1988 Mazda MX-6 GT | Retro Review
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Ohhh man! Those blistered fenders are just screaming for a lower stance and wider wheels. Anyone else see Nissan Skyline design cues?
Show 722 | Originally Recorded 2-25-1988
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My first new car purchase was this 1988 Mazda MX-6 GT, in red, with the 5 speed manual. This review brings back memories of how much that I loved this car.
The actual out the door price must have been much less than a Honda Prelude? Otherwise I can't imagine why anyone would choose this over the Honda. Even if the Prelude cost more, it's total cost of ownership would probably be much less because of the significantly higher resale value.
@@SWRadioConcepts I sold my pre-owned 1982 Honda Prelude to my younger sister for it's trade-in value. A family friend was a new car salesman at the local Mazda dealership. He gave me a good deal, as I had considered a new Prelude. I had zero problems with it. Traded it in 5 years later for a Mazda Navajo (rebadged Ford Explorer) I have since owned 2 Hondas (Accord & Odyssey), among other brands. I still love Mazdas. Bought my oldest daughter a new Mazda 3.
I don't agree because Mazdas of this era were fantastic cars. These were Mazda designs and were equal on reliability with any Honda of that time. When Mazda started going down was early ninetees when Ford increased it's share in ownership and then started platform sharing big time. Like the Ford Probe/1993? MX6, the redesign of the MX 6 this discussion is all about , was one of the examples of when Ford and Mazda got big into platform sharing.
I owned a 88 Mazda MX6-5 speed Turbo GT. One morning on my way to work, I was at a red light and a new 5.0 Mustang pulled up next to me on a double lane road. I could tell he was going to punch it. My Mazda had fading blue paint, dents, and 150,000 miles on it. So I punched it too. We both took off like a shot! I could tell the guy next to me was surprised! I kept nose to nose with him. He wasn't babying his engine but we both were going about 65 and let off since we were in a little city. Maybe he didn't give it all it had... I don't know but the look on that guy's face made my day and man... I miss that car!
My first car in high school back in 05 was a red 91 mx6 gt, loved that car so much, bought it for $600 bucks it was mint in and out, i remember the owner would drive by my street everyday and one day I stopped him to ask if he was selling it and he said yes, it had a issue we’re it would over boost and hit boost cut, i bought it and turned out it had a stuck wastegate so I fixed it for free basically and the car never gave me any issues the 4 years I owned it
Mazda really had it going on in the 80s and 90s. They were a genuine competitor to say Honda and Toyota, offering more sporty options.
Same with Nissan.
@Kinky Streets Neighbors bought a '93 Maxima 4DSC in beige metallic and I lusted after that thing soooo bad.
323 GTX!!!
I agree! All was good until Ford came along and same with Nissan until Renault got involved.
Mazda just recently became noteworthy, the older Mazda are junk
These regiews are so awesome. Real opinions, quarter miles test, very thorough. The car's handling is magnificent.
Yeah, the regiews are great. Everyone ought to make regiews this good.
@@20alphabet Yeah, and no regrets on the regiews; not a single letter! 😉
We had one of these, a 1990 with optional 4 wheel steering and a 5-spd, it was damned fun to drive.
Me too. I had it from about 2002-2008. You just cannot beat the 5spd , it was so easy to drive . I had the non turbo 2.2 and it had no problem smoking first, some of second, and barking third gear. I didn't drive it like that very often. It had 240,000 miles when I traded it. I put over 100,000 miles on it and to the best of my knowledge the clutch was original. The paint was terrible though. Oh mine was regular 2 wheel steering. 4 wheel steering was a helluva option for that time.
Probably worth some great money today ....
It was a great car
>FWD
>fun to drive
I highly doubt that
@@hughjanus8211 I know what you mean but really this car was the exception. Rode well and handled very well with no front end plow.
Snippet of music at 2:41, “Hold Your Head Up” - Argent.
Somebody give this man a voltmeter...
