Mazda 626 2.0 GLXi 1996

I have the Mazda 626 2.0 GLXi. Looks fantastic, almost as good as the new Mazda 6. Anyone out there thinking of a Mazda, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Only thing is with the petrol it can be heavy on the pocket.

I find the Mazda 626 comfortable, with plenty of power when required. Great for long distance travel.

Gear box is a problem to the Mazda 626 2.0 GLXi but may be better for model after 1999 and add cooler. Very practical family car but not good as a driver's car. Style is OK but could be better shaped. Noisy (an insulation issue but not engine issue) is a very week point.

I would argue that Mazda has no future in the US unless they totally change their approach and management. I recently posted a note about how Mazda makes second rate cars and parts, and gives third rate customer services. They should take some of the money they spend on hte Zoom-Zoom ads and spend on quality. I will never buy another Mazda and I would warn everyone else out there to stay away.

Basically, Mazda is a car for those who cannot afford better, do not know better or do not want better. It may get you from point A to point B, if you are lucky), but for the money there are plenty of other cars that can do that but with quality and customer service.

Don't waste your time with a Mazda.

Tried to get some satisfaction out of customer service and to see if Mazda would take any reasonability for a defective part that will lead to a third and fourth trip to the dealer. What I got was a bunch of corporate nonsense and a run around about how as a Goodwill gesture, I may ask for a loaner and I could escalate to the district manager. Putting aside the fact that Mazda considers it a gift to help a customer put into a very difficult situating because of Mazda's defect, the proposed solution turned out to be a sham. In talking to my local dealer, it turns out that at least in my area, Mazda NEVER pays for a loaner even for cars with serious defects still under warranty. Obviously, Mazda customer service operates on the idea that if hey BS and stonewalled people, they will just go away. They are right--I am going away--I am going to buy a Toyota this week.

There is a reason Mazda is failing in America - they make mediocre cars. Mazdas are for people who either cannot afford anything better, don't care about anything better or do not know any better. If you buy a Mazda, you are on your own, Mazda based upon my experience is not behind you. Their take the money and run philosophy is the reason they cannot compete here in the US.

Overall the Mazda 626 2.0 GLXi (96)offers a very good experience, dynmic steering, comfortable seats, useful gadgets, smooth drive and very low maintenance

I had a Rover before and now I feel myself in heavens :) Mazda gives you a feel of big luxury saloon cars in a very low budget. Excellent Family Hatchback...

The look of my Mazda 626 2.0 Glxi car is the only thing i like...First of all my transmission went within only 2 months of owning the car like everyone else that owns a mazda. It went at 60,000. I dunno what those idiots did at 1996 but they produced garbage cars. My advice is stay away from 626s made in '96.

Overrall the mazda 626 2.0 GlXi is a cracking car. At 124,000 miles I have had no major problems yet. It still runs like a dream. Nice handling and smooth ride on the motorway. Can hold its own with the best of them but one thing niggles at me. Why oh why for pete's sake have they gone and changed it? One concept for them to grab is if it's not broke don't fix it!

Overall a very nice car to drive given its pricing (second hand). Much nicer than the newer 626's that have gone for a minamilistic approach.

Found the handling overall to be very good but wouldnt want to be parking it without power steering. The light body means it doesnt grip the road so well at high speed, but around town its excellent.

Fuel consumption is also very good.

Very well built, drives well and not at all bland as car magazines seem to agree about. Blandness is in the eye of the beholder and the car mags seem to have emperor's new clothes syndrome