The second of what would turn out to be several more Mazda products, I found this gem on Craigslist priced at only 700 bucks. It had only 120K, and was being sold by a college student whose wealthy parents had just purchased a new 350Z for him (some people have all the luck…). It felt really good to be back in a 626, with its lusty motor, slick gearbox and agile handling. The previous owner had modified it with a catback exhaust, front and rear strut tower bars, an intake and HID headlights. I loved the car as much as I had loved my first 626, but unfortunately I had been laid off (it’s always something, isn’t it?) and needed to sell it and buy something cheaper. I ended up selling it for over twice what I initially paid, so all in all it wasn’t a bad deal. Like my Cressida, it survives to this day, in Queens, NY.
Love that model. Had a MX-6 of the same year with a v6 auto. They are undercover fast and except for some interior trim pieces held up pretty well.
The only times I seem to see that generation of 626 (now) is on eBay being sold by Florida car dealers after gramps kicked the bucket.
Be thankful you had no job dude employment would have made you keep it and its appetitie for biodegradable transmissions, not good cars consider youself lucky
I had the 4 cyl with manual. Reliable and competent. The auto is definitely to be avoided.
The 5-speed is just as sturdy as every other modern, Japanese manual transaxle ever made. The automatic wasn’t, but I don’t think this car was about to grow one in the middle of the night or anything…
Magazine reviews,sales figures and former owners disagree with you there Bryce. They were very good cars here (although more common in Telstar badging).
Since the 80s, every time I saw a new 626, I thought “ah-ha, Mazda will hit the big time with this one.” I have been wrong every single time. I always thought that these were attractive, but have no firsthand experience. Everyone’s transmission stories have scared me away from considering one.
Hey, my brother’s old 626 V6/5MT was in that exact color as the car pictured above! Brings back fond memories.
Yes – we had a new 2000 626. It was nice looking and cheaper than a Camry or Accord. Unfortunately it was also a piece of crap.
It woulda been worse for you guys in the US the new Camrys were 4 years late for your market we had the widebody version in 1990 that put paid to a lot of 626 sales
I really liked these in the 90’s. Still look good today.