1994 Mazda 626 LX 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

A real money pit!

Faults:

Since Jan/02, I've replaced the Axles (Both). Replaced (Both) Front shocks and housing assemblies.

Replaced the Timing Belt.

All (16) lifters at $46 a lifter.

(Both) Cam Shafts & Seals.

Replaced three rubber door seals.

Had to replace (Both) Headlight assemblies due to excessive sun fading.

Paint is fading to the primer.

General Comments:

Bought this car as a to/from work car. Previously owned a Miata in college and it was great! Bought another Mazda based on that reputation, Big Mistake!

This car has been the biggest pain in the pocket book I've ever owned. Way too many repairs for a car under 90K and now more invested in it than it's worth. Can't sell it, can't destroy it, and can't continue fixing everything. I just found out there's a recall on the Speedometer Cable and the transmission was replaced at 45K.

How can Mazda build such a bad car?

Buyer beware, this car is not worth the money.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th November, 2002

29th May 2003, 10:23

'92 = Pre-Ford.

'94 = Post Ford, new model. Apples and oranges. I've had the '94 for almost ten years. I have a 2-inch stack of repair bills (I'm not kidding) for this car. I'm stuck with it because right now I can't finance a new car.

I'm happy with the handling and the mileage, that's about it. The engine power, the ignition sequence, and the reliability of the brakes and the transmission are all poor. I have replaced half the car at 155,000 miles. I'm glad to hear others have had the "lifter noise" - its annoying and has been pervasive since about 80,000 miles... another Ford-ism, or something.

Don't buy this model/year - you will regret it.

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1994 Mazda 626 LX 2.0L from North America

Summary:

Sucks

Faults:

Fist thing, if you're buying a car for the first time don't get a Mazda 626. I had previously been told by my piers about the transmission fault in these vehicles. Since I bought this car in April I have spend a whole lot of money into it with accessories . I had to get the brake and rotors changed cause it kept knockin at high speed, the muffler too had to be changed. to my dismay until today, I am experiencing some shift in gear as you accelerate. I think it's the transmission problem because the hold light keeps flashing on and off. According to the manual, there's supposed to be an electrical problem with the trans-axle. It advised to go to a Mazda dealer. Went to Mazda today and the son of a gun over there tells me I need a new transmission without even looking at the car. He says it'll cost me 2600 dollars. He goes like if I want it checked I'd have to pay 75.00 for diagnostic. how stupid does he think I am?

I should pay 75$ just to be told that I need a transmission that cost 2600$

MAZDA SUCKS.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd September, 2002

2nd May 2003, 00:48

Hold on - you purchased the car with 180,000 miles on it and are complaining about the transmission going out. My transmission on my 1990 Mazda 626 went out after 206,000 extremely tough miles. These cars are built to last, but don't expect to get 250,000 miles out of your car without something going wrong!

27th Jun 2003, 16:46

Hey I've had my Mazda 626 for years and it never gives me problems... but it IS a manual transmission.

12th Sep 2003, 18:53

I bought my 1993 626 with 90,000 miles on it, and it was the worst $3,000 I ever spent. After I put only 2,000 miles on the car, the hold light began to flash and the car would have hard time kicking into gear. Since then I have spent tons of time and a couple of hundred dollars trying to fix the TERRIBLE transmission. Do NOT buy a mazda unless you enjoy wasting your time and money.

15th May 2004, 22:06

If you guys read the reviews about the 626 on this web-site, you will notice a trend. People that have the automatic hate the car. People that have a manual transmission love the car. I have a manual transmission and I love the car. I think if your looking to buy a Mazda 626, get a manual transmission and avoid the automatics.

5th Aug 2005, 07:14

Hi. I have a 1994 Mazda 626 MANUAL with over 250 000 miles on it and nothing at all is wrong with it. It is by far the best car I have ever owned.

24th Aug 2007, 19:58

I have a 626, and I have 106,000 miles on it, and I got it when it was like 90,000 miles on it, and with the problems I've had with it, I think it's worth $2.50; no more cuz I've spent $2,800 on repairs and $2,500 on buying the stupid thing. Now it's for sale for $900.00.

O.A.