Faults:

I bought the car from an older lady who used it to commute to work every day, but kept it in her garage all the time when it wasn't being driven.

The car had some rust on the rear quarter panel, and also on the driver's door. This is apparently pretty common for A-Body GM cars.

Headliner was drooping and sun visor fabric was shot.

Car needed a tune up.

Needed a transmission fluid and filter change to correct burnt fluid and a harsh shift into 2nd.

Needed a radiator flush.

Needed valve stem seals and new valve cover gaskets to correct smoke on start-up.

General Comments:

Interior of the car was very uncomfortable for a tall person. My head would brush the headliner even when I put a new one in to replace the drooping one. There was no adjustment for up/down of the seat to correct this.

Driver's side was hard for a tall person, as I felt very cramped. Legroom approximately equal to a '90s Jeep Cherokee Sport, even though the Monte was a big 2-door that should have had more room. Passenger side legroom was fine; unfortunately, that meant having someone drive me everywhere to enjoy it!

Car was not logical to work on, and the 3-C engine control computer (a primitive computer-controlled carburetor system) meant there was a lot of extraneous crap -- wiring, sensors -- that got in the way of doing even the basic repairs.

The car did have some great pick-up and was fun to drive. The V-8 was peppy and gave good performance.

The car had a variety of nice options like power locks, windows, and cruise control, as well as a premium factory digital stereo/cassette player.

Might have been more fun if it was an SS.

Faults:

Air Conditioning stopped working. At least it has T-Tops.

Left brake light stopped working, even after replacing the bulb. I imagine it's a fuse. 3rd brake light flashes when I put the hazards on. This is a little strange, but at least it can be seen well when I pull over to the shoulder.

Smokes a little when I idle. Normal, probably, for an older GM. Didn't start doing it until over 90,000 miles though.

General Comments:

This car is a dream come true for me.

I have always loved the LS model since they were introduced in 1986. Probably in many ways I liked the LS better than the SS. I was 11 years old in 1986, and knew I would someday be driving one. I would go to the local Chevy dealer in New Jersey and stare at them when they were new.

In 1998 my Dad spotted one in a parking lot. It was black with T-tops and had the original, distinctive "checker" style rims.

He asked the guy if he would sell it. By luck the guy said yes!

I drove the car for a year. Mostly joy riding down probably every 2 lane county road in the southern half of Jersey with the T-tops off, lying back in the soft velvety bench seat, listening to my CD's. What a life!

In 1999 I bought a Lincoln Mark VIII and stored the Monte. I still own the Monte and it sits in the driveway with a cover on it. The car is 99% stock with the exception of a CD player and a new paint job.

The car is immaculate. It has absolutely no rust, and the paint job is outstanding.

I don't plan on adding anything except for dual exhaust from an SS or a Buick Grand National.

2 years later after almost going broke from making repairs on the Lincoln, I bought a Honda Accord Coupe with the 200 hp VTEC V6. What an engine! But I miss the smooth ride, distinctive looks and plush interior of my Monte Carlo.

I'm going to keep it until I die and sometimes I take naps in the back seat.