1988 Mazda 626 GT 2.0i

Summary:

Great for a first car

Faults:

Clutch went at 130,000 miles.

General Comments:

I have had my 1988 F. Reg 626 GT 2.0i 16 Valve Up To 140mph. I recently put the car on to its drivers side by taking a corner to fast creating £110.00 worth of damage to the passenger side indicator drivers side wing mirror and front bumper. It could do with a respray as the paint has faded it is starting to peel from the rear wing and from the wheels. It could also do with a new front wing, but it still goes like a rocket and it has only done 135,757 miles. Parts can be hard to find, but my scrappy has a H reg 626 Coupe GT so I have done alright.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2003

13th Jul 2003, 04:53

My 1991 Mazda 626 Gti has 133,000 miles and is rust free apart from the sunroof. It out accelerates most other GTi's much to their disbelief! Not having the burden of a CAT exhaust helps performance. If you want to get 0-60 down to near 7.5 seconds try a Jetex sports air filter and Splitfire (correct spelling) spark plugs. The engine kicks out a high voltage so replace ignition leads frequently - only buy Mazda leads as they are designed for the output.

Other leads burn out in half the time.

Good driving - Steve.

1988 Mazda 626 2000i GT 5-dr hatchback 2.0i 16v petrol

Faults:

Only the components you expect to wear have needed replacement. As my car has now done 153,000 miles, quite a few things have had to be replaced, eg brake discs and clutch. But nothing has broken unexpectedly.

General Comments:

Parts are rather expensive, and most are not easy to find, but my dealer has always been able to source anything I've needed within a couple of days. Specalists are best for some parts - eg brake pads and discs. Ferodo pads can be bought for £26 from brake people, but don't expect Halfords to stock anything. The oil filter for the 626 GT is different from the normal 626 one, and only available from Mazda dealers - don't use the pattern ones - you'll be told the normal filter fits (and it does) but the correct one is best.

I run my car on synthetic oil. It will still do over 130 mph on German autobahns, and reach 60 in a touch over 8 secs. I bought it at 5+ years old with 82,000 on the clock - I've done 70,000 in 4+ years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th April, 1998

22nd Jun 2001, 20:52

Well I guess in the UK you are limited to getting parts for the Mazda 626.

Well I have a mazda 626 that has about 191000 plus miles and running strong! Until today 6/22/01 till it was hit by and Olds 98! Well the Olds is a 2001 model, it didn't fare out as well my Mazda did. The Olds front end was trashed! The 626 had a broken turn-signal and broken tie-rod end. I have had the 626 going for three years and it's still running strong! I put 70000 miles on it and all I had to is change brakes once and did normal maintenance to it!!! And she still can do 140mph with no sweat. The old girl still has life in her!!!

28th Dec 2002, 17:03

Bought my 1988 Mazda 626GLX in 1991 with 60,000k on the clock I've been all over Europe in it and it's never let me down. It now has over 276,000k on the clock and is still going strong. Still has a great body and only ever replaced the usual parts. Best car I've ever had.

6th Dec 2003, 22:04

Just wanted to add to the accolades given to the 1988 626. I owned a fire engine red 2L 5 speed that I bought in 1999, but later sold in 2002 to purchase a 1992 2L V6.The V6 is great, but there is this pain in my chest whenever I happen to see the 1988 drive by. I know this pain will end only when I buy another 1988.

24th Dec 2004, 06:35

Have had my 88 626 turbo for 3 years, bought from a 60 year old chap who was the original owner. This car has been the fastest and most fun to drive car I've had in decades. It spanks Honda's on the highway or in the city like a nasty kid at the checkout. It has 97,000 miles on it and is as tight and soft in ride quality as any new car could be. It takes a beating and smiles back at you. I'm having a small shock absorber issue right now in the rear, but other than that I have not spent a dime on upkeep. I keep it tuned, use only synthetic oil, and drive it rarely as it can get you in trouble. Best car I've owned.

In reply to 24th Dec 2004, 06:35

14th Jul 2023, 21:15

The 626 was a proper reliable car; the 6 introduced in 2002 by Mazda is not a patch on the 626 reliability wise.