ok well looking at the 79-81 malibus and monte carlos and want to know:
1)how are they in snow?
2)how good is the stock rear end at hooking up the power to the ground?
3)if you had a choice between the monte carlo and the malibu what would you choose?
4)Im fine with working on either but i have experience with a 79 malibu (automotive class car) so should i go with a malibu?

ok well looking at the 79-81 malibus and monte carlos and want to know:
1)how are they in snow?
2)how good is the stock rear end at hooking up the power to the ground?
3)if you had a choice between the monte carlo and the malibu what would you choose?
4)Im fine with working on either but i have experience with a 79 malibu (automotive class car) so should i go with a malibu?
Having owned 4 Monte Carlos in the past I can tell you that if you are an experienced driver in the winter, and have a good pair of snow tires, these cars ( Malibu or Monte Carlo) can handle quite well in the snow. There will probably be others who will say different, but I have never had a problem driving these cars in the Winter. I even passed people driving FWD and 4x4 on the road and even going uphill. I had a '78 Monte Carlo that I put a high performance engine into. I did not do anything to the stock rear end and everything was fine while I drove it. These cars are lighter than the mid '70s GM midsize cars they replaced, and this car was quite a bit faster than the '76 Monte I previously had this engine in. To answer your last question I first would say that I'm prejudiced towards the Montes but basically these cars are very similar to each other so no matter which one you choose it would be fine, ( although I think the Monte looks sportier.) I know in my area, those cars from that era are in short supply. A big defect in these cars which led them to an early demise, including my '78 was rusting of the rear frame just after the rear wheels. I see more of the Montes around than the Malibus from that era, not sure which model was produced in more quantities. I used to subscribe to Hot Rod and Car Craft mags back 15 or so years ago and I remember they did some articles on modifications to these vehicles. I think one had a story about which cars from the last 10-15 years would make a good sleeper, and the '78 to '83 Malibu was mentioned as a choice. Since you have experience with the Malibu you should have no problem working on a Monte, or any GM G body car, if you should get one.