Help me out guys

[oily oaf]

As Brit thats never had the pleasure of visiting the good old US of A can any of u guys over there tell me if the motors that I so love to watch at an ungodly hour in the morning namely the Chevy Monte Carlo, Dodge Intrepid, Ford Taurus and the Pontiac Grand Prix are sold as production cars to the good people of America and if so wot kind of prices do they fetch, engine capacity, horse power etc. I know this is a pain in the ass question but u guys have never let me down yet with all my other inane enquiries for which I thank you most kindly fellas. Now get to it!

[shiny side up!]

Yep, all production cars. You can buy any of them from ~$20,000 USD for the basic models up to ~$30,000 USD for the fancier ones with bigger engines, leather interior, sporty bodywork, etc...

The Taurus and Intrepid are definitely viewed as family sedans, while the Monte Carlo and Grand Prix are regarded as a little more sporty, but still they are family sedans...

The Monte Carlo 3800 (3.8L) V6 makes 200 hp at 5200 rpm and 225 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. That is the top-line engine option for the Chevy. I don't really feel like looking the others up, but you can assume the others are similar, although you can get a Grand Prix with the same 3800 engine as the Monte but supercharged, which I think is another +25horse or so...

[shiny side up!]

OK, so curiosity got the best of me and I looked up the other cars' specs as well...


Most powerful engine options:

Ford Taurus:
3.0L DOHC 4V/cyl V6 200hp @5650rpm, 200ft-lb @4400rpm

Dodge Intrepid:
232hp 3.5L V6 DOHC 24valve

Pontiac Grand Prix:
3.8L Supercharged V6 260HP @5200rpm, 280lb-ft @4000rpm

Cheverolet Monte Carlo:
3.8L V6 200hp @5200rpm, 225lb-ft @4000rpm

[danieljboys]

There is a 3 door Chevy Monte Carlo available in the US in Dale Earnhardt colours complete with the no. 3 on the side and back and it looks s**t hot!! I saw a couple when I was there and I regret to say that I didn't have my camera handy either time :-(

[danieljboys]

Found a picture of it...

[Lee Janotta]

Mind you, they're all front-drive, have V6s, and you'd have a hell of a time getting a manual transmission in any of them.

The closest we've actually got to NASCAR cars is the Pontiac GTO... Which is just a rebadged Holden Monaro.

[Jack Man]

Sorry oily can't help ya on this one i drive a 7.8l 454ci Chevy SS pick up truck. Paid 24,000 back in 92.

[oily oaf]

Brilliant! Thanks to all u guys for your time and trouble it really is much appreciated. A big thanks to u Shiny for the detailed info, I promise not to be such a pain in the rear in future, well not for a day or two anyway Great work fellas

[shiny side up!]

Hey, no problem.


When I have a question about those funny little cars with steering wheels on the right, I'll be sure to ask YOU for help!!!

[oily oaf]

Hey steady on there Shiney, I happen to be the proud owner of a 1983 Reliant Robin and the other day I opened up her throbin' 75cc 2 cyl power unit and achieved a jaw dropping 47mph downhill with a following 80mph wind behind me no bulls**t so think again before u cast aspersions on the great British supercar buddy

[shiny side up!]

I think your prized Robin will fit in the back of my pickup truck if you ever feel the need to go faster than 47mph in it...

[oily oaf]

I dont think it would withstand the G force mate.

[Senninha]

Keep in mind, of course, that there's nothing "stock" about a stock car. All cars in NASCAR's Winston Cup series are purpose-built from the ground up with tube framing and thinner metals. Theoretically, the templates will match up from a race car to a street car, but only on certain areas. The only piece in the car that comes from the auto manufacturer is the engine block and most teams mill those themselves as well. The race cars are rear-wheel drive and use carbureted engines. Of course, the USA hasn't produced a rear-wheel drive manual trasmission car for under $30,000 US for over a decade. And no, I can't wait for the GTO next year. Hopefully it will be the start of a trend.