I've got a couple cars, I need to decide which to get.

The Alero is a 2003 coupe, its Gold, has 27,000 miles on it, and I can get it for 10K. Its got a v6 in it.

The Monte Carlo SS is a 2002, its white, the problem is its got 75,000 miles on it, but its basically nicer overall. Its $10.8K

My parents will pay up to 10K, anything over is out of my own pocket (so i'll be paying about 800 or 900 on the Monte.

The Alero is a program car, so it's probably been used as a rental.

The Monte Carlo is a Locally owned trade in. The lady apparently (from what I can tell) put most of that mileage on the car driving from home to work everyday (which from what we can tell she lived ine Reinland (sp?) Missouri and drove to Jefferson City. So most of the mileage is highway.

Now heres the big dea. The Alero still has 9,000 miles in warranty left on it, the Monte Carlo has none.

So my parents say if anything happens to the Monte, i'm going to have to pay the price.

What do you all think? Is the Monte Carlo a solid enough buy? do you think it'll hold up for a while?

I test drove both, they both seem fine, I don't really like the looks of the alero as much... but it is newer and has a warranty with fewer miles.

The monte carlo on the other hand looks nicer, has a GREAT! interior, and has a higher Blue Book value.

What are your opinions?

Between those two, I'd get the Monte Carlo. GMs 3.8L V6 is an extremely reliable engine.

Did you test drive either of them?

get the Monte Carlo for a little under 10 thousand because of the miles and then you can go to any Chevy dealership and get an extended warranty for between 1000 - 2000

I was told I couldn't get the extended warranty because it was over 65k miles..

Plus I don't think theres any way i'd ever get the Monte under 10K.

The KBB value of it at 75,000 miles is $14,595. It's listed at about $13,000, and we know the salesman and have done a lot with the dealership for a LONG time and i'm pretty sure thats bottom basement price.

I've test drove both.

Both are solid vehicles.

The thing about the Monte Carlo is the luxury inside compared to the Alero. Its got the audio controls mounted on the stearing wheel, its got a badass moon roof, great sound system. Overall it's solid.

The thing keeping me from getting it is the 75K miles and the lack of warrenty.

I have heard that 75K miles is nothing on a good engine...

Do you think I can put another 20-30K miles on it without any problems?

I estimate i'd put 30K at most on it by the end of college, and by then i'd probably get a new car.

Heck, if properly maintained, the 3.8L can go for almost ever. 200,000+ mi. is not uncommon.

I've been reading reviews, and doing some checking this is what i'm reading.

The Monte Carlo LS's have some problems, but the SS's (which this one is) is a pretty solid car.

The alero doesn't review as well.

Carreview.com has them rated as a 3.68 for the monte, and 2.93 for the Alero.

How likely in the next year would I have to have something significant replaced in the Monte, considering I don't have a warranty on it?

Are you buying the Monte Carlo through a dealer? Because they can do extended warranties at any level of miles. Whoever told you that is full of shyt.

It should hold up for at least another 150,000 miles..

Hum... Yeah its froma dealership, i'll have to check on the extended warranty.

I thought he said it couldn't be done on this one.

My dad just bought a 2002 PT Cruiser from a dealership and it was past warrantee... he asked for an extended warranty and they had told him that you can buy an extended warranty at any point for the car... I am sure that it is still possible because the car is only two years old

Not likely, if you are purchasing it through a regular dealer. When they take in vehicles on trade, or purchase them used from auction, they usually go through and refurbish the vehicle. I would see if they would let you take the Monte to an independant mechanic that you trust and have things checked out. More often, if the mechanic finds something that shows signs of needing replaced, or something that is going to need to be replaced shortly, the dealer will replace it at no extra cost if you buy the car.

As far as any major mechanical issues, I don't see anything in the next 30,000 miles that is going to break on you and cost you an arm and a leg to get fixed.
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He did say they did about $300 worth of work in the vehicle to fix it up I guess.

I might check and see if they'll let me take it to an independent mechanic, but i've got a car friend who's very knowledgable I'll have look at.

And I might take it to his dad if they'll let me and have him give it a look, he's got a used car lot and does stuff with that.

I own a '90 Buick with the 3.8L V6. I've had my share of work done to the car (or, rather, needing to be done very soon...), but I've never had ANY drivetrain problems with that car. I'm rolling her over to 168k and the engine's ticking along just fine. I should be able to go to 180k with no major problems.

That was a '90. GM's 3800 has only improved with age.

If you're going to have any problems with that car, they won't be in the drivetrain. 75k on a car these days is nothing.

I'm slowly convincing myself towards the Monte Carlo.

My main wants in a car were somewhat sporty, moon/sun roof, spoiler, and good interior, and a car color of either silver, black, or white.

This is the only car i've found in my range that fits it all.

But if anyone wants to give me any reasons not to get it, i wouldn't mind hearing that.

The only car in the entire world that I would eva by wuld be a CIIVVVAAACCC. Totally reliable up to 4000000 miles with an awsome reputation for being the sportiest car on the streetz. My advice go to the honda dealer with the monte carlo and have him strap on a convertion kit to make it a ciivac. Then stop by autozone and get some decals then you'll have one pimp phat car home dog.

See You on the streetz...