Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Fun to drive, plenty of power, reliable - 1999 Mazda 626
  By Chuck W - September 22 - 1:10 am

  I own a 1990 Miata which has been bulletproof and a blast to drive. When looking for a family car, the 626 seemed like a logical choice. Its a great highway cruiser, the handling is fantastic for a mid priced 4 door sedan, and its been reliable. The gas mileage could be a little better, but it is a v6. From the research Ive done and the posts on this site, it looks like the Mazda made v6 engine and tranny are the way to go.

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  I love it - 1999 Mazda 626
  By stanley stoykov - September 16 - 2:36 pm

  Very reliable. Still running strong after 147000 miles. Around 27 mpg city, hwy 32 mpg. Broken AC at 130000. With good maintenance, gonna last til 200000.

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  Reliable all the way - 2002 Mazda 626
  By mazdamontrealer - September 8 - 10:03 am

  This car was highly recommended by a consumer publication in Canada provided it did not come with the automatic transmission. My car is a 2002 with the 4 – cylinder and manual transmission. The engine is definitely underpowered but if you don’t mind shifting down and revving a bit, you can use the ample torque at about 3000 rpm to supply a fun driving experience. The car currently has 200,000 km (120,000 mi) on it. I keep it very well maintained, even changing the shocks and springs which give it a better ride than when new. This also helped preserve the suspension components, which take a pounding on the winter-ravaged streets in Montreal.

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  1998 Mazda 626 4 cyl. - 1998 Mazda 626
  By slbtrekkie - August 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 1998 Mazda thinking I was buying Japanese reliance (i.e., Honday, Nissan, Toyota). Not realizing they are mostly Fords! Most parts you have to buy from dealership, now transmission has just went out (114,000). I have no idea how much repairs will be on that.

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  NoMoreMazdasforMe - 1998 Mazda 626
  By nomoremazdasforme - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car about 15 months. I bought it with 58000 miles. The guides and the rails broke on the moonroof about 6 weeks after I purchased the car about $1100.00 to fix. The radiator had to be replaced at about 91000 miles- $350.00. The air conditioner condenser started leaking a few weeks ago-another $200.00. Now the clutch has gone out and that is going to cost me about $800.00 with the repairs I have already done on the clutch. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BUY A MAZDA.

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  Excellent Car - 1999 Mazda 626
  By Bfar - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Have had car for three years and have not had any problems with any components. Taking ordinary care of maintenance was the only thing that was necessary. Dealership service was outstanding.

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  Excellent Car - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Carbide - June 25 - 3:46 pm

  We have been driving this car for 9 years, now, and this was the best car decision we ever made. The car is now 12 years old, and most of the original parts still work fine, including alternator, power options, rad, water pump, steering components, etc. The only unexpected problems were with some replacement wheel bearings which didnt last as long as they should have. We live in a very wintry area with lots of road salt, and the body has held up well. I did a bit of research before we bought the car, so I avoided the automatic (Ford built) transmission of the 90s. Ours is a manual transmission, and it is still smooth as silk ; and the gas mileage is amazing. Basically, I love it!

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  Pull the Transmission - 2000 Mazda 626
  By Glynn - June 23 - 3:53 am

  Good vehicle in most areas except very poor experence with automatic transmission. Major transmission repairs at 70,000 and again at 97,000. Automatic transmisson is Ford designed and does not provide the same quality as Mazda.

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  Happy with my fourth mazda - 1998 Mazda 626
  By D.Rathbun - June 4 - 10:00 am

  This 98 626 has never reqired any repairs except an ABS sensor @30K. It is a 5 speed manual which seems to be more reliable than the automatics. I change the oil every 3000 miles and keep up with scheduled services and have yet to have a hint of a problem. Im a little worried about the Ford connection as my well cared for Windstars engine blew up after 61,000 miles. The car has plenty of pep with the 5 speed and appears to be utterly reliable...more trouble free than my Honda accord which puts it in good company. It also handles well in snow and ice but will bog down in the really deep stuff.

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  Class problem with auto trans - 2001 Mazda 626
  By Goopie - May 26 - 11:06 pm

  We bought this car out of the Hertz fleet with 26K on the clock. It was reliable early on, needing only a plug wire set and fuel pump (both replaced under warranty). Now at 100K mi the transmission failed to the tune of $2000, even though I have had it flushed twice and have been running Amsoil synthetic ATF since about 50K mi. Perhaps it would have failed sooner if I hadnt been proactive about the service and premium ATF. It is a Ford CD4E trans and is infamous for failing in this car. Mazda is apparently not standing behind it; there are no recalls and of course now it is out of warranty. The engine has been reliable but due to the trans failure Mazda has lost a customer forever.