I never had to concern myself with oil pressure or alternators on any Japanese car I've owned.
They absence of a voltmeter is shocking.
When the day comes that John retires, I hope someone presents him with a gold-plated voltmeter and oil pressure gauge instead of a watch.
Yes, and an oil pressure gauge as well. Older Chrysler products almost always had all 4 gauges he deems requisite.
Should have had oil pressure and turbo boost gauges.
The 1 Thumb Down is from a former Honda Prelude engineer in 1988.
I like the MX'6, but the Prelude was much nicer
The underrated mazda sport coupe.
I used to have a 86' Coupe Gt, still regret selling it.
Yes heavily underrated... I still miss mines..
This car with the 5 speed was a beast! We had one as a shop loaner car. It was very reliable too.
I thought her fingernails would snap off while she was pressing those switches and buttons
Those nails will haunt my dreams
T'was the 80s - people drank more milk. More milk = stronger nails. Science. Just imagine them wrapped around your crossmember.
@@MattExzy You are sick.
It was the 80's and very small buttons on car radios were the norm.
@@paulr.6993 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Argent: Hold your Head Up. Love that song, haven't heard it in ages.
1:53 John with his usual voltmeter/oil pressure gauge issues
Poor John's probably highly depressed with what 2021 models have to offer in that department.
I love the "blistered" fenders of the 80s like on this and many others of the time. Good to see Audi has them in some of their newest designs again.
Agreed. They look beefy and more masculine, to me.
Acura Legend Coupe back then had nice fender bulges.
I like these old throwback videos, i hate the way they press buttons like they're beating on drums though. Nobody smashes their buttons like the hand models of Motorweek..besides that these videos are gold.
I havent see one of these on the road in over 10 years. They are pretty cool looking. They kind of look better than my r32 gts-t and are probably more rare in the states at this point!
This lamb concurs.
Every Mazda I ever owned makes me smile, Ive had 2 rx7 , 1 Miata,1 mazda 6 , 1 mazda3 , 1 mazda b2000 , 1 mazda 929, I wish I had kept them all , Im a true Mazda fan boy
It's been almost 20 years since I had my MX6 GT, and it still had the best factory seats I've ever sat in.
Şuan aktif olarak kullanıyorum ve gerçekten koltukları çok konforlu😊
These are what I called the Fordzda years. I had a 92 Mercury Tracer LTS with the Mazda 1.8 and 5-speed. Great little car!
I had a 1989 Mx-6 in the late 90’s. One of the best cars I’ve ever owned. I always wanted GT version though.
I bought a used 1992 LX in 1999. Very good car. Dark red mettalic color. Some guy mentioned that the maroon valour interior looked like inside of a casket. It had the 5 speed A/C, sun roof and the rear spoiler. Even around 36 mpg hwy sometimes. Very comfortable everyday and on road trips.
The only two big problems were corroded the wiring and the rust (the fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines, floor pans and rocker panels). Drove from WI to VA with the heater on full blast, in August, because the radiator fan did not work because the electrical connections were corroded. The car overheated three hours outside of Indy, like the needle was all the way through the red. I stopped, let it cool down and the car was fine. I just had to remember to keep the heat ON! The 2.2 was one tough engine.
I sold it back in 2012 when the rust got bad. Looked real nice from the doors up though because I had it repainted four years prior. I thought it was a good looking, great driving car. I kind of wish I had a new one right now.
I had a 1990 in college in 1993. 175hp, electronic suspension, manual trans = I'd keep up with Camaros and 'Stangs on I-65 and they'd look over at me in surprise. Fast, fun, well built car that really had no downsides.
This is back in the day when people would buy coupe versions of sedans. Now it's very uncommon, only the Germans do it at a very high price point.
Fewer and fewer people are even buying mainstream sedans. Turns out, more and more people like the practicality of a CUV.
@@judethaddaeus9742 the answer is a bit more complex than that, and has a lot to do with marketing, economies of scale, and profit margins. But by all means, if you want a CUV, buy one.
