A mazda to amaze? (Mazda 626 2.0 GXi 5-door HB)

Member Name: honest_ed

Product:	Mazda 626 2.0 GXi 5-door HB
Date:	11/01/02 (636 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: reliability, space, build

Disadvantages: unexciting

After 3 years and 41,000 miles, I'm thinking of trading in my Mazda 626 for a new model. But what should I buy - stick with the same marque or opt for something a little different? To help me make up my mind I've been reflecting on my experience with this car: the good, the bad and the indifferent.

With two teenage children, a liking for camping holidays in France and a daily 10 mile commute to work through the city, I've subjected my car to a variety of tests. So what's been good? Quite a lot actually. For a start, the Mazda is roomy, with good space inside and a well-proportioned boot. It's not a luxury car by any means, but is comfortable enough for both driver and passengers to survive our annual 1000 mile trip over 2 days, fully laden. It is also well-equipped, including the standard air-conditioning, probably the best invention since the wheel if you have to share your car with other humans, and a half-decent stereo. The basic safety features are provided, although I would have been happier with twin, rather than single airbags, and ABS which were not provided as standard in my car.

Performance too is more than adequate, reaching 0-60 in about 10 seconds if pushed, and with smooth, responsive acceleration feels safe when overtaking. I'm no expert, but the quality of build seems excellent and even at this stage there are no signs of irritating rattles or loose switch-gear. Gear changing is effortless with a fairly short clutch travel and a snappy, positive gear shift. The Mazda won't win awards for interior design, but it is far from an unpleasant place to sit for an hour or two each day. Running costs are reasonable, with group 10 insurance and I'm turning in about 34 mpg with mixed, but mainly town driving. Service costs haven't been cheap, but the fixed pricing of our local dealer have meant that there have been no unpleasant surprises.

I'm saving the best for last. The reliabilit
y of this car is simply amazing. As a previous owner of Ford, VW and Saab, I believe that if car-owners bought with their brains, there would be a lot of frightened so-called prestige dealers around. Nothing goes wrong with this car.

So far, so good. But what about the downside? Well, it isn't the quietest of cars inside. It's not exactly noisy, but road noise is noticeable on anything but perfect surfaces. The ride isn't the best over even slightly rough surfaces and the suspension fails to soak up the tiniest of bumps. Rear visibility is fairly poor also. Most concerning for me has been a tendency to slide under cornering in wet weather. It is too easy to spin the wheels, and I'm past the stage where this is remotely exciting. I'm not into looks or image in a big way, but Id have to say that the Mazda is anonymous. Side on it looks like about 150 other cars on the market and no-one says "wow" when I tell them what I drive.


If someone told me that I had to get another 626, I wouldn't be unduly disappointed. But nor would I be particularly excited. Maybe it's an age thing, but I've reached the stage where I need a little more from a car than getting from A to B. And, good car that it is, the Mazda 626 just doesn't deliver a sense of excitement. If common-sense is your game and reliability is your priority, go buy this car. I'm starting to dream of something just a little bit different.

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