1996 Mazda 626 Review
Fuel Economy
20 - 26 mpg
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Reliable Used Vehicle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
This was my first Mazda and I have been impressed with its performance and reliability. It's fun to drive. Great for a non-boring A-to-B commute.
Favorite Features
It's quick. Takes tight turns. Good sound system. I like the electric-adjustable mirrors. Great air conditioning unit with "sway" feature. Handy cruise control.
Suggested Improvements
I don't care for the "auto down" driver-side window.
Mazda 626 -- Very Reliable
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX V6 Sedan
Review
Bought the '96 626 V6 5-speed manual new in 5/96. I put 275K miles on it and running strong. Typical fatigue of parts with that kind of mileage, but nothing out of the ordinary. Original clutch, but I feel that starting to go. Has always been very quick and handles well. Only thing I've replaced repeatedly is the auto antenna
Favorite Features
5-speed manual; leather interior; nice looking car
Suggested Improvements
cig lighter right behind cupholder - not conducive to today's electronics; CD changer didn't last with car; power antenna motor continually breaks; road noise
Love
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr ES Sedan
Review
This car commuted every day for probably 2 years, almost 100 miles round trip a day. I absolutely love it. It has lots of personality and accelerates quickly, although you can definitely feel the change between 1st and 2nd gear. It has 145,000 miles and counting, but it still runs great. The driver side CV Joint cracked though, and I think the other ones are going also. The engine light has been on for probably 3 years, but no mechanic can tell there is anything wrong.
Favorite Features
Simple design, but quality made. Very easy to drive. All the amenities of a luxury car, but without the price.
Suggested Improvements
Better transmission?
Still Kickin' at 195,000 13 years
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
This is not an exciting car. It does its job fine and I am realizing it is getting near time to replace it (Looking at the Mazda 3, the 6 is too big now) No big problems in the years (10+) I have owned it. Gets out of alignment and shaky but it can be counted on. We get rough weather here in New England and it makes it through the snow no problem. Usually get 32 mpg commuting. Roomy enough for our family of 4 now. Small things starting to go. Drivers side door lock is busted from outside. Shaky, getting old, but not bad for the $6000 I spent over a decade ago! The 5 speed manual is the way to go!
Favorite Features
Seat comfort Unbreakable engine (has run with no oil in it before! Bad owner, bad. Decent A/C. Funky vents
Suggested Improvements
Park this next to a 2009 Mazda 6 and you would never see any resemblance. That thing is huge and fancy The 3 is more like this car was, but more sporty.
Don't believe the hype
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
2.0L I4, 5sp trans, 221k miles. Only problems I have had were wear/tear items (rotten plug wires, oil sending unit failure, vacuum hose leak, drive axles at 120k, struts at 120k). Don't know where people are having the problems with the trans, as I am still on my original clutch. Purchased this car w/32k miles in 2000, and heavy mix of city & hwy driving, have had no major problems. Not a speed demon of a vehicle, but gets me from A to B safely and comfortably (and I'm 6'4"!).
Favorite Features
Manual trans "swinging vents" bubble roof fits my oversized frame
Suggested Improvements
More HP better MPG (the camry gets 6mpg more w/a bigger engine!!!)
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