1996 Mazda MX6 LS review from North America

I need to qualify this by saying these are all normal high-mileage things (although they happened all within my 4 months of first owning the car and I'm in about $2700 CDN now).

- VCG gaskets replaced ($$$ because of awkward location).

- plugs, wires, dist

- TPS replaced, throttle body cleaned.

- today, water pump replaced (again, $$$ due to awkward location).

- wipers are sensitive to resistance- be sure there is absolutely no snow on the windshield before turning the wipers on, or the wiper mechanism will dislocate. Figure about 2 hours of your time if you're not a mechanic like me.

Pluses: When it's running, I love it. Nimble and quick, decent mileage, good safety ratings and 2 airbags, and I like the way it looks. I'm fine with the stock stereo, mx6.com is an awesome support site.

Minuses: I'm conditioned now to fear driving it (but, as I said, it's normal for stuff to happen at this 'age'. In retrospect, I would have gotten an older and cheaper one that had already passed through the 'multi-repair' stage and saved some cash/aggravation (but damaged my pride).

Other stuff: Only 1 cup holder (on driver's side vent, which keeps your hot drinks cold in the summer, and warm drinks cool in the winter : (, the trunk stuts lose support after 7 years or so; trunk is roomy, but awkward to access; auto antenna sticks; teeny glove compartment.

I'd strongly recommend finding a mechanic familiar with this model so your estimates don't surprise you.