Faults:

I replaced the clutch at 154,000. Not bad considering I couldn't drive a manual when I bought it. Let's say, it was literally a rough beginning.

Paint (Ruby) had started to oxidize.

Engine (4 cyl) started to burn oil at 200K.

General Comments:

My brother called it the "stripper model" (DX), but it had AC, stereo, cruise. Perfect first car. I drove it all over to and from school in KS (from CT). At 232K, I gave it to a coworker -- it was still running.

Faults:

There have been a few minor problems, like the CV joints being replaced at 160,000 miles; fairly cheap and quick to replace. I hear that's common in front wheel drive cars.

The front tires do wear down a little fast, but that could just be because I have a speeding problem.

The stiff suspension is great for corning, but makes the ride a bit rougher; doesn't bother me really.

I needed to change the A/C over from R-12 to R134a.

The exhaust gasket behind the catalyst converter is replaced about every 30000 miles. The part is like $2.

There have been fewer problems with this car then many of the others I have added to my garage since.

General Comments:

This car was a gift for my 16th birthday years ago.

It was my first car and I still drive it daily.

It really is a good car. I've driven it around the country many time and it still has the original engine and transmission at 200,000 miles. Surprising how much this one little car can take. I know the first few years I drove it hard trying to make it to school on time. But it is still a fun car to drive and good on gas. Paint is just as shiny as ever. The 93 Mazda 626 is a good buy.

As a fair warning...

I have also had a 95 Mazda 626. The 93 and 95 look the same, but very different in reliability. The automatic 93' 626 has a Mazda built, 5 speed ATX transmission. While the 94' through 97' share a Ford built, 4 speed automatic transmission with the Ford Probe. The Ford Transmission is more economical, but far less reliable. The transmission on my 95 went out at 124,000 miles. I believe Mazda offered a short recall for some of the transmissions, but it is now long expired.

Faults:

Rear calipers broke at 175000 km.

Spark plugs wires was change et 203000km (286$)

A crack appear in the windshield at 200000km.

The 2 hand brake wires broke (100$ each)

The driver's door lock don't work well during winter.

General Comments:

The 2,5L is well balance.

Reparations are not cheap.

The handling is pretty good for the weight.

The brakes are not very good even if it is 4 disks brakes.

The engine sound is very cool.

Faults:

Better question is what hasn't gone wrong. The transmission stopped shifting.

The car overheated.

Basically, everything under the hood was replaced and the car still was not driveable.

General Comments:

People in my family previously had Mazda's with success, but I am disappointed with the 626.

Faults:

Really nothing. Aside from the normal wear and tear, nothing out of the norm has gone wrong with my car.

I'm currently putting new rear struts on it, but they were the stock struts, what more could I want?

I had to replace both the axle joints, but again those were the stock joints.

Other than those absolutely nothing has gone wrong with my Mazda.

General Comments:

This car handles awesome. I put a nice set of seventeen inch racing wheels with low profile tires on it, and that took out all the slack in the turns that the car had with the stock rim, and tire sizes.

I also put a performance exhaust kit on it, and gained about 20 horse power from that. I was impressed.

With a V-6, coupled with the manual transmission this car will take out any Honda, or even Camaro's.

I am currently putting a lowering kit on my mazda 626 also. This is the reason for the new rear struts. The lowering kit I found will lower it 3 inches, and it will give it better cornering, acceleration, braking, and even gas mileage.