29th Nov 2007, 16:22

I have a 1996 Monte Carlo that I purchased with 24,000 miles in 1997. It has been extremely dependable with no major mechanical failures. I just turned 206,000 miles. This goes against everything I have heard & read about the 3.4 liter. Maybe a diamond in the rough?

4th Dec 2007, 23:07

I own a 1997 Chevy Monte Carlo. I bought it used in 1998 and it currently has 267,000 miles. The only type of regular maintenance I have done on my car is oil changes every 3000 miles. I have not had any major problems with my car. I have had to replace minor things (battery, tires, brakes, serpentine belt once, and fuel pump twice). It is a great car and has been good to me. People are always surprised that my car has that many miles.

2nd Jan 2008, 23:10

Just got mine out of the shop it's a 97 z34 I've had nothin, but problems, but when it works boy is she a great car and the woman do love it.

19th Jan 2008, 14:49

I've owned my 1997 Monte Carlo Z34 since 2005 and it has been nothing but a pain to maintain. In a span of less than 3 years I've had to get the brakes completely redone twice ($400 EACH TIME) and car only has 110,000 miles on it! That (to me) is not acceptable. Last year I had to get the exhaust system replaced ($500; because it's a dual intake exhaust) but you expect that when a car gets to be 10 years old; just not that pricey. Also just like a lot of others out there my Monte Carlo was thinking radiator fluid. So I had to get the lower intake manifold gasket replaced which was $500. The guy told me this was a common problem for '97 Montes. Also the timing belt broke at 85,000 miles so that was another $900 out of pocket. However, it is a stylish car and I'm always getting compliments from people saying how cool it is. So the interrior and exterrior are nice, but again the car takes up money for maintenance purposes. The car has its pros and cons, but my next car will be one that is more fuel efficient. The Monte only gets 17 miles street and 23 highway.

19th May 2008, 17:14

I have a 1997 Z34 Monte Carlo. About a year ago my water pump bearing went so I replaced it with a re manufactured water pump from Car Quest.

The water pump was different looking because it had a fan blades (6 blades) on it that looked close to like a house fan, and the old one looked more like a spiral blades (10 blades). The Car Quest pump came with a picture saying it's a new design and will work just as good. My car started overheating about after 5 miles, and my thermostat would pop and suck the radiator hose closed. Every time the engine was over heating, I could stop and open the bleeder screws, and just let the air leak out.

I finally found that Napa carries a brand new water pump with the spiral blades (like ten blades), which makes the water pump faster. My car is running great again; wish I found that out sooner since I drove it for a year with it over heating.

It is also recommended you change your timing belt around 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Wish I would have known that before mine went.

I was driving down the and my car just died, I tried to start it again and I crashed all my valves and had to buy a new engine. It's worth having it changed before it breaks!!

Mine broke at 109,000 miles.

7th Jul 2008, 21:15

I am on my 2nd Monte in 5 years, the 1st being a 95 LS and nothing but money dumped into it constantly. It had 'ghost' issues that only happened to me and wouldn't do it for anyone else. After dumping about 4 grand into it, I heard a tap tap under the hood so I traded it in where I purchased it. Needless to say, the bottom of the motor went. The ONLY part of the motor not rebuilt, mind you.

Now I have a 98 Z34. I looooooove my Montes because they are nice looking rides and when all is good, they ride like a Caddy.

At this very moment, my baby will not start every time. Nothing when the key is on but when I turn it backwards, my radio works and I get dash lights, so it is def. not the battery. It is jumpy when sitting still. There is also a humming type of noise by my E. brake pedal, which I am told could be my fuel line? Also, my security light keeps flashing when I put my key in the ignition and then it quits. *sigh* But I am still a faithful lover of the Monte Carlos!

13th Aug 2008, 19:26

I recently got my mothers 97 Monte Carlo Z34 with 58,000 on it. She bought it new and babied it and it looks great. It's black on black with the moon-roof, tilt, cruise the works. She never drove it over 60 mph. I drove it up to San Francisco from L.A. and was going to buy it for $3,000.

When I got home, the moon roof stopped working. She hardly ever drove it and yet it was always breaking down. $600.00 for an alternator. $900.00 for the A/C.

Last Sunday the engine started revving up and down in rpm while the car was sitting, and I heard a loud pop and saw that a PVC tube had come loose. There is no room to reach your hands down behind the engine to plug it back in. I had to use a SALAD grabber to reach down between the engine and firewall to plug it back in.

I came in and Googled 97 Monte Carlo and got this Car Survey web site with all its bad news about this car and this 3.4 engine. I called moms mechanic in L.A., who's maintained this car since she bought it new, and told him I had the car and he said, and I quote "the 3.4 engine is garbage, get rid of that thing as fast as you can before something else goes wrong.

I'm bummed, the thing looks like the Batmobile but is indeed a piece of crap. It's like finding out your new puppy has rabies.

22nd Aug 2008, 12:39

I am so glad that I found this site. I had found a 97 monte carlo Z34 3.4 litre car that I was going to purchase for my 17 year old. Thanks for saving me $2k and the headache.

2nd Sep 2008, 21:42

I have a 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo Z34 Limited Edition with the aftermarket rims (they came with it). Its been very good with me. It has 111,000 miles.

I left it sit for about 6 months, and it screwed the engine up. My son goes out and starts it everyday. Sometimes he has a hard time but he loves that car.

The clear coat on the bumpers chipped. But it's lasted us a very long time. I would recommend this car to anybody.