The 90 model looks great, rides better than some $40K cars out today, handles great, lasts longer than most cars without much maint. The 5 speed is the way to go.

Not a thing!

This is the best thing I have ever spent my money on. It has 210,000 miles on it and all I have done to it was clutch change: at 200,000 miles, oil change: every 3000 miles, gas: 1 gal. every 31 mile, car wash: every 3 years, abuse it on the road: every day, got stranded somewhere because it broke: never. Some of the reviewers here complain about lack of power & transmission problems, I think that's because they have an auto. transmission. My 5 speed 2.2 L engine has a lot of pep exactly when I want & need it. I was recently in the process of buying a new SUV but came to my senses & decided on keeping this baby as long as it moves! Now all it needs is a brand new kick ass sound system & we are golden for another 200,000 miles!

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'97 626
VW Jetta

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I’d say the MX-6’s best features are its simple good looks, huge back seat and trunk, good stereo sound quality, and rarity. I think it can be a good car depending on what version you get. After owning an 89 LX, my advice is to stay away from the first generation model.
The automatic transmission is the most frustrating element of this car. When you're coasting in any gear besides first and apply even half an inch of throttle, it will deliver a dramatic, neck-snapping downshift. If that “hold” feature weren’t there to let you override Mazda’s illogical programming, this car would be impossible to live with in traffic. When shifting from Neutral to Drive, the clumsy transmission can occasionally even get stuck in Neutral. Not so funny when you floor the pedal and hear a ton of noise accompanied by no forward movement. The automatic in the second generation isn’t known to have improved much.
The engine is said to be the heart of a car, and that said, both variations of Mazda’s 4-banger are crap. 110 measly horsepower from a 2.2-liter? Please! If it weren't for the 130 pounds-feet of torque that peaks at an early 3,000 RPM, this car would have serious trouble getting out of its own way. The vibration makes the whole car shake like a Maytag dryer when idling. 5 seconds at a red light is enough to get on your nerves. The turbo version of this engine only makes 145 horsepower (as opposed to over 200 from Toyota and Mitsubishi’s turbo 2.0s), and doesn’t belong in a front-wheel drive car like the MX-6 where it creates so much torque steer. The 4-cylinder engine in the second generation MX-6 isn’t any smoother or more powerful.
As for the rest of the driving experience, both the gas and brake pedals have non-linear feel, and in the case of the brake pedal, it’s due to the brakes themselves, which are second-rate units that sometimes lose braking effectiveness for no apparent reason. Both ride and handling are only average, as every bump is felt and the body leans a lot when turning fast.
The interior design isn't so great either. The steering wheel is one size too big in diameter and one size too small in thickness, plus it's not leather-wrapped so it feels cheap, and it has 2 tiny horn buttons instead of a real center pad. The cruise control belongs on the wheel yet is found at the end of the wiper stalk. The radio is a long reach away and practically on the floor. And would it hurt for the passenger seat to have a memory feature? The door locks are a hassle, as you have to reach to the back of the doors to use them since there's no button (isn't convenience the point of power locks?), plus you have to hold up the handle every time you close the door from outside.
Lastly, the reliability of this car isn't up to Japanese standards. The reason being that all MX-6s were made at a crappy Ford-owned plant in Michigan, and it has so many American-made parts that it’s officially classified as a domestic car. This plant is notorious for making cars that develop body problems. Some examples from personal experience are pathetic paint jobs, broken exhausts, loose door seals and handles, squeaky or stiff hinges, rattles from the hatchback, sunroof, or anywhere else, misaligned body parts, and just about anything else body-related. Mechanically, it holds up pretty well though, since it is still Japanese in that respect.
Also, there aren't many aftermarket parts for this car. So much for rice rocket conversions. I guess uniqueness has its drawbacks.
The conclusion? Get the second generation (93-97), and make sure it’s a 5-speed, V6 model. Or get something else. For those of you looking at regular MX-6s, I'd suggest a 91-93 Nissan 240SX. It has more horsepower, more torque, better ride, better handling, is more reliable, and is rear-wheel drive. Not as roomy though. For you turbo fans looking at an MX-6 Turbo, try an 89-91 RX-7 or 91-95 Toyota MR2 Turbo instead. And if you really need 4-wheel steering, I hate to admit it, but you're probably better off with a Prelude. The 4WS system in the MX-6 is a complicated electronic type that would cost a lot to repair if it were to ever break. Finally, check out the MX-6’s twin, the Ford Probe GT. The Probe is everything the MX-6 is, but with a stiffer suspension, a hatchback design, and much lower resale value.

