Mazda 626, dark horse?

So over the last few weeks I have been thinking of a new DD($2500 -3000 and from the some other posts I have thought that a P71 would be perfect, but given our automotive A.D.D I have got to thinking... what about the 626 with 3 pedals?

The only thing I really have agin the P71 is the auto and really the size... I pretty much know the ins and outs of the P71 with all my homework but have no idea where to start with the Mazder..

So learn me 626?

Thanks

Avoid the Automatics like the plague!

Which generation? I'm assuming mid to late 90s?

1) Get the V6 version.
2) It's a 4 door MX6 LS. Nice cars.

The worst thing those cars have going on is that the distributor WILL fail. Rather than replace it with another OEM hideously expensive one, you can do the "HEI" mod. (search it up!) for $60 or less.

I really just want to drive a car and not think "is that a loose tie rod? etc." and they keep popping up. I just want to drive 25 miles to work (all highway) and back. 1)They seem stupid cheap for what they are especially with the 5 speed. 2) And no automatics! I just starting dating a girl and do you know how dumb it looks when you stomp the floor when trying to start a car?

Honestly, they're pretty robust, and if something DOES go wrong, they're pretty cheap to fix, and easy to work on. (Barring more involved stuff in the engine bay.) Suspension stuff is cake.

My wife has had three of them. First was a 4cyl turbo from the late 80s, second two have been V6 five speed cars. First two went 200,000 miles before we gave them away. Third one is close to that now and still runs like a champ. I've tried several times to talk her into a new car, but she doesn't want one. Her and the kids love the 2000 626 and don't want to part with it. Fine with me, more disposable income for my cars.

they ride really well. and the only V6 5sp one i've ever driven felt more powerful than it was.

for the right price I think they'd be a fine choice.

Next question: Want to know how to go fast in one?

I drove a friends once. Late 90s with the V6, auto. Wasn't a bad car, didn't make me want to own one though. Rode well, decent acceleration but nothing that made me want to drive it more.

I have a 95 with the 4-cyl and 5-speed, at 195k miles. I have had the lifter tick since I bought the car (at 70k)... tried all of the snake oils, synthetics and back to regular, etc. Now I just live with it.

Like others have said, its easy to work on, parts are cheap and its been pretty reliable to me. Haven't heard anything about distributors failing, but the car eats cheap ignition wires in about a year or two per set.

I just starting dating a girl and do you know how dumb it looks when you stomp the floor when trying to start a car?

hah, just wait until you drive something with a humongous brake pedal and slam on the brakes for .2 seconds as ive repeatedly done.. lolllllllllll

Back when i had a 5spd caravan and an auto caravan this happened ALL the time.

That 2.5 is a sweet motor, and overall they are good cars. Interiors hold up really well from what ive seen and they're lighter than most other cars in that size class. iirc

Haven't heard anything about distributors failing

its a v6 thing from what i know.

^Yep. V6 only.

It's worth it. The V6 is awesome, the 4 banger isn't.

^totally agree with that. The 4 cylinder is very blaaaah. The v6 overdelivers for what it is.

I drove my '89 5-speed 626 LX for fourteen years. Great car. Decent pickup from the 2.2 12-valve mill, and amazing fuel economy. Car was still going strong when I sold it before the birth of my first son. I'll always have a fondness for the ones from the late 80's up to '91 or '92 when they did that unfortunate re-style. The 2.2 Turbo cars from that era are awesome--maybe not so much today, but in the context of cars of that vintage, they are standouts, IMO.

I would love to buy a 626 GT if I could just find one. Help me Obi-Wan GRM you are my only hope!!

1988RedT2 wrote: I drove my '89 5-speed 626 LX for fourteen years. Great car. Decent pickup from the 2.2 12-valve mill, and amazing fuel economy. Car was still going strong when I sold it before the birth of my first son. I'll always have a fondness for the ones from the late 80's up to '91 or '92 when they did that unfortunate re-style. The 2.2 Turbo cars from that era are awesome--maybe not so much today, but in the context of cars of that vintage, they are standouts, IMO.

The 2.2T is still awesome today. Interesting fact, the late 80s/early 90s MX6/626GT is the fastest piston-powered car mazda made up until the Mazdaspeed division started messing around.

The cars from that era are also INCREDIBLY long-lived. I've seen reports of OEM clutches lasting 300k miles, seen reports of 500k motors, etc etc etc. They just... work. Always.

Vigo wrote: ^totally agree with that. The 4 cylinder is very blaaaah. The v6 overdelivers for what it is.

I think the glorious noise it makes is part of it. They aren't powerhouses, but it's the way they deliver the power that's awesome. A 164hp V6 these days is weaksauce, but these days, they sure don't sound like that.

racinginc215 wrote: The 626 is so on my list of cars to buy this year. I keep driving past an MX6 for sale I really need to investigate that.

Do tell...

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Which generation? I'm assuming mid to late 90s? 1) Get the V6 version. 2) It's a 4 door MX6 LS. Nice cars. The worst thing those cars have going on is that the distributor WILL fail. Rather than replace it with another OEM hideously expensive one, you can do the "HEI" mod. (search it up!) for $60 or less.

The 96+ distributors are a little more reliable.