Faults:

Popping in steering rack due to worn and loose gear. This is easily remedied if you're not afraid of a wrench by re-torquing all bolts on the steering rack. If the gears are badly worn a junkyard replacement from a 1993-1997 Mazda MX6, 626 or Ford Probe can be purchased for around $40.00.

The valve covers were leaking oil into the spark-plug bores causing the wires to ground out to the head assembly and not fire the plug. Valve cover gaskets and grommets for the cover bolts cost $79.95. You will also need a set of intake manifold gaskets ($15.95) because the manifold must be removed to gain access the rear cover. You may want to replace the spark-plugs while the manifold is off.

The rear brakes locking up is an issue with all model years. I disassembled all my calipers and cleaned the parts in solvent. Then I honed the cylinders in the calipers. To help avoid this problem completely bleed the brake system every time the brake-pads are changed.

The sunroof opened, but, would not close. I fixed this with a switch and relay from a salvaged MX6 for $10.00.

The valves are noisy, but, I can live with that for now. Rebuilt head assemblies cost around $1000.00 from auto parts stores.

General Comments:

I would classify every thing I've had to do to the car as routine for a neglected vehicle.

The engine delivers power smoothly and power doesn't drop of until 6000 RP-M's. I was surprised at the torque from such a small displacement motor.

This car handles well for a front wheel drive.

You can walk all over Honda's and Eclipse's with this car, but, I recommend a few performance modifications before picking on Mustangs.

Faults:

Whole rear lighting system (tail lights, license plate lights) were not functioning at time of purchase.

Ignition module blew after the first three days of having the car.

Clutch slips badly at high rev gear changes.

Air conditioning and heat are mild.

Sunroof does not function occasionally.

CV joints make popping sounds when turning the wheel at a stand still.

General Comments:

The 4 cylinder MX-6 is a non-performance "sports car". It's 118hp motor barely pulls to say the least. Handling wise, the soft suspension makes high speed driving seem "on the edge" - of destruction.

When the car breaks down, and it will inevitably, Mazda parts are hard to find, however reasonably affordable.

The interior is relatively room in the front, but the rear seat and trunk are small compared to the size of the car.

Faults:

I have a Mazda mx6 1993 model. I got this car this year and it was driving extremely well. I noticed that the gears were not shifting properly anymore. The car would delay changing gears. I decided I would take the car to the mechanic at the end of the August month.

One morning, the unthinkable happened. I started the car to leave for work and the car would not get into gear. I can change the gears, but the car doesn't realize that it's in gear. If I put it in first gear or fourth gear or even reverse, nothing happens. It's as if the car has forgotten that D means drive forward.

I like the little car, but I have not clue what next. When I try to put it in gear the hold light flashes and it doesn't move. Can anyone please advise me on what could be wrong with my car. There is got to be a way to fix this without getting a new transmission.

If anyone has experienced this please let me know. A friend whom I bought the car from had the transmission changed 2 years ago with one from a car that had 40,000km on it. So this transmission should be good for another 10years.

When I shift gears, the engine realizes that I have shifted down or up, but it doesn't move the car. Help.

Pappah_mx6@hotmail.com.

General Comments:

The car handles extremely well, but I need to get this hold light to stop and I need the car to shift into gear.