1998 Mazda 626 LX review from North America
"A nice-looking hunk of junk"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
One week after the purchase, the alternator went out. It cost about $700 to replace at the dealership. Then, at about 92,000 miles, the brakes began squeaking. I had to replace the CV boots, rotors, and brake pads (another $800). Then, it jumped time. I had to replace all the belts in the engine ($600). It still hasn't been running well. Now, not even a year after my initial purchase, the transmission has blown. It will cost $2500 to replace. The car is only worth $2750 as a trade in, so replacing the transmission is a waste of money.
General comments?
I purchased this car from a private party. The guy was a mechanic and said the car was in great condition. I paid $5000 for this car. The car is still in excellent condition, as far as looks go, but that just doesn't matter when it doesn't run. And I only bought this car because I was rear-ended in my Accura Integra! It has been the worst car decision I have ever made.
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| I give it a 6 out of 10. It's a good, reliable, but temporary vehicle |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 1998 |
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 4 cylinder Automatic |
| Performance marks | 3 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 3 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 89500 miles |
| Most recent distance | 98000 miles |
| Previous car | Acura Integra |
| Date of Entry | 7th July, 2005 |