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Mazda 626

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Comments

  • john1726john1726 Member Posts: 37
    Yes, I am in car sales. I was just trying to make a point. Remenber, a good deal is a deal that both you and the dealer think is fair. If you or the dealer do not agree, then it is no deal at all. I was using 900.00 as an example.
  • number17number17 Member Posts: 69
    I was surprised when I saw the Mazda spec for 2001 V6 engine that says 165 peak hp .... as I remember one of the improvement they advertised in the 00 model was a slight power boost from 165 in 99 model to 170 in 00 ... and I don't think they usually cut back on Hp ...

    Anyone knows the answer? Not like 5 hp makes a diff but just curios to know why ...

    #17
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    This is due to minor changes in calibration to meet 50-state emissions requirements, rather than having separate versions for California and the Northeast.

    Since its introduction in '93, the 2.5 has gone from 164 to 170 to 165; the 2.0, from 118 to 114 to 125 to 130 and back to 125 for 2001.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Is that for OBDII? How confusing!

    -juice
  • korchmakorchma Member Posts: 12
    Hello,

    I would like to exchange the factory CD player on my Mazda 626 2000 but don't know how to take the player out.. Can anybody help me with this?
    Another question.
    On that factory CD player there is a button #1 (where you see "Disk" written).
    It is used to connect CD changer. Can I instead of CD changer connect a wire with Audio input so that I will be able to plug in tape/MP3 player?

    Thanks,
    k.
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    The head unit does have a line input; I have a cassette player connected to mine.
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    That's at least one issue. The automatics were switched to OBD II in '94, the sticks in '96, if I remember correctly.
  • korchmakorchma Member Posts: 12
    Can I ask you some questions about the procedure of installation sending them to your email?

    Thanks.
  • korchmakorchma Member Posts: 12
    Basically, I need some advice on how to remove CD player ...
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    I had this thing installed when I took delivery on the car; I didn't do it myself.
  • korchmakorchma Member Posts: 12
    OK.. Thanks anyway.
  • newshoundnewshound Member Posts: 8
    Thinking about buying a '98 626 LX with 33 thousand miles for 11 thousand. I want a reliable car. Is this the best bet or do you have other ideas for a used car around that same price?
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    Not necessarily. The '98s were screwed together pretty well, but it was the first year of a new (well, not all that new) design, so if you make it a point to avoid software in version 1.0, you might be happier with something else.

    I would also point out that the new coast/forward clutch assembly on the CD4E tranny (used in the four-cylinder 626 this year) wasn't phased in at Batavia until January, so early '98s will not benefit from this upgrade.

    Apart from these two considerations, they're pretty worthy cars.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If it's a 5 speed, you're probably safe. There wasn't that much that changed for '98.

    Though that was the year they de-contented. For 2000 they added everything back. You may want to get a '97 or 2000.

    -juice
  • newshoundnewshound Member Posts: 8
    Yes, the 98 I am looking at is an automatic. I've heard there can be some major problems with the transmitions. Also Consumer Reports recommends both the 97 and 99 as decent cars for the price...but not the 98. Any idea why?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Probably normal sample variation. They do change suppliers along the way, so this could also be the case.

    -juice
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    There is a statistical cutoff point for CU's "better than average" criterion; the '98 may have just missed it, and staring at their most recent dot chart suggests to me that this is exactly what happened.
  • jumpmomjumpmom Member Posts: 11
    Hi- this will be my first new car purchase ever (12 years of great used cars) so feedback on this deal would be appreciated. We can get Splan pricing which is about 1.5% below invoice plus $500 rebate and 0% financing. I definitely want ABS, automatic and Fog lamps which puts us at about 19,200 on the plan/rebate with no haggling required. The rub is that the dealer says it is more difficult to locate LX V6 without the Premium pakage (moonroof, alloy wheels, antitheft etc). This stuff is nice but not neccessary for me and the extra 1400 puts this over my price point. No dealer in my area has one without the premium pakage and my 1990 Honda won't start if it is raining so.... Do I have room to bargain on the Premium pakage or is this deal already rock bottom? Any advice is appreciated!
  • jumpmomjumpmom Member Posts: 11
    I would like to get an impression from owners on long term reliability and cost of operation of the 626 LX V6. I hate to car shop so I plan on keeping this car as long as possible (ran both previous cars, a grand Am and 1990 Honda Accord, to 187K miles). Can I expect this kind of long term result from the 626?
    Also, the only draw backs I see for the 626 vs the Accord are
    1)depreciation- not a problem for me for resale since I keep cars way long term but maybe an issue if I were to have an accident while I am paying on the car
    2) gas milage...
    I am uncertain about maintainance costs/comparison. Any advice appreciated!
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    There are a few minor things which expire early on the V6 - valve cover gaskets and oxygen sensors will seldom last beyond 100k - but the engine itself is solidly built and very understressed. Keep the coolant flushed and the oil out of the plug-wire wells and it should last you for years and years.

