Automotive & Things That Move

I’m typically not a fan of Detroit iron, but I have to admit that they are getting a little better. Particularly Chrysler now that they get some German influence. But were talking Chevys here…

I had the opportunity to take a long drive from Washington DC to New Hampshire in a 2005 Chevy Monte Carlo not too long ago. My first impressions were mostly positive. Let me say I have never really liked the style of the Monte Carlo of any year. This really is no exception, but I’ll concede that it’ not nearly the ugliest car I have ever seen. Interior styling is something altogether different. American car makers are making leaps of headway to designing attractive AND functional interiors. I place a large weight to ergonomics of driving since I spend a lot of time in cars. I like to be able to activate controls with fingertips without removing my hands from the wheel. I like for the shifter to be directly under the fall line of a hand sliding off the steering wheel. I like the arm rests at comfortable positions to allow proper wheel grip ( a most challenging feat considering the difference in peoples proportions). The interior styling of the Monte Carlo is nice. It doesn’t meet all of these requirements but enough to be comfortable. It had comfortable bucket seats with lumbar support (often missing in American cars). The dash layout was sleek but functional. Steering column controls were in reach of my fingertips, but perhaps not those with shorter fingers.

Performace and handling were very good. The car had great pickup as to be expected with a decent displacement engine. Interior noise was quite low unless you had the pedal to the floor. Handling was also surprising to me. I grew up driving my parents Oldsmobiles and Buicks and have driven a handful of other, more recent, American cars. The Monte Carlo handles quite well. Very firm as a sports coupe should be. Very little chassis roll in hard corners, and nimble self centering steering control.

Downside other than exterior styling is the fuel economy. The best I got was about 23 MPG and it was ALL highways. We need to turn our engine efficiency gains from technology into fuel savings instead of power. The Japanese and European car makers are way ahead on this.

Overall I give this car a B-. Styling can be a people to people thing, but theres still room to go on interior style and ergonomics as well as fuel economy.