You are here: Forums Sedans Mazda 626 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

What is this discussion about? Mazda 626, Sedan

Messages Page 84 of 203 1 ... 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 ... 203 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#827 of 2018 re: Next 626... by jstandefer Sep 04, 2001 (9:02 am)
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.
#828 of 2018 New Camry by dayokayode Sep 08, 2001 (11:04 am)
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!).
#829 of 2018 by ateixeira Sep 10, 2001 (8:47 am)
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
#830 of 2018 Is Mazda Brain Dead or just slow? by felixdacat13 Sep 19, 2001 (1:39 pm)
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.
#831 of 2018 V-4 by maltb Sep 19, 2001 (3:39 pm)
enough said
#832 of 2018 Re: Is Mazda brain dead.... by dayokayode Sep 19, 2001 (3:45 pm)
Although Mazda has typically stressed handling over hp, I don't agree that the 626v6 (which I own) and the MPV are underpowered. Even with the automatic, the 626v6 is quick, fun to drive and handles like a dream; the manual v6 is quicker and even more fun to drive. Mazdas are quirky autos that drive differently than the competition; they (at least the Protege and 626) demand to be driven hard to coax the required performance out of them (this has been my experience).   Although the Odyssey has more 'power', it looks like a tank and is probably more difficult to manoeuvre (no offence intended); handling is probably not up to the MPV's level. Whilst Nissan offers excellent v6 engines, I don't particularly care for their looks and/or handling.   To satisfy people who only care about numbers, the company is upgrading the engines in the 626, MPV etc. If you scroll through old messages, you'll see some of the planned changes for the 626's replacement.
#833 of 2018 Nissan Altima v Mazda 626 by csuftitans Sep 19, 2001 (5:09 pm)
It's not fair to compare Nissan Altima's 2002 model with the current 626. The altima just came out barely a month and its totally new. Their 2001 model only has 155HP max and no V6 compared to 170HP on Mazda's V6; DOH. When Mazda release their new 626 next year, it's going to have a 3.0V6 with roughly 210-220HP. Yes, it's not 255HP like the Altima has, but it would be more than enough to power the 626 to be a fun "drivers" car.
#834 of 2018 Too few ponies by windowphobe6 Sep 19, 2001 (7:08 pm)
On the other hand, the 626 weighs less than the competition - by 100 to 400 lb - so the power deficit is somewhat offset. Even with the, um, V4.   (I wonder how Volkswagen's W8 is going to play in Passatland?)
#835 of 2018 by ateixeira Sep 20, 2001 (5:06 am)
A V6 5-speed 626 is definitely not "slow", not by any stretch of the imagination. Despite the power ratings, a V6 will easily outrun an Altima with the new 4 banger.   Also, note that Nissan originally called it 180hp, but had to back off when the cars were much slower than expected. They now claim 175hp.   I agree that the MPV really could use a boost, but I mean c'mon, it's a minivan. It's also several thousand dollars cheaper than an Odyssey. I've looked at both and one big difference is that the MPV's rear windows open. It makes other minivans seem like jail cells in comparison. I was also surprised to see a rather significant advantage in reliability for the Mazda, usually a Honda strong point.   Sorry to break your heart, but the Odyssey just got a 30hp boost itself, for 2002, plus rear disc brakes. Someone like you (who desires big HP) should have waited. Major bummer.   -juice
#836 of 2018 Minivan Performance? by jstandefer Sep 20, 2001 (10:01 am)
I guess if you really wanted a performance minivan, then you would have bought a Dodge Grand Caravan ES with all-wheel drive, 3.8L V6, and AutoStick transmission. Not only will it outrun the Odyssey, but it will outhandle it as well. Reliabiltiy? Not an Odyssey strong point, which is strange for Honda. But once the 200hp 3.0L DOHC Duratec is placed in the MPV, I think it will easily outrun the Odyssey, since it is 800 pounds lighter!   The Mazda 2.5L DOHC V6 looks weak on paper but is a blast to drive and a model of smoothness. At least Mazda will allow you to mate it with a manual transmission, unlike most of its competitors who claim to be performance oriented but then fail to offer a proper transmission. The Maxima is the exception, but it is easily much more expensive than the 626. Nissan is doing a Ride and Drive next door while I am typing this. I was out watching them run Accord's and the new Altima around some cones. The Altima sure accelerates quickly, but handling is certainly not a strong point as I watch it slide through cones and cover my ears as the tires squealed everytime there was a slight deviation from straight in the cone course. Meanwhile, the 4-cyl Accord (yes, they're comparing a loaded V6 Altima against a base model 4-cyl Accord) isn't as quick, but handles much better through the cones and probably completes the course in the same amount of time.

Messages Page 84 of 203 1 ... 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 ... 203 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans Mazda 626 Mazda 626