    Going rate in my neck of the woods for the 30k service is around $350; for 60k (which involves changing a timing belt), about $550. In between, you shouldn't need much beyond oil changes (I always suggest 3-4k) and transmission service (20 to 30k).

    Gas mileage is highly variable, but my 626 experience suggests that the EPA numbers are reasonable. The V6 expects premium unleaded, which will add to your costs somewhat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Given their margins are so thin, I would expect no better than the premium package's invoice price from them.

    Our V6 has been very good and only required one out of warranty repair in 66k miles. We average about 22mpg on regular 87 octane gas, which has worked fine for us.

    -juice
  • john1726john1726 Member Posts: 37
    To jumpmom, you can not expect a dime less than the s plan price. You are below rock bottom! What part of the country are you in? In New Jersey, there are quite a few available with out the premium package.
  • jumpmomjumpmom Member Posts: 11
    Hi- we are in Ohio and we are learning more everyday! There are plenty of LX-V6 with out the premium package but then they do not have the ABS either (they are not really linked but it seems to be the trend in this area) so it makes it just a little more challenging- we haven't seen one on the lot yet, in any color, but two different dealers have said they could get it within 72 hours in the color and options we want. We are realizing that the S plan is a really great deal so we won't try to negotiate anything below that. Now we have to deal with the trade in value only. Thanks for all of the feedback- I will let you know what we get!
  • jumpmomjumpmom Member Posts: 11
    If anyone has info on the Mazda Extended Warrany program and any pros or cons I would love to hear them. I am sure we will get some pressure on this when we close the deal. Thanks!
  • babycat99babycat99 Member Posts: 6
    I just bought my '00 626ESV6 with the premium package, Bose system, cd changer, leather, spoiler. The only 2 items I did not get was ABS and the Fog Lights and the bottom line with rebate and negotiations was $19,900. Hope this helps. I live in New York.
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    I don't see a Premium Package on Edmunds' site. Is $19,900 before or after TTL? Does your car have the automatic transmission and the Gold Tone Emblem Package ?
  • scriblescrible Member Posts: 10
    The company my wife works for has just been offered the Fords Partner Plan, which includes the Mazda S Plan. I was wondering what exactly is the plan what % over or under invoice? Also we are looking at maybe getting a 01 626 as so Im looking for as much info on the car and performance as possible. Are there any other message boards about the 626?

    I appreciate any comments and ideas.
    Thanks!
  • jumpmomjumpmom Member Posts: 11
    We are probably about two weeks ahead of you in this process of gathering information so I Hope I can help! The S-plan seems to work out at about 1.5% under invoice. It isn't really calculated that way - it is really 4% over the Mazda Employees Price, which is determined by the company. Both numbers are printed on the invoice so you can check the specific vehicle you are interested in. If you are really interested you may want to consider moving on this soon- right now Mazda is offering 0% financing for 48 months but that ends 2/28. As far as the car goes I have lost track of all of the reviews I have read but try car point and consumers digest adn womendriver.com. The basic message in all the reviews is that this is a really good car in its class that is overlooked by many Accord/Camry shoppers. Consumer Reports has the V6 as a recommended vehicle but doesn't like the styling on the car. They also point out that the gas mileage is not quite as good as the Accord or Camry but it is still an AM ES Environmental Award Preferred vehicle. The 4 cylinder has apparently had some problems with the transmission (a Ford product) in the past few years-any comments from current owners? The transmission on the V6 is apparently Japanese design and wasn't had the problems that the 4 cylinder has had. As far as reliability it gets almost all red bullets (that means very good) from CR for the past 2 years and the feedback I have gotten is that you can expect this to be extremely reliable for many years. The V6 is very fun to drive! Any comments from current owners on the tires- this seems to be a topic of discussion for other Mazda models? I am closing the deal on mine hopefully this weekend- but I want a Galaxy Blue LX-V6 with AbS and for some reason they are hard to come by in my region. Good luck!!
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    Most of the issues with the LA4A-EL (aka the Ford CD4E) have already been addressed in production; the major fixes were phased in between 1996 and 1998. It is, to my way of thinking, not quite as agile a tranny as Mazda's own GF4A-EL, but it doesn't spend as much time hunting for gears, either - a good thing, since no one is ever going to accuse the four-cylinder 626 of being overpowered.

    My 2000 LX (yes, it's a four) came with Bridgestone Turanzas; they're a touch on the loud side, but they did better in this winter's snow than I expected, and they have decent grip on the dry stuff.
  • scriblescrible Member Posts: 10
    Ok so its comes to about 1.5% below invoice...now do you also get the $1500 rebate that they are offering aswell? Yeah you are a little ahead of us....we were originally looking at an Isuzu trooper but have changed gears when we found out that we got the Ford Partners plan...and I really dont like anything that Ford has except the Explorer and I dont want to pay an arm and a leg. So we are now looking into the 626...will probably drive one this weekend....

