Mazda 626 1.8 LXi 

...and ultimately win a 1997 Mazda 626. E-bay is probably the last place that any sane person would look for a car; fortunately I lost my sanity some time ago so it became my first port of call. Ultimately I spied upon this car with two minutes left and without hesitation I slapped a £750 maximum bid, half expecting the price to skyrocket out of my range. Fortunately the e-bay gods conspired in my favour and granted me a cut down price of £690 for something ...
...engine that has the typical Mazda brute strength and speedy versatility. In terms of storage the car is equipped with a large boot space which can easily fit 3 dogs 4 guinea pigs and a couple of average sized iguanas. A comfortable interior makes driving and passengering (if such a word exists) a relative pleasure, it's got nothing fancy but what do you expect for £690? The 1997 lxi comes with electric windows and a manual sunroof; it also includes ... more

On buying a second hand car, professionals suggest a great deal of research, a methodical and in depth background check and signs of wear and tear. Fortunately as an impulsive fool I decided that such a method is not necessary. Knowing nothing of the owner, the car, the brand, well anything to be honest, I decided to bid and ultimately win a 1997 Mazda 626. E-bay is probably the last place that any sane person would look for a car; fortunately I lost my sanity some time ago so it became my first port of call. Ultimately I spied upon this car with two minutes left and without hesitation I slapped a £750 maximum bid, half expecting the price to skyrocket out of my range. Fortunately the e-bay gods conspired in my favour and granted me a cut down price of £690 for something I had never seen, touched or for that matter heard of.

To my relief it was only in Kent so at least there was no trip to Scotland to endure. The only cars I have driven were a 1.0 litre Ford Fiesta and a 0.8 litre Daewoo Matiz. So the step up to a 1.8litre was quite an unexpected jolt. On telling my shocked parents a severe sense of anxiety struck me, describing the car was like listing the minor faults of the Third Reich. 'Some dents and scratches', 'Faulty electronics', '152,000 miles on the clock'…The list went on. A sense of impending doom suddenly enveloped me.

On researching the 626 a lingering hope emerged, nothing I read suggested that it was a bad buy. In fact on the contrary it was actually one of the more reliable cars in it's class and was voted in the top 15 cars of it's year. 'Wait a minute' I thought, for the first time I felt the winds of change were blowing in my direction.

On first sight the car is an imposing if not all that attractive family saloon. As a small car driver the width and length of this red monster was of immediate concern. Once all payments were made and worried handshakes exchanged I finally got into my new car. In fear and in trepidation I cowered in the car until all people were out of sight so that I could attempt my first start. Fortunately I did because whilst the car performed smoothly my driving did not quite return the favour and as soon as I got started I was on the pavement.

But alas anecdotes are not what you want to be hearing so I fear it is probably time to explain a little more about the car itself. The 626 is an excellent saloon, there can be no arguments about that fact. Fuel economy, extra features, value for money and a wonderfully silent runner, the car pretty much sells itself. 30-40 mpg depending on driving efficiency is a good return from an engine that has the typical Mazda brute strength and speedy versatility. In terms of storage the car is equipped with a large boot space which can easily fit 3 dogs 4 guinea pigs and a couple of average sized iguanas. A comfortable interior makes driving and passengering (if such a word exists) a relative pleasure, it's got nothing fancy but what do you expect for £690? The 1997 lxi comes with electric windows and a manual sunroof; it also includes electronic wing mirrors and a tantalisingly unreliable air conditioning (only in my edition, after 150,000 I can forgive it a few minor blemishes).

The package in my eyes is a complete one; the only let downs are minor, like its aesthetical value is limited and its back wing resembles that of a vehicle able to achieve flight. I have now owned it for two months and as of today all I have had go wrong was a puncture touch wood). In fact since owning it the car has improved upon its initial description. Whilst attempting to install a rather more complex stereo I noticed that I could not get it to work, as I had a free installation I gave them a call to save my sanity and my stereo from a near certain destruction. On attempting to install it, the engineer commented on how well it was done but asked why I thought it didn't work. I felt smug in myself and then answered like an ignoramus that in fact the internal lights, the air conditioning and the central locking didn't work. As intelligent beings you have probably noticed a very clear pattern of problems. Sparing none of my emotions the technician questioned me as to whether I bothered checking the fuse. From that moment forth my car emerged from its shell of being a troublesome wreck that gets me from a to b, into a thing of luxury for cruising and lest I say it, enjoying.

Essentially I am in awe of this vehicle and the method of purchasing it. From the ashes of a complete disaster has arisen a phoenix with a distinctly surprised expression on its face. The Mazda 626 fits all my needs perfectly, and I am confident that it could make or even surpass the needs of most average sized families or even a mere lone driver like myself. The test for the car remains entrenched in the future, with a 5,000 mile jaunt around Europe to come; I will surely discover more of its capabilities. I fully expect to be partially welded to the seat and fully at one with the mechanics of the car. But after its first 1,500 miles the car is running without a hitch and having covered 152,000 it looks ready to do the same again. If the chance should arise in the future to purchase one of these I recommend it to my fullest capabilities of recommendation.
 

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