1998 Mazda 626 LX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing!

Excellent car, all the negative reviews for the Mazda 626 on here seem to come from the USA, and those cars are built somewhere else I'm sure...

This car is 10 years old and nearly done 100,000 miles and it's still going like new.

In the UK, we have Japanese built Mazda 626's, and they are very reliable, well equipped cars.

Handles very well - bit of a bumpy ride though, better at speed, unrefined around town.

Lots of space. Nice interior.

Looks good - I have saloon with alloys not the usual hatchback ones you see.

Very reliable so far. Economical 2 litre engine (about 35 MPG) and goes well when you need to.

Overall a nice car, can't fault it. Shame you guys in the USA got badly built versions of them.

I'm looking for a 626 and have been recommended it. Good to know that we in the UK have different cars than the US otherwise I would be reconsidering.

I'm not so sure that the cars are different. I think it's just a case that people in the U.S. run up more miles because things are farther away. In the U.S., people drive an average of 12,000 miles per year and commonly 15,000-20,000 miles. A 10-year-old car with less than 100,000 miles would be considered relatively low mileage, which means that things have not had a chance to break down yet. Probably your test will come in the next couple of years when you approach 120,000 miles.

Myself, I'm in the insurance group that is usually under 4000 miles annually, so if I get a car with a lower mileage it might be worth it then, would you agree?

I wrote the original review. Update - the car does over 40mpg, not just 35 as I originally said.

My comments still stand, this is a very good car.

In reply to the above comments, I'm pretty sure the USA does get badly built versions - I've done a lot more mileage now, and the car is still OK. I know other people with Mazda 626's older and higher mileage than mine, and they say they are still OK - no problems.

So, I'd recommend a Japanese built one, but again sadly it seems you need to steer clear of this car if you live in the USA, they are definitely built somewhere else there...

In reply to the above, I wrote the comment above yours and I live in the UK. I regard myself as a decent driver and don't try to push a car in the sense that i'll knacker parts easily. What are the equipment fits like, the comfort level and so on. At present I have a VR6 Passat and the mileage is getting excessive especially considering most of my driving is town.

I'd like a car that I can feel comfortable in as well, and from what I've heard the 626 has a good equipment and comfort level.

Reply to comment 2nd July:

Original reviewer here again. The equipment level is good, electric everything, and the fit in the interior is a good quality feel.

Interesting that you drive a VR6 Passat. We must all have the same (Good) taste in cars :) I had 2 Passats previous to the Mazda 626, a 1990 1.8 and a 1991 2.0 CL. To compare the Mazda to the Volkswagen, I'd say the first thing you'll notice is the Mazda is a little bumpier around town (as I said in my review) but its not uncomfortable, just not as good as say, well, a VW Passat :)

I'd say if you're looking at a low mileage good condition Mazda 626 with service history go for it, it's a great car. Just maybe a little dull compared to other cars in the same class (VW Passat, Ford Mondeo, etc) but its Japanese after all. Go for the 2 litre - good performance and great economy form this engine. It's not bad to drive either, that bumpy suspension is better at speed (I do most my driving on A-roads / Motorways) but like you said around town it might not be to your liking.

24th Jun 2008, 06:16

*I'm not so sure that the cars are different. I think it's just a case that people in the US. run up more miles because things are farther away.*

In actual fact, the US spec is different to the UK and Australian spec versions. Firstly, the US spec version is made in the US, in Flat Rock, Michigan. There has been a considerable number of problems in terms of reliability and build quality encountered with Flat Rock built 626 models. Look at the automatic transmission- this is a well known source of ongoing trouble.

Yes, the UK and Australian spec versions are made in Japan. I can tell you that here in Australia, the Mazda 626 has an excellent reliability record, transmissions included. Our annual mileage averages are similar to that of the US.

The Australian spec 626 of this era only has the 2 litre 4 cylinder engine. The 1.8 litre isn't available here.

I hope this clarifies things.