    Once you get yours you'll have to let me know all the details..

    Thanks
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    Consumer Reports never tested the 626 V6. CR "normally" leaves out styling in its reports and styling definitely does not count toward the score.

    Yes, you still get the rebate and/or low-rate financing with the S-Plan.
  • dmallinderdmallinder Member Posts: 35
    I currently own a 99 LXV6 5sp which has been trouble free and a joy to drive. However I am in more fortunate financial territory than I was when I bought it and will shortly be trading up to a near-luxury sports sedan I will not name for the moment. Here's why. In the forum for that car one poster said that cars in the midrange class have no driving enjoyment - that they can be comfortable and reliable but not fun.

    At least three posters - again in another thread - jumped in and offered Mazdas as examples of affordable driving fun and extolled their virtues over Camrys, Accords, etc. Two of them - including me - named the 626V6.

    That started an interesting discussion to see if the rather cultish ( in a nice way ! ) Mazda clan would be more likely to move up in price to this same marque than any other. It seemed from that end like there was a connection.

    So here's the question ( and no cheating looking for my posts ! ) I'll give you the list of cars I tested and see which if any would likely be your first choice if you were willing to spend that much. No particular order. The idea is not really to guess my choice but to see if there is some kind of idiosyncratic quality that defines the fans of both cars.

    Lexus ES, Lexus GS, MB E class, BMW 5 series, Audi A6, Chrysler 300M, Acura TL, Infiniti I30.

    Knowing that Mazda folks pick their cars usually because of that indefinable quality that sets them apart from other more prominent midrange cars like Camry and Accord, I wonder which one of those seems to appeal to you guys.

    Thanks for participating !
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I don't see the Millenia S on your list, but that is my choice.

    Yes, cultish in a nice way. :)
  • dmallinderdmallinder Member Posts: 35
    I did drive it. I left it off this list because it's not a move from Mazda. I didn't choose it for myself because it's smaller inside than the 626, has a pretty dull interior and seems to be noisier than a car like that should be. It is however a hell of a deal right now - you can pick one up for $25K in my neck of the woods.

    Now imagine you want to spend 35-45K on a car - where do you go ?
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Lets see...45K? How about his and her's Miatas?

    OK,OK, but you know that I will have to confession for having thoughts about other cars.

    I pick the Benz.
  • dmallinderdmallinder Member Posts: 35
    Two would be extravagance. The only reason we are not currently a three-Mazda couple is because the trade-in inspector at the MAzda delaership noticed my wife's oil leak whereas the Ford guy didn't so we bought her a Focus ZX3 for winter ( in MN the Miata is not a year round car for obvious reasons ). It's a pity the Protege doesn't come in a hatchback format - which we both really like - or we'd have taken the lesser trade in anyway.

    E class is nice. Very solid. However not what you would call a driver's car. Actually almost identical to the 626 in interior dimensions, it was my second choice and originally the one I thought I would buy. It's an MB with all the quality that entails but to be honest they also degraded the interior a little on the E class to get it - just - into that 45K range.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    What a shame, had you waited until summer, you could have had a very nice looking Protege Hatchback. Oh well, next time...

    As far as the choice of MB, I have not driven it but rather picked it for its reputation. My foul. I guess, I just haven't reached that place in my life where I feel the need to sink $45k into a car(read: I don't have 45K).
  • dmallinderdmallinder Member Posts: 35
    Didn;t know about the Protege hatchback. However we got the ZX3 last March and her car was peeing oil all over the place - quick sale was necessary. Actually Focus is quite fun too. Nice handling and quite zippy with the zetec engine. Not as solid feeling as the Protege was but a little quicker and had the hatch. It's not that bad of a car really - perhaps Mazda is rubbing off on Ford just like the other way round.

    She puts on a lot of miles though and if HB Protege is still around in 2-3 years it will definitely be first on the list to replace the Focus.
  • dannygdannyg Member Posts: 131
    By the way, the Protege WILL be available in 5-door hatchback form very soon. Go to mazdausa.com & click on "Mazda 5-door Sport".

    Personally, I like the new MB C class over the E class...better looking to my eye. But tough to turn down a BMW 5 series.

