1989 Mazda 626 2.0i 16v GT 2.0i 16v

Summary:

Goes like a whippet on ginger, cheap to run and insure and a fantastic buy

Faults:

Water. I lost three water pipes in six weeks, putting the car off the road for majority of that time. Easy to fix, but getting to the dealer was a pain.

Eastgate Mazda service superb. Had the parts the next day.

Brakes are vague and need new pads.

Windscreen slipped and had to be reset.

Paint's faded badly.

Rust!

General Comments:

Fantastic car. Despite the above, I've given it a 7 for reliability because it has been running some silly temperatures with the water problems, and the engine is fine and dandy and feels like it will go on for ever.

It's fast, fun, comfortable. Doesn't handle brilliantly, but does the job.

I intend to use this as a project car - do the pads, wheels, air filter mods, etc. then plonk it on a race track for some real fun.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th July, 2002

11th Aug 2002, 17:18

Is the American guy talking about the 2.0i engine or the 2.2 engine. I'm sure the top speed on the 2.0i is 130m.p.h.

I have recently acquired a 1991 GTi 2.0 DOHC 5 door Hatch Manual gears. Paid just £400, it is in excellent nick, only the air conditioning is dodgy and I can live without that for now. The seats are rally style and it is a truly excellent free revving engine that can pull away from most other cars with ease. 135000miles on the clock. I rate this car highly, it is wolf in sheeps clothing only the twin exhaust gives a hint that it is something special. Steve.

3rd Nov 2002, 18:19

Well, my "project" came to an abrupt end last Thursday. I'd replaced the alternator, battery and the solenoid between, but there's something else afoot making the battery run down to nothing after a couple of weeks.

Having spent about 1.5 times what I paid for the car, I've sadly decided enough is enough and it's on its way to car heaven. Which is a damn shame... but I just don't have the cash.

Still, she was 12 years old with 156k (miles) on the clock. Not bad.

1989 Mazda 626 GLX 2.0 petrol

Faults:

Sticky central locking on passenger door, passenger door lock seized, rubber cowl around gear stick split.

General Comments:

Very reliable car with plenty of poke for what is essentially a family car, but not very economical on fuel. Also performs well as a towcar for pulling a caravan but, as before, fuel economy is not too clever.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th August, 1997

17th Jan 2004, 16:45

You say it doesn't get good fuel economy? I have an '89 626 with almost 300,000 miles, and my last all highway trip I averaged a little over 35 mpg... and it usually gets about 28 or 29 in the city.

In reply to 17th Jan 2004, 16:45

28th Feb 2022, 22:47

Yup, this is a good car. Had a 626 back in the day. Those figures are correct MPG for a 2.0 petrol engine in any car from this time period.

I think the original reviewer means the car is not good on fuel towing a caravan, which not many cars are.

Unrelated but another small point - this must be one of the oldest reviews on here (1997!)