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.

1996 Highlights

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.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Overall Consumer Rating

4.051 reviews

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5(37%)

4(35%)

3(18%)

2(8%)

1(2%)

Most helpful consumer reviews

Good does not outwiegh bad

acerfan,07/05/2006

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

Best Car Ever

Genocide,03/21/2002

Best Car Ever

My first car!

CAE,08/17/2010

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)

nasty

c mundie,04/03/2002

nothing but problems

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Features & Specs

MPG

15 city / 24 hwy

Seats 0

4-speed automatic

Gas

215 hp @ 5200 rpm

MPG

18 city / 26 hwy

Seats 0

4-speed automatic

Gas

160 hp @ 5200 rpm

See all Used 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo features & specs

Safety

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
RolloverNot Rated
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test
0

More about the 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Used 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Overview

The Used 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is offered in the following submodels: Monte Carlo Coupe. Available styles include Z34 2dr Coupe, and LS 2dr Coupe.

What's a good price on a Used 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

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Which used 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlos are available in my area?

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Should I lease or buy a 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

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Used 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Chevrolet Monte Carlo years