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Used 1990 Mazda 626 Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
18 reviews

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Pros
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4.25 out of 5 stars

Awesome CAR!

Rebwil, 08/10/2008
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Best car ever! Runs with minor repairs: intake tube, clutch, air conditioning long gone, interior feel apart, but replaced it. Clutch problems lately, replaced radiator. Brakes several times. Leaks oil now, quart a month. Automatic seat belt and windows going. Still love it, and trying to hang on to it till it's twenty. Well worth the money!

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Oldie but goodie

Dave, 06/09/2010
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Got my first one in 2002 with 120k on it, drove it for another 100k when the transmission finally crapped out. Liked it so much, I found one on eBay with 100k on it, bought it drove it cross-country (PA to CO) sight unseen and had zero mechanical issues with it. Had a timing belt fail about 6 months later, but other wise it's been great. It has a persistent oil leak (dunno where), and the A/C pooped out a while ago but that's pretty minor for a run-around/short-distance commuter car. I wish it has cup holders (tired of spilling beverages), but it still runs strong, no other mechanical issues. VERY pleased with the quality/longevity of both of these vehicles.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

old and dependable

schadenfreude, 08/16/2002
1990 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought this car new and have put 159000 miles on it. The motor is still very strong, but has always burned oil--now about a quart every 1500 miles. I have had to replace a rear wheel bearing, both half shafts, and the radiator. The rest of the car is most original. The paint is badly faded, but I just drive it to work. Overall, the best $12000 investment I've made.

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4 out of 5 stars

Good daily driver

Jasperdog, 08/30/2002
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

My wife and I bought our Madza with 103K on the odometer, it is now up to 165K Our 626 has been a very reliable car but is now really starting to show its age. When we bought it the The paint had developed a few pinhole rust spots, there are quite a few more now, not bad, but noticable. We have had to replace the radiator, a half shaft and the air intake hose. A few months ago the AC compressor failed. One of the power window is faiing as well. Other than that the car has been VERY reliable, no problems at all with the drivetrain. I'd love to keep it, but a $800 A/C repair on a car worth only $2000 is hard to justify.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Mazda 626 - best car I'll ever own

J Preston, 12/26/2002
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought this 626 new for $13,000 in 1990. It is an LX 5-speed. This car gets 32 mpg to and from work and as much as 37 mpg on trips. The car has over 205K miles and has never been to a mechanic. I performed all the routine maintenance - oil changes, timing belt chnages, brakes, etc. The only thing that went "bad" was the EGR valve at 160K miles (really this is a maintenance item). I can only hope to own another car this dependable and cheap to operate.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Very Reliable Car

JetJock, 01/20/2003
1990 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mine is actually a 1989 Mazda 626, however they are virtually the same car. The only real difference is the steering wheel and the rear tail lights. This car is as reliable as my Golden Retriever. I did change the radiator, both drive axles, starter, the air conditioning compressor, and repaired the clutch master and slave cylinders. The clutch is original. Overall not bad for almost 200k. Much of the work I was able to do myself for not much Mooolaa$$$.

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4 out of 5 stars

The most Reliable car

mazdagirl, 07/10/2003
1990 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have never had to put a dime into this car other than routine maintenance. It is over 13 years old with 140,000 miles and its just as reliable today as ever. I highly recommend this car.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Like that bunny, this car keeps going.

SaintNick, 08/01/2003
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Best Car I've ever owned

Jerome81, 08/27/2003
1990 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

What a Gem!

RogerH, 09/22/2005
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

almost like having a free car

Glenn {eters, 05/29/2004
1990 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Great, reliable car

rozzyr, 05/31/2004
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Fix the rear main seal!

barbara, 02/16/2007
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have just replaced my loyal Mazda 626. Bought it in 1998 and it now has 178,000 miles. Really still love it but it has NO HEAT. Tried everything. The two major problem areas I have found are, 1) rear main seal. Every Mazda I have had leaks oil from the seal. Had this one replaced and it only lasted about two years and started leaking again. 2) Radiator. For some reason Mazda radiators develop leaks at the top where the I.D. imprint is. Car went through two radiators and I gave up. Otherwise I really loved this car and it was great driving, great handling and very reliable.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Great car

jdog, 04/23/2003
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Good fun car.Handels well car gets good gas milege and is extremly durable.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

good student car

surviving student, 12/29/2002
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

A good student car. The exterior design ages well, and does not look too obsolete after 13 years old. People would believe it if I said it's a '96. The 2.2-liter engine is powerful enough in most situations even with automatic. Reliability - so far so good for me. I can take this thing in a cross-country road trip with heavy load, and I don't have to worry about the car. Recommended maintianance for fellow owners - seal up the "accordion" air intake thingy with an electric tape: Improves mileage and smoothes idle. Flush the radiator before things go horrible. AC convertion to R134a helps to keep the cost low and it also puts new compressor oil in there.

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5 out of 5 stars

reliable

batxel, 05/27/2003
1990 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I would say this is the most reliable thing on the planet earth (manufactured in japan). There's only been small things that had gone wrong with the car that could be done myself. The radiator started leaking at 145,000 and bought a new one did it myself (extremely easy to do). It also burns a lot of oil. I beat the hell out of this car and its still running I was able to get it up to 115 mpg with a/c on so the car is very fast with 115 hp rating. Its also good on gas and has excellent acceleration for a 5-speed 4-banger. It now has 167,000 miles and it runs quite and doesnt shake at all. Will this car ever die?

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Great car

JDOG, 04/23/2003
1990 Mazda 626 LX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Good fun car.Handels well car gets good gas milege and is extremly durable.

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4 out of 5 stars

Tough smaller car with power to pass anyone on Rd

Donna Cabrera, 03/14/2022
1990 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

My realization this car was a good car was when my friend used it to haul clothing for her camp she said it was a GOOD GIRL Truck strong and reliable

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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