1996 Mazda 626 Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
20 - 26 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(48 Total Reviews)
Mazda 626
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I have driven this Mazda from Wichita, Ks to Kansas City, Ks almost every weekend for a year. The car handles very well but has a few electrical problems. The overdrive light blinks off and on occasionally and the enging light is always on. The transmission is slow sometimes. I also had to have a new coil. I like the way it handles and would like to restore this one.
Favorite Features
I love the sun roof. The size of the car is just right for me. My interior needs to be totally redone. I have had very little problems with not starting.
Suggested Improvements
The transmission seems to be the biggest problem so far. And the coil has been replaced. The front end may also need some attention.
96 626 is a pain.. get the newer 6.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX V6 Sedan
Review
I had to replace the trans in about 6 months after purchase, check engine light comes on every now and then. Have a friend who owns a shop and he does a lot of repair on theis darn thing. I owned a 1984 626 and it ran great for about 5 years then i upgraded in sydney, i thought id give it another shot. A real bad experience this time.
Favorite Features
looks, handlng.
Suggested Improvements
transmission.
Basic Workhourse
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr DX Sedan
Review
Wish my wife would scrap it. It does the job though as far as mechanically. A good performance car from A to B, But no fun and boring look.
Favorite Features
Works and turns on, some power.
Suggested Improvements
Body.
If i had known then what i know now
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I purchased this car brand new in 1996 and have had problems ever since. I too have had serious transmission problems! I am on my 4th transmission (all rebuilt) and have put way more money into the car than it is worth. Although the car is unreliable, there are plenty of features that I do enjoy. Not enough, however, to ever convince me to invest in another Mazda.
Favorite Features
The sunroof, great sound system, and interior comfort.
Suggested Improvements
The transmission!
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
My 96 Mazda 626 4cyl LX sedan
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 1 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 2 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 2 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
Overall this car has not been very good to me, I have had endless problems from the idle being too low to the transmission slipping to radiator leaks, heating problem etc. This car is also quite slow and only delivers around 114 horsepower. But to be fair I will say it would make a decent car for high school kid but I just need more power.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
A bigger engine, stiffer suspension, higher quality drive train, wider tires.
Happy with 626
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
I bought my 626 used in 1999 with 33,000 miles on it. The only major repairs I have done besides the usual maintenance, tires, brakes, exhaust was the radiator. This car has been excellent. It still purrs like a kitten with 182k on it. People don't believe me when I tell them it has the original clutch. I am looking to buy something new this year and plan to give this car to my niece. It is extremely reliable, feels safe, very quiet. I have taken great care of this car changing the oil every 3000k and doing preventative maintenance. It certainly is no sports car and you won't win any races with it but it is strong.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Great Buy
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr ES Sedan
Review
Sports sedan with 5 speed tranny. Plenty of power and easy on gas (29 mpg highway).Very reliable but repairs can be expensive. Had 120k when bought in 2002. Now close to 200k but rides like new. The V6 engine will outlast the frame. It uses one qt. of oil every 3k miles. If you are looking for this model, make sure it has the 5 speed. Avoid the automatic!
Favorite Features
The rotating air louvers, sunroof, large trunk.
Suggested Improvements
The larger V6 engine barely fits making labor costs high for alternator, water pump, and timing belt replacement. The engine compartment should be larger to allow easier access.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Great Car for the $$$
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
This car is bullet proof! Only time I've had it in shop was for regular maintenance, and to replace a P/S pump. My car has manual transmission (more fun to drive and auto transmission in these cars are poor). Have gotten as high as 37 mpg! Simple, nice, well built car.
Favorite Features
60/40 split dual fold down seats (can haul skis, lumber, etc.) Lots of trunk space ... love the fuel efficiency.
Suggested Improvements
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
1996 626
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
My aunt passed this car down to me. She bought the car new and the transmission went at 65k, was replaced with a full warranty. Car now has 114k on it and runs smooth. Shifts rough sometimes. I treat the car like a old man so I haven't had any problems yet, "knock on wood." All around it's just a simple car I drive to work and home.
Favorite Features
Swinging a/c vents and roomy for a compact 4 door.
Suggested Improvements
Transmission, don't use Ford parts pleaseeeeeeee.
Bad Trans
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1996 Mazda 626 4 Dr LX Sedan
Review
Bought it at 50k. The old owner sold it because of trans problems. after several trips to the shop, it was found that the transmission range selector switch was bad. Once fixed it was good for over three years. Now the O/D light blinks I have had trans fluid coming from somewere. Also engine light is on.
Favorite Features
Good A/C and handling
Suggested Improvements
Trans
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
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