1991 Mazda 626 LX from North America - Comments

I was interested to find that many other 626 owners had the same problems I had:

A couple CV boot replacements, especially on the right side.

New exhaust every 2 years.

Needed alignment often to eliminate shakes at high speeds- but was smooth as butter at 85mph when fixed.

Paint on hood was cracking near the end.

New throttle air hose at 143k.

Transmission was going at 144k when I kissed it goodbye. = (

Glove box is small.

No cup holders.

Loved the pickup- everyone underestimated my 626 off the line!

Great cargo room when backseats are folded down.

Comfy, low seats for road-trips and cruising around.

I was sad to see this car go... it was a dream car after those Ford boats my dad made me drive in high school. My brother bought it new; there were no major problems until ~140k. I should have let go of it sooner because I only got $330 at trade-in.

Don't know if I would buy a new Mazda because of all the transmission horror stories I've heard about 1994-2001 626s. It's a bummer; I loved this car. The new Proteges look kinda sweet though.

New car: 2003 Corolla S. Excellent so far, but is a little more bumpy and sits much higher than the 626... can't see behind you to parallel park or pretend like you're low-riding. =)

First time on this site and enjoying. Have the same problems, but transmission is still hanging in there with 314000 klms on it. My ac is still working (10 minutes every month through the winter keeps the oil lubricating all those seals). I have 6 cars 3 on the road and 3 for parts. Getting hard to find these cars clean here in Ontario. The problem with the short lived front end ex: rotors, ball joints, rack and pinion is the car rarely uses it's rear brakes putting lots of stress up front. Best car I've ever owned and continue to look for clean ones, have to be undercoated.

Six months ago, I purchased a 1991 Mazda 626 with 167000 KM on it. I paid $3300, which included certification, e-testing, brake job, new fuel injectors, new battery, new wires and spark plugs, oil change, two new tires and one cover for the front headlight. I've gotten full value and I love this car. To the owner who collects Mazdas for parts, please leave your email address and I will contact you when the time comes for me to sell it. I plan to keep this car for two years and then I'll probably get a Millenia S.

I recently bought a 91 Mazda 626 Hatchback LXI about 3 months ago. It had 98K miles on it and was garaged. I think I got a great deal on it. I paid 3k for it. Only it keeps shaking at a stop and at red lights. I don't know what it wrong with it. It's been tuned up, with all new wires and spark plugs. When I bought it, the owner told me that it just needed a tune up, so when I took it in, the mechanic told me that it had just received a tune up. Other than that small annoying thing, it runs well, AC works, but has a short in it somewhere b/c I have to be sure that the wipers are on before turning the car on, or else, they will not go on when you need them. I live in Hawaii, so it rains all the time. I have put about 350.00 in it already, changing out the fan motor which was super expensive b/c this car was made in Japan and has a very different kind of fan. That was disappointing, but when you think about it, 3300.00 for a beach car that is dependable so far, is not bad. I just wonder if putting the car in neutral at red lights, does any damage. Can anyone tell me what this could be. I am planning to take it back to the shop, but hate to get "taken". Just doing my research before hand. :)

I had many of the same issues as the owner described! At least the car did not get stuck anywhere, and was still drivable with whatever problems.

CV boots regularly go bad.

The radiator cracked near the Mazda logo, sweet irony! The funny part I drove it on a highway like that, and the engine temperature was fine. So partial coolant loss is not a big issue.

Intake air hose cracked, the car behaves terribly wrong with this problem.

Head gasket is leaking oil when driving, 1 quart per 1k miles, on highway with higher RPMs - 1 quart per 600 miles.

Coolant temperature sensor went bad.

Overall, dependable car with generally easy to repair at home problems.