Faults:

Rear brakes.

Front brakes.

Emergency brake.

Distributer.

Plugs and wires.

Transmission troubles.

Cooling system.

Coolant leak.

General Comments:

I bought the car, and the second day I had it the emergency brake got stuck. While in the repair shop it needed 1500 dollars worth of repairs. After that it was a problem every time I drove it so I stopped driving it, and sold it.

Do not buy this car!

Faults:

The biggest problem is the transmission. It is jerky, and will jolt *hard* when shifting gears. You have to play with the accelerator to minimize this (accelerate, then let off the pedal right before it shifts). From what I have read (and my own experience), avoid automatic transmissions on these cars at all costs. The problem is well known, but Mazda hasn't changed anything even in recent models. The latest Consumer Reports mentions this, and there are numerous websites with mazda owners with the same problems.

The head gasket begins to deteriorate at around 60,000 miles, and oil will pool into the overly deep sparkplug wells. Watch out for that.

My distributor had to be replaced at 67,000 miles.

General Comments:

Over all, this wasn't a horrible car, but I would suggest getting a manual transmission on it. They are less problematic.

The car handles good, and has a modestly powerful engine.

Faults:

My driver side power window will not go down.

The paint on the hood and doors is bad.

The engine overheats when idle.

Door rubbers have deteriorated.

Trunk does not shut correctly.

Brakes pulsate violently.

Power antenna doesn't go down and up correctly.

Seat belt buckle has broken.

General Comments:

I have purchased the worst car in the world. I would trade it in, but I would be upside down in my trade-in.

Faults:

Head gaskets leaking oil into the spark plugs causing major hesitation.

Cost $800 to replace intake manifold, head gaskets, spark plugs and all wiring.

General Comments:

The car is responsive and quick. Pulls well through all four gears and seems to want to push the 130mph barrier.

Faults:

The transmission has been having troubles. Will not maintain 5th gear.

General Comments:

Decent car.

Reasonable to purchase and maintain.

The interior "storage compartments" have been annoying. The covers and springs etc.. have been breaking.

Faults:

Master brake cylinder and booster, rotors.

General Comments:

The 4 cyl. engine is not up to the job of moving this sluggish beast. Passing can be hazardous to your health. Gas consumption wasn't wonderful. Major brake system component failure at 36000km was simply unacceptable, especially when Mazda took 6 weeks to find replacement parts.

Headlights were inefficient, body sheet metal was so thin you dared not lean against it. Tires were biodegradable.

Considering the previous generation of 626s this car deserved Gregory Peck's advice to Chairman Mao (in the movie "The Candidate"). When asked about the little red books, Peck said "Buy back every copy and burn it". Mazda should just recall this piece of nonsense out of goodwill.