The Last Chevrolet Monte Carlo Rolls off The Line

[chevygurl72]

this is sad..

[Minnesota Nice]

Originally Posted by fastball

The coupe segment, while not as strong as it has been in the past, is still alive. Otherwise Honda would have abandonded the Accord coupe for the 2008 redesign. It will be back, in full ranges from a cloth 4 cylinder to the leather trimed V6. But, most importantly, it will be available with a manual transmission, even with the V6.

That is one thing, albeit minor, that I belive GM has and will continue to overlook. Think about it..... if the Monte Carlo SS had been available with a slick shifting 6 speed stick, wouldn't it have sold alot more? I think it would have. In fact, I think the SS line for ALL Chevys should be built WITH and ONLY with a manual transmission.

The coupe segment definately is not as strong as it was in the past, but like you said, there certainly is still a market for it, even if it is only a small percentage of the population. Honda has always been known for doing things that other automakers may deem a little "risky".

The thing I've noticed about Honda's decisions regarding their coupes, is that they almost always offer a choice between a sedan model or a coupe model, noting mainly the Honda Civic and the Honda Accord. People like to be given a choice, and I think that definately works to Honda's advantage. The styling is different enough on the Accord/Civic coupes to not be written off as a hack job like the 1997-2003 Grand Prix was.

As with the coupe segment, the market for standard transmissions in the United States is a miniscule one at best. Most people simply prefer the convenience of having a slushbox to row the gears for them. I agree that the sportier models in Chevy's line-up, such as you mentioned the SS badged ones, should be stick shifts only. The Civic Si does quite well having not offered an automatic transmission. The problem GM faces is that it needs to find a balance: they don't want to jeopordize sales on a vehicle by making it a stick shift only, you know?

Originally Posted by Ravioi

With a Nissan Alitma Coupe and Honda Accord Coupe, why would they kill this car now? Except to increase Camaro sales.

It may marginally increase Camaro sales, but I don't think it'll be enough to notice, to be honest. I really don't think many people would consider buying the (ex) current Monte Carlo over the newly released and highly anticipated Camaro.

The thing about Honda, I can't speak for the Nissan as I've not seen or driven it yet, is that the Accord isn't even in the Monte Carlo's league, I don't think. Honda has this concept where, even if you buy the most base model, you can equip it with almost every option a higher trim level comes standard with. Many people don't like being reminded that they bought the cheapest model of the car, and by not having to opt to a substantially pricier V6 model just to get heated leather, sunroof, navigation, or other perks, they can equip their four banger with it.

This is something I'd like to see Pontiac and Chevy start doing a little more. Giving those of us who may not be able to afford the most expensive trim level a little more choice in our options.

[GMCSonoma]

97-03 GP a hack job?

[Minnesota Nice]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

97-03 GP a hack job?

Yes. There is very little distinguishable characteristics minus two doors between the sedan and the coupe models. Same went for the Grand Am.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but giving people an option between a practical, good looking sedan, and a sportier, more unique coupe model definately can make a difference from a selling perspective.

GM seems to be getting this right, as of late. Note the G6 (coupe vs. sedan).

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by Minnesota Nice

Yes. There is very little distinguishable characteristics minus two doors between the sedan and the coupe models. Same went for the Grand Am.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but giving people an option between a practical, good looking sedan, and a sportier, more unique coupe model definately can make a difference from a selling perspective.

GM seems to be getting this right, as of late. Note the G6 (coupe vs. sedan).

OK, that's your opinion...

I can recall back in 1997-98 when we had waiting lists for the GP GT's & GTP's, especially the coupes...

I had a wonderful 2K GP GT coupe...was an excellent car for the 43k miles I owned it! The 97-03 GP, IMO is worlds ahead of the one that replaced it...

I was fortunate enough to have many different W-cars of that generation for demonstrators...they are good cars and make popular used cars today...at least in my corner of the world!

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by Minnesota Nice

Yes. There is very little distinguishable characteristics minus two doors between the sedan and the coupe models. Same went for the Grand Am.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but giving people an option between a practical, good looking sedan, and a sportier, more unique coupe model definately can make a difference from a selling perspective.

GM seems to be getting this right, as of late. Note the G6 (coupe vs. sedan).

Coupe and Sedan versions of the same car used to always carry the same styling, only recently has that changed. Take the '90-'93 and '94-'97 Accord, the Coupe and Sedan were identical except for the doors.

I agree with what you mentioned about options though, Honda has the best trim level/engine/transmission grouping of all automakers.

[Minnesota Nice]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

OK, that's your opinion...