Sadly, even the Germans are calling fastback sedans and CUV's 4 door coupes now. Actual two door coupes are starting to become a dying breed.
@@donaldwilson2620 yes, because people simply don't want them. Personally, being born in the early 70s in the United States, two door cars were extremely common. Even people with small children. Of course we didn't have car seats back then. My parents had them as well. As a result, I know I grew up hating cars with two doors. They were just a pain in the ass. And getting in the back is not as easy as now, the front seats did not fold up the way they do now. It seems this was a common feeling in my generation. When we grew up, unless it's a sports car, we want four doors.
@@kevinbarry71 Funny - I am the opposite. Four doors to me screams 'family car'.
John made no mention of the oscillating center vents...nice touch in my 91 sedan!
Always enjoy Retro Reviews, not just for the automotive content, but also for the music whenever they happen to turn on the ol' frequency modulation device. This time, a little number from English rock band Argent.
Was all hyped until i saw the Auto shift... I had a 1988 626Gt hatch made in Japan.. 5 Speed orelse buy an LX.... Best car i ever had🙂
Stylish, quick, excellent brakes. Seems like a great packaged car all around for 1988.
Had this in an 89 version. Very fun in high school!
Keep the retro review coming because I'm pretty sure the majority of us on this channel are here for the retro reviews:)
sure, we are.
My father had one when I was younger. It was our weekend family car, accommodating four people really nicely. He loved the 4 Wheel Steering and the turbo. Sunroof was a nice extra, having cruise control and central locking all while being a manual. He ended up selling it for the new Gen MX-6 which was a bomb of a car and sold it not long after then bought a brand new MPS 6. He regrets selling the MX-6 GT. Would love to get my hands on one some day to cruise in on the weekends.
55-0 in 98ft! That is very impressive.
This lamb concurs.
This was technically my first car, I had the 1988 version Manual, White with blue interiors. I was crazy about the car, the suspension was adjustable it was way advanced for 1995 when I acquired it. Every body liked the car.
Imagine this car new, but with today's performance tires and brakes!
I was so excited when I seen the thumbnail, but so depressed when I saw the A/T shifter lol.... the M/T version was actually 155hp. I still remember the vin to my 88’ GT; JM1GD3138J1505583
I bought one of these new in 1989. Mine was a 5 speed. The 145hp rating was a joke. It had at least 190 in reality. This thing was the king of freeway rollons. 70-120 happened in a flash, never leaving 5th gear. I surprised a large number of so called sports cars in the MX6-GT. It was the best sleeper I ever owned.
My best friend mom's had one and his dad used to bring it to the Tuesday drag night trough the early 90's. It was kinda fast.
My first car purchase was an '89 MX-6 GT that I bought new. It was a great car. Fast, efficient, stylish, and very reliable. Sold it in 2006 with 227,000 miles on it. I had a family of 3 and a dog by then and the car needed a clutch (original was starting to slip), tires, and other stuff. Sold it for $1,200 which was a lot of money for a 17-year-old car with that many miles. I miss that thing. It would get 32 mpg on the highway and with nearly 16-gallons, I could drive 500 miles or until my bladder said it was time to pull over. Yes, the torque steer was a bear and the turbo came on strong in 1st and 2nd gear. I didn't dare race much other than Mustangs if the roads were wet as it would light up the front tires. The Mustangs couldn't get traction either so sometimes I could take them. Good times and thanks for the reminder, MotorWeek!
Of the three MX series, only the MX-5 survived.
