Here's some news that may shock some posters here:
The current Monte Carlos SS is faster than the 1980s one.
It actually has the same amount of torque (225lb ft) and 20 more horsepower than the L-69 305 V-8. Surprisingly perhaps, it weighs slightly more than the '83-'87 vintage, but it consistenly runs in the high middle 15 second range. I've seen two magazine tests where the SS runs below 16.0, but most tests of it are around 16.2 in the quarter mile. Anyway you slice it, the current model has a slight edge.
The early three speed models seem to have been best at the drags. Hot Rod magazine decried the 4 speed THM 200R auto and 3.73:1 drivetrain when it debuted in '85 because they claimed the THM350/3.42:1 was actually faster on the strip due to the THM350's superior strength and quicker shifts. Popular Hot Rodding pushed the '83 to a 15.7 e.t. by holding it in gear till 5800rpm when the valves started floating. Surprising that the L-69 had a god awful amount of valve duration. Something like 328degrees intake. For perspective, the '68 Olds 442 400 was running 286 degrees standard and the very hairy W-30 I think was about the same as the L-69 305. Anyway, the THM200 wasn't really designed to withstand abuse, as owners of turbo Regals of that era are all too aware.
Another funny thing about the current SS is that we expect it to be this musclecar when it started life as a soft and squishy 'personal luxury' car. Handling was advanced quite a bit on the '73, but if you wanted a hot intermediate in the 1970s they had the Laguna S-3 to sell you.
It appears the '83 SS model permanently altered the people's perception of the Monte Carlo. Also, the notion of a two door luxury car just doesn't exist anymore, so if it has two doors, I guess we think it should be a sporting model. No more Coupe de Villes for us apparently.
I've kind of gotten used to the Monte Carlo. The way the rear corners jut farther out than the middle reminds me of late 60's cars - think of the Chevelle or Buick Riviera. Unlike some here, I like it from the back, but not the front, mostly because of the hood. At the 2001 auto show circuit GM had a display that depicted something I've thought of for years now: they retain the transverse engine but put it behind the axle instead of in front. You get rid of the space savings, although on the other hand you can get rid of most of that copious front overhang so overall length doesn't increase. It gives the car a more traditional look, where b pillar doesn't go all the way to the front axle. You retain the mechanical efficiency and weight savings of front drive as well as the better traction but get a more "expensive" looking car that appears to be rear drive.
If it had a small V-8 most of us would probably be happy with that. Remember that rear drive is probably going to mean (heavy) independent rear suspension, and the car will likely weigh another 500lbs above the current model, so much of the extra hp will be used up dragging the heavier car around. I must say I can't contemplate a 5.3L front driver. Seems like you'd be burning up transaxles at quite a rate with 325lb/ft of torque to play with. Maybe they'll give it a 2.19:1 final drive to to keep from breaking things. You'd think torque steer would be awful too, but then again Cadillac pulls it off.
On the topic of manual transmission, I was noticing the Dodge Stratus 2 door when I was at the 2004 Auto Show and was surprised at how appealing it was. It seemed like a well kept secret and I couldn't figure out why they'd give the NEON the turbo treatment and not this slick looking stratus coupe. I suppose it would be heresy on a GM site to talk Dodge Stratus, but it has a 5 speed manual available and the same 200hp in R/T form as the SS. I'm puzzled why you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Monte Carlo, yet this smooth and sexy stratus two door is a relatively rare find. It's also cheaper than the Monte Carlo SS. You can get the full R/T package for $21,000 with incentives. On the other hand, I couldn't convince myself to buy it. Maybe Dodge would have more success if they labeled their NASCAR racers with big "Stratus" decals. Evidently the NASCAR angle pays dividends for Chevy, with all the "Jeff Gordon" edition SS cars. Chevy isn't afraid to push the boundaries of taste with those massive checkered flag decals and two tone paint jobs. You can criticize them as 'tacky,' but they're popular and appeal to the latent adolescent in all of us.
