Faults:

The car was great when I first got it.

At 90000 I had a new transmission put in.

Since then I am always fixing stuff and can't drive too fast for fear that if will break down.

Friends with the same year 1998 626 have installed multiple transmissions in their Mazda 626's.

And eventually gave their car away.

General Comments:

The 91 Mazda 626 that I had ran perfectly until I sold it at 176000 miles.

Faults:

I have replaced the alternator and exhaust line in the 6 years I have had the car.

Other than those two things I have only had to do maintenance such as brake pads, spark plugs, belts, and oil changes.

The door handles gave me some trouble early on, but they were covered by a factory recall.

General Comments:

I love this car so much and have been amazed by its reliability.

Considering this car is sixteen years old and can still take me where I want to go and accelerate up a hill with ease I am very impressed.

Faults:

The transmission went out the first time at about 50,000 miles. I had it re-built and it cost about 1900 dollars. The transmission went out the second time at about 70,000 miles. this time it cost me 2500 dollars, I had a transmission cooler added as I was told it would help. This transmission lasted 13,000 miles. It is now sitting in a cow pasture as I don't have another 2000 dollars to put in this car, besides I am currently serving with the Air Force in the Middle East for Enduring/Iraqi Freedom.

General Comments:

I have not had any major problems out of this car outside of the transmission. But that problem is enough for me to know I will never buy another car from this company. Not just because it is a lemon, but because the company knows there is a major problem with this cars transmission and they refuse to recall it. My car is now worth, if it had a working transmission, about 4,000 and I have already spent almost 5,000 in transmission repairs and it still needs another 2000-2500 dollars.

The car is comfortable and drives very well. I have kept the oil changed every 3000 miles and the oil is almost clean at every change.

Gas mileage has been about 20-23 mpg.

Tire wear has been low as I also rotate my tires at every oil change.

Performance is not great as my car only had the 4 Cyl. But it was OK.

If this car did not have an extremely bad transmission, it would be a really good car.

Faults:

The engine got damaged within 15 miles of showing the oil indicator light.

The spark plugs seem to be wearing out pretty fast.

General Comments:

After having to replace the engine I would advise to keep a can of oil in the trunk.

The interior and trunk is pretty spacious.

The driving position is a bit low and rear window visibility is on the lower side.

Handling is pretty good.