Test-Driving The 2002 Chevy Monte Carlo SS Coupe

I thought I’d take us back today to a now-classic whip I reviewed when it was brand new. Hope you enjoy it. Where were you in 2002?

Test-Driving The 2002 Chevy Monte Carlo SS Coupe

“Dude, why didn’t you tell me you had a Monte Carlo?” said a friend I picked up soon after taking delivery of the test car. “I would have worn a t-shirt with a pack of Marlboro reds tucked in the sleeve and brought my Zeppelin 8-tracks.” It seemed 1979 all over again as I cranked the dash-mounted ignition and we blasted off.

The 2002 Monte Carlo, a carryover from 2001, is a cheap, fast, three-decade-old survivor well worth cheering about, and cheer me folks did as I tooled around the city and beyond. New Yorkers love to offer car comments – solicited or otherwise – and this one brought out the Brooklyn in people, thankfully in a positive way.

It’s a looker

The body is slick and fast-looking. Sporty, stylish body lines abound and the Monte Carlo’s rear extends upward slightly as if to imply particular disrespect to whomever you’ve just passed.

Inside, that delicious familiar plastic economy hotel room flavor abounds, and I didn’t mind a bit. Controls are easy to reach and well-marked, the CD/Cassette/AM/FM stereo unit is above average, and seats are well-padded. If you’re well-padded or tall, though, you’ll need to think twice about buying – with the driver’s seat pushed all the way back, I only had 7 inches from belly to steering wheel and scant head space, and I’m no John Goodman.

Passengers and rear passengers have plenty of room, however, and we even squashed a 27-inch television in the back seat with no problem during one out-of-town trip.

The Monte Carlo comes in two trims; the $20,195 LS with its 3.4 litre V6 engine, and our test model, the SS, which features a 3.8 litre, V6 which gets 19 city miles to the gallon, 29 on the highway. Performance is outstanding; the car accelerates instantly and interior noise is minimal. Braking, via 4-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS, is efficient. The ride is even and smooth even at high speeds. The rack-and-pinion power steering doesn’t quite equal the razor-sharp acceleration and braking, yet it does the job well.

The Monte Carlo’s options are many and costly; when loaded, the sticker price jumps to $29,710. You’ll have to decide for yourself if you want a $795.00 sunroof, a $445.00 stereo and other amenities. For $3,100, you can get the “Dale Ernhardt” package, which includes 16” diamond cut aluminum wheels, stainless steel exhaust tips, and other great-looking extras. Bachman-Turner-Overdrive CDs are not available.

Safety features are numerous; Onstar, child tether seats, dual front and driver side-impact Airbags and running lamps are standard. In all, a well-made improvement on an old standard, and worth what they’re asking.

I wonder if any readers have a 2002 Monte Carlo, how it’s behaving or what you’ve done to it. Drop me a line in the comments section! Also, click here to find one to buy.

Ride safe! JM