1985 Mazda 626 LX 2.0L from North America

Summary:

Fun to drive, but lots of problems when bought used or high mileage

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.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th March, 2005

2nd Sep 2006, 11:12

I owned an '85 LX Mazda 626 and didn't like it at all - it was pleasant to drive, mind you, but I eventually nicknamed it the 'three week car' because it seemed to me that something went wrong every three weeks, and I got fed-up and sold it.

1985 Mazda 626 gc 2.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

It is steady and economical

Faults:

Head gasket blew out of nowhere. heated up regularly. besides that nothing else.

General Comments:

The car runs well if looked after probably.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st January, 2005

1985 Mazda 626 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Built to take whatever is dished out, an amazing little car!

Faults:

This little coupe has taken a real hammering from my nephew and it never skipped a beat.

The only things needing replacing were the CV joints, timing belt and battery.

The only thing I hated was the constant bonging of all the warning gadgets telling you the lights are on, the seatbelt is not done up etc..

General Comments:

This little 2 door coupe was fully optioned and it was punished during the time it was in our family, it never let us down once.

Frankly I'm amazed they could build a car so strong.

It never failed to start and was a pleasure to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th October, 2004

14th Apr 2006, 07:34

Hi. I have one of these cars, and I have to admit, that I punish it beyond the limit. I have done "N" to "D" burnouts, handbrake slides, reved engine 700 rpm over the normal shift point of the auto box, etc. I've owned it for almost 1 year, and just now am starting to see small signs of early wear. I love this little car, but I think that it might be time to say goodbye.

1985 Mazda 626 LX from North America

Summary:

Run away from this vehicle as fast as you possibly can

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.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd July, 2003

30th Jul 2003, 15:47

It seems the N. American 626 uses Ford's CD4E autobox - and it certainly seems unreliable and prone to failure. Our (S. Africa/Zimbabwe) 626's have a Jap (Mazda) autobox, which is better. My '92 626 auto has done 130,000km - absolutely trouble-free. My '99 626 auto has 70,000km and is still smooth as silk.

28th Apr 2012, 08:17

The 85 626 is carbureted; it doesn't have a MAF sensor...