1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Review
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Review
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Used Cutlass Supreme for sale
Appraise This CarOldsmobile Cutlass Supreme types
- Coupe
- Sedan
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
The convertible has been retired. The sedan and coupe enjoy their last year in production, receiving engine upgrades for 1996.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$203/mo for Cutlass Supreme SL
Cutlass Supreme SL
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Like other models in the Oldsmobile stable, the Cutlass Supreme is reaping the benefits of value pricing. For a starting price of about $18,000, Series I coupes and sedans come loaded, standard. In fact, the only options are a CD player, an engine block heater, and a twin-cam 3.4-liter V6. Opt for a Series II, and you get leather trim, power seats, better speakers and other such niceties. The options list is a bit longer for the Series II sedan as well, offering steering wheel controls for the A/C and the stereo.
We've always liked the racy styling of the Cutlass Supreme, though it is beginning to look a bit geriatric. The optional twin-cam engine turns the Cutlass into a formidable sport coupe or sedan, with performance equaling that of such cars as the Thunderbird V8, Monte Carlo Z34, and Intrepid ES.
For 1995, Olds designers saw fit to update the interior of the Cutlass Supreme. A smoothly flowing dash housing dual airbags was installed, and it offers a simple layout, easy-to-read gauges, and rotary climate controls that feel and operate like those of much more expensive automobiles. In fact, the Cutlass interior, like those in all Oldsmobiles except the Ciera and the Silhouette, is a perfect example of ergonomic design.
This year, Olds changed very little on the Cutlass Supreme. The convertible body style has been dropped. Long life engine coolant and spark plugs mean maintenance intervals have been lengthened. The standard and optional V6 engines have been improved, with the bigger 3.4-liter motor developing five additional horsepower this year.
Interior fabrics are a bit too seventies' in look and feel, but the rest of the interior is just fine. Not as roomy as the old Ford Taurus in back, the Cutlass could use some improvement in the rear quarters. High door sills impede progress in and out of the car..
A new Cutlass Supreme, dubbed Intrigue, is due in 1997. But for now, this iteration can be outfitted to provide luxury, performance and value in one pleasing package.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.
5 star(71%)
4 star(18%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(7%)
1 star(0%)
28 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
96Cutlass SL
Bill Lockard, 05/09/2004
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL 2dr Coupe
i have not had an problems and im
second owner of the vehicle with the
3.1L engine
4 out of 5 stars
My College Car Keeps on Going
Sam, 11/11/2018
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL 4dr Sedan
I got this car in 2009 with 66,000 miles on it, and now is above 167,000 miles. Unfortunately, my transmission blew at 110,000 miles, but I opted to replace that and take my luck with the car, and I'm happy I did. Other than a fuel pump replacement at 130,000 miles, I've had fairly good luck with the car. If you can get one of these cheap, I'd consider it, because the GM parts on this … car are so plentiful that the repairs are cheap. At 155,000 miles I took the car to my mechanic for a routine brake replacement, and he mentioned that the engine itself still looked fine. The other parts of the car are now going a bit. Some front panel rust, and some interior parts are starting to feel a bit loose, my cruise control went at about 140,000 miles and the repair would have ran $1,100 because it involved removing the steering mount, so I am just living without cruise. I've read about the head gasket issue--but so far I've been fine. Between my Cutlass and my wife's 2013 Chevy Cruze, I actually enjoy driving the Cutlass more, because the V6 can actually do some work. If you come across one of these for $1,000ish, and you just need cheap transportation, it's a fine option.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Good Car
dhewie, 05/26/2002
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL 4dr Sedan
I've owned this car for almost 4 1/2
years now. It has had a few problems,
but nothing major. The coolant sensor
was replaced shortly after purchase at
around 17,000 miles, and it looks to
be bad again. The ABS sensor was
replaced also a couple years ago. And
it has twice backfired so the dealer
told me. It ran rough the first time
and they replaced the plugs and … wires,
and cleaned the fuel injectors. Then
it did it again after we got the car
back from the dealer 8 months later
after brake work. They claimed it's
the bad gas they make nowadays, and
after resetting the computer it has
been fine the last year. Very
comfortable to drive.
4.88 out of 5 stars
I love my Olds but...
cjochum, 06/09/2008
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL 2dr Coupe
I bought my Olds in 2002, it has been a pretty dependable car except its air conditioning system seems strange, as well as the problems I have with the drivers side door handle. I have replaced it and it seems to have them same problem only after a year. The air conditioner also seems to go off when going up hills. Also my cd player steals my cd's. I put one in and I might get it back … that day or maybe a week later. Who knows?
1996 Cutlass Supreme Highlights
Coupe
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $203/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 15.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger3 / 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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