Mazda 626

The Mazda 626 series 1 proved to be a durable and reliable car, and was influential in developing Mazda's enviable reputation for quality. Its greatest strength was unquestionably the body, strong and well built setting a standard rarely matched at this price point.

It is unfortunate then that the internal plastics did not prove quite as enduring, many fading, cracking and disintergrating quickly under the Australian sun.

Handling was never a strong point, with the series one using a coil-sprung live rear axle - this setup thankfully being replaced by fully independant suspension on subsequent models.

Many lamented the passing of this model in 1983 as the last of the rear-wheel drive 626's to be manufactured. The subsequent front wheel drive model went on to win the "Car of the Year" title in 1984.

Rarely seen on the roads today, the series one can best be remembered for setting the benchmark in affordable quality at the mid-sized family car market.