I can recall back in 1997-98 when we had waiting lists for the GP GT's & GTP's, especially the coupes...

I had a wonderful 2K GP GT coupe...was an excellent car for the 43k miles I owned it! The 97-03 GP, IMO is worlds ahead of the one that replaced it...

Oh, please don't take what I said to mean that I think poorly of those vehicles. I had a 2000 Grand Am GT and I loved that car until the day I gave it to my brother. One of my friends has a 2002 Grand Prix GT coupe, and it is a very nice car.

I completely agree about the 97-03 Grand Prix being better than the current model, minus the obvious quality changes on the interior.

Perhaps I shouldn't have said hack job. That was just the first word that came to mind. I just meant to paint an image of sharing a sedan body with the coupe body, that's all.

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

Coupe and Sedan versions of the same car used to always carry the same styling, only recently has that changed. Take the '90-'93 and '94-'97 Accord, the Coupe and Sedan were identical except for the doors.

I agree with what you mentioned about options though, Honda has the best trim level/engine/transmission grouping of all automakers.

Yeah, I just noticed that it seemed GM held on to the concept of interchangable coupe/sedan versions for a little longer than maybe was needed, that's all.

It's hard to explain in words about the trim level options that Honda offers, but I just like the fact that I don't need to buy up to a V6 car just to get the top-of-the-line options: I like that you can get an EX in the four cylinder model, just as you can on the six cylinder model.

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by Minnesota Nice

Oh, please don't take what I said to mean that I think poorly of those vehicles. I had a 2000 Grand Am GT and I loved that car until the day I gave it to my brother. One of my friends has a 2002 Grand Prix GT coupe, and it is a very nice car.

I completely agree about the 97-03 Grand Prix being better than the current model, minus the obvious quality changes on the interior.

Perhaps I shouldn't have said hack job. That was just the first word that came to mind. I just meant to paint an image of sharing a sedan body with the coupe body, that's all.


.

Fair enough!

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by nailhead425

uh, no. Shoving another 300hp V-8 into a front-driver, just like early 90s Caddys, was another stop-gap.

Mustangs are iconic. Something Ford understands.

The 80s joke Montes are certainly worse performing, but at least they were rear-drive.

FWD Montes are like dating your sister...

wrong.

Yea so iconic that the Mustang nearly became a FWD car 12-15 years ago. Fans saved it and that FWD Mustang became the Probe. So Ford didn't really understand either.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by Minnesota Nice

As with the coupe segment, the market for standard transmissions in the United States is a miniscule one at best. Most people simply prefer the convenience of having a slushbox to row the gears for them. I agree that the sportier models in Chevy's line-up, such as you mentioned the SS badged ones, should be stick shifts only. The Civic Si does quite well having not offered an automatic transmission. The problem GM faces is that it needs to find a balance: they don't want to jeopordize sales on a vehicle by making it a stick shift only, you know?

Thats foolish, you are shooting yourself in the foot by only offering an manual transmission. The sales for the SI might be good but they would be even better if they offered an automatic. Not everyone wants to to be bothered shifting, some people just want to go fast and have an agile car without the hassle of shifting.

[F14CRAZY]

I searched with Google news and found NO articles about the last Monte Carlo being produced

[TahoeMikeZ71]

The Zeta GTO is taking over the larger than Camaro coupe market so it is kinda replacing the Monte.

[Minnesota Nice]

Originally Posted by PA Dweller

Thats foolish, you are shooting yourself in the foot by only offering an manual transmission. The sales for the SI might be good but they would be even better if they offered an automatic. Not everyone wants to to be bothered shifting, some people just want to go fast and have an agile car without the hassle of shifting.

Right, but Honda knows they aren't going to have any problems selling Civics. I believe the number for the Si's created each year is around 16,000, if I recall correctly. Clearly this isn't a huge market, but you can bet your bottom they had no problem selling each and every one of them.

You have an option to get a Civic with an automatic, it just won't be an Si. That's how it's always been (as far as I know), and probably will be.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by Minnesota Nice

Right, but Honda knows they aren't going to have any problems selling Civics. I believe the number for the Si's created each year is around 16,000, if I recall correctly. Clearly this isn't a huge market, but you can bet your bottom they had no problem selling each and every one of them.

You have an option to get a Civic with an automatic, it just won't be an Si. That's how it's always been (as far as I know), and probably will be.

That sucks, even the former Cobalt SS offered a 205 HP engine and it had an automatic option.

[TahoeMikeZ71]

The SS Supercharged Cobalt never had an automatic option.