1993 Mazda 626 LX, yah or no?

[duragezic]

I am badly in need of a car and I checked out this car today. It's privately owned, 128,000 miles. Drives good. I don't really know what to listen for but it shifted okay and was pretty smooth for a 4cylinder. It was the dude's wife's car for like 6 years (she bought it new) and then for their daughter for a couple years. It looks well taken care of. No rust and theres a few real small dents but I don't care about that (gauranteed it will get dented more in the school parking lot). There is something kinda wrong with the rear brakes. He was saying that they took a little bit of driving to get to normal or whatever but they seemed okay to me. The door lock has something wrong with it and it works, just requires a little messing around with. The atenna belt has something wrong with it but I wouldn't bother to replace it because I wouldn't use it anyway. So there's MINOR things wrong with it (well the rear brakes could be major, depends if something is really wrong). It's also been garaged since they owned it if that matters during the winter.

They're asking $2800 and he said he would accept any reasonable offer so I could get it for a few hundred less I think. My dad is gonna look at it tomorrow since he would know what's up with brakes or whatever.

The only thing I'm concerned about is the mileage. It's high and although Mazdas are reliable, they aren't really a Honda or Toyota huh? But I REALLY need a car and I've been looking forever and it's cheap so what do you guys think?

I'm also gonna check out a 1990 Acura Integra tomorrow. 2dr, 5spd, $3000. Not sure of mileage though.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I looked at a 626 when my little sister was looking for her first car. According to my mechanic, it's no Honda, but it's not a Chrysler either. The only thing he said was no 626 Turbos, he said he would not go near a 626 Turbo. Other than that, if the car has been taken care of and is mechanically (engine, tranny, brakes, chassis) in good/decent shape it won't be a bad car. If you can swing it, the Acura is probably the better choice unless it has 200,000 miles on it or something very wrong. And 128,000 miles is not high.

ZV

 

[luvya]

seems like your budget is pretty limited...I myself drive a 96' Mazda 626LX..... while build quality is not up to the standard of Honda and Toyota, it is nevertheless a fine car. The engine is not so powerful ( well, I think that's the case for most 4 cyclinder cars)...make sure the transmission works fine, that's one weakness for all Mazda cars....and try to lower the price to $2500.

 

[notfred]

antenna belt?

 

[luvya]

Personally, I wouldn't go for a car that's 11-year-old and still have to pay $3000 for it. And most likely higher mileage than the Mazda one.

 

[flyfish]

Look here and here.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Its a pretty good deal. If you can get it for $2500 then I'd jump on it.

 

[toant103]

i have a 626, those thing are really expensive to get it fixed. For example, a junked yard headlight, $150

 

[duragezic]

Hmm... well I think the 128k is mostly city miles too. My budget is more like $4500 but there is none in that range (other than like a million Grand Ams and Prixs that everyone has). It's hard enough to find a possible car in the price range being sold privately. The KBB value is $3000 but since theres those minor things wrong and you'd subtract it, it comes out to the right price.

The antenna goes up and down automatically but when it comes down it like takes a while and makes some sound but I hardly heard it anyway and I won't be using the radio (the car is cheaper so I'll be able to buy a cd player right away ).

I'd say the Acura has about 120k judging by the price and trying it in the KBB. But it seems the Mazda would be taken care of more just by the people and their house and stuff but who knows.

 

[Goldfish]

Take that little Acura my friend. I have a 1989 Acura Legend with upwards of 150K miles with NO mechanical problems whatsoever.

 

[Migroo]

My friend has a Mazda 626 with 150,000+ on it. Its fine with regular servicing.

He thrashes it to hell and back aswell, making full use of the rev range. I'd say you'll be fine with that car.

Edit: Sounds like the rear brake pads are shot (no problem to replace them (cheap)).
Oil the antenna, should help it out.

 

luvya

Personally, I wouldn't go for a car that's 11-year-old and still have to pay $3000 for it.

1993 Mazda 626 LX, yah or no?


...............................................................................................................................

eagle
YHPM

 

[StageLeft]

If you were looking to spend $4500 get one of these two and put the money off to the side to use in repairs because in any used car those are inevitable.

 

[Cyberian]

<< luvya

Personally, I wouldn't go for a car that's 11-year-old and still have to pay $3000 for it.

1993 Mazda 626 LX, yah or no?


...............................................................................................................................

eagle
YHPM >>



<< I'm also gonna check out a 1990 Acura Integra tomorrow. 2dr, 5spd, $3000. Not sure of mileage though. >>

 

So ?

I can't read

 

[Thegonagle]

Mazda 626?s are fine cars. The engines are durable. That mileage really isn?t that high yet.

Brakes are relatively cheap to have fixed and they are a normal wear kind of thing anyway.

Clean up that antenna and run some very fine grit sandpaper over it, then oil/grease it. It will work like new as long as it hasn?t been damaged by a car wash or something.

Check out that lock when you have some time later. It might just need some lube.

 

[bigshot]

go for the integra

the 1.8L can last 250,000 miles+

just make sure the body is ok (no rust)
they are nortorius for rusting

 

[Thegonagle]

A 90 Integra? Too damn old for for that price in Michigan, unless it hasn't ever been driven in winter (yeah, right!)

The 626 is fine. The 2.0 is yet another engine with which 200,000 + miles is easy.

 

[bigshot]

if it has a clean inside, the body is in good condition and only 120,000 miles i surely would put 3 grand down for it

mazda cost alot to fix, especially for the 626

the parts are hard to come by especially older models

 

[luvya]

<< luvya

Personally, I wouldn't go for a car that's 11-year-old and still have to pay $3000 for it.

1993 Mazda 626 LX, yah or no?


...............................................................................................................................

eagle
YHPM >>



YAH

 

[duragezic]

Looked at the Integra. 148k miles... Some rust. Tinted windows (something I wouldn't get but it wouldn't stop me from getting the car) but he did it himself obviously cause there's like bubbles or whatever on the rear window so it looks like crap. I don't think so...

Ah tranny problems?? Now that you mention it, one of the ladies at works 626 is in the shop right now... likely something with the transmission she said. Her's is auto also and it might be a couple years newer.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

If they got service records OR you can get to em down to 2500 I would go for it. I have been driving a 90 626 for about 3 years now and its fine. got 140k on it, and the only probs are the antenna belt and the tranny is slow to shift when cold. I suspect in another 10k it may need some work. anyways, it hasn't required any real work other than basic maintenance.

 

[andylawcc]

yeah, Mazda parts are expensive, so you better hope the car won't giveup when you own it.
my cousin bought her 93 MX-6 at 3000, and took 3000 to fix.

 

[cressida]

<< yeah, Mazda parts are expensive, so you better hope the car won't giveup when you own it.
my cousin bought her 93 MX-6 at 3000, and took 3000 to fix. >>



yes ... Mazda parts are expensive and cost a lot to repair, I would suggest investing in an old camry or corolla

 

[Harvey]

I have owned a number of Mazdas, including a 1993 626-LX coupe, and I've loved them all.

The four banger is plenty powerful if it's a five speed. If it looks like it's in good shape, have it checked by an independent mechanic. At 120,000+ mi, it could be near needing an engine rebuild. Also, check the upholstry, etc. All vinyl tends to dry out and crack, after awhile, so that could be another upcoming expense.

If it's a good one, my experience is, Mazda builds good products.