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Mazda 626

2044 messages,  Last post on May 08, 2012 at 5:17 PM

You are in the Mazda 626 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda 626, Sedan

Messages Page 192 of 205

#1904 of 2044 New Mazda 626 owner by backy

Jan 07, 2006 (8:37 pm)

Hello, I just bought a 2000 Mazda 626 ES 4-cylinder automatic today, white with tan leather and factory alloys. It's my second 626; my first was a 1980 10th Anniversary Edition (Mazda's, not the 626). The car has 84k highway miles on it and is in excellent condition inside and out. The only flaw on the exterior is a scrape on the bumper (which the dealer is repainting as part of our deal), and inside everything is good except the turn signal stalk is loose (will be replaced before delivery). I got the dealer to throw in the full 60k servicing, because I talked to the original owner and found out she had not done the 60k service--but did have regular maintenance performed otherwise, e.g. oil changes every 3000 miles. The tires and battery are fresh. The original owner (well, leasee) said she never had any problems with the car except for the turn signal stalk, so I'm crossing my fingers it will be reliable for me for the 1-2 years and 10-15k miles that I intend to own it.

#1905 of 2044 Re: Owner's Manual [bluchelski01] by slickdog

Jan 10, 2006 (11:54 am)

Replying to: bluchelski01 (Dec 14, 2005 4:46 pm)
The dealer should be able to order an owner's manual for you, but it may be expensive. My wife's Subaru came w/o a manual, and we were able to order one at an online Subaru parts dealer for significantly less than what the local dealers wanted. There are some online Mazda parts stores, but I don't know if they have manuals (rosenthalmazda.com, trussvillemazda.com).
 
The other thing to try is mazdausa.com, go to the owners section and sign up for that if you haven't already. When I bought my Mazda6 they had a link to it's owner's manual in PDF format once I logged in and entered the VIN of my new car. I was already registered for my 626 before that, but I don't remember if I ever saw a link to a manual for that car.

#1906 of 2044 Re: New Mazda 626 owner [backy] by p100

Jan 13, 2006 (12:26 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 07, 2006 8:37 pm)
With the substandard, Ford supplied POS auto transmission that this car has, you'll need all the finger crossing you can do on this one.

#1907 of 2044 Re: New Mazda 626 owner [p100] by backy

Jan 13, 2006 (9:28 pm)

Replying to: p100 (Jan 13, 2006 12:26 pm)
You know, I am puzzled about this tranny issue. I looked up the reliability ratings on the 2000 626 in CR, and it is well above average overall and the auto tranny is above average. I would think there would be more 4 cylinder 626s sold than V6s, so a major problem with the auto tranny on 4 cylinder models would be reflected in CR's rating. Also, here is what Consumer Guide says about the 1998-2002 626 re Trouble Spots:
 
Consumer Guide'sŪ Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
 
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/Used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2384/act/usedc- arreviewshowall/
 
It goes on to list the specific trouble spots and also the recall history. Neither mentions anything about the automatic transmission.
 
So could someone point me to the data on the problems with the auto tranny in the 4-cylinder 2000 626? Or is this just people thinking that if it's made by Ford, it must be bad?

#1908 of 2044 Re: New Mazda 626 owner [backy] by chuck1

Jan 14, 2006 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 13, 2006 9:28 pm)
"So could someone point me to the data on the problems with the auto tranny in the 4-cylinder 2000 626? Or is this just people thinking that if it's made by Ford, it must be bad?"
 
You need to look up the ratings for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique w/the 4 cylinder motor, it's the same (CD4E) transmission and it's very unreliable. It would seem to me that looking up the Ford/Mercury might be a better sampling, since there were quite a few sold over the course of it's 4 or 5 (95 to 2000?) year run. BTW, I have had three 4 cylinder Contours, two I got rid of-one with 75K on it, the other with 90K on it, both for transmission problems. AND I take care of my cars.

#1909 of 2044 Re: New Mazda 626 owner [chuck1] by backy

Jan 14, 2006 (10:48 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Jan 14, 2006 1:11 pm)
OK, I looked up the history on the Contour and Mystique on Consumer Guide, and they noted only one problem with the operation of the automatic tranny, which was that for 1995 models the transmission may go into limp-in mode due to a faulty manual lever position sensor. That was it, and no recalls involving the automatic transmission.
 
If the automatic were very unreliable on the Contique, I would think it would rate some mention there--it looks like a pretty comprehensive list.

#1910 of 2044 Re: New Mazda 626 owner [backy] by chuck1

Jan 15, 2006 (4:53 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 14, 2006 10:48 pm)
If you have one, (CD4E) you have a time bomb on your hands. That transmission was the SAME on all model years. So the '95 being poor and the rest OK makes no-sense whatsoever. I think you put too much "worth" in to publications. There are places where this transmission is talked about intensely, but due to Edmunds rules of use I can't give them to you. As I mentioned, I had three-two Failed because of that lousy CD4E transmission. Don't believe us on this board? Talk to any high quality tranny shop, they will tell you.
Good luck!

#1911 of 2044 Re: New Mazda 626 owner [chuck1] by backy

Jan 15, 2006 (10:29 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Aug 31, 2000 4:42 pm)
My thinking is that if the problem were prevalent on cars like the Mazda 626, Contour, and Mystique, it would be well known enough to be reported in mags that check into just that kind of thing. You could just be one very unlucky Contour buyer for all I know. (One who is a glutton for punishment--you bought another one after a tranny failed. I wouldn't be that forgiving I guess.)
 
What years were your three Contours and what were the two with the failed auto trannies? Sometimes automakers make fixes to problems like this, e.g. the DC vans used to have a horrible 4-speed auto tranny, but it improved over time.

#1912 of 2044 Re: New Mazda 626 owner [backy] by chuck1

Jan 15, 2006 (11:35 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 15, 2006 10:29 pm)
"What years were your three Contours and what were the two with the failed auto trannies"
 
I had a '96 w/ the Duratec V6 and CD4E -it FAILED. I had a '98-- with the Duratec V6 and CD4E it FAILED. I had a '97 Mystique and it was OK. I don't trust car magazines including consumer reports. Consumer reports is one of the worst.... very biased!
 
As far as my motivation is concerned, the motor (v6) was co-designed by Porsche and it was one of THE BEST HANDLING cars on the road at the time. They were often referred as the "poor mans BMW!". It was sold in Europe as the Ford Mondeo and won high praise.
 
If you want your tranny to last-change the transmission fluid right away and spend the $100.00 bucks on a after market transmission cooler--it might help it last longer. You are on the down-hill side of the expected transmission life of the CD4E.

#1913 of 2044 Re: New Mazda 626 owner [chuck1] by backy

Jan 17, 2006 (12:27 am)

Replying to: chuck1 (Jan 15, 2006 11:35 pm)
Now I am confused again--I thought the problem was only on 4-cylinder 626 models. Are you saying that Ford used a tranny on their V6 that Mazda used only on their 130-hp 4-banger? Or did I misunderstand that this tranny is used only on the 626 I4?
 
I leased a '95 Mystique 5-speed for two years so I know what you mean about the handling. I liked that, and the traction control--very rare on a low-priced stick shift car at that time. I thought the rest of the car sucked, however--dumped it after the lease ran out. It was in the shop most of the first six months I owned it for various problems and recalls.

Messages Page 192 of 205

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