Used 1998 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Weak transmissions
Fenderroads, 10/18/2008
Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought the car for my daughter in 1998 for her to finish high school and go off to college in. The car has never left her stranded, but the automatic transmission has greatly increased the cost of a higher education. I've had the transmission replaced twice, once at 55K miles, and again at 120K. The clutch packs appear to be the weak link in the transmission. I had to change the heater coil in 2000. I made the repairs myself one week end. I'll never do that again.
Mazda 626 Problems
Michael, 09/02/2008
Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
New 1998 Mazda 626 replaced a 626 that was totaled. Been nothing but problems. I'm an engineer, change oil religiously, chk tires etc. Auto transmission failure at 66K miles. Seems there was a design flaw in the tranny Mazda never fixed. After discovering this I didn't want Mazda parts used so I went to guaranteed for life tranny shop. Rebuilt transmission still running strong. Mazda refused to help with the costs as I used non-Mazda parts. Nothing but electrical problems. Factory car alarm goes off without any reason, windshield wipers slow. Turn sig. blinkers are fast then slow. Engine runs good but rest of car is a mess. After owning 4 Mazdas I've not bought another and will not.
Commuting 626
Vikefan, 07/02/2002
Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Needed a car to commute 35 miles one way, wanted something stylish and good on gas. Toyota's and Honda's are so much more expensive, whereas Mazda is often the forgotten step brother! I bought it with 43K miles on it and at 65K the Alternator went out took it to the shop nearby. 24 hours later, the EFI valve went out,...suspicous,...And it was something I couldn't do myself , because Mazada would not release that part to the public yet. Anyway, it is a great commuter and decent sound system. Should've gotten the 6 cyl instead of the 4 cyl, not enough snort. My wife has a hard time seeing out the back, other than that very happy with it.
Don't do it!
never again!!!, 10/11/2002
Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used about two years ago as a commuter car. It had about 36000 when I bought it. Now it has 78000 and the transmission is beginning to slip. After reading other reviews it appears as though my opinion of FORD quality has been reaffirmed, Fixed Or Repaired Daily. I am also geting a grinding noise from the driver side from tire. I had an older Mazda previous to this with no problems, but this car is awful. The Mitsubishi that I replaced had 170000 miles on it without ever getting the problems I am having with this car.
Avoid automatics at all costs
HankMcStanky, 03/08/2004
Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This was my second 626. The engine has been mostly fine, blew a head gasket at 85,000 but that feels like a fluke. The door seals, mentioned by many others, are annoying but no big deal. The trouble, as you've guessed, is the automatic transmission, made by Ford, which completely fell apart at 90,000 miles, took $2500 to fix, and has been back in the shop 3 more times in the next 12,000 miles. Some apparently break as early as 60,000. It's sad, because I really liked the car up until the fateful day it was towed to the shop. Look for a manual, which is what I'll be in the market for as soon as this one breaks again.