1995 Mazda 626 LX review from North America

Same deal here, a 1995 Mazda 626 LX. I got the car in July 1999 with 103000 miles on it. It seemed like a steal at $5000 flat. Seemed fine when I got it, but within the first few months I noticed some hard shifting. My tranny performance got worse over the next year before I had to replace it because I could feel it slipping. 2 years later I replaced that tranny with rebuilt for about $2000. Between that and other minor routine repairs I dropped $5000+ in the first 3 years of ownership. Now, 4 years later this tranny seems to be hanging in there, but still has rough shifting. Not to mention the rattling I hear when accelerating, my broken motor mount so the car shakes when stopped. O/D light used to flash before the last tranny fix, but recently that hasn't happened. But, my check engine light comes on everytime I drive.

Just did a blue book look up and it said my trade in value is $580. Woohoo.. anyway, I'm not dropping any more money into the car. Had I seen this back in 1999 I would be much happier with a Toyota or Honda I believe. Despite all the problems I have to say it's never left me stranded except for a battery issue related to alternator about 4 years ago. It won't get you there in style, but it will get you there. Please lord send me a new car, oh and pee on a mazda vp please, thanx, me.