1996 Mazda MX6 RS review from North America
"A hidden gem"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The driver side door lock, but can lock from the passenger side.
The boot does not stay up when opened.
The boot lock.
Rust and paint has faded, not surprising for its age, especially in a snowy region.
Replaced CV boot.
Replaced rear sway bar.
General comments?
This is a hidden gem of a car. I bought it in 2007 to hone my manual driving skills. I did not know that this car had a cult following (believe it shares genealogy with Mazda 626 and Ford Probe), until I had a couple of stalkers - just harmless fans of this car. The curves on this car, still draw looks in 2008.
Couple of minor irritants, not surprising for a car this age. Some of them are known issues with MX6, the door locks, the boot etc. But the transmission and engine is really strong.
I bought it at 170k and sold it to a very happy school kid after reaching 180k, I moved on to a manual German import. Apparently these are known to live up to 250k. Never had any transmission or engine issues. Especially if you have the 2.0L manual.
The mileage is excellent, about 30 to 32 mpg. And with rising gas prices this is a boon. If you are looking at a used manual MX6 and know that the transmission and engine has not been messed with, buy it.
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![]() ![]() | It's a great car, but be prepared to investment - they're all quite old now! |
![]() ![]() | Sexy, agile, and comfortable... after awhile |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 2007 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0L Manual |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 9/10 |
| Comfort marks | 5/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 173000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 182000 miles |
| Previous car | Honda Accord |
| Date of Entry | 28th May, 2008 |



