1997 Monte Carlo LS

[Pete_BMR_z26]

So, my girlfriend's grandparents found a car for her. It's a 97 Monte, not the z34. I'm just looking for thoughts/opinions, etc. on the car and stuff. It has the same 3.1 L V6 as my z26, and the 4T60-E transmission. Here's what makes it enticing. Only 40k on the entire car, and it is supposedly extremely clean. No rust, no accidents, etc. It was garage kept and only had one owner. The man who owned it had to be put in a nursing home, so he sold it to the mechanic that my girlfriend's grandparents have always gone to. They're selling it for $3600, BUT it's all the way near Mt. Pleasant, SC (I'm in Jersey, about 700 miles away). Having not seen the car and going basically off her grandparents' word, should she buy it? I haven't seen pictures either, but it is super clean apparently. Any insight, comments, suggestions, or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

[Money pit Beretta]

I'd go for it. It's got to be clogged up, but Sea Foam would help that. It's been doing alot of sitting, so you will have to keep an eye on things. Should be just minor repairs though.

[Pete_BMR_z26]

It hasn't been sitting for too long, if at all. The man wouldn't drive it too much I don't think, but once it gets here (i'll probably be the one flying down to pick it up) I'll give it a complete run through

[Money pit Beretta]

Sounds good. Look over everything and I mean everything.

[Pete_BMR_z26]

Yeah I plan on it. It's official! Tags have been put on and insurance has been paid (SC tags). I'm nervous and excited LOL

[Koots]

It should be a great car. even though they are bigger than our L-bodies, they are still a very solid car.

Even when I refused to acknowledge the GM FWD cars from the 80's and 90's, I still really liked the GP, MC and Lumina.

[Pete_BMR_z26]

Yeah i like that it's a little bigger, for her sake. I just hope and pray that everything is fine under the hood

[heavywoody]

I'd replace the intake manifold gasket after you get it up there. I doubt it's been done on a car with that low of mileage, and once you start daily driving a car that old with low mileage, issues are bound to show up.

[woody90gtz]

Geoff is right. A metal FelPro LIMG is good preventative maintenance on any 3x00 IMO.

[Slinky]

Geoff is right. A metal FelPro LIMG is good preventative maintenance on any 3x00 IMO.

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