Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  transmissions - 1998 Mazda 626
  By wdilbeck - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Transmission went out at 90,000 miles. Transmission shop has worked on many 626s and usual life for the Ford transmission that is in the 626 is 90,000-100,000.

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  Wish it still ran - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Brittany - June 2 - 12:43 am

  Bought this car for $2000, loved it. I drove it till this year when the third transmission went out. Ive put at least $3500 into the car just in fixing it. The front axle had to be replaced transmission is out would replace it again but cannot find one. Over all the car has 171,000mls. I got my money out of it, now its just setting around till someone buys it. Wonderful body, and love the sun roof. The car ran good, but also ran through a lot of money.

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  Still running after 164,000 miles strong - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Diane - February 16 - 10:36 pm

  We bought our 626 new 98 we have had no major issues with this car. Routine expected work and we have had more issues with cars with less mileage then our Mazda. The car is still beautiful rides like its 4 yrs old and have just had super performance from this car. We bought a Mazda CX9 as well this year and again very pleased - we only drive Mazda now.

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  Love my Mazda - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Boo - January 12 - 7:23 am

  My mazda drives like a dream. I have a 97 automatic and should have blown up by now and OD out but wont quit . My 98 manual drives like a dream, interior is grey and sharp. It is a comfortable ride and with regular tune up gas mileage is still good. Love to just go for a ride or drive on pretty days.

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  Great Purchase! - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Trafficguy - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 626 used with 61k already on it.I have had the timing chain replaced, belts, rotors, brakes and maintenance on a regular basis. i keep reading about the transmissions (mine is the automatic) and I consider myself blessed at not having any trouble with it and I am at 101k and still going. I do suggest that anyone owning the automatic get the transmission fluid pumped out and replaced on occasion to increase the life of the automatic as I do, it seems to help.

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  AWESOME CAR - 1998 Mazda 626
  By theyrmom - October 12 - 3:44 pm

  I bought this car new at the end of 1997 and I have almost 130,000 miles on it. I have the services done and the oil changed - thats it. I have had no major problems with this jewel. I have the automatic transmission, so I dont understand those who have had problems. Are they having their car serviced and oil changed? Anyway, I finally had to get a new battery after 8 years and the guy at my local service center was amazed that it was the original battery. I have had to finally get new tires. This is just a great car, I think I will keep it until it stops and it is not showing any signs of that anytime soon. It still drives like a new car. WOW!

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  Most Bang for the buck! - 1998 Mazda 626
  By outbreak - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for 4 yrs now and I can tell anyone whos looking for a new or used car that it is extremely reliable. Ive done my oil changes every 6000 - 7000 miles and the car has always run flawlessly. The car is very clean and basic, not too much junk that will break that many cars tend to have. The interior ergonomics are perfect.

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  Great car for the money! - 1998 Mazda 626
  By TrafficGuy - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Replace the O2 sensor regularly and the brakes and its all good!

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  Avoid automatics at all costs - 1998 Mazda 626
  By HankMcStanky - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This was my second 626. The engine has been mostly fine, blew a head gasket at 85,000 but that feels like a fluke. The door seals, mentioned by many others, are annoying but no big deal. The trouble, as youve guessed, is the automatic transmission, made by Ford, which completely fell apart at 90,000 miles, took $2500 to fix, and has been back in the shop 3 more times in the next 12,000 miles. Some apparently break as early as 60,000. Its sad, because I really liked the car up until the fateful day it was towed to the shop. Look for a manual, which is what Ill be in the market for as soon as this one breaks again.

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  Transmission Woes - 1998 Mazda 626
  By Remington - July 24 - 10:00 am

  I will never buy another 626 or mazda for that matter. The transmission had always been extrememly jerky, defeating the purpose of having an automatic, and I was told by a number of different dealerships that there was nothing wrong with it. Finally, an honest Mazda employee told me that it was jerky by design and there was nothing I could do about it. Not to my surprise, the transmission went out at 50,000 only to be replaced with an equally shotty transmission. The only thing I like about this car is the swing option on the vents.