Is a 1996 Mazda 626 a good car? Is it expensive to maintain? Does anyone out there own one?

Answer 1

*****************BEST ANSWER HERE********************
I had one of those, a maroon 96 626.
Hated that car. So many problems - fuel sensor bad, O2 sensor bad, air flow sensor bad, etc...That was all in one year.
Had to trade it in. However, all cars are different, so you may be able to find better results.
Not expensive to maintain, but if there's a problem with the engine...be prepared.
The O2 sensor and air flow sensor problem: $1000.00. Yikes!

Good luck...................

Answer 2

Um to my knowledge mazdas are not very good cars.....mayb some but the later models arent...I have a 1993 Mazda 626 the transmission went out in it last year I still havent had it repaired or been able to find a new one to install....theyre really a headache I honestly hate I bought that car....my advice to you is look into getting maybe a nissan,toyota or a honda...

Answer 3

it depends on the engine. the 2.5l is absolute junk.
the common problems;
02 sensors-replaced twice, $50 a peice x 2
leaky valve covers-cheap fix-$10
vris-replacement is damn near impossible unless you know how to build computer components that can retime them
distributors/ignitions (replaced twice, third time i decided to upgrade to an msd igntion... oh yeah, $300 a peice)
transmissions (i replaced my automatic twice, and on the third time, i decided to swap it to a manual)
VAF -$770 dollar part.. replaced it twice.
belt tentioners -$100ish
water pump-$1400

Now another problem you have, is if you were like me for the water pump. i just moved to a new city and didnt know anyone, i was living in an apartment so i had no garage... i had no choice but to take it in... i went to 4 mechanics (one DEALER), and i found only 1 that would even touch it. The dealer wouldnt even look at it.
they are so hard to work on.
now being said:
the 2.0ls have a much better reliability rating. some parts are still problematic, but its built better.
common problems
02 sensors
leaky valve covers
transmissions
premature rust on exhaust
those are the ones that i can think about off the top of my head.

I would never recommend this car to anyone. it is poorly made, and extremely expensive (comparable with bmws) to maintain.

Answer 4

my good friends mother,bought a brand new
mazda 626 around 1978 -79.
she drove it till it died over 20 years later.
she 2 mufflers and 2 sets of brakes in it.
it had 897,683 miles on it.
she had it regulary maintained,oil changed 4 times a year
with oil filter and air filter.

it never even rusted that badly,

and it was a fun car to drive,lots of room 4 door with huge trunk
space,great gas milage to boot.

Answer 5

THat car will go forever, if you keep up with maintenance and occasionally replacing something

Great Car!