1992 Mazda 626 LX review from North America

Power steering unit went bad at around 120,000 miles. Car would shake at highway speeds until it was replaced.

Heater doesn't work very well. I replaced the thermostat and cleaned out the heater core, which helped some, but it's still only enough to defrost the windows when the temperature is below freezing.

Driver's power window mechanism broke (probably from trying to open the window when it was frozen shut).

The front suspension has rubber and metal caps over the springs that wear out over time. When they break, the car makes a clunking sound when turning.

The air hose between the filter and the fuel injector wore out and cracked, causing the engine to sputter or quit when idling in gear.

Power antenna broke loose from its motor, and now stays in the up position.

No rust, but some of the paint has started to wear off.

Better acceleration than I expected from a 4-cylinder. It's a light car, which also helps the handling.

Not especially surefooted in heavy rain or snow. Anti-lock brakes would have helped.

Reliability has been good enough. Most of the repairs have been standard maintenance (brakes, tires, etc.). Parts tend to be a bit more pricey than domestic cars, but not too bad. Mazda uses unique engine layouts which may be confusing for the novice attempting do-it-yourself repairs.

After 150,000 miles and 5+ years without seeing the inside of a garage, it is showing its age.