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Sedans Mazda 626 Mazda 626
2018 messages, Last post on Oct 09, 2009 at 1:07 PM
You are in the Mazda 626 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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| Ford's Duratec V6 is not as smooth as Mazda's 2.5V6. When I test drove a V6 Tribute, the engine was harsher and louder than Mazda's 2.5V6. While the power of the 3.0 duratec is very good and pull the tribute very nice, Mazda and Ford better revised that engine for a sedan. I used to own a '93 626 ES and the engine was smoother and quiter than the duratec V6 on the tribute. Maybe it's because I'm driving an SUV, without much sound dampening and other stuff to reduce NVH, and I've never driven a Taurus with the same Duratec V6 in it. Anwyay, I'm still hoping that Mazda will provide those 3.0 V6 for the upcoming 626. | |
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Although cute wagons (like Protege5) are currently in, it would be nice to see a 626 (or whatever its successor will be called) 2-door coupe. I currently drive a 2000 626lxv6 and would have gotten a Mazda coupe, if it was available. This will further increase Mazda's share. I still see a lot of Mx6s on the road; even after all these years, they still look good and sporty. I just don't care too much for the boxy and bland Honda Accord Coupe and Toyota Solara. Since we're all dreaming, what about a special edition of the 626 (25+ or 30+ year anniversary edition) with more hp (jstandfer's 280hp), more aggressive looks etc? |
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The 3.0L DOHC Duratec V6 is used quite often in the Taurus and is also used in the Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-Type. The engine was originally designed for a sedan, and was later put into the Tribute and Escape, but of course, those two SUVs sit on a 626 platform. In the Taurus, Lincoln, and Jaguar, the 3.0L Duratec is very quiet and smooth. It's not quite to the levels of the Mazda 2.5L, but neither are most V6's. Unfortunately, the 2.5L is too small to remain competetive now, as the Taurus, Accord, Camry, Altima, Stratus, Malibu, Galant, Grand Am, and Jetta all have larger engines. The MPV will get the 3.0L Duratec for 2002 as well. The 2.3L Duratec 4-cyl will be the base engine for the 626 and Tribute. dayokayode... I would love to see a special edition 626!! However, I wouldn't count on one as 2002 will be the last year of the 626 and I'm sure Mazda would be better off spending the money on the replacement. But, with Mazda you never know what to expect!! It would be nice to see an MPS (Mazda Performance Series) version of the 2002 626 with the Millenia's 210hp/210lb-ft 2.3L DOHC Miller-Cycle V6 with suspension upgrades and a slight body kit... |
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i had read that they WERE going to make an MPS 626. I've actually seen it mentioned in a couple of different places as a sidenote to the MP3. But, who knows. Hey, I'd be happy just to see a Millenia S (or an equivalent) with a stick. I'll take care of the other add-ons if I need to. 
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I dunno, the coupe market is pretty flat. The money's in sedans, sport wagons, and SUVs. As much as like the Miller Cycle engine, US customers don't know enough about it. Mazda has spread itself too thin. -juice |
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Hi, Correct me if I'm wrong, I hear the next 626 is going to be built on the Mondeo platform. This was used for the contour which was a sleeper as far as handling is concerned. The mondeo is a good seller in europe and having drove a contour I think this bodes well for 626, I hate to see the V-6 KE go away lets hope the next power plant is mazda design. If you want to read about the KE-KL 2.5 V-6 engine go to:http:/www.highlandsun.com/hyc/sae9206677/ Tom |
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| The next 626 is being built on the NEW Mondeo platform, which is worlds better than the previous platform on which the Contour/Mystique/Cougar sat on. This new platform had to up to par for Jaguar, since the new X-Type sits on it. BTW, the new 626 engines are Ford Duratec's. Both the 2.3L and 3.0L will probably be built by Ford in the U.S. because the 626 is built here as well. Meanwhile, the Protege will also get the new 2.3L, but it will be built in Japan by Mazda since the Protege is built in Japan. | |
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Just saw the 2002 Camry this afternoon. Yuk! Is it me or is this car even more UGLY than its predecessor? It looks like a bloated Avalon (a car I never liked) or an Echo on steroids. I read that although they've bumped up the 4-cylinder hp a bit, the 6 cylinder is still rated at around 194 hp. Waiting to see what the new Accord will look like. I hope Mazda scores with the new 626. If they can create an attractive and powerful car, they may finally have a winner on their hands and get people passionate about the car once again (just look at the Protege boards!). |
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They did Avalon-ize the Camry. The front and sides look OK, but the rear went down the ugly path that the Maxima and Taurus took. The 626 sketches look promising. -juice |
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I have owned Mazda's in the past and until recently, have had nothing against this company. However in the last few months I have had almost identical negative experiences in taking test drives of their vehicles. Last winter, I went to a car show and was generally impressed with the looks of both the MPV and the 626. Then in May I took a test drive of the MPV. I ended up getting an Odyssey because the engine was just too small. I know they're upgrading to the Tribute engine in 2002, but I couldn't wait that long. Yesterday I test drove a 626 V6. And again the engine is just way too underpowered. This company will not be competitive until they can put something under the hood. And they're losing ground when Nissan has a 175 HP V4 and a 255 V6. |
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