1996 Chevy Monte Carlo Review
1996 Chevy Monte Carlo Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Dual-zone climate controls reduce marital spats. The 3.4-liter V6 makes more power this year, and four-wheel disc brakes, standard on the Z34, are optional on the LS.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.03 per gallon for regular unleaded in Arizona.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Arizona
$233/mo for Monte Carlo LS
Monte Carlo LS
vs
$233/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
Essentially a Lumina coupe, the Monte Carlo is one more marketing trick from the folks who brought us the Genuine Chevrolet' ad campaign, resurrected the Impala SS, and are considering future products with innovative names like Malibu and Bel Air. All fine and dandy, if the new product is able to live up to the legend, like the Impala SS has been able to. We think that Chevrolet should have made more of a styling statement with this car before slapping the Monte Carlo nameplate on it..
Sure, the twin-cam, 3.4-liter V6 under the hood is sweet. Yes, this Monte Carlo handles better than its Lumina Z34 predecessor. But it's still a Lumina coupe, and Chevy stylists did not even try to disguise that fact. It looks nothing like flared-fendered Monte Carlos of yore, which can be either a good or bad thing, but styling is what sold so many Montes in the '70s and '80s. This one, while negligibly attractive, has no distinct personality of its own.
It works well on the track, though. Ford has been whuppin' the Chevy boys in NASCAR with the slick Thunderbird for years, but this new Lumin...er, Monte Carlo, has kept the blue oval boys from leading very many races this season, much less winning them.
New to the Monte Carlo for 1996 are dual climate controls for front seat occupants, new radios, an optional power sunroof, and available steering wheel radio controls. Z34 models get standard four-wheel disc brakes and a trunk cargo net. New paint colors and one new interior color debut this year.
The Monte Carlo is better than any Monte before it, but is saddled with vanilla styling that renders it nearly invisible on the road. The Thunderbird is into its seventh model year in current guise, but its classy looks and excellent interior design keep it in the hunt. However, check into a Dodge Avenger ES or Chrysler Sebring before buying anything in the personal coupe class, despite their less inspiring straight-line acceleration.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
5 star(37%)
4 star(35%)
3 star(18%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(2%)
51 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.88 out of 5 stars
Good does not outwiegh bad
acerfan, 07/05/2006
1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe
Mechanically has been decent, no major repairs. Trunk is very roomy and with the fold-down back seats you can fit a lot in this car. Clearance is way too low, and long doors make tight parking spaces impossible to fit in (if you actually want to get out of the vehicle). One cup holder is not enough. Battery is impossible to get to, being under a support bar and the washer fluid tank. The … turning radius of this car is the worst of anything post-90's I have ever driven.
4.38 out of 5 stars
My first car!
CAE, 08/18/2010
1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe
My mom and dad bought this car hoping it would last me through college. Boy oh boy! We bought this car used for $17,000 (it was one year old). It had 22,000 miles on it as it had been a rental car. My dad was very weary, but I couldn't resist the bright red paint and spoiler. Once the windows were tinted and 17" rims were on it was a hot car! Now, 10 years later my first (and only) … car just turned over 200,000 miles. I have really loved driving this car. It handles great, but repairs are never cheap (usually due to labor costs). Proper maintenance is key to this car's longevity. The paint is still shiny and the interior still has plenty of wear left on it.
2.13 out of 5 stars
My first car, worst car.
erigney, 08/12/2014
1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe
I bought this car myself with the money I had made from my first job. This wasn't even three years ago and I have probably paid for it twice in repairs. New timing chain. New spark plugs -twice. New spark wires- twice. New Catalytic Converter. Cleaned Muffler. New turn signal switch. Ect. This car has been nothing but heartache. I loved it to death at first, but it's sucking me dry. … Still trying to sell it.... Would not recommend.
5 out of 5 stars
Best Car Ever
Genocide, 03/21/2002
1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 2dr Coupe
Best Car Ever
1996 Monte Carlo Highlights
LS
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $233/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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