Faults:

I've driven it regularly for 3 years without any problems, and suddenly one day it started making a noise at idle.

The noise is hard to describe in words; it's like there's play in the tappets. At first, I thought it was a connecting rod, but it's a general clack-clack-clack, not too loud, and when you accelerate a little, it disappears and nothing else goes wrong.

If I'm being strict, I'd say it wobbles slightly when cold, but once it warms up everything is fine.

The clutch broke after 120,000 km, so I sold the car with a practically new clutch.

General Comments:

It's a car that exudes luxury and comfort, easily on par with any high-end German car of the era, such as the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes 190, the Audi 80, and even the Volvo 850. This is not only due to its dimensions, but also to the overall concept upon which it was developed (a luxury compact car). Its timeless exterior design ensures that it still looks modern today.

Its interior is spacious and bright, where four or even five people can travel comfortably. It features comfortable leather seats, electric windows on all four doors, and air conditioning—quite an advanced car for the 90s.

In terms of mechanics, it's completely on par with a luxury car. The engine is a very powerful 2.0 V6 with a 60-degree angle and multi-valve cylinder heads, which optimizes the torque curve across the entire rev range. It produces 146 hp (a lot for a 2.0 from the 90s) at 6000 rpm.

The most positive aspect, in any case, is its smooth and progressive operation, which means that even when revving at high speeds for extended periods, the noise only reaches the interior subdued. It's a truly pleasant and quiet car.

The suspension strikes a perfect balance between stability and comfort, and the smooth powertrain and effective brakes allow you to get the most out of it on all types of roads.

It's a car that can hold its own against any modern vehicle.

Faults:

126000 miles Valve guides required, Oil pressure switch failed 75000 miles, rear calipers replaced ceased 69000 miles.

General Comments:

Brilliant engine, smooth and refined even after 130k. Still plenty of grunt when you wind them up. Gearing was a bit to high in first. Slightly too much body roll in corners. The leather seats were not as supportive as in my 626 GLX and the drivers seat tends to twist over time as a result of the offset driving position. Slight leaking from rear-view mirror fitting if your have the factory fitted sunroof. Workshop manual not easy to find. Fantastic car. brilliant engine, great lines, Sad to see it go in the end. Will be shopping for a replacement to build a track car and see what its really capable of.

Faults:

Hydraulic tappets making noises.

Slight rusting on top of the wing mirrors, common!

General Comments:

Price of part etc, far too expensive.

The finest looking car for years, only recently have other manufacturers caught up.

Mazda cannot reproduce what they have created.

Retro, classic, modern.