First post from a long time reader:
Being the owner of a 1987 SS, and wanting a Grand National....I don't understand how you can LOVE one car, and HATE the other. I have always wanted a T-type Regal...but in Oklahoma, those are the rarest of the G bodies. About the only thing you can come by is beater Cuttys. Personally, I like the style of all G-body cars, and I like the uniqueness of the SS. Non-SS, Cutlass, Grand Prix and Regals all look similar (i.e. you can tell they are built on the same platform.
And you have to remember who the Monte Carlo (well really most G-bodies) was built for. They weren't built for teenagers or drag racers. They were built for a more mature audience that wanted a touch of luxury and a somewhat sporty car. The reason Chevy didn't put a bigger motor in the Monte Carlo was because with it weighing close to the same a a f-body, would you sacrifice a back seat when you could get a much more comfortable car with similar performance? GM did it to keep innerbrand competition down.
And as far as a stock GN blowing the doors off of a stock SS...Here is an article titled "Modern Muscle" from the July 1985 Car and Driver comparing the GN, SS, and 442...
Base Price/Price as Tested:
GN: 13,565/16,289
SS: 11,608/14,430
442: 11,7445/14,366
HP/TQ
GN: 200/300
SS: 180/245
442: 180/245
0-60, 0-100, 1/4 mi (mph)
GN: 7.5, 22.9, 15.7 (87)
SS: 7.8, 25.6, 15.9 (86)
442: 9.1, 31.3, 16.6 (83)
Granted, .2 seconds is more distance than it sounds, I don't think it justifies "blowing the doors off". I think, when it came down to it...it was a matter of styling preference and cash at hand.
Oh, one more thing...I think that it is hilarious that you guys get comments about your "Monte Carlos" because I get comments on my "Grand National" all the time. I think that people are just stupid when it comes to knowing their cars!