1998 Mazda 626 LX 2.5 V6 from North America

Summary:

A real sleeper a Tux

Faults:

CV joint on passenger side seems to start cracking.

Front Link Kits squeal a bit when hitting bumps.

Nothing really major has happened yet.

General Comments:

Well I bought the car looking for performance first, and I was not disappointed.V6 with manual transmission is a great combination. The engine is smooth and is taken directly from the MX-6 sports car. It will rev to 7500 without a sweat and break a 0-60 time in the low 7 seconds. Beware of Automatics, they are Ford Trannys that's why they bust all the time.

Acceleration kills anything with a 4 banger. Handles like a sports car. Very stable and comfortable car.

This is my second 626 and I have made the reliability test, they are reliable cars. You need to get a manual tranny, seriously, the automatic is a whole different car. Its more a Ford than a Mazda. This is why some people have had tranny problems. I have 244 000KM and the car purs like a kitten. I have checked the compression ratio, still like new.

This car has Zoom Zoom written all over it, but looks like your average rental car. Love the sleeper aspect. The car also looks elegant, so it tends to keep the cops away :)

Love the car, Love Mazda, would not buy anything else.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 2006

1998 Mazda 626 LX 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

The car is fine except for the transmission

Faults:

My 98' Mazda 626 is in the transmission shop for the third time in 13 months needing a rebuild. I paid $2055.00 the first time, plus rental car. The shop fixed it the second time. This time they want $2200.00 to fix. If I didn't still owe $5000.00 on it I would junk it. I'm very unhappy to find out that this a ongoing problem with this model.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th March, 2006

1998 Mazda 626 DX 4 cylinder. 2.0 Liter from North America

Summary:

The 626 DX is fairly cheap, mostly reliable, but certainly not glamorous

Faults:

Spark plugs, spark plug wires and v-belt replaced at 107000.

Intake gasket and wheel and carrier bearings replaced at 116000.

General Comments:

With only minor maintenance issues, this car has been pretty cheap to own.

This car's fuel efficiency is decent at about 32 on the highway and 27 in town.

I was disappointed that Mazda does not offer a hitch for this car, nor will the dealership install cruise control.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th February, 2006

1998 Mazda 626 LX 2.5 V6 from North America

Summary:

The 626 was a good car for the price

Faults:

Brakes have to be replaced at least every year and a half. Twice spark plugs have blown out of the block, had to have the holes died out. The coolant reservoir had had pin holes in it twice, cause unknown, but that has made the car over heat on those occasions. The O2 sensors have been a problem. I've had to replace 2 and clean them multiple times. Lastly the CV joint on the passenger side has gone. In the process of replacing it.

General Comments:

Over all the 626 has been good. The ride quality although not as sporty as it should be is good. I have never complained after a long trip. And after 140000 miles I have never had any problems with the clutch or transmission There's been no electrical problems. I haven’t had any alignment problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th February, 2006

1998 Mazda 626 EX (loaded version) 2.0 inline 4 from North America

Summary:

If you can find a used one in good condition, BUY IT!!!

Faults:

The only money I ever put into the car was for basic maintenence; oil, flushes, car washes. I decided to down grade from a 2001 BMW 525i due ti high repair costs. it turned out to be a good choice.

General Comments:

I love it, it drives nice and wears well, no BMW in performance, but gets the job dun fun.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th January, 2006

1998 Mazda 626 LX from North America

Summary:

A piece of shotty machinery

Faults:

New transmission at 135,000. New Motor at 136,000. New water pump at 138,000. New radiator at 138,500.

General Comments:

DON'T BUY THIS CAR. It has been nothing, but trouble for me. I will never buy another Mazda as long as I'm breathing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th January, 2006

11th Jan 2006, 07:41

Not sure what "shotty" means, but having to replace parts at high mileage is not that unusual. Didn't you sort of expect that when you bought a car with that many miles on it?

25th Jan 2006, 07:53

It sounds like the routine maintenance was never done on this vehicle. If it was the V6, timing belts should have been changed at 60 and 120. Most reputable mechanics would also replace the water-pump and inspect everything else since it was apart anyway.

7th Mar 2006, 01:16

Shotty = shoddy I'm guessing.

My Mazda needed a new tranny at 67,000 miles, 93,000 miles and now at 110, miles. Read the other comments with a blue face.

Hey, would you like to buy my car?

16th Nov 2006, 16:59

I have 1998 mazda with low miles and it has giving me problems with transmission and motor, water pump and now it the radiator. since I bought it has had it regular maintance on time. I think this year for mazda was bad.