adding two SS-based limited editions honoring NASCAR driving greats. The Intimidator, a tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt, sees 4000 copies through the remainder of the '04 run. A companion Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Signature Series is slated for 2883 units. Both include special paint, graphics and trim, plus a few features optional on lesser Montes. They follow a basic formula Chevy used with a 2002 Dale Earnhardt Signature Edition and a 2003 Jeff Gordon model. Respective unit production was 3333 and 2424.

Looking ahead, it seems Monte Carlo will get a heavy makeover of some kind for 2006. A V8 is still being rumored, so we think Chevy will abandon the current front-drive design for a clean-sheet replacement with rear-wheel drive on the new Zeta global platform, designed by GM's Australian Holden subsidiary for mid- to full-size cars with V8 engines. If we're right, look for a lightly disguised "teaser" concept at 2004-05 auto shows.

2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (Supercharged SS)	Engine noise

Instruments/controls	Rear-seat entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
5	6	7	5.2

Adequate with 3.4 V6, thanks in part to responsive automatic transmission. SS is no rocket, but its larger, torquier V6 provides brisk takeoffs, ready passing power. Supercharged SS adds useful muscle, especially over 35 mph.

Fuel Economy

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
5	5	4	5.3

Test LS and SS averaged 20 mpg. Expect 17-20 with Supercharged SS. GM recommends premium-grade fuel for supercharged V6, regular for the others.

Ride Quality

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
6	6	5	6.2

LS stable in freeway cruising, comfortable overall despite float over highway dips. Firmer SS models improve composure, stay compliant enough on bumpy streets.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
5	6	7	6.1

Steering accurate, if slightly overassisted. LS has modest cornering limits, but feels reasonably balanced, secure in turns. SS versions cope better with twisty roads, though body lean, noseplow temper aggressive driving. Braking with ABS feels strong, with good pedal response, but quick stops induce excessive nosedive.

Quietness

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
6	6	6	5.8

Engines loud, gruff in full-throttle acceleration. Some tire roar prominent on coarse surfaces.

Controls

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
6	6	6	6.4

Laudable gauge groupings and graphics. Controls fall easily to hand. Cabin finish and materials unexceptional but right for the price.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
6	6	6	6

More space than in most 2-dr cars. Adults can stretch out on comfortable bucket seats. Most rivals offer side-airbag protection for both front occupants. Thick rear roof pillars impede over-the-shoulder vision. Long doors heavy, cumbersome.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
3	3	3	4.5

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

Cargo Room

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
4	4	4	4.6

Wide, deep trunk with convenient bumper-height liftover.

Value within Class

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
4	4	4	6

Monte Carlo beats Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus coupes for size and power, but trails Japanese-brand rivals in refinement, safety features, and resale value.

Total Score

LS	SS	Supercharged SS	Class Average
50	52	52	56.1

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		44
Average Score		56
High Score		72

2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/22/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LS 2-door coupe	$21,665	$19,823	$660

SS 2-door coupe	$24,070	$22,024	$660

Supercharged SS 2-door coupe	$27,395	$25,066	$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, 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 V6 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, illuminated visor mirrors.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, rear spoiler, Sport Suspension, 225/60SR16 performance tires, alloy wheels.

Supercharged SS adds to SS:

Powertrain

3.8-liter supercharged V6 engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Performance Suspension, 235/55WR17 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
1SB Preferred Equipment Group
SS	$1,165	$1,037
Supercharged SS	$1,085	$966
Mirror Group (heated power mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror), 6-way power driver seat, AM/FM/CD player, trip computer, compass, universal garage-door opener, theft-deterrent system w/alarm, cargo net, floormats (SS).

1SC Preferred Equipment Group
SS	$2,040	$1,816
Supercharged SS	$1,960	$1,744
Preferred Equipment Group 1 plus OnStar telematics system w/one-year service, heated front seats, 6-way power passenger seat. Requires leather upholstery.

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

Sport Appearance Pkg.
LS, SS	$500	$445
Rear spoiler, special alloy wheels. LS requires Preferred Equipment Group.

Winner's Circle Appearance Pkg.
LS, SS	$650	$579
Rear spoiler, bodyside graphics, special alloy wheels. LS requires Preferred equipment Pkg.

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.

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

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

Dale Earnhardt Intimidator Limited Edition Pkg.
Supercharged SS	$1,745	$1,553
Unique interior and exterior trim, boost gauge, badging, chrome alloy wheels. Requires a Preferred Equipment Pkg.

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

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

Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar telematics system
LS, SS, Supercharged SS	$695	$619
Includes one-year service.

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

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

Satellite radio
LS, SS, Supercharged 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	$223


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

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


Power sunroof
LS, SS, Supercharged SS	$900	$801
LS requires Preferred Equipment Group, illuminated visor mirrors.

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

Cargo net
LS, SS, Supercharged SS	$45	$40


Floormats
LS, SS	$80	$71


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


Alloy wheels
LS	$350	$312

2004 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.	72.7

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	Supercharged ohv V6

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

Horsepower @ rpm.	180 @ 5200	200 @ 5200	240 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	205 @ 4000	225 @ 4000	280 @ 3600

Availability	Standard	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	21/32	20/30	18/28

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	5/60,000	Aveo only.

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

< 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Photos

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Chevrolet Monte Carlo Road Test

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Specs & Safety

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