Car of the Year for 1997: The Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS

One of the staples of the Coupe segment is the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. In the previous model year debuted a brand new version of the Monte Carlo with two versions: Z34 and LS. Sales for the Monte Carlo, especially the Monte Carlo LS, were brisk during 1997 and 1998. The improved vehicle quality and the modern styling were responsible for the boost in sales.

Performance

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Engine Specs: The Monte Carlo LS comes outfitted with a Chevrolet 3.1 liter, 6-cylinder motor that uses 12 valves. The engine, manufactured by General Motors, is teamed up with a General Motors 4-speed transaxle. This arrangement has demonstrated to be an effective style for Chevrolet.

The fuel system for the 1997 Monte Carlo is a SFI design, running on gasoline fuel. The fuel flow is regulated by a electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The storage capacity of the fuel tank is 16.10 gallons.

The Monte Carlo uses power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are drum. Steering is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The car uses coil and coil springs front and rear respectively.

Monte Carlo LS Statistics

The Monte Carlo is 200.70 inches long, 72.50 inches wide, and 53.80 inches high. It has a wheelbase of 107.50 inches. It is able to seat 6 comfortably.

The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $17,445 when new, with a dealer invoice cost of $15,788. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 2-door Coupe.

There is a 50,000* mile, 60* month warranty with this vehicle, including a powertrain warranty of 50,000*/36* miles/months. This is normal for this price range.

Fuel Efficiency

The 1997 Monte Carlo gets 29 miles/gallon on the highway and only 20 in the city. This is average for a coupe car.

In Summary

There are several reasons why the Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS sold well in 1997. Mainly the increase in availability and a marked improvement in quality meant the buying public was more apt to choose a Chevrolet, specifically a Monte Carlo.