•MX-3 = 1.8L DOHC V6
•MX-5 = RWD Roadster (Miata)
•MX-6 = Turbo 4-wheel-steering
😭 I'm grateful for the one
I love the MX-3 and MX-6. the Miata was too bubbly
Man, we had an ‘86 5spd 626 and my best friend’s mom had a ‘90 5spd 626. His sister had this model of MX-6 but in grey. They got rid of it and got a black 4 cyl auto MX-6. His mom then got a brand new ‘93 5spd ES V-6 626. It was blacked-out with 17” (huge for the day) 5-spoke BBS rims, leather and everything! We used to cruise in that thing like we were in an RX-7! 😂 My mom then got a ‘93 4cyl 626 5spd..then got a ‘95 Millenia. She also got later in years a ‘95 S’chgd Millenia. Needless to say, we kept Mazda says in check between our families.😎
In Germany, the car was offered as the Mazda 626 Coupe. I had a 1989 as a manual car with 2.2l engine / 115hp (12 valve) in "GLX" equipment. Except for sunroof there were no extras to add. The special feature was the cruise control. Top speed was 185km/h.
The top engine was the GT 2.0 / 16v with 140hp (without turbo; it was not offered in Germany).
I'm dying over her mom pants, sun glasses, finger nails and the put-out look on her face. She really needs her own retro show on Netflix.
Holy wow, were those nylon pants? That’s even more baffling than the usual mom jeans...
They look like scrubs!
This car always reminds me of the Nissan Skyline R32 GT-S. Love it!
I had a 1988 626 and I loved it!!
It was well known that this engine was under-rated in horsepower by Mazda. Most people claim it was more like ~190hp, based on its acceleration times with a 5spd. Torque was accurate. Not sure why they did this back then. To escape some kind of import charges or insurance fees?
i had alot of fun in this car. i had a black mx6 gt turbo automatic. went very fast and impressed my friends.
being a foolish highschooler i drove drunk and flipped it racing down a cornfield road on a sharp turn into a ditch. i didnt have a scratch on me, was amazing how i didnt get hurt. wonderful car. i miss it
I had one exactly the same as the one they are testing. Loved that car.
1:51 Here we go again...
LOL! LOL! LOL! The infamous missing oil pressure and voltmeter gauges. 😂🤣😂
Classic John Davis..
...or the old "you have to reach too far for the radio" broken record.
@@scdevon To be honest that's a fair complaint. Especially when driving it might be hard to reach for the radio
93-97 Galant please!
I had a '91 626. The interior looked almost exactly like this, except for the steering wheel and "passive restraint" mechanical shoulder harness. The exterior didn't look much different either. Mazda hadn't changed much of anything in three years. They hadn't fixed the torque steer problem either, I had a lot of it with my 626 and it wasn't even a turbo.
I was surprised to hear the Probe only mentioned once toward the end. I was under the impression this vehicle was developed jointly but maybe I'm wrong
1:29 John: THE DASH'S SEMI-GLOSS MOLDED PLASTIC DOESN'T SAY UPMARKET SPORTS COUPE! LOL
It’s almost as though the MX-6 wasn’t designed to be an upmarket sports coupe, but a slightly sportier replacement for the 626 coupe! Wait, what’s that? It cost the same as a Honda Prelude and thousands less than the base 3-Series? YOU DON’T SAY!
The 1st generation Mazda MX-6 is known as the Mazda Capella C² in Japan. Also, the 1st generation MX-6 is known as the Mazda 626 coupé in Europe.
never heard of the mx-6 before that video
As someone who is old enough to remember watching this the first time around; one thing I have always wondered, and still do, is why 5 mile per hour bumpers are considered a safety item. They have nothing to do with safety; they were mandated expressly to reduced costs for repairs for minor accidents.
MW was padding their “safety check” qualifications so just about every car would “pass.” Radial tires had been universally adopted by new cars more than a decade prior to this review, yet they included radials as a safety feature even though every car had them. Might as well have had “laminated windshield” on the list, too.
Karen Hill did a great job demonstrating interior features here.
I remember those ''jumper/pullover/sweater/jerseys''......oh and the MX-6 and its 4ws.! :)
John Davis always flexing the voltmeter and oil pressure gauge 80s and 90s car
Used to ride in this MX-6 when I was a kid. Not a GT one though. Full of memories ........ really a nice car. And now I drive a MX-5 ND2
I'd drive this car daily.
