Overview & Reviews
Improved V6 engines make more power and torque this year. A new five-speed manual gives four-cylinder models better acceleration, and four-bangers also get four-wheel antilock brakes. Extended-cab models get third-door access panel on the driver side to make loading cargo and passengers easier. A new sport suspension turns the S-10 into a competent sports truck, and the new Sportside cargo box allows the S-Series to go head to head with the Ford Ranger Splash.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 40.00-
Got what I was expecting.. - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By shawnsta3 - October 13 - 6:01 pmI bought this car for 4.500 last year and was promptly taken to the cleaners. I cant even sell this car for 3,500 this year. But on my actual review, I pretty much got what I expected out of this truck. Decent gas mileage in overdrive (not what you would hope for such a small engine) lack of power going up hills. The 4 wheel drive is a plus. The extended cab is a joke. Only kids under the age of 5 can fit back there. Poor inside looks. Average outside looks. The automatic window on my side sticks sometimes. This truck was really nothing special in the year I have owned it. But on the bright side the only problem I had with it was a new battery and battery connecter for repairs.
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2nd S-10 - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By Dale - June 4 - 8:44 pmThis was my second S-10. Great little truck, interior wasnt as nice as the later models but engine performance was good. No problems with the truck at all. parked the truck because I bought another and decided to do what Chevrolet wont do. I stuff a SBC 427 and Powerglide in it. To hell with fuel mileage, lets have fun, still racing her too
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Second S10 I Shouldnt Have Bought - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By nomad - January 30 - 2:29 pmThis is my second s10 and both have had a SEVERE lack of power, to the point where your leg hurts after going up any little hill. The 4 cylinder is known for this, but these were the 4.3 v6 models! The problem is with the prehistoric overhead valve design the GM still puts in nearly all the vehicles even though every other manufacturer has moved to overhead cam design. If the previous owner didnt change their oil every 2000 miles or sooner, the lifters will mess up by 100,000 miles and the only fix will be to pump $500 into the engine, or buy a new engine altogether.
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Constantly in the shop - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By Marshall Green - January 15 - 6:08 amThis was the worst vehicle I ever owned. A year after having it I got rear ended and my oil filter fell off. Not knowing it, I started to leave, naturally with no oil in the engine. The new engine cost me $6000. The heater core broke and fluid poured into my cab. The wheels were constanly out of alignment. The water pump went out, exploding coolant all out of the bottom. This happened of course while I was 1500 miles from home so that cost me a pretty penny at a dealer. The ignition swith along with spark plug wires went out at the same time. There were more things but I dont have all day. Terrible, terrible vehicle. I would not recommend it to anybody, unless you want to get stranded
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No more S-10 - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By acmtx - March 2 - 2:00 amThis is my third S-10 and for the most part Ive gotten where I needed to go. The 1996 has been one problem after another. In order Brakes, Wiper Motor, Speedometer, A/C, Heater,Intake Leak, Radiator,Transmission and now the Water Pump! Throw in 5 Batteries, 5 Thermostats, Two Radios and a back window. Thats my 1996 Chevy S-10. All at 74,554 miles! BuyAYORisk!
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Not very reliable - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By tdkool - July 29 - 2:00 amI bought this basic model (auto trans) two years ago as a utility vehicle and Ive put 20k miles on it- still low miles (72k) but Im starting to see some of the same issues as mentioned in other posts. (tranny, leaky fluids, etc). I dont rely on it further than 50 miles from home. Horrible mileage and no punch at all.
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Overpriced and built cheap - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By Scooba - July 7 - 2:00 amS10 had 4.3 V6 and 5 speed manual transmission. Front brake pads dont seem to last long on this truck. Neither did the Delco batteries. Replaced battery 3 times in 6 years. Major problems began at about 45,000 miles. First the altenator dies. At 50,000 miles the transmission craps out. Transmission, clutch and slave cylinder were replaced with new one at dealership. AC quits working a couple months later. About 14 months after having new transmission put in, the transmission starts messing up again. I took good care of this truck. It had regular maintenance and was not driven hard, nor was it used for towing and hauling heavy loads.
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never again - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By Stuckwithit - January 13 - 2:00 amI bought this truck brand new in 95 and have had nothing but problems since. At 1,500 miles the fan clutch broke. The Manual trans. clutch laid over and died at 2,500 miles. Now 2 transmission jobs, A few U-joints, several hundred dollars worth of A/C repairs, 1 broken timing chain, and a total engine rebuild later, I am fed up with this underpowed piece of crap. I will never buy another S-10.
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Not reliable - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By Boris2 - November 16 - 2:00 amThis vehicle falls appart at 125,000 miles in spite of carefull and regular mainteance. Air conditionner stopped working: $800 Transmission broke twice! $2000 + $1500 Intake gasket leak: $500 The oil pressure has dropped considerably lately and the car may need a rebuilt engine soon $$$??
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This truck Sucks - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
By brianlane - June 27 - 2:00 amChevrolet shipped these trucks with a bad head gasket and some other problem that causes thumping noises. The 2.2L has no power. My old 88 (sold to a friend) is still running strong at > 250k miles. At 150k Im having to rebuild everything.
