Faults:

Replaced alternator once at around 185000.

Replaced head gasket at 212000.

General Comments:

I used this car for almost ten years, on the road while helping to upgrade our communications system in the US to fiber optic. From Eastern Indiana, to Western Montana and Idaho. Used this car during this time. It was always reliable, comfortable, and very dependable.

I would drive from 100 miles to sometimes 1500 miles, from my home to where I was working, mostly interstate travel. It has a 5 speed manual transmission, and would drive for hours on end, at 80 miles an hour on 38 miles to the gallon of diesel fuel. It has the Japanese version of the Perkins diesel 4 cylinder - 2 liter engine.

I drove in 100 degree heat, and -34 degrees of no heat (in Northern Minnesota), and it always performed the same. I used 1 gallon of gasoline, to a full tank (14 gallons) of diesel fuel, and have never ever had fuel problems in the coldest of weather.

Have never before or since had seats that were as comfortable as they are in that car.

I still use this vehicle on occasion, but we are both pretty much retired now. Everything still works well. Have never ever even had to do anything to the brakes or the clutch. I always used the engine for braking, as much as I could, being a former truck driver. Also, the owners manual suggests replacing the timing belt every 100,000 miles, ("whether it needs it or not"), but I have never gotten around to do that either.

Cannot say enough good about this vehicle, and will probably never sell it - and we are both getting well on in age.

Jack Miller

Northwest Iowa USA.

Faults:

Transmission was gone when I got it replaced with one out of an 84.

Ball joint and brakes replaced.

Had to rebuild the steering rack as it leaked, parts were quite expensive.

Bottom end of motor let go, but it was making noises when I bought it.

Cruise control reengaged by itself after I came off the highway. When I tried to switch it off (using the cruise switch and the brakes) the pedal went to the floor! Luckily there was no traffic around and I was able to shut it off with the key. This was to scary for me. Straight to the scrap yard. Anybody else have this problem?

General Comments:

Lots of quirky electrical problems that led to the cars demise. However it was fun to drive, good on gas, comfortable and some what reliable.

Faults:

The transmission went out at 107,000 miles. We then had the transmission replaced with a used one that had only 20,000 miles on it.

A seal in the new transmission had to be replaced 1,000 miles later.

The new transmission had to be completely replaced again after another 1,000 miles put on it. Fortunately it was under warranty.

The mass air flow sensor had to be replaced, which is not cheap.

The tensioner on the timing belt went out, but was not too expensive to repair.

General Comments:

This car drives great as long as no mechanical problems are going on.

For those of us who live paycheck to paycheck, you will go into extensive credit card debt for car repairs.

Mazda refuses to recall the transmission although it's a well known fact that they fail you in every Mazda 626 that they make. Unfortunately I wasn't aware of that when I bought mine.

If you purchase this car, plan on trading it in a year later with negative equity and $3,000 in credit card debt.

Faults:

Car failed emissions test. Needed a part for the carburetor that wasn't available after market. I had to go to a wrecking yard to get a used carburetor to get the part off of.

Cruise control and electrical suspension did not work when I got the car and still do not work.

General Comments:

Fun car to drive, handles very well and has very good acceleration for a 4 cylinder auto.

Very good fuel economy.

A lot of passenger room and comfort for a small car.

Nice control layout, easy to understand and use. Pleasant appearance.

Poor mechanical design that you would expect from a Japanese car.

Thin sheet metal. Light duty parts used in manufacture.

Overuse of electrical components.