Mazda 626 Experience
 

Anyone have experience with a 626? I am looking at one for my son. It is 95 ES model. It has the V6. Anyone own one of these? What was you experience like? Any problem areas I should look for?

get him a 7!

I have a 97 mx-6, which is basically the 2 door version of the 626. For me it has been a very reliable car. I have had it for several years now without any major problems. If the miles are near 100k make sure to check the condition of the belts and hoses, just like any other used car. Typical rust areas are on the bottom lip of the trunk lid (under the key hole), under the fuel door, and around the weather stripping. Hopefully the head gaskets have previosly been replaced because it can be expencive if you are unable to do it yourself.

Thats all I can think of at the moment, if any other specifics, let me know.

For practical use, its a great car, but Nowhere near the enjoyment of my 7! But for a first car, its big and safe midsize.

my first car was a 95 lx, then later i got a 97 es. they are very very nice cars, i miss both of mine :( . they are definitly safe, both of the ones i owned were hit (not my fault) and totaled, while all of my passengers were not harmed.
how many miles are on the one you are looking at? i didnt run into anything mechanically wrong, my 95 had 160k and the 97 47k.

Find a 1980 and drop a rotary in it!

the only mazda I would trust is a rotary. For piston, I will buy an almost bulletproof toyota or honda.

I used to drive a 95 Probe GT(sporty model of the MX-6/626). It was a fun car, the 626's are nice and professional looking. 95 was the best year for the KLDE, with upped torque and OBD-I.

If I were going to get a 626, though, I'd just get a Millenia. The base model Millenia's had an upgraded KLDE making more power(170-180hp, iirc) and the Millenia S was a 2.3L V6 supercharged motor, I've seen them laying down low 11's in the 1/4 mile. the Millenia is still very practical and very professional looking as well.

this is a first car for his son though. the last thing he needs is a s/c v6

oops, missed that part. you're right, the s/c V6 would be bad news for a kid.

The KLDE is a good motor, but it's expencive. You can count of having to maintain that motor a lot. I don't know if your son is much of a fast driver, but if you beat on that motor, it won't take the abuse with a smile.

My PGT was murdered twice in 3 months, once by a friend racing it on the highway, he held the car at redline(7k RPM's) for about 3 seconds in the first three gears, when we got down to cruising speed, there was griding in the motor, then it died.

Sold it to another friend, he rebuilt it, took it up to that same highway, was cruising at 120mph in 4th gear(that's redline in 4th) and siezed the motor..

So, though they have a very high redline for a 13 year old piston motor, expect troubles if he gets into taht rpm range.

i never had probs with the klde in my 97. i beat on that thing relentlessly. but it also had low miles

mine went from 95k miles to 130k miles in a year and a half, as well, it was entirely 'kid-owned' first owner got it new from his parents, beat on it, car was stolen, stripped of all the body work/interior, recovered, bought, rebuilt, beat on again by another teenager...then I got it, and I beat the life out of that car...so my former pgt really did have a rough life :) and yes, I plan on owning another one.

I had an '86 626 with the 2.0 litre 4 banger. It wasn't a head turner or extremely fast, but extremely reliable ( except for the alternator... which crapped out every 8-10 months... but every time, it was under warrenty from Auto Zone and since the unit is located at the top of the engine, it was an extremely easy fix ). Mine had 197,000 miles on it when I sold it.

Cant cars just be driven? lol, im 16 and I dont want to beat on my car. Maybe its because I had to work on it and it was not just given to me in half or perfect condition : ). I had to spend sweaty nights on it, lots and lots. I dont know, I do think alot of people my age are immature when they get a car though....


I hope its a good car when he gets it. Go ahead and rebuild it, do a tune up. Pistons I have found, if built right, can be just as reliable, as a rotary, even more in some cases.

Get him a rotary. He will love it.

Thanks for all the insight. Sounds like this is a pretty reliable engine. And no one had problems with transmissions so that is a good sign. The one I am looking at has 77k on, it is one owner loacl adult.

actually, watch out for the differential. my spider gears shattered in the pgt as well.