'98 626 or '99 Galant?

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
I've narrowed my car selection down to basically 2 cars...a '98 Mazda 626 or a '99 mitsubishi Galant. The Mazda has 88,000 miles, the Galant only has 40,000. Both are the standard models....the Galant is $7000 the 626 is $5000....in addition to being cheaper, I've always been a huge Mazda fanatic...what do you guys think?
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
I'd take the mazda. Most mitsubishis die at around 10k miles anyway, so that one is already long in the tooth ;) That $2k will pay for a new engine if you ever need one on the 626, where as when you DO need one on the galant you won't have it.
 

T2T III

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,899
1
0
The Mitsu might be less reliable. I'd look into some reliability numbers regarding the vehicles. Plus, the Mazda could have been driven mostly highway miles vs. stop-n-go city driving. Again, see if you can look at the maintenance records of both vehicles to determine what kind of work they've had done on them.

About a year ago, I picked up a loaded '99 Taurus for $6,800. Granted, this might not be a vehicle that you'd consider, but for me, it's great - upgraded V-6 engine, leather, 6-CD changer, sunroof, etc.

 

rufruf44

Platinum Member
May 8, 2001
2,002
0
0
Originally posted by: nan0bug
Originally posted by: RyanSengara
Originally posted by: werk
Originally posted by: ElFenix
you sure did find two crappy cars
I have to agree.

Thirded in that motion.

I agree. If you're going to spend 7 large on a mitsubishi you should make it a diamante or an eclipse.

626 has been plague with transmission issue (couldn't remember whether its the I4 or V6). Just a word of caution.
 

Spikesoldier

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2001
6,766
0
0
AT on the I4.

v6 shouldnt be a problem trannywise...

but the I4 engine is bulletproof. 2.0L FS-DE is and old but proven motor.

edit: edited for clarification
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
Here is something some of you guys don't quite get. I'm buying a used car here, I don't exactly have the selection of any car I want. Also, I am not buying an older, more used car again. I don't care if the diamante is a better car, I'm not buying a car with 100K miles again. And what is your problem with the 626? So many people are anti-mazda, for absolutely no reason. If you'd done your research like I have(I owned a 626 before), the transmission almost always went at 75,000, if it was going to go at all. So in this case, being at 88,000 miles isn't necessarily bad, because the tranny will have been replaced already, or will be solid and not likely to die. I didn't ask you for your opinions on if they were good, i asked which is better.
 

bugoox

Member
Oct 24, 2003
146
0
0
Well I have a '96 626, and it's had all kinds of trouble... I can't say I'd recommend it to anyone else.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,600
1,005
126
I wouldn't recommend a Mitsubishi. I've heard of spotty reliability reports on those cars.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,179
649
126
For $7k I'd go get a Volvo (non-turbo) and call it a day. For that money you should be able to get a mid-late 90's 850 without an absurd amount of miles. Not sure why Volvos never hold their value. They're great cars.
 
Jun 18, 2000
11,220
783
126
If you're intent on buying a used Mazda, I recommend picking up an older (think 2001) Protege over the 626. Much more competive vehicle for it's respective segment.
 

RbSX

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2002
8,351
1
76
Originally posted by: Deeko
Here is something some of you guys don't quite get. I'm buying a used car here, I don't exactly have the selection of any car I want. Also, I am not buying an older, more used car again. I don't care if the diamante is a better car, I'm not buying a car with 100K miles again. And what is your problem with the 626? So many people are anti-mazda, for absolutely no reason. If you'd done your research like I have(I owned a 626 before), the transmission almost always went at 75,000, if it was going to go at all. So in this case, being at 88,000 miles isn't necessarily bad, because the tranny will have been replaced already, or will be solid and not likely to die. I didn't ask you for your opinions on if they were good, i asked which is better.

For 7 grand you can look at a nice acura integra or something. Jeeze why are you limiting yourself to such shiesty cars. Find your local buy and sell magazine or website.
 

Rent

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2000
7,127
1
81
Originally posted by: NutBucket
For $7k I'd go get a Volvo (non-turbo) and call it a day. For that money you should be able to get a mid-late 90's 850 without an absurd amount of miles. Not sure why Volvos never hold their value. They're great cars.

Expensive to fix AFAIK.

If I was dropping 7 large on a vehicle right now, I would more than likely get a small truck.
 

PELarson

Platinum Member
Mar 27, 2001
2,289
0
0
626 I very much like my 99' 626. Haven't had any major troubles with it in the 4+ years I have owned it. Except for some idiot rolling into my front passenger door 2 years ago.
 

djplayx714

Senior member
Feb 20, 2003
612
0
0
i own two galants that have withstood long distance rallies and high speed trips through the canyons. one has 150k and the other 90k.

whoever said a mitsubishi sucks doesnt know wtf theyre talking about.

if you ever had any real concerns about the Galant ask me. i know quite a bit about them.
 

Confused

Elite Member
Nov 13, 2000
14,166
0
0
I would go for the Galant.

Awesome cars. I wish the insurance for me (in the UK) wasn't as high, or I would be driving a top of the range on right now! Mitsubishi do have VERY good reliability. So many people here speak out of their asses when it comes to cars.


Confused