Faults:

Hello all,

Before buying this kind of car, make sure you have an extended warranty (dealer) because you will not make any money with it.

Buy that car in 2006 for $2000.00. After, putting Coil Spring, muffler, Rebuilt transmission. It is in good shape.

I had the light problem (problem is wire is not connected well. have them services) when transmission went out. the rebuilt guy put an coolant into it and space gear on the first and 2nd. Told me that was the problem. gear was heating because of no space.

Rebuilt cost 3,000lbs with a Mass air flow changer (used one)

Now, a full year with no problem.. have to fix break, suspension, but hey. this is normal

All together, I have put 7500 dollars in this car.

How long an engine last anyway?

4 liter is good on gas, good on long trip, but definitely not a 2006 honda civic.

General Comments:

I might buy another Mazda, but not with a mix of Ford part.

But would love to go to GTI golf.

Faults:

I've had this Mazda 626 for about 6 months now and I've recently found out that for some reason I cannot set the timing which is about 25 degrees out. other that that the car runs great and I have not had any problems out of it. I use the recommended fuel (91 octane premium) and I get my moneys worth in mpg.

General Comments:

I have replaced the muffler and intake with high performance parts and I'm really satisfied. I gust wish it could be a manual!

Faults:

Intake manifold gasket - we bought it used at an auction for $600 and this was the main fault as to why it was up for sale. Apparently it wasn't passing emissions inspections. Had to replace the right front CV shaft was replaced as well after about a year of sitting around before getting it roadworthy.

Water pump went out after 18 months of driving - this is suspect as routine wear and tear items as it was the gland seal bearing. Had the timing belt replaced as its one the way into the water pump.

General Comments:

The model is stripped down and is few on frills (less stuff to break) but has been a real cream puff on mileage. On a trip east from Utah to Ohio on I-70 it averaged about 46.5 mpg, which I wouldn't believe coming from a 4-door sedan unless I actually was tallying all of the gas receipts. Admittedly it is the 2.0 liter engine with the 5-speed manual. Nonetheless, the 626 seems to have a lot of responsiveness. A spartan interior but very functional. the fold down seat that extend the truck space are an excellent feature.

Faults:

The whole time I had the car, my oil seemed to burn off.

I am due to replace the catalytic converter soon.

New exhaust at 155,000 miles ($452.28).

New rear brake cylinders, and front and back brakes at 165,000 miles ($728.42).

New tires yearly (the tire size is hard to find).

The cloth that lines the ceiling is falling down.

Rear sway bars loose and hanging down.

General Comments:

The car is a very good "kid" car, school car. Not meant for road trip driving.

I paid $2,000 for it and put about $1,500 into it for a total of $3,500/3.5 years. Not bad. I still drive it and it has its problems; my advice is band-aid it up as cheap as you can, and drive it into the ground.

Faults:

Car wouldn't go into gear at the dealership - they knew it had a transmission problem - they told me - but the car was only $1800 - I drove it in first gear to a trans shop a mile away - they said the fluid had leaked out - they put fluid in it and stopped the leaking. The car runs fine now, except that it drops down to 500 RP-Ms at idle in drive, and lurches into gear unless you goose up the idle to 800 - then it takes off fine - I will have to turn up the idle.

General Comments:

Car runs fine and the engine seems to be OK.

I have read about these trans problems - I had a Ford LTD with an auto overdrive - if you drive an O/D car in O/D all the time, the trans WILL go out.

BUT, this 626 goes into O/D by default every time you turn it on - then you have to push the O/D button to take it out of O/D.

I think a lot of these 626 trans problems are caused by driving the car in O/D all the time.