1998-00 Mazda 626 worth look if shopping for used Accord/Camry

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/07/2003 (8104 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE completely redesigned and re-engineered 1998 Mazda 626 was clearly a change for the better when compared with the vehicle it replaced. With a roomier interior, better handling and improved performance the new 626 looked like a serious challenger to perennial import leaders in the mid-sized family sedan market, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Current used car market prices are typically a little lower (than the big two) for this Mazda, especially the V6 engine versions. Yet, consumer ratings for reliability are very favourable and repair costs are on par with Toyota and Honda. The dealer/service network may not be as large, but Mazda is now part of the Ford family (Ford has a controlling stock interest in Mazda) of companies and appears to be financially secure.

The body of this fifth-generation, a lineage that dates back to 1979, Mazda 626 is 6-cm longer and substantially stiffer (43-percent more torsional rigidity) than the previous generation 626. The size gain was mainly in the mid-section where the wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles) was also stretched, to substantially increase interior vehicle volume.

Under the hood, extra power was extracted from both the 2.0-litre (to 125-horsepower) twin-cam four-cylinder engine, and the smooth 2.5-litre (to 170-horsepower) double overhead-cam V6. However, compared to its Toyota and Honda counterparts, both of these engines are smaller and produce less power. On the other hand, the 626 is a lighter vehicle, so overall on-the-road performance is closer than the HP numbers would indicate.

Unlike its competitors, Mazda offered a 5-speed manual transmission with the V6 engine as well as the 4-cylinder. Historically the manual also has a better reputation for durability than the automatic transmission, which had a high failure rate reputation in the previous (fourth) generation edition of the 626.

Surprisingly, fuel consumption figures are not as good as you might expect. The 2.0-litre engine is rated at 9.0-litres/100 km in the city and 6.6-litres/100 km on the highway, which is reasonable. However, the 2.5-litre V6 consumes a disappointing 11.7-litrs/100 km in the city and 8.5-litres/100 km on the highway.

Up front the suspension is MacPherson struts and the 626 has Mazda’s twin-trapezoidal links set-up in the rear. A larger stabilizer bar at both ends, to reduce body lean in corners, was a new suspension tweak in ’98 and it comes with power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.

The 626 is assembled at a Flat Rock, Michigan, plant that Mazda shares with Ford. There are three factory recall campaigns on the ’98 Mazda 626 for safety problems. In a hot, humid environment with the window open and air conditioner running, water condensation may cause a short circuit in the audio system. The recommended fix calls for aluminum tape to be placed over the audio unit, to prevent water from entering.

The second recall was for a faulty tensioner spring may break, get caught in the engine’s timing belt and cause the engine to stall. And a fault in the 2.0 litre engine’s PCM (powertrain control module) may trigger an overly lean air-fuel ratio condition that can cause the engine to stall, was the third. A Mazda dealer will be reprogram the PCM.

The 99/00 may have a cap on the brake master cylinder that does not have the proper ventilation holes in it. This can result in reduced brake efficiency during early brake applications. The cap should be inspected and replaced if necessary.

Although the 626 did quite well when crash tested, the actual on-road accident injury rates for the 626 are higher than average. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it an overall “acceptable” crash test rating in a 40-mph frontal offset impact with a deformable barrier. And in a separate test conducted by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) the 626 received a 4-star rating (out of five) for the driver, 5-star for the passenger and a 3-star rating for side impact.

The Mazda 626 is certainly one of the better driving family cars on the market and used prices tend to be more reasonable than Camry or Accord. So, a good condition Mazda 626 is well worth consideration, if you’re shopping for a used car in this class.

USED MAZDA 626 PRICES

YEAR MODEL WHEN NEW PRESENT

1998 LX V6 $26,814 $11,800 to $14,800

1999 LX V6 $26,814 $14,500 to $17,500

2000 LX V6 $27,371 $17,200 to $20,200

2001 LX V6 $27,697 $19,500 to $22,500

2002 LX V6 $27,697 $22,100 to $25,000

Prices will vary depending on its general condition, odometer reading, options fitted and owner history. And before you buy a used vehicle always have it checked by a qualified auto technician.