1990 Mazda 626 Consumer Reviews

What a Gem!

Written by: RogerH on 09/22/2005

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

My son bought this car in high school. I inherited it when he bought a Prelude in 2003. I use it as a commuter. Absolutely a great car! I have 148,000 miles on it now, purchased with 115,000. Of course, it required some repairs and I wonder if it is wise to spend the money. But the car has rewarded my decision by running and running and running. AC is ice cold, power windows, door locks, cruise control, intermittent wipers all work. I love zipping by all the SUV's stuck at the gas pump -- 23 miles per gallon city driving with AC. Love the 5-speed box. My mechanic who is a Chevy man said "Nice little car but don't tell anyone I told you that." This from a Corvette owner.

Favorite Features

Performance, economy, handling and reliability, reliability and reliability. Very comfortable and supportive seats.

Suggested Improvements

Small glove box. "Tinny" sounding doors. Where are the cup holders?

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Goes Forever!

Written by: Ryan on 07/08/2005

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

I bought this car when it had 213,600 miles on it, and it ran great! Even after driving it another 6,000 it was great. I read that this car often survives 280,000+ miles. When I was driving it, I felt like it had at least 100,000 miles less on it. I applaud the designers of this vehicle. Unlike some other car companies these days, Mazda designs their cars to last!

Favorite Features

I really enjoyed the oscillating vents when there were two people in the car. As the vents pivoted in the front, everybody was comfotable. The A/C is also one of the coldest I've ever felt. Even if the car had been outside in 90 degree weather, I still had to to turn it off after 5 minutes.

Suggested Improvements

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Deeply missed

Written by: Kate on 02/21/2005

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

At 203,000K last week, someone totaled my car in a parking lot. What a loss! I was given this car at 140,000 miles from my boyfriend's father, and it was a great car for me. I used it extensively for work, and it was without fail reliable, fun (for an early-90's family car) and safe. I did have to put some work into it, replacing the original transmission, the radiator and a ball joint & axle shaft, but that was not much for a car this age. It was going to need some work soon on the emergency brake and the door seals, due to two New England winters. I'll miss this car.

Favorite Features

Hatchback with fold-down seats -- I brought home seven-foot tall Christmas trees in this car. Reliability. Map lights.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders, more storage areas for CDs.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great, reliable car

Written by: rozzyr on 05/31/2004

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

I've had my 1990 Mazda 626 for the past 11 years. For the most part, I've only had to do maintenance like changing belts, oil changes, tuneups. I just recently changed the radiator which is good for a 14 year old car. The transmission is fine. The only thing I wish is that the exterior held up.

Favorite Features

Solid feeling car. Most cars today look cheap inside like they'd crumble on impact at 10 MPH.

Suggested Improvements

Better paint job.

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almost like having a free car

Written by: Glenn {eters on 05/29/2004

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr DX Sedan

Review

13 and a half years and 178550 miles-- this car still starts every time. It's called the Mazda miracle; no matter how bad the car looks, it will always start. Would you believe 32 miles to the gallon in suburban commuting (manual transmission). This vehicle still has its original engine, transmission, clutch, exhaust. At $12000 purchase price new, it works out less than $1000 per year.

Favorite Features

14 inch wheels: I can buy 4 tires for what someone with 16" wheels pays for just one.

Suggested Improvements

Cupholders were conspicuously absent. Later 626's had airbags--much better than the motorized belts

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fun car

Written by: genek1022 on 02/13/2004

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr GT Turbo Hatchback

Review

I recently picked up this car a month ago...the turbo attracted me the most. The sunroof works great, the interior is clean, the alloy rims are kind of showing rust, but that's minor. The clutch already went, however. It was the original clutch. Lasted 14 years...if that says anything. It still performs great, as I've beaten many Acura's and even a 5.0 Mustang. I do have a cold air intake, and am working on a blow off valve. There is no rust on the body. The cooling system is beginning to leak, and the timing belt is beginning to whine. There's also a tap in the cylinder, which isn't good. Overall, this is a great car to have fun with.

Favorite Features

Turbocharger, 5spd manual, speed, alloys, sunroof, oscelating heater/a.c., lumbar support, hatchback, rear wiper, easy to upgrade.

Suggested Improvements

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1990 Mazda 626 5door Hatchback

Written by: Ken Johnston on 11/20/2003

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

I just hit 176,000 on the odometer and bought the relatively rare Japanese built 5-door hatchback in April of 1990. I still have the original clutch like others here and A/C. I did have to have the A/C switch replaced as well as the EGR valve mentioned by others around 130K. This reliability has been outstanding; Rather, I have only had normal maintenance of the oil, anti- freeze, CVjoints, timing belt, tuneups, etc. other than the items above. I have never replaced the manual transmission fluid.

Favorite Features

Fold flat hatchback rear seat 30 mph gallon average overall Extremely reliable

Suggested Improvements

U.S. model reliability not the same as Japanese models. Body colored door handles indicate Japan (and J on Vin) -- chrome door handles on sedans indicates made in U.S.

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What a Great Car

Written by: SASkinny on 11/06/2003

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Hatchback

Review

Purchased it used (1 owner) from a dealer w/32000 miles in 94. Now we drive it only 4-5000 miles a year, but it always has been very reliable. We have the hatchback which is basically a streamlined stationwagon. Very handy for trips to lumberyard. It has 121000 miles and is very peppy(w/ automatic!), handles well and costs nothing more than oil changes and rare tire/brake/exhaust work.

Favorite Features

Hatchback, split rear seats, moonroof, rear wiper; rustevader system-virtually no rust after 13 years in NY and PA

Suggested Improvements

cup holders! Higher seats (too low to ground); I hope the new Mazda 6 hatchback is this well designed.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best Car I've ever owned

Written by: Jerome81 on 08/27/2003

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr DX Sedan

Review

Thats right, I've had this car since it was brand new. Picked it up for ~$11,500 in 1990. 5 speed, ac, cruise. This is the most reliable, costless car I've ever owned, including several Hondas since 1990. 35mpg. Acceleration decent. replaced CV joints at 100K miles and AC fan at 120K miles ($80). original clutch. routine maintenance only (brake pads, timing belt, oil, etc). Seems to have another 100K+miles left. Straight up the best car I've ever had. Just a jewel of a car.

Favorite Features

Reliability. Build Quality. Fuel Economy.

Suggested Improvements

Its old. i got cheap tires on it, but the car leans a lot in turns. Really isn't fun to drive (was in 1990 for a family sedan).

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Like that bunny, this car keeps going.

Written by: SaintNick on 08/01/2003

Vehicle

1990 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan

Review

Excellent mileage with the 2.2 litre. Averaged 40+ mpg last year on a 2200+ mile trip. Interior in excellent shape. Ditto for the exterior in spite of our harsh winter conditions with tons of salt on what passes for roads up here. Problem areas..exhaust system and front brakes. Have to keep an eye on these and maintain regularly. Other than these items, fill up the tank and away you go. Car is very reliable.

Favorite Features

You turn the key and it starts, everytime. Gas consumption is pretty meagre, even with the A/C running.

Suggested Improvements

Larger front brakes.

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