Faults:

So far I only needed to replace all fluids, filters, spark plugs and a tune-up and the car is running good.

Burns some oil in cold starts, but after I added oil for high miles engines (Castrol) and an oil stabilizer the problem seemed to disappear.

The engine shakes when cold.

The engine starting is slow, but always start at first try.

Suspension is too soft.

The car feels floaty at 100+ MPH.

The gear changes are not solid when gearbox is cold.

Has little funny noises coming from some plastic parts in the inside.

The windshield defroster is so weak it can take more than an hour to defrost it.

General Comments:

Despite the minor issues when the engine is cold, when it reaches the normal operating temperature on engine and transmission everything works fine.

Just wish Mazda had done a better job with the damper and spring rate, feels to soft sometimes. But the geometry and layout of the suspension is very good.

The engine is enough to manage a manual tranny, it offers adequate acceleration and fuel economy, but could do better for a 2.0 liter, and it is not as smooth as expected in this category and size.

The brake pedal is spongy, despite the pads are new and the brakes were bleed, but has good stopping power.

Couldn't ask more for the price, year, miles and condition of the car. The paint looks very new, also the interior and the materials are mostly good quality.

Faults:

I bought a 1996 Mazda 626, from a private party. The car when I first tested it seemed reliable. Three days later I notice the tachometer bounces from 1500 to below 1000 rpm like it's going to cut off.

When the car is in idle it shakes. Then when I change gears the car jerks.

Also while driving the car jerks. Since it has not even been a week yet I'm going to try to get my money back. I don't want a car that has problems as soon as I get it.

I thank everyone who posted about their car problems so others won't have to go through the same problems.

General Comments:

There seems to be a problem with Mazda 626 transmissions from 95-00. I still like mazda as a car company, but they really need to fixed this problem. my old car, a mazda protege 91 has well over 150,000 and only the CV joints needed to be replaced in the year I had it.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong so far.

I had a tune up done.

That was my own decision.

General Comments:

This car isn't as fast as I would have liked it to be.

However it still performs well enough to keep me satisfied.

Faults:

My water pump broke at 155000 miles.

My rotors had to be replaced at 165000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is very reliable and will last a long time if you take care of it.

It doesn't have much power, but it is very economical as far as fuel consumption.

Faults:

Well first of all, not one should ever think of buying this car. After about 1 month of driving it (in town) my over drive started blinking along with my check engine soon light coming on. I brought it to the dealer and it was a computer chip problem and so it went away for a bit. He also said that my transmission would most likely have to be replaced soon. The car only had 40k at the time! That to me is ridiculous. Then, of course, the check engine light came on again. It periodically turns on and off, for weeks or days. Another incident I have had is when I was driving about an hour on the highway. I was driving 80 and then my car started to slow down a lot, and I couldn't accelerate anymore. My RPM were climbing, but my speed was not. Brought it in again, but the dealer could not find the problem. So finally this week, I was driving home from work and my car began to shake violently, my check engine light started to BLINK (never happened before) and my overdrive went out again and shifted very hard. They have been working on it for 3 days already... they believe it will be terminal. I am honestly glad to get rid of that car. It has been nothing but problems to me. I strongly suggest to anyone that is thinking of buying this car, to not. It's not worth your time or your wallet.

General Comments:

Bad Transmission

Bad Computer Chips

Overdrive is not working.