1996 Toyota Corolla Review
1996 Toyota Corolla Review

Used Corolla for sale
Appraise This CarToyota Corolla model years
Toyota Corolla types
- Sedan
- Wagon
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
The 1996 Toyota Corolla features redesigned front and rear fascias, three new colors, new wheel covers, an optional integrated child seat and a revised interior. Additionally, the five-speed manual transmission has been revised for a better feel and more positive gear engagement.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Toyota Corolla DX 4dr Sedan 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 $3.12 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$141/mo for Corolla DX
Corolla DX
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Toyota has a winner with the Corolla; after 28 years of production it has become the second best-selling car in automotive history. We feel that this is due to its solid engineering, available saffety features, and fun-to-drive attributes when equipped with a five-speed manual transmisson.
The Corolla is a fine car with good handling characteristics, a well-designed interior, and attractive, if not earth-shattering, looks. Additionally, the optional antilock brakes, better than average crash test scores and integrated child seat go a long way toward making a safe compact family-sedan that is not too expensive.
Unfortunately for Toyota, there is a good reason to skip th Corolla when shopping for a new car; the Geo Prizm. Built on the same assembly line as the Corolla, out of the same parts and by the same workers, the Prizm is everything that the Corolla is and more. Most importantly the Prizm is signifigantly cheaeper than the Corolla and comes with a roadside assistance warranty that the Corolla lacks. We like the Corolla, but, unless we needed a station wagon, we would buy the Prizm.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Toyota Corolla.
5 star(58%)
4 star(33%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
55 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Best car i ever owned!
Jose B, 04/27/2010
1996 Toyota Corolla DX 4dr Sedan
I bought this car used with 36,000 miles on it in 1999.It now has 182,000 and still in great shape. Never changed the timing chain or transmission oil. Car was always reliable and never left me stranded anywhere. By far the best car i ever owned.
4.75 out of 5 stars
A good reliable car
Dan, 09/11/2009
1996 Toyota Corolla 4dr Sedan
I purchased this vehicle off the lot brand new, never had any major problems just regular maintenance and general upkeep changed a few batteries, timing belt after 100K and struts on the 150k mark it needed it. When it was paid off I just used the money I saved over a year and spruced up the engine. This car has become my favorite and of course well cared for still classy (did I mention … Paid for). I started sprucing it up now everyone wants to buy it - sorry no sale here. I tricked it now it's completely mine. Have to thank TRD Japan for its good supplies in the Asian Market for this vehicle. USA did not supply the 93 to 96 corollas well... stylish gas saver and good ole lil' car
5 out of 5 stars
Best bang for your buck
Billy Golden, 03/01/2017
1996 Toyota Corolla DX 4dr Sedan
Bought this car about half a year ago with 178k miles for $1,550. May have overpaid slightly, but the car was maintained very well. Some say the clutch is on its way out, considering it is still the ORIGINAL, but I believe it shifts great still. Now has 186k with original clutch. Frequent oil changes, tires replaced, other than that, haven't had to put a dollar into the car. Besides an … air filter. 15 bucks. I use this car to deliver pizzas. Bumpy dirt roads are frequent. The suspension is fantastic. Driving 80+ MPH feels like you're going 50. No drifting left or right, drives straight as an arrow. Fantastic get up for a little 1.8l engine. Can't suggest this car enough to you. If you find one with the 5 speed 1.8l, don't sleep on it. The gas mileage is awesome, reliability is even better. Hope to get it to 250 on the original clutch, but we'll see how that goes. ;)
UPDATE. I SOLD It. And I forever regret it. I could have slapped a new clutch and a oil pan gasket in it and it would’ve ran for another 300,000 miles. Don’t ever get rid of the 1.8 5 speed if you have it.
4.63 out of 5 stars
One great little car.
jadejaz, 09/02/2013
1996 Toyota Corolla DX 4dr Sedan
I bought my '96 Corolla in May of 2012 from a Porsche dealership. It was used with 106k miles on it, and I probably overpaid for it at $4k. I
haven't put more than 5k miles on it since my purchase, but it has been a great car to me! I never worry about it not starting and it has never had any major problems - all I've really put into it is routine maintenance.
For a car that is nearing … twenty years old, it's got surprisingly good gas mileage. I get 30 hw and 25 city, give or take. My car is also an automatic, which would explain the mpg being a little lower than that of the standard manual models.
Being a college student, it's cheap to maintain and perfect for me.
1996 Corolla Highlights
Sedan
DX
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 27 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $141/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.7 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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