Shit, I'd drive it hourly! I love it.
I want MotorWeek to make a compilation cassette. 3 seconds of each 80's classic with horrible equaliser quality, separated by someone kicking the crap out of a manual gearbox.
I was a little kid back then but Growing up my mom had a 89 Camry. By the early 1990s as I was older I always thought that Mazda built a more substantial class you're looking car but I remember taking a road trip N a She gets 90 Mazda 626. I was only 11 but I remember sitting in the back seat Thinking That it was not only hard to hear the radio but that it was also hard to get comfortable. This was back in the days before kids more seatbelts in the back seat LOL. I recently came across a 1992 Mazda 626 that was owned by an old man who had only driven the car 22000 miles. This car was like a time capsule in had been a garage its entire life. Sitting in the car It all came back to me. Before selling the car I put brand new michelin tires Hoping that the harsh choppy ride was due to the old good years tires that were on the car But no it was the car. And although the Des board looked upscale it was one hard plastic hollow piece That sounded as if there was not a scrap of insulation underneath it. Being in South Florida I come across old "one owner" cars with ridiculous Li lo miles on them. I call them "condo cars" because they're driven by all the old farts in the condos that only drive to the doctor's office or the grocery store every other week. I've driven Tons of old camrys like the one my mom had and they still feel like solid substantial cars that may not look as flashy although 30 years later I think the interior designs including fit and finish still hold up pretty well. I was just surprised at how hollow and cheap feeling the Mazda 626 and MX6 felt but it shouldn't be that surprising because honestly when was the last time you saw one? I still see tons of old camrys accords and maximas Driving around. Of course now they usually have Chrome rims and giant speaker boxes in the back of them but they're still kicking.
The 6 5 door looks great
The only car that I used to own that I miss. Fantastic car for it’s time.
Wait what... "Safety check" includes radial tires? What cars came with bias ply tires in 1988? I thought bias ply went away in the 70's.
Some cars still had non radials by then.
I had this exact car. Loved it.
A friend had one a couple of years newer. It was one of his favorite cars.
12-valve 4 cylinder...same engine in the Ford Probe? I swear my buddy's old '90 Probe had that same powerplant. I know Ford and Mazda shared lots of parts back in those days.
Yes, the probe and mx6 were identical mechanically. The chassis was also almost identical.
You would never hear a modern review critique maintenance and repair items.
You also don't hear about modern new vehicle buyers not financing; there has been a shift where people who care about long term ownership costs usually aren't the ones buying new.
I love the 90s cars!!
Excellent and very fun to drive, but he's right about the torque steer. When the turbo built boost, you'd better have both hands on the wheel. It pulled so hard, it would make a right turn if you let it.
Mx6 looks so good in 2020..it has aged well.
looks good in 2023 too Josh...haha
I can’t believe he didn’t point out the oscillating air vents!
forgot about those. loved my 91 GT
My 626 had those..coolest thing ever...lol
yes indeed, those vents are unforgettable...
Love these reviews
My 1st car back in 97. Used car lot have a deal. 5999.99 worked at tacobell to pay it off. Simpler times. Great car until a snowstorm put me into a guardrail. It was replaced with a integra gsr!
I cannot remember what year it was but I drove a black MX6 GT turbo with a 5 speed. That thing could move very well. The turbo was very strong.
I remember that car! I always thought is was one great looking car.
Was 4WS ever available for the USDM model?
Yep in 1988-90 but was discontinued for 1991 due to poor sales.
Yes, Honda Preludes dude.
Only available on the 626 Sedan for 88-89, not the MX6 Coupe models
i had an 89 mx-6 gt turbo 4ws with a 5 speed. all the 4ws cars were made in japan.
4WS was available on the 626 Turbo for the 88 model year only. The MX-6 GT had it as an option for 89-90 but it wasn't a popular option though.
