Mazda 626

Price Paid:  $10995.00

Strengths:
Very comfortable and has lots of room. Stereo sounds great. Easy handling and performance. Interior is decently stylish.

Weaknesses:
Not very quick off the stop.

Summary:
Sharp looking car, I've not had it long but it runs great and quietly too.

Similar Products Used:
1994 Geo Prism

Price Paid:  $15995.00 from HERTRICHS

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 626ESLX

Strengths:
DEALERSHIP

Weaknesses:
MAZDA,ROTORS BRAKE EMERGENCY BRAKE

Summary:
THIS CAR HAS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS i AM ON THE 6TH SET OF ROTORS IN A YEAR,NOT TO MENTION TWO SET OF CALIPERS I CALL THE COMPANY WITH NO AVAIL DONT EVER BUY ANOTHER ONE

Similar Products Used:
FORF TAURAS

Price Paid:  $14000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 /626 LX 4cyl

Strengths:
good quality, good & responsive handling, roomy, pleasant looking, comes standard with all the nifty stuffs.

Weaknesses:
ABS & side-impact airbag is not standard, pricy if without the discounts, 4 cyl.

Summary:
I was looking for a new to 1-yr-old mid-size & down. The order of importance for me is comfort (driving & interior room), price, mpg, and power. All else being equal, I would sacrifice comfort a bit for something doesn't look like one of those zillions of Taurus & Accord on the road. Test-drove 626 LX4, Camry 4cyl, Taurus, Accord DX4, Civic, Focus SE. Bought the 626.

The 626 is the only stick & I find it fun to drive. Everything feels right and the steering is precise. 4 cyl is lacking in power during stop-and-go suburb driving but a stick allows me to ramp up the RPM at low gear when I feel like it. Highway driving is smooth and quiet - the main noise is the low hum from the engine, which is fine for me but others may want something quieter. The factory tires are Brigestone Turanza and have quite a bit of grip.

The exterior looks great, has a somewhat up-scale look but also a down-to-earth, natural feel in it. The car stands out among the countless Taurus/Accord but it is not deliberately flashy. The interior is roomy and comfortable - I specifically pay attention to the size of the interior when choosing a car because, while I am 5'5, my brother is a 6-feet-tall basketball player. Some reportedly have problem backing because of the low-front-end design but I found no problem and can see blind spots clearly and easily as well. Some other nitty-gritty stuffs that are great: standard AM/FM/CD, oscillating vents, 60/40 fold down rare seat with fold down armrest, big trunk.

If they were the same price, I would have chosen the Camry, which accelerates faster and is quieter. At the time, though, the price tag for the 626 I test-drove was way below invoice even after consumer rebate. Looks like the dealer have got a huge factory rebate/incentive not listed in the consumers report, maybe because not many people in the suburb would consider a stick. The car has only 7 miles on it when I test-drove it (added 30 doing that).

Overall, it's a great car, fun to drive (especially if you get the V6), comfortable, roomy, doesn't look like "one of those" on the road, and doesn't look deliberately flashy either.

Similar Products Used:
Handling: Good-Camry 4, 626 LX4; Fair-Accord DX4, Taurus, Focus SE, Civic
Driving comfort: Camry 4, Taurus, 626 LX4, Accord DX4, Civic, Focus SE
Noise: Quiet-Camry 4, Taurus; Fair-626 LX4, Accord DX4; Noisy-Civic, Focus SE
Interior room: Taurus, Camry 4, 626 LX4, Accord DX4, Focus SE, Civic
Exterior look: Focus SE, 626 LX4, Camry 4, Taurus, Accord DX4, Civic

Price Paid:  $16600.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 626 ES V6

Strengths:
I had to post this review which is the same as the one I did a few down below but I left out the year of my car and model for quick reference. Nice Engine, Good Looks, 5spd availability in V6, nice interior, quality feel and build quality, good power. The ES is a very luxurious ride with good power. The V6 manual has a nice little snarl to it. The 16" allows are nice.

Weaknesses:
Cupholders in a bad spot for the 5spd. When you shift, anything in the cupholders gets in the way. 5 speed although nice, revs a bit too high. 65 mph in 5th makes the rpms hit over 3000. Geared like a 4 cyl. Has lots of tire noise especially over 40mph. I only averaged about 23mpg so far which sorta sucks and it was mostly highway miles.

Summary:
With its few shortcomings, this is still a very nice car. I find it to be a relative joy to drive. It's not as tossable as the Protege but much more refined and a better ride for sure. I would stay away from the 4 cylinder (especially the Automatic) unless you really just want the room.
I would recommend this car to anyone in the market for a mid-size sedan and is considering the Accord or Camry. Definitely test drive a 626 first. It's a better value in my opinion.

Similar Products Used:
Was going to get a Protege ES instead but got the 626 with 11,950 miles on it for the same price as the Protege. Protege ES might be a more fun choice but it's definitely a smaller, less torquey car.
Looked at Camry and Accord. Both more expensive and no manual available with V6 plus EVERYONE has one and 626 is better looking than both I think and more affordable.

Price Paid:  $17000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 mazda 626

Strengths:
great leg/head room. Comfortable for long rides

Weaknesses:
only was one month old and needed a new transmission. The car only had approx. 100 miles on it. The car has 11,900 miles on it now (have had it 10 months now) and still has the same problems as the old transmission but because I am a woman complaining to the dealer of course it is all in my head and that there is nothing wrong with my car. My husband and I are dumping this car right before the warrenty is up. At least then we will get our use out of the car if it even makes it that long. What a joke....wisha I coulda shoulda is all we keep saying. Next time an acura or a honda.

Summary:
Very comfortable for a family car (if you only have two kids). Driver seat is very comfortable for long drives as well as the passanger seat. Plenty of head room and leg room.

Similar Products Used:
1993 Rx-7 Twin Turbo. Now that car is suppose to break but not the family car.