    I don't own a Mazda myself, but my mother is on her second (1999 Protege LX). Terrific car.
  • dmallinderdmallinder Member Posts: 35
    For what my wife looks for in a car. Does anyone know if the 2.0 engine will be the 125/130 hp one form the base 626 and will it be tuned differently at all ? A larger version of the VVT engine in the newer Miatae ( ours is a 10AE so it still had the 140hp ) would go well in that thing. It looks like a 7K redline type of car. I'm not usually a fan of lower bodywork on non-sports cars but this does carry it well - especially in yellow.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    It gets the same 2.0 that the 2001 Protege carries(yes, 626 FS engine). No VVT yet, but I wish the farmers in Hiroshima would go up and visit the city folks in Tokyo to learn how to make VVT engines that produce 200hp. Who knows, if the Protege MP3 takes off, maybe we will see and MP5!
  • dmallinderdmallinder Member Posts: 35
    OK I would have preferred a Miata-type power output but hey I managed just fine for 180000 miles with an 86 2.0 626 with way less HP than 130 so on the lighter car it should do well. Gee I wonder where Mazda got those white gauges and three-spoke steering wheels from ? Seems like I've seen them before somewhere :-).

    Looks like a good choice for our next smaller car purchase.
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    On page 51, to be exact: this is where Consumer Reports tested a 626 LX-V6 with the Luxury Package. Among other things, they complained about the accommodations and the premium-fuel requirement; "worthy but outpaced" was their capsule description.

    The 2.0-liter FSD engine, for some reason, is tuned to deliver 5 more hp in the '01 Protegé ES than in the '01 626.
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    Hey. I stand corrected. BTW, is the premium fuel a requirement or a recommendation? I think with for example a Camry V6 you can use 87-octane fuel but with reduced power output.
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    The 2000 manual saith this:

    "Your [2.5-liter] Mazda will perform best with premium unleaded fuel having an octane rating (antiknock index) of at least 91 [(R+M)/2 method].

    "You may use a regular unleaded gasoline with a rating from 87 to 90; this will slightly reduce performance."

    A similar statement was in the '93 manual, when this engine was introduced, so I suspect that this "requirement" is indeed somewhat flexible.
  • hkchanhkchan Member Posts: 420
    Thanks. Good information. If were a 626 V6 owner, I would definitely use 87-octane fuel if the only penalty was slight reduction in performance.
  • curtnheidicurtnheidi Member Posts: 36
    Movin Up- just my humble opinion -

    If you are an enthusiast and performance oriented driver, go with the Bimmer 5-series.
    If you like to cruise, and want a powerful cushy ride, go with the Mercedes.
    If you want the most bang for your buck, go with the Acura TL, or the new improved 2002 TL, it is an amazing deal considering all the amenities and performance you get at the 30K range. Better deal than I30.
    Lexus is the quietist ride of all, but it is hard to justify when you could get a toyota avalon that is built just as well for 10K less.
    My personal preference, the Audi A6. The 2.7 Bi-Turbo 6cylinder will blow by all of these vehicles, and the fit and finish is even better than a Mercedes. 4yr/50K warr. includes ALL maintenance except tires. Plus AWD - great if you are in a snow climate or rain. The 2.8 A6 has some aggressive pricing - 4-5K off MSRP now.

    Just my 2 cents worth...just depends on what kind of driving experience you want. I would definitly seriously look at the european products. At that price range, they are so far ahead of their japanese competitors.

    Good luck - Curt
  • dmallinderdmallinder Member Posts: 35
    For agreeing with my choice. And - almost - with my reasoning. The only way I'd disagree is in thinking that the BMW is the best drivers car. I took all these cars on very similar test drives and found the Audi could handle curves just as well as the BMW, actually had a more usable powerband ( yes the 2.7T version - all that 258lb torque hits below 3000) and while it may - may - have been microscopically slower 0-60 that's not a very useful real world test anyway. You have to screw the 530i way up to get much fun and it is not as assured a performer to my mind as the A6 - and that's ignoring the fact I live in MN and RWD vs AWD is a pretty easy choice when we have snow and ice 4 mos out of the year solid.

    However what really sold me on the Audi other than the fabulous interior - way more so than BMW or MB - was that undefinable feeling that Mazda has in its class - kind of a " I'm more than the sum of my parts" car. Consider the Camry v6 vs 626 V6. More power. More torque. More everything. Now have you driven them both ? Why is it that 626 then is so much more enjoyable to drive - feels so much more spirited and athletic ? Damned if I know but Audi, to me, has it in the next price bracket up.

    Both too are somewhat quirky marques with not much of a marketing presence compared to bigger name rivals. I'd never leave Mazda if I wasn't in the fortunate position of being able to blow $40K plus on a car and even then I tried everything waiting to find the one that gripped me like the 626 did. Audi was one of the last I tried. It beat the others by a country mile. Do yourselves a favor if you ever want to spend that much and give the Audis a shot.

    But rest assured my Miata isn't going anywhere and if finances ever get a little tighter again I'll be right back in the 626 world without a regret or a minute's hesitation. Meanwhile anyone who may be interested in a 99 LX V6 black ( had to have the gray interior ) 5sp with 18K babied miles in perfect shape drop me a line.
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