1996
Toyota Celica

Starts at:
$16,958
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New 1996 Toyota Celica
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Sport Cpe ST Manual
    Starts at
    $16,958
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3dr LB ST Manual
    Starts at
    $17,318
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Sport Cpe ST Auto
    Starts at
    $17,758
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3dr LB ST Auto
    Starts at
    $18,118
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Sport Cpe GT Manual
    Starts at
    $19,468
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3dr LB GT Manual
    Starts at
    $19,978
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Sport Cpe GT Auto
    Starts at
    $20,268
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3dr LB 25th Anniv Manual
    Starts at
    $20,368
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3dr LB GT Auto
    Starts at
    $20,778
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 3dr LB 25th Anniv Auto
    Starts at
    $21,168
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Convertible GT Manual
    Starts at
    $24,178
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Convertible GT Auto
    Starts at
    $24,978
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Convertible 25th Anniv Manual
    Starts at
    $25,998
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Convertible 25th Anniv Auto
    Starts at
    $26,798
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
7 years / less than 85,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12, 000 miles
Dealer certification
160- or 174-point inspections
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Consumer reviews

92% of drivers recommend this car
4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 4.4
Performance 4.1
Value 4.6
Exterior 4.9
Reliability 4.9

Most recent

  • By Kbaker from Nh
    Owns this car
    May 13, 2023

    Best cars

    Im 25 my first car was a 97 celica i bought it it 2017 with 279k for 570$ and drove it for 2 years to 330k but had to junk it due to accident damage niw i have a 96 celica that i bought for 1300$ at 236k ive had it for almost 4 years it has 293k on it but its been at the shop gettin stuff done so i can say that they really are the moat reliable long lasting cars love them
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Agent13 from Louisville, KY
    Owns this car
    October 10, 2018

    Very sporty car - comparable to much higher dollar

    This generation of Celica is unique. The body style is very stylish and sporty. For its size the engine has great pick-up (manual transmission). This car (its generation) deserves the classification of CLASSIC
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Roydied from Yorkville, IL
    Used to own this car
    July 8, 2018

    Pleasantly Surprised

    I owned this car years ago after wrapping a freshly purchased Mercury Grand Marquis around a telephone pole and not having much money in my bank account. I needed something in a pinch that was cheap, reliable, and good on gas. I found this 1996 Toyota Celica ST 5spd on craigslist for $1000 and after a 2min test drive, was taking it home. This car was a HOOT! It was my first Toyota and my first Japanese import and to this day, probably one of the cars I most regret getting rid of. It has absolutely no power whatsoever, but was a blast to drive anyway with the 5spd, small interior, and super tight grippy seats. I compared it to a fwd miata, because it was so light, it wouldnt go through automatic car washes without jumping the rollers. I think it was something like 2200lbs? It was one of those cars you could absolutely dog the snot out of and it never complained once. And the best part was, driving it like it was stolen with A/C (which I still say was the coldest A/C ive ever felt in any car, new or used), would turn 28-29mpg, and would get closer to 40 on long highway runs. It was a black on black car and with some used Scion TC rims I scored on craigslist for $150, looked like a mini supra. In fact, i constantly got the "nice supra" comment whenever id go to the grocery store. I moved out of my parents house while i owned this car and used it to haul a drumset, guitar amps, and even a small dresser. Hatchbacks rule! It's a shame prices are on the uprise for these because I would not mind adding another to my garage.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By CHEESE from South Florida
    Owns this car
    April 27, 2016

    Good; If You Can Find A Good One.

