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Comments
Realistically, above its power peak of 5500 rpm, the 2.0 does little more than process gasoline into noise (I know I've said this before at least once); in normal driving (if you call what I do "normal") I generally don't exceed 5500. The exception is noted above.
With the '93, with the same power peak but a screechy 4500-rpm torque peak, I would hit the redline about once a season. The current version of the 2.0 is tuned for torque at lower RPMs, peaking at 3000, which is about as low a shift point as I'm willing to accept.
-juice
Thanks.
And when HOLD works (and there are no other codes lurking), the light does not flash: it remains on until the switch is activated or the engine is shut off.
Let's hope it's just a bad oxygen sensor. Though I'd recommend changing it yourself. A dealer charged me a whoppping $220 just for the part, and an arm and a leg overall. I saw an aftermarket one later for $70 or so. You may want to try that yourself.
-juice
At least the auto tranny has received upgrades, and it seems there are fewer complaints for the 2000 and later models.
Service is up to you, so make sure to follow the maintenance intervals properly. I'd have the ATF flushed every 30k miles, and in between make sure all the fluid levels (especially ATF) are topped off.
Plus, you could get an extended warranty. Either way, don't worry about the tranny until 50k miles.
-juice
The red and white x marks before that reflect some problems that are rather costly to repair. Click on those marks to find out exactly what the problems were.
http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/UsedRelOver/Mazda/626/Used.asp
Consumer Reports shows the 626 has always been average to above average in reliability. Recent models are shown above average.
Current status: 18 months with a 2000 LX, and no unscheduled service other than patching a hole in the windshield (obviously not the fault of the car) and replacing a wiper blade bent by a vandal (ditto). I'm doing a 5000-mile (roughly) trip this summer, and I'm not worried in the least; last year's 4400-mile jaunt was a breeze, except for certain body parts. (This car has good seats, but you really need great seats to do trips this long.)
Aren't the exhausts stainless on the V6 models? Guess not. I haven't seen the car yet, but I will tonight.
-juice
I bought a black 1998 626 LX V6 from a private party in December of 2001 at a cost of $9300 (Austin, TX). TT&L added $600. It came with the standard equipment plus ABS, an after market amp, and a set of new speakers. The mileage was 5,800 at the time of sale.
On top of this I paid $400 to get the interior redone (1st owner was a smoker who used the seats as an ashtray). The rear bumper is dented on the right and some paint has been scratched off on the left. Mechanically it is fine; this was the main selling point in my mind.
Any thoughts on this, did I overpay?
What I did after the sale: changed the oil/filter (at every 3K), replaced the antifreeze, replaced the air filter, installed new wipers, and I aired up the tires. I also rotated the tires a little late at 11,000 miles last week. I've washed it every two to three weeks and have waxed it once.
I am really considering changing the transmission fluid when I hit the 15,000 mark. Any advice? Should I use a dealer or an independent transmission shop? Any news on the transmission flush machines?
Thanks in advance.
-ifkz
Edmunds.com's TMV for this car with that mileage in "average" condition is $9347, so it doesn't look like you overpaid. (The bumps and bruises are offset by the low miles.)
Zoom away and enjoy it....
5800 miles is not even broken in yet. You sure the odometer wasn't turned back?
-juice
windowphobe6: Thanks for the info about my transmission model number. You wouldn't believe the sense of relief I have now that I know it isn't the troublesome Ford tranny. Where do you get your transmission flushed, at the dealer or a specialty shop (Jiffylube, etc)?
juice: Thanks for the reasurance, it always helps! Here is my backstory on the car history:
It was purchased for a price of $23K in '98. The woman that owned it was an ex-gymnast who suffers from severe back injuries and is often heavily medicated. After dinging a few spots on the car (mostly confined to the bumper), she came to the conclusion that she was no longer fit to drive. She transferred title to her mother in anticipation of a dealership trade in, but changed her mind at the last minute and regained title.
The car sat around for awhile longer until she decided to sell it through the Austin classifieds.
I had looked around at new cars under the Kia and Hyundai brands but I wasn't impressed. The used cars at the local lots seemed abused, overpriced, and 'fishy.' My maximum budget was $10K of hard saved money.
My dad found the ad over breakfast and I cautiously answered it. I knew Mazda was a well respected and a quality brandname, which really helped. I brought a seasoned mechanic along (a family member), he checked it out and pronounced it as new and garaged for most of its life. I gained the above backstory by asking "What is the story on it?" instead of "What is wrong with it?" The often used later question apparently killed a few prior offers before I came onto the vehicle.
In between getting the money wired from my bank, I checked the title history on Carfax.com and it checked out. She also supplied me with a recent dealer inspection showing that the car checked out.
The fluids were changed promptly and a few other things were done (see the prior e-mail). The woman was also convinced to spend an extra $1K on an after market sound system (why?) which I have half removed and a Viper alarm system (removed also). I prefer to have the car as stock as possible.
The remaining issues are related to the sound system. In May I will take the car into the local Mazda dealer to get a quote on opening the passenger side panel to restore the lock to a fully functional state.
Anyhow, I hope it was entertaining. I am now up to 11,500 miles on the car and am coming up on an oil change (every 3K) and a transmission flush (b/c of fluid age and 100 degree Texas weather). Please leave a little feedback, it is always appreciated!
--ifkz
Since you can drop the pan, though, I'd suggest you have it done around 30k, just to get the filter changed.
-juice
I had a nice set of seven-spoke Ultras on my old '93. They wouldn't have transferred to the new car, though — only fourteen-inchers, they were, and I have certain qualms about futzing with wheel sizes in front-drivers.
Doubleought 626.Much new(no longevity record)
technolgy has gone into these sweeties and I
enjoy the new lines. I haven't found how many
horsies are under the hood of a 2.3. I hope they
addressed some issue of us 6' 250# guys...fer
instance higher elevation of headrest-restraints
to provide optimum protection.We built ours up
3" to equal the tops of my ears...looks
like the easy chair in the front room! I also hope
they got the rear-veiw mirror button secured
at the darkened portion of the the windshield.We
moved ours up in about 1.5 hours and two utility
knife blades. I HAD a blind spot 'cause it would
not adjust any higher. Has anyone heard of a price
for a 6? My wife and I are enjoying our well spent 16K!! Thumbs UP
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Car and Driver drove a four-cylinder/5-speed preproduction model in Europe recently; they were mostly pleased, though they wanted more horsepower (duh) and they thought the shifter was a tad on the notchy side. Prices, they report, are supposed to be right about where the 626 was.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
any suggestions or words of wisdom would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Jenny
Janydots@yahoo.com
Other than this (and the steering vib prob mentioned in my previous post), I've been fairly satisfied with my '93 626.
Good luck, and if your seller says that the tranny is new/reworked, make him PROVE it.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
FYI, we sold our 626. Got $6500 for our '95 ES 5 speed, pretty good resale after 71k miles and 7+ years. Price we got was well above Edmunds' price, closer to KBB's dealer price. :-)
It had been in the shop 5 times in the past year or so, and with the wife expecting our 2nd child we decided to get a wagon (2002 Legacy L). Too bad the new 6 wasn't available yet, I would have liked to have tried it.
Hector: I'm guessing - bad engine mount?
Jenny: price sounds high for the mileage. Even for an ES.
-juice
Have you seen the Letter from the Town Hall Manager on the Town Hall Welcome page? If not, you might want to follow that link to have a look.
And hang on to your seats. Change is never easy - for any of us - but resolving the Search problems we've had will be worth the pain.
Pat
Sedans Host