How can the interior trim be a miss???
I think the interior looked like a 90s car interior, in my opinion
@@jululugz2893 the dashboard kinda looks similar to a 1990-93 Honda Accord lol
I agree. The dash looked like a high point if anything.
I'd forgotten how nice looking those were. With their rousing 145 HP.
isn't that actually a 626 coupe GD (second gen)? im pretty sure I've seen a few similar looking mazda cars with 626 badges on the trunk.
The next gen model shared with the Probe built in Michigan was a hot little coupe, and I always preferred it to the "domestic" version. It's too bad neither maker makes sport coupes, as you have to import something from Korea or Germany to get anything close these days.
How come the Mazda 626 was 0.4 seconds faster?
I still see many of these things on the road
I had the 1989 Ford Probe GT Turbo back then, it is the MX-6 counterpart, same base and engine, and I preferred the Probe to the Mazda anytime.
I also thought the 1983-87 Mazda 626 coupe was a cool looking car as well. I remember watching a lot of T.V shows in the 80's and seems like the 626 coupe was very popular with many good looking female buyers.
It looks pretty nice but who would decide on this over the Prelude?
This thousand times called "German inspired designed Car" never get sold in Germany as far as i know. At least in this Gen.
Actually it was 😀This was my first car, I live in Germany. But it was only a 2.2 12v non turbo with 116ps.There was no turbo option in Germany. It was called the 626 coupe.
I also don't see how the front fascia resembles European cars of the time? Mercedes, no. BMW, no. Saab, pretty sure no. Peugeot or something?
There were still at least a few of this generation MX-6 in Germany when I was there for the U.S. Army in 2001. Yes, they were 10 years or older too. One Spec 4 drove a GT with the optional Hella grille. Meaning it was an after market front grille that fit just like the original with integrated driving or fog lights that were, I guess, pretty handy on the autobohn in the winter time fog and mist.
They under rated the hp on this car. I stole one of these (a 5 speed manual) back when I was a car thief. I topped it out @ 134 mph. No car can run that fast with 145 hp.
European 626 GT with 2.0 16V engine is supposed to make 148hp from factory.
car thiefs in 2021 dont know how to drive a stick 😆
@@hank1556 I bought a 2004 Golf 5 speed to teach my niece how to drive.
Dyno graphs of these engines disagree with your statement. They made 145hp, but with so much torque and gearing to make use of the torque, along with a reasonably aerodynamic shape, it could definitely go that fast. My Ford Probe with only about 15hp more and a more aerodynamic shape could (and did) go over 140mph.
@@ouch1011 I been waiting on someone like you to pull that, I got a Probe bs. What year is your Probe?
The test car needed a manual, great video I'd take prelude or celica but that's a good looking car
I'd take them too or a BMW 325i 2dr or 4dr
I would take the Prelude over the MX6
@2:21 built in partnership with Ford, but they took the steering wheel out of an early 90s Chevy Lumina EuroSport or Z/34...
I remember my dad bought bought one of these new in '88 but it wasn't the GT version.
I used to have this exact model
I haven't seen these cars in so many years. A fifth grade teacher knew used to like had one in black last time saw one was in late 2004 it was a white one. These cars are cool look at some on website that been salvaged my favorite color in one would be white like those wheels on the GT model that was when people bought coupes looks like a coupe drive to college or the beach they are so rare now but loved these Mazda's.
Even for today's standards it's still a nice car and still fast enough
it is a great car, I own a GLX 2.0 12v model, because of the age it is a difficult car to maintain but it behaves very well!
The librarian at my elementary school traded an '86 Tempo for one.
Good call
What, did she get the base coupe with the crank windows? Big upgrade still.
I wish they did a test on the 2.0 Turbo Sunbird, while this Mazda had 145 hp the Sunbird had 165 hp.
At least Davis liked the seat fabric.
I see this Mazda came with the standard rust package.
As soon as I see it, I clicks and I sits.