    So many people tout the reliability of Toyotas. I think any blanket statement like that means that they are over rated. It really depends on the model and even the year. Anyway, what is so special about mid-90's Celicas? The are among the few FWD cars with equal length half-shafts. As a result, you won't feel that sideways sensation of movement under hard acceleration. They go straight go the road. But that takes more engineering, so current FWD try other ways to mask that trait. Without frequent tire rotation, FWD tires wear alot faster than RWD. The Celica was an exception to this. Take a good look at the front exterior design. Just beautiful. The rear not so much unless it was the liftback. Those you find today are worth restoring if they've not been smashed or used to deliver pizzas for ten years.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Paulac from UK
    Owns this car
    April 7, 2015

    Hope it lasts forever

    I have had my Celica GT for 4 years now and its great. Styling still looks contemporary; almost pretty. Reliability is brilliant with no major works done since new although I had the cam-belt done for peace of mind. I bought it because it had a full service history and a full set of paperwork for even the small items like bulbs and wiper blades and tyres. I don't do a huge amount of miles these days but I love to go out in it some days just for the pleasure of driving it. It still delivers excellent performance; corners well; and seems to thrive on being pushed into higher revs.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Lightning from Springfield, IL
    Owns this car
    June 12, 2014

    Excellent Car

    I used to own a 1996 Toyota Celica GT Convertible & it was off the chain. I'm looking for another one under 2,000 dollars now & can't find one so I will wind up getting a 2004 PT Cruiser my wife loves the Toyota & would rather get it but have no choice to get the PT Cruiser as I can't find a 1996 Toyota Celica GT Convertible automatic for sale.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By smooth trooper
    Owns this car
    May 5, 2014

    great car

    bought this car used with 101k miles on it. been driving it daily for 2 years now and over 45k miles. not a single problem with it at all. never done any "major" repairs. rebuilt starter at 130k miles but that was it. best car ive ever had. plan to give it to my newborn son when he is 16. i have no doubt it will last until then
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By New to Toyotas from Long Island
    Owns this car
    September 17, 2012

    Koolest Car I Ever Bought

    I got the 25th year anniversary edition Celica GT convertible. It's styling is way ahead of it's time, which was 1996 by golly! Actually, I wish Toyota still made this car---and KEPT the exact same styling. Some cars just NEVER go out of style! This is not, however, one of those "muscle cars," it just looks like one. Don't get me wrong, it HAS power, and plenty of it. Step on the throttle and you're going to get a "push back" into your bucket seat. Nevertheless, the hard core "bang-my-head-on-the-headrest-why-don't-you people" are not going to be jumping for joy. This is an in-between car that gives you the muscular look and feel but does not cost you those hard-earned muscle bucks! I always say: "Know what you're getting, then go for it!"
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Tax Lady
    Owns this car
    April 10, 2009

    Love it!

    My investment in this car has really paid off. I would still be driving it if I had not been hit in the parking lot.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By rick from Olympia
    Owns this car
    February 19, 2009

    226,000 and going strong

    I've had my Celica since its birth in 1996. This car was been hit by a semi on I-90 in 19997 and just kept on going with only $3k in repairs. Still have OEM everything. Replaced 5th gear in 2005, but the easy access panel on the manual transmission saved $1000 in repairs since they did not have to drop it out of the car. Gets 35+ mpg on highway and 500 mile range per tank. Drives like a rocket sled on rails in the corners (that's good :-). Can't wait till the Celica makes it come back in 2010/11.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By import magazine from chicago
    Owns this car
    May 18, 2007

    just like any other old toyota very reliable

    the car may look nice and drive great very fun to drive. it gets sweet gas millage and if you drive with a heavy foot its still the same considering it not very fast. for a slow car that may look fast i still recomend it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Tax Lady from Ohio
    Owns this car
    July 19, 2006

    Love it!

    A joy to drive, extremely reliable, 40-45 mpg, and looks good too. My detail shop makes "her" looks great.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1996 Toyota Celica?

The 1996 Toyota Celica is available in 4 trim levels:

  • (2 styles)
  • 25th Anniv (4 styles)
  • GT (6 styles)
  • ST (2 styles)

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 1996 Toyota Celica?

The 1996 Toyota Celica compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 1996 Toyota Celica reliable?

The 1996 Toyota Celica has an average reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1996 Toyota Celica owners.

Is the 1996 Toyota Celica a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1996 Toyota Celica. 92.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 4.4
  • Performance: 4.1
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 4.9
  • Reliability: 4.9
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