Buick vs. Mazda

For a car below $4,000, I am trying to choose between a Buick and Mazda

The Buick 95 Park Avenue Altra with 110K and good condition. Price is kind of good. It is $2,500

The Mazda 97 626 with 85K and good condition. Price is $4,200.

Do you think that the Mazda worth the higher price?

Also, what do you think about the reliability of the Buick? This issue is of particular concern to me.

I have been disappointed by the frequency and complexity of problems with my 626. Also, whenever I have to fix something it also seems to be more expensive than when I have to fix something on my Ford Ranger. (i.e. EGR valve for Mazda is $300+ and for the Ford it is < $50).

I have no idea about Buicks - but I'll tell you that I plan to go with 'American' cars from this point forward (yes, I know they are made up of foreign parts and heche en Mexico).

Buying a 95' Buick with 110K miles is like burning money. Unless that Buick has been completely rebuilt, everything will soon fail! Money pit is the only way to describe that purchase. Same deal with the 626 unless you know exactly what to avoid. I recently bought a '94 ES V6 with 70K miles and I installed an external transmission cooler within a month. The 626 automatic trannys generally fail before 95K miles due to the undersized ATF cooler. Internet research is the best way to make informed used-vehicle purchases. I went to Edmunds.com and Cars.com and went through every year, make, and model in my price range and compiled a list of my favorites. When I found a car for sale on my list, I researched the full history of the year, make, and model. Hope this helps. If anyone wants to see my Excel list of powerful used-cars in the $3,000 to $7000 range, let me know.

My parents have had several Buick Centurys that have run over 250K miles with no more problems than perhaps an alternator or power window failure. No transmission or engine failures. These cars are rountinely maintained and driven normally, that is, not pampered or abused. In contrast, I recently helped a friend with an ignition problem on his 626. We couldn't find parts for the distributor. Instead he had to purchase the whole thing which was very expensive. Personally, I think the belief that "foreign" cars are more economical to operate than domestic cars is a myth. I overheard someone bragging about the reliability of their Honda recently. After some questioning I discovered that the head gasket had been replaced. I call that a major problem but he thought it was nothing. Just goes to show people have different standards when it comes to judging reliability.

My parents have had several Buick Centurys that have run over 250K miles with no more problems than perhaps an alternator or power window failure. No transmission or engine failures. These cars are rountinely maintained and driven normally, that is, not pampered or abused. In contrast, I recently helped a friend with an ignition problem on his 626. We couldn't find parts for the distributor. Instead he had to purchase the whole thing which was very expensive. Personally, I think the belief that "foreign" cars are more economical to operate than domestic cars is a myth. I overheard someone bragging about the reliability of their Honda recently. After some questioning I discovered that the head gasket had been replaced. I call that a major problem but he thought it was nothing. Just goes to show people have different standards when it comes to judging reliability.


I personally know someone that has a Buick Century who has over 400,000 miles on his car. A '93 I believe. Just recently the transmission developed a bad leak. Still Very Impressive.

Buying a 95' Buick with 110K miles is like burning money. Unless that Buick has been completely rebuilt, everything will soon fail! Money pit is the only way to describe that purchase. Same deal with the 626 unless you know exactly what to avoid. I recently bought a '94 ES V6 with 70K miles and I installed an external transmission cooler within a month. The 626 automatic trannys generally fail before 95K miles due to the undersized ATF cooler. Internet research is the best way to make informed used-vehicle purchases. I went to Edmunds.com and Cars.com and went through every year, make, and model in my price range and compiled a list of my favorites. When I found a car for sale on my list, I researched the full history of the year, make, and model. Hope this helps. If anyone wants to see my Excel list of powerful used-cars in the $3,000 to $7000 range, let me know.

I would like to know the results of your research.