1998 Mazda 626 LX review from North America

Well, the same day I had purchased the car I was driving along; everything was fine, but then my car sounded like a "Wal-Mart racer" (the people who think they are in 'The Fast and the Furious' and go to Wal-Mart parking lots in their Honda Civics and Ford Probes with wings and huge exhausts) so I pulled over and looked under my car and the middle exhaust had fallen apart. So I took it to the dealer and got it fixed tempporarily, and then the starter went out. 2 weeks later, the car started to miss-fire and the engine light came on and flashed back and fourth. I took it to the dealer and they gave us a loaner car for a few days. The problem turned out to be the spark plug wires and spark plugs.

I have always been hearing noises like popping and clicking sounds like tie rod problems and maybe suspension. The rear motor mount just broke, and the block raises 6 inches when I accelerate or go in reverse. The right (front) axle went out, wheel alignment won't stay in-line, and there is a loss of power. When I first got it, it seemed to have full power. I could drop rubber off my tires when I would punch it, but now it feels like I'm starting in second gear. The steering feels really tight and won't stop making weird noises.

There have been 2 transmission rebuilds done to it; not by me, but with the previous owner. I know there are more problems with the car and I'm waiting to find them and complain. Oh yes, the brakes make a bad noise like the calipers are about to explode and the brakes are stuck. If I press the pedal all the way to the floor, then I don't stop till 3 seconds at 25-30 mph. Other than that it's a great car.

I know there have been many problems with my car and most of the cars on this web site, but we are talking about the "fast and the furious" wannabes and the people that drive their cars like they are Paul Walker. Some cars obviously have troubles and defects (such as the big transmission problem). My car could have been better, but it has not been maintained previously and it shows. It is a great car with some power; still not the same as it once had, but it isn't a weed whacker motor yet.

It's loaded with a great sounding stock system, (most of my friends think it sounds like I have 2 12's in my trunk). It has swinging air vents and moonroof, power everything, cruise control, CD player and tape player, lots of room, 15" alloys, a telescopic antenna, and 2.0 liter L4 DOCH. I want to order a cool air intake for my car, but I have to custom order it or else it won't fit.

If I could buy another car, I wouldn't; unless it was a 1995 Toyota Supra twin turbo or a 1969 Camaro SS 632 block. It's a good car, great on gas, stylish, looks like a Jag in the dark with a quick glance. My favorite things about my car are the moonroof and the interior.

My car has had a top speed of 135 and the way I drive it might be why I'm having problems, but hey I got a job and I can pay for the repairs. I just hope that my transmission does not go out anytime soon. It's a 4-speed automatic too which isn't great because 5-speed is what to go with. If I do get a new transmission, I will get a 5-speed put in that beast.

The thing I'm most happy about is repairs; even when I wasn't on warranty, the dealership has replaced everything for free (except the axle job, but they didn't charge for the axle, just for labor). So I'm not that upset; actually I'm not upset at all. It could be so much worse than it is although it may end up that way. A Mazda 626LX is a great car to have. Don't treat it badly, though.