1993 Mazda 626 GLX 1.8i fuel from Lithuania

Summary:

Total reliable and practical

Faults:

Clutch replaced at 150000 km.

Handbrake is unpredictable.

Nothing unusual.

General Comments:

1.8i engine is too small and too weak for this car.

Fuel consumption is great. In the city it takes up to 9 L/100 km and on a highway (90-150 km/h) it takes 6.5-8 L/100km.

There is a lot of room for the driver (I'm 185cm) but not enough legroom for the back passengers.

Handling is not perfect but the car is stable on high speed even on gravel.

Looks great even after 8 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd July, 2001

1993 Mazda 626 LS 2.5 V6 from Switzerland

Summary:

Japanese car, Ford quality

Faults:

Front left brake caliper stuck (200 US$ approx + labour).

On the same side a stabilizer bar had to be replaced, all after having the car for only three weeks! (50 US$ approx.)

Also the Hydraulic Lash Adjusters (HLA) are preventing me from sleeping well. Past the 2000 km oil change, they started making a noise again (sounds a bit like a diesel, although not as noisy). Have heard this is a common problems on all cars with HLA's (even BMW!!). For some reason Mazda/Ford don't produce any engines with that valve system (suspicious?? isn't it??).

General Comments:

Hmmmmmmmmm… What can I say, I got the car really cheap, so actually I shouldn't complain about minor problems.

Even though the car had a clean title and Full Service History, I'm not 100% pleased with it.

It's that kind of feel when you don't know what's going to break down next (on a car with only 55,000 miles/85000 km on it).

Handling: The car handles very well for its length. However the power steering is indirect (beware of turns on fast tracks, namely on highways, the car tends to understeer!) but very smooth, and you can steer it with one finger.

Suspension is a soft with capital "S", but haven't tried it on longer trips yet.

Interior is roomy and quiet, with good seats, and reminds me of my 93 Ford Mondeo (also a 4 door sedan).

Gaskets and seals are fine.

Rust - (although it's not serious) you can see spots under every lug, bolt and nut, and of course on the muffler. The body seems to have been spared.

Engine and Gearbox: The transmission is precise (5 speed) and easy to shift gears, except reverse, but that I don't mind.

The engine is very economically due to VRIS (variable induction system). I get 7-10L/100km (23-33 mpg) in the city!! (Yeah right! Needs less gas than my 2.0 FWD Celica wich weighs even less). Sufficient torque for cruising @ 2k-2.5k rpm (even uphill!).

Hoses seals and gaskets are fine with few exceptions.

Design is what I like most about this car. Mine's white with nice (stock 15”) rims, sunroof, windows and the driver's seat is powered so it really feels like you're driving a luxury car.

There's also plenty of space for car audio upgrades. All in all a neat car.

So after all you may ask yourself why am I complaining.

Well I bought this car for one reason… it's JAPANESE. But unlike most (rock solid and reliable) Hondas and Toyotas, Mazda obviously don't care that much about quality/workmanship...

Summary.

Still better than a similar age Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Lancia, Alfa, Opel, Rover, and other crap.

But don’t buy one made before January 5 1995!!

PS: will keep this updated when I'm done with repairs.

If you have any question, suggestion, ulcer, warts, cholera, hepatitis…..

Contact: nachoguacamole@hotmail.com

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th June, 2001

7th Feb 2002, 12:45

It's me again.

What other thing went wrong you ask... let me see..

Clutch died at 105K km

Water behind the drivers seat

Did I mention... rear brake calipers failed

Car drinks oil like petrol (probably a leak)

After only 10K km the rear tires are worn on the inside

Brand new battery died after 3 months (the cigar lighter caused a shortcut due to overheating)

Steering rack makes strange noises, but it's supposed to fail anyway soon according to Mazda mechanics I've heard

Hey you blame me..?

I've treated this car like a baby, did all of the stuff that needed to be done.

But enough is enough after spending about 2500 US$ for nothing (yep Switzerland IS expensive). I'm gonna get rid of this piece of crap.

I hope Mazda goes bankrupt like I almost did - they don't deserve a single customer, period.

27th Jul 2004, 01:15

Don't blame mazda blame ford.