1997 Mazda 626 GLX Adagio Limited Edition 2.0 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

High Performance, Reliable, Economical Family Car

Faults:

Absolutely NOTHING!

General Comments:

The 2.0 engine is a screamer, capable of 140 MPH, very quick and well suited gearbox, very smooth.

MPGs are very good. ~38 MPG average.

GLX Adagio gives top spec, 10 CD autochanger, wood effect dash, all round discs, sunroof, electric windows and much more.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th March, 2004

1997 Mazda 626 LX 2.0 from North America

Faults:

When I first got the car it had to be taken in for the engine light being on. I have replaced several sensors on this car the most recent sensor replaced was the transmission coolant sensor. Since the sensor has been replaced, my engine head gasket has blown. It is really frustrating considering the cause of the heads being blown was the car over headed yet no service light came on or anything. I had taken the car in on several occasions because it was losing power going uphill.

I will tell anyone to think twice about buying a Mazda.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th June, 2003

1997 Mazda 626 LX 2.0 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Not worth the money as a used car

Faults:

The transmission has needed to be rebuilt one three months after purchase.

The speed sensor has to be replaced.

General Comments:

This cars interior and exterior are both sporty yet classy.

However even with poor maintenance the transmission problems at 60,000 miles are ridiculous.

I wish I had purchased this car new, I am sure it would be fun to drive when you're not worried about mechanical problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th May, 2003

1997 Mazda 626 LX 4 Cylinder from North America

Summary:

Not so good

Faults:

Flashing O/D light on transmission and overflow of transmission fluid out the vent cap.

Had transmission rebuilt, same problem.

Only happened when car was hot after funning for a long time, then blinking O/D.

Save your money and tell your mechanic to install a "Transgo SK CD4E-Jr" Shift Kit. Even the instructions say it corrects the blinking light code on the CD4E transmission! Get it installed professionally.

General Comments:

I wouldn't buy this car used.

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

Review Date: 5th May, 2003

21st May 2004, 09:12

I am currently having problems with the O/D light, and was curious of how much it will cost.

31st Dec 2006, 05:17

If your experiencing Flashing O/D light-then loss of power-then sudden jerk of car it's the Mass Air Flow sensor.

If your just in the flashing O/D stage I promise you.. it's will change to "I'm scared for my life because my car is outta control" stage. get it checked.

15th Oct 2008, 19:35

I purchased a 2000 Mazda 626 LX 2.0 four cylinder in January of '04. Within a short period the 0/D light started blinking - major transmission problems. I installed a re-manufactured transmission. It went out again in '07. I installed another remanufactured tranny. I now have major problems once again - October, '08. The only major part on this car made by Ford is the transmission - model CD4E - one that is rife with problems. The rest of the car has been excellent but the cost of just one bad transmission makes this model completely unworthy of the purchase price - and I bought mine at wholesale with my dealers license.

The only way I would purchase this model again is if I got it cheaply enough, knowing in advance that it would need a transmission rebuild AND I installed a TransGo CD4E-Jr shift kit in the rebuild process AND added an additional transmission fluid cooler.

If you can't do this yourself or the price isn't cheap enough to justify having this done when you purchase it, my advice is to stay clear of this model.

It's a shame really. This could have been a good car. But the CD4E model transmission that comes with the 2.0 four cylinder engine just ruins it. Ford knew this design to be an extremely poor one but kept producing it for many years anyway. And they wonder why they keep losing market share to Honda, Toyota and Nissan and may even go out of business in the US. If Henry Ford could see this, I think he'd turn over in his grave.