NEWS phote Julia iverson THE biggest coupe on the market under $30,000, the 2000 Cnevrolet Monte Carlo is based on the recently- introduced Chevrolet impala sedan. it offers a sur- prisingly satisfying blend of performance and com- fort ata bass price of just under $25,000. Test drive the Monte Carfo at Carter Chevrolfet Cidsmobiie, 845 Marine Drive, Nozth Vancouver. Co coupe hi MOST sporty coupes are 7 small, lightweight, two- door coupes or hatchbacks with a cramped rear seat. The 2000 Chevrolet Monte Casio, on the other hand, is the biggest, heavi- |g est, roomicst, and most jj powerful two-door coupe available urider $30,000. And while sporty coupes often appeal to younger, single buy- ers who want something small, cheap and sporty, the mid-size Monte Cario appeals to more mature buyers who want a roomy interior, a smooth ride, and a quiet cabin. Unfortunately for the Monte Carlo, most of these latter buy- ers also want four doors. The market for big nwo-door coupes has been declining for a number of years, and the Monte Carto is one of the last big coupes on the market. So why did GM hold onto the Monte Carlo for 2000? Perhaps because for those who do want a big, reasonably-priced two-door coupe, there's really only one choice now: the Monte Carlo, & AirCare Approved YORTH SHORE 3 Hicenced mechanics, BCAA Monte Carlo based on Impala The 2000 Monte Carlo shares the same plattorm, suspension, brakes and engines with the recendy-introduced Chevrolet Impala four-door sedan ~~ which itself was an extensively- redesigned version of the 1999 Lumina — upon which the pre- vious 1999 Monte Carlo was based. The 2000 Monte Carlo LS has a 180-horsepower 3.4-litre OHV V6 engine, replacing the 160-horsepower 3.1-litre V6 of the previous Monte Carlo. The sportier Monte Carlo 3S has a 200-horsepower 3.8-litre V6, the same engine as in the 1999 Monte Carlo Z34. For 2000, traction control is now included with the 3.8-litre engine. This is a “full-function” traction control system which works at any speed to prevent wheelspin in slippery conditions by temporarily cutting back on the throttle and applying the rakes. Both 2000 LS and SS Monte Carlos have standard four- wheel-disc brakes with ABS — previously, LS models had stan- dard front dise/rear drum: brakes, In addition, the new disc brakes are bigger and more powerful than fast year’s dise brakes, purportedly the same brakes specified for police car use. GM claims they have the largest rotors and calipers available in a mid-sized domestic car. Good Old Fashioned Full Service for 1¢ More 15% off at our grocery market with ad* Large grocery and confectionary sections. Lottery centre NEWS AYTOMETIVE Best flowers | Best price Hest service GUIDE “After I cast aside my built-in bias towards big, domestic coupes, I. found that the 7 new Mente Carlo was a conipeien performance coupe with the added bonus of a roomy . As well, all 2060 Monte Carlos include a new tire inflation monitor which alerts the driver via a warning light if a tire is los- ing air pressure. The system uses ABS sensors to detect when one wheel is rotating more sowly than the other wheels. Longer wheelbasc, more interior room ‘The new Monte Carlo is roomier than the previous model even though it’s about the same length and width. That’s because its wheelbase is 77 mm longer and its roof is 35 mm taller. This creates a larger cabin with more headroom and legroom for the two front passengers and three rear passengers. { found the front seats to be wide and comfy with good later- al support. On a one-day driving tip, T spent more than ten hours in the car as both driver and passenger. To my surprise, I did not experience any back stiffness or discoinfort wi vhen I stepped out. The Monte Carlo LS interior includes two large cloth-cov- ered bucket seats, a centre console with floor shifter, large round speedometer, tachometer and smaller auxillary gauges, standard AM/FM/CD stereo, rotary dials for the heater and air condi- tioning, an ignition switch on the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel, and a centre armrest with a roomy storage com- See More nest page URES TERY ca ee a eo eat