4th Mar 2007, 08:46

I can't believe all of you people complaining about Mazda. They are simply the best car for the money out there! I would never own another car. My 97 Mazda has 167K and have only have a few issues. If you take care of the car it can last for a long time. If you got the auto tranny, that's where you problem lies.. the 5 speeds really don't have a whole lot of issues that the auto has.

5th Apr 2007, 21:30

Well, Well add me to the list. I agree with both sides. I want to thank you all for saving me money. I just had my head cover valves replaced because my broken timing belt bent them. And now my check engine light came on a week ago, and guess what... I was told that my catalytic converter needed changing, and guess what again, it cost me exactly 60 bucks for the diagnostics test (although I talked him down to $55 bucks). But I now, after reading your blog's will just leave it alone, and let the five speed go to work. It is great on gas and great on the road. I have made three cross country (east to west) trips in it. Now that I see similar problems, I will just let it be until it rolls over and dies for good. For the &1500 I paid for it 2 years ago, I have more than made up for my investment.

9th Apr 2007, 23:47

It appears the "constant on" engine light was a standard feature of this car. I had mine come on the other day in the middle of nowhere. I nearly had a panic attack trying to make it to a service station. Just curious. Has anyone ever had an issue with the airbag light flashing? Otherwise, this car has been very reliable for me.

14th Apr 2007, 19:23

My 97 Mazda 626 overdrive light starts to blink after about

20 miles of driving, looks like the transmission is about to die. Does anyone out there have the same problem?

I think this vehicle is great, but like anything else is just needs attention.

25th Apr 2007, 05:12

I had a Mazda and the Transmission went out in it. And when I went to buy the parts to rebuild it I found out I could not find them any where. That was an Automatic.

23rd Jun 2007, 08:01

I am still using 93 octane gasoline with one bottle of Lucas Fuel System cleaner per tank and the check engine light is still off. I started using Castrol High Mileage oil and high mileage tranny fluid. Water Wetter in the radiator and a new water pump helped with the overheating. I don't hear anymore knocking in the engine at low RPM's driving uphill, so that's a good thing. I noticed a couple of extra MPG when I added the K&N air filter. The only thing I can't figure out is why the engine shakes the car while accelerating... I like to think it just has too much power. LoL... 1997 Mazda 626 LX V6 Automatic, now has 127,700. Great little car.

30th Jul 2007, 15:33

The check engine light are caused by the O2 sensors. Apparently the 1997 626 has six O2 sensors... two way downstream in the exhaust system that aren't problems. However there are two near the converter (one up stream and one downstream) that mechanics change out at $500 for parts and labor. Then your trouble light comes on soon thereafter. Even the dealership mechanics couldn't figure this out. So I drove it for three years with the light on getting very decent gas mileage and no power issues on my 5-speed. However, I now need to pass an emissions test and after spending another $500, the idiot light came back on before I could pass emissions (you need an 80 mile burn-in), I am in for another $500 for the two in the from end... one on each side of the manifold... do non-Mazda parts last just as long? Maybe I should have disconnected the battery and tried to pass the emissions!!!

Does anyone at Mazda have an answer???

17th Aug 2007, 12:49

I bought a 1997 Mazda 626 recently and I can't find one thing wrong with it (after I replaced the transmission), but other than that it is the best car I have ever had. It handles like a dream and gas mileage is great; I have gone 114 miles since the last time I filled up and it still has over half a tank left. I agree they should have had a recall for the transmission, but that was the only thing wrong with my car.

20th Aug 2007, 23:19

(Sigh) I, too have a 97 626 LX (original owner). I have gone just about bankrupt. Alternator, distributor cap, ignition coil, oxygen sensors, water pump, belts, full exhaust pipes & mufflers & a catalytic converter (still think the dealer took me for the catalytic converter that never looked new) to name a few.

I just hit 100,000 miles this week and have been contemplating selling (was offered a mere 1K from Fastcash!!) or killing the car since it failed emissions inspection last month. Dumb me - Thought that since the check engine light had ceased to bother me...

Trouble codes present - p0171, p0400 and p0443 all seemingly to do with oxygen sensor, possibly mass air flow sensor, EGR port clogged or valve malfunctiones etc. vacuum leak in manifold. Don't I sound smart? No, I've been trying to research online to ward off the crooked mechanics from having their way with me. With this Mazda, I feel like I need to put it out to pasture, but with the great mileage it still gets, it is hard. Any suggestions / help? Oh, recently added codes are p1130, p1131 after I took a tough and scary trip uphill (The car wouldn't go past 40mph). Days after that trip, the car has been riding just fine again.

22nd Aug 2007, 14:08

Hey everyone! I have 1997 Mazda 626 LX, 5 speed. I bought the car with the check engine light off and after few weeks the light came on. I guess this is normal after reading all of yours comments. So far I have the car for about four years. Nothing out of the ordinary. Very good on gas. Friend of mine is mechanic and he suggested that instead the cheapest gas (87) I should use Unleaded Plus (89) for better gas mileage and better performance. For extra $1 or $2 for full tank it is worth it. With full tank I can go up to 380 mls. If I use the AC about 330 mls. It runs good for the money and I guess I'll drive it till the end. Then I'll buy another Japanese car. Guess why???