1996 Ford Mustang Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 1996 Ford Mustang brought a line of more efficient engines to the model. Gone was the 5.0-liter V8 that had been part of the Mustang engine choices for over 20 years, across three generations of the pony car. Ford instead opted for the more efficient 4.6-liter V8 rated at 225 horsepower.
The Cobra came standard with a 4.6-liter V8 rated at 305 horsepower. The 1996 Saleen continued to provide the most thrilling ride of the bunch, with an S-351 rated at 500 horsepower.
A new color was introduced with the 1996 Mustang: Mystic. This color looks black on cloudy days, but when the sun is out, reflects purples and reds.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1996 Ford Mustang
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by Anonymous
Jan 12, 2015
Have no dislikes. Car is lots of fun, and economical also. I like the safety of how well it handles, and accelerates, as well as the economy. Easy to modify, parts readily available, and reasonable costs to upkeep make it an all around good car.Jan 12, 2015
by Anthony M
Dec 16, 2014
Significant look and handling improvements over previous models. Power is a little lacking - could have used another 50 horses. Drives well, corners well, brakes well. Front seats could use more rail to go back further with no rear-seat passengers. The rear spoiler adds needed rear aesthetics. Dec 16, 2014
by Jim A
Jun 15, 2014
With five speed transmission the acceleration is great. The custom exhaust system makes it all that more fun to drive. Braking is great with four disc brakes. Handles great. Feels very smooth at highway speeds. The car is always a thrill to drive.Jun 15, 2014
User rating:
by Anonymous
Jan 12, 2015
Have no dislikes. Car is lots of fun, and economical also. I like the safety of how well it handles, and accelerates, as well as the economy. Easy to modify, parts readily available, and reasonable costs to upkeep make it an all around good car.Jan 12, 2015
by Anthony M
Dec 16, 2014
Significant look and handling improvements over previous models. Power is a little lacking - could have used another 50 horses. Drives well, corners well, brakes well. Front seats could use more rail to go back further with no rear-seat passengers. The rear spoiler adds needed rear aesthetics. Dec 16, 2014
by Jim A
Jun 15, 2014
With five speed transmission the acceleration is great. The custom exhaust system makes it all that more fun to drive. Braking is great with four disc brakes. Handles great. Feels very smooth at highway speeds. The car is always a thrill to drive.Jun 15, 2014
by Andrew W
Jul 26, 2013
I am very proud to own this car as it is my first mustang. This car is very fun to drive. I would recommend this car to anyone ! I plan on taking great care of this car. I love my mustang !Jul 26, 2013
by Amber O
Nov 12, 2011
performance is good, acceleration well it is a 96 its not get up and go but it sure aint slow, braking is good, handeling is good. build quality is good, it has needed a few repairs a new roof due to wear and tear being a 96, no squakes and rattles appearence is good very nice looking car, gas mileage is okay 60.00 to fill depending where you drive its pretty good. it is a very fun car to driveNov 12, 2011
by Anonymous
Apr 16, 2011
Fun, well handling car. Put the top down on a warm sunny day and push
the gas to make her go! This car has 60,000 original miles and drive like a
dream. Very well taken care of and will be in the family for a long time.Apr 16, 2011
by DeLano D
Oct 26, 2010
Great fun to drive, tons of power!
•Performance - acceleration -10, braking - 10, handling -10
•Build Quality - 10 squeaks/rattles none with over 125k miles on it!
•Appearance - both interior and exterior styling are fine with me. could use more cup holders but the fixed that with later year models.
•Cost of Ownership - gas mileage- its not a hybrid, but is good on highway driving, maintenance- low cost, parts are easy to find and fix!
•Fun Factor - Very fun to drive!
Oct 26, 2010
by Rad M
Apr 10, 2010
Out of the cars I owend, this one is absolutely the funest rag top to be seen in. Performance wise it handles like a dream, stiff suspension pluse the wider tires adds to driver satisfaction. I have took turns in it that would make grandma hold on and scream for dear life. Thats fun and all but any corvette would smoke it. The one drawback I can think of would be the chattering after you reach 50mph but after 110 you dont really notice. I love Americia!!!Apr 10, 2010
by Megan Q
Oct 07, 2009
love it!! needs a touch up on hood and back bumper with clear coat. its a v6 that drives like a v8! easy to maintan and fun to drive. car has new engine. wouldnt trade it for another car. fits my personality too well.Oct 07, 2009
by Frances M
Oct 01, 2009
It great to have something different a good head turner in traffic. Got good handling and power but its only the V6 model can't wait to try a V8. Good MPG does the sames s a 1.8 Vectra I've tested it. Oct 01, 2009
by Mike S
Sep 07, 2009
Love the car, got it with 52k on it and now have 177k and still runs like a champ.
Performance for it being stock is prety good, fun to drive once you lower it(handles much better) gears however do need to be changed from the stock 3:27's because lets face it, doesnt quite cut it. 3:73's or 4:10's are a good improvment(i have 4:10's)
Build has been great, doesnt squeak much(i have a sound system that has loosened some stuff) but overall it holds together good esp in the michigan winters.
Apperance is great inside and out, doesnt have a "cheap" feel to it like i have noticed in some gm cars.