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comfortable ride

lack of power

i can't remember what i paid for the car but it wasn't much. 91 lx with all the power. she understeered badly and didn't have much power. the transmission wouldn't shift down quickly and when it finally did, because you had floored the accelerator, it was a violent downshift.

on the plus side she would cruise steadly at 80 mph and get 30 mpg. on the highway she was quiet and comfortable. as long as you didn't ask too much from the engine it was a decent grocery getter. i never had any problems and when i sold her she was still in great condition (the interior and exterior had held up well).

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altima, accord, camry

Fuel Economy, Looks, decent performance

cheap interior construction

Paid 10K like new condition back in 1998. I have to say that I am pretty pleased with the performance of this car. For starters, the car gets at least 20 MPG with about 95% City driving and 5% highway. This definitely helps in fuel costs with prices as ridiculous as they are right now. Surprisingly, the 2.0L four cylinder puts out plenty of power, and it accelerates better than the 3100 V6 2000 Malibu! Seats are fairly comfortable with mediocre lumbar support.

Outer appearance is quite eye pleasing according to friends. Braking performance is decent, but ABS should be standard as well as 4-wheel disc availible in higher priced models.

My only real complaint is the poor quality of construction and fit of interior panels, particularly the interior panels under the A-pillars. These feel like stiffened paper. The fit is horrible, with felt lining sticking out visibly. During periodic warranty work, I was told that this was "factory spec."

I would recommend this car for just about anyone who would like a car for light driving and commuting as well as for families of up to four. The car seats five, but four is the maximum comfort level unless the occupants and toddlers. The fold down back seats are also very useful when transporting equipment or say a bicycle.

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1990 626 LX, Mazda Protege

Low rattle noise, even at 108k. It will take off pretty good for a 4cyl. No major mech. problems. It has never broken down. The battery has run down, but that is the only reason why the car would not start.

Paint job. After about 5 years the paint started fading. Not good speakers in the 91's.

The mazda 626 is a very good car. I have had the car since I was 16 and I have had few major mech. problems. There were no major problems before 100k. It has 108k, now and the only thing wrong with it is the air conditioner. Considering it is 9 years old, I would have to expect that. It is a standard and the transmission has never had a problem. Considering I was 16 when I got the car, you can imagine how it has been driven.

Very reliable car. With nearly 150 thousand miles I've only needed a clutch and a fuel pump. Seats could use a little lumbar support. I have a friend who has a 1990 model with nearly 400,000 miles that has required no major repairs!

Electric door locks are only on the drivers side door. They
would be more useful if they were on all four doors. Rear windows only go down 1/2 way.

I've owned four Mazdas and all have been very reliable.
I think the Mazda is a very good value for the money.
The 626 gets good milage and the fit and finish get high marks. The 98 and later model 626's are lower to the ground
makinking exit and entry a liitle awkward.

nice looking car, roomy interior, good dash layout, great handling and nice cd stereo. Get the luxury package its makes for a better experience.

2.0 liter four with manual decent but like to have more power and should have rear disc brakes like top of the line models.

Overall its a pretty good car for the money. I added 17" chrome rims and tires and new stereo. This car gets alot of compliments. I paid about 17,000.00 for it.

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Toyota Celica, Nissan Sentra and much better than both.

Good value, low maintenance. For the money, you get a lot of car. We got the LX package (leather, A/C, power everything) and it's worth every penny.

Good handling; not quite as good as the Millenia, but very good compared to similar cars.

We test-drove the 2.0 liter 4-cyl and it was weeeak. The 2.5 6-cyl is barely enough, but it's enough. Insist on the 6-cylinder.

We paid about $15k nearly a year ago. I'm very pleased with its performance.

This is an excellent car for commuting, and doesn't do too shabby on longer commutes.

I definitely would recommend this car and I do whenever possible.

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Saturn -- cheap feel and "rickety" ride
Mazda Protege -- definitely a budget car

The 626 blew them all away in this class and price range.

Great looking car! Boy! does she clean up on a sunny day! Very good handling and very comfortable. Great stereo and basic package can't be beat for the money.

Needs larger selection of interior colors. Would GREATLY benifit from better tires, and making 15" wheels/tires standard.

I paid just over 15k for my car in March 1999. It has been the best car I have ever owned(except for my first new car, a 75 Chevy Vega with a 283 small block!) I drive almost 100 miles to and from work every day and enjoy almost every moment of it. It has great gas milage and the maintanance costs have been very average to below average compared to what I have been used to paying in the past. I feel it's a great 1st. timer and family car. At this moment, I am in the process of negotiating an upgrade to a 2000 626 LX with the V6 Premium package.

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Ford Taurus, Chevy Monte Carlo. It knocks both for a loop.

very, very quick for a four cylandar car. Handles well at fast speeds. efficient. Great highway car

exaust system rots too quickley

Very strongly reccomended if you want a quick car that is good on gas. You really need to get the manual transmission to witness the power that you can get out of it. I can lose RX-7's and most other vehicles with mine.

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