1996 Chevrolet Corsica Sedan from North America - Comments

Actually with proper maintenance the 4 cylinder motor is the better motor. The 2.8/3.1 v-6 is plagued with thousands of little problems that will drive you nuts and all parts for the v-6 are way more expensive than the 4 cylinder.

No, actually the 3.1 Liter V6 is the best engine Chevy ever put out. They are indestructible. Corsica is also the best car they ever put out. The only thing bad is the alternator.

I've owned both the 4 and 6-cylinder models. A '90 2.2 and a '94 3.1. Of course, I had the usual starter and alternator go on the 2.2, which did run fine otherwise, but the V6 would be my choice every time. Too bad that my '94 was one of the bad Corsicas I see people write about: its foot wells got soaking wet, and upon removing all carpeting and isolation on the firewall I found that the spot welds were actually rusting through (bad manufacturing) and when I poked around the part where the firewall is joined to the floor, I ended up with many holes in it. The car was also rusting badly at the top of the windshield, and under the weatherstripping in some places. No such problems with the '90, which was a beater with many more miles. It was rock solid. Guess you can win or lose with these cars.

The passenger side leak is probably due to a loose door seal (the seal between the front window and the door). May be difficult to spot, but try to pull it *gently* and if it comes of, just glue it. Have done it on both sides due to leaks and it works fine. Yes, the 3.1 may be bulletproof unless it has a manufacturing defect, which many of them have. Mine suffers from too high clearance in the bearing between the rod and the piston (don't know how many pistons that are affected), even it has done less that 60K miles. Common problem I've been told, and there is nothing to be done about it unless a full rebuild. I'm just waiting for the engine to blow up now... when the engine is cold it sounds like an old diesel engine, but better when hot.

I would agree that the 3.1 is one of the better engines GM has made in a coon's age. I have a '94 Lumina with one with over 200,000 miles on it. The only complaint is that I have put 4 alternators on it over the past 9 years. My wife has a '95 Corsica with the 2.2 and it will melt the end of the spark plug off every couple of months. Not sure why, maybe a bad coil? Anyway, the Lumina with the 3.1 is the most reliable thing we own.

I agree the 3.1 L V6 engine is great. I have one and it gets great gas mileage. I would make a 17-mile trip both ways to work everyday and I would fill up every 2 weeks. My Corsica is a 1996 and there is no rust on it and the paint is not chipped at all, unlike my piece of crap Ford Thunderbird I had for 3 years.

We have 214,909 miles on ours - a 1991 with a 3.1 engine. Still uses no oil and NO rust. We live in the rust belt too! AMAZING!!

My friend has a Corsica he refuses to sell, it has over 275000 on it and still runs like a champ.

He was thinking about getting a newer car last year, but the Corsica is cheap to maintain and insure, so it's still on the road.

I would say these cars are hit and miss, but the ones that were built well will last forever with very little maintenance. This is a great car for someone on a budget.