Its a fun car to drive but i do wish it had the 5.0 in it since its alot easier to mod and cheaper to do so but the 4.6 does have better options and better suspensionSep 07, 2009
by Will T
Jun 22, 2009
This car was hot to look at but it was a 96 and the first year of the new 4.6 liter. Basically the design was a little flawed and not thoroughly tested as it should be. In 98 the revised the intake which was most of the problem this brought the horsepower up another 15 from 215 to 230. In 99 when they changed the body style again the was more improvments to the engine and that brought horsepower up to 245. In 2001 it jumped to 265 and when the latest body style came in 2005 the horsepower was finally at a respectfull 300. Due to the heavy weight of the car (especially a convertible adds another 600 lbs) and the price tag of it when it comes to performance the mustang has almost always been in the back of the pack. But they have a certain nostaglia to them that makes the purchase worth while. They will always due what they were meant to do which is eat asphalt and spit burnt rubber. Besides most people don't buy cars with racing being there main concern...Jun 22, 2009
by Tara R
Jan 04, 2009
Well this is my dream car. Maybe not the exact year but she's my baby. I would say 4.6 suits me just fine. Amazing summer car just hope gas is cheap!! Not many repairs so far. Break pads and small tranny leak.Jan 04, 2009
by Lee G
Aug 19, 2008
Great car fun to drive for any person. Would be a lot more fun if it was a manual. Doesn't need a lot of repairs even for an american sports car. If anything I wish the interior was better looking. Nothing to really complain about 190,000+ miles and stilling running strong. While the V8 GT is the real mustang, the V6 has its pluses. Uses a lot less gas and insurance cost is GREAT. The manual would be more fun but harder to find at low price.Aug 19, 2008
by Austin F
Jul 13, 2008
I bought this car in 2008 with just a little over 100,000 miles on it. The performance on this car is amazing. It's acceleration is strong and the braking and handling are astonishing. The car is a dark green with a tan top and tan and black interior. The gas mileage so far is pretty good. It is a blast to drive this car!!!Jul 13, 2008
by Anonymous
Jul 02, 2008
Great power and handling. Just what I wanted to drive 3 or 4K a year. First convertible and its great. Fun to drive, performs well. No maintenance problems yet. Lover the wheels with the red Mustang on them.Jul 02, 2008
by Alex K
Jun 16, 2008
Pulls great through all gears due to square torque curve. True muscle car feel without a lot of negative drawbacksJun 16, 2008
by Virgil R
Jun 07, 2008
Wanted a Mustang since i graduated high school in 1988 and finally got this Pacific Green 4.6 in 1996. It was a present to me. First mod was MAC cat-back exhaust and Jamex springs. It was on from then. Now it has all the bolt-ons. It has a 2004 4.6 motor, C&L intake plenum, 75mm Accufab TB, intake spacer, MAC fenderwell CAI, Motoblue pulleys, Chrome Radiator hoses, MAC Longtube headers and ProChamber pipe, Diablo sport tuned chip by MV Performance, FMS aluminum drive shaft, tokico rear shocks, 3:73 gears, black tail light bezels, clear corner lights, sequentail tail lights, S351 rear spoiler, 17" Cobra R rims, Pioneer CD Player, 2 10" JBL woofers and a Flex Alpine amp. Over all I love the car, I love working on it and most of all I Love how it sounds. That entire MAC exhaust sounds great. I get more compliments about that, than anything else. Didnt want to be like everyone else and get Flowmasters. People always say " Hey, that doesnt sound like flowmasters..." and I just smile and say thats because its not. :-) Jun 07, 2008
by Mandy K
May 10, 2008
I've had this car for 9 years. When I bought it, it had 66,000 miles and now has 202,000+ and is running strong. Not only is it a beautiful car, it is dependable, comfy, quick, a classic, and I can't think of a car I would rather have!May 10, 2008
by Steve S
Apr 30, 2008
Dual catless exhaust,cold air intake, lowered 2inches all aroundApr 30, 2008
by Ed W
Apr 19, 2008
good car, great sound too it, way too slushy in the turns, always a little sluggish, can not drive in winter at all. As far as it goes for a mustang, it is good.Apr 19, 2008
by Amer B
Apr 16, 2008
Lacks power with the 3.8. If you ever got a 3.8 you'll always want to upgrade, so you're better off going for the higher engine model. Car is solid and gives no problems. Quite the opposite to what I heard when I was buying the car. Smooth and unforgiving with the spins. Be careful how to turn! Apr 16, 2008
by Justin S
Mar 30, 2008
cold air intake, dual flowmaster, mass air flow control, 330 rwhpMar 30, 2008
by Jeff B
Mar 27, 2008
Supercharged with a Kenne Bell 2.1L Twin Screw. 9lbs of boost. 400RWHP 450RWTQMar 27, 2008
by Lido T
Mar 05, 2008
i never had a single problem with this car. it was fun and i was proud to call it mine.Mar 05, 2008
by Rheni J
Jan 15, 2008
I absolutely LUVED this car. It was my dream. I have a '66 I am currently restoring but this car was my driver. Had it a little over a month........Jan 15, 2008
by Anonymous
Jul 25, 2007
I have had 5 Mustangs (2-`73's, 1-`70, 1-`87, and now the `96) total and have loved each and every one.Jul 25, 2007
1996 Ford Mustang Pricing
Original MSRP
$15,680 to $23,995Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Suspension
Front Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Spring Type: coil springs
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
