# Replace or Repair?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-or-repair/37620>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** mazda, 626\
**Created:** [October 5, 2009, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-or-repair/37620 "2009-10-05T13:53:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cee\_Jay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Cee\_Jay](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cee_Jay)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-or-repair/37620/1 "2009-10-05T13:53:09Z")

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I’ve got a 1999 Mazda 626 that needs a new transmission. It’s going to be a lot of money to repair, but other than the transmission, it’s a good car. I know I’ll probably pay more to fix than it’s worth, but buying a new (used) car is going to cost even more.

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 2:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-or-repair/37620/2 "2009-10-05T14:16:04Z")

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I would get a few estimates for replacement. Remember you can always look into a used(more risk) transmission for typically the least expensive route.

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 2:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replace-or-repair/37620/3 "2009-10-05T14:35:43Z")

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Before you go used, I’d do a little research. I’m pretty sure that the 626s of this general vintage were well known for transmission problems. (I think these came out of the Ford/Mazda joint venture - Mazda did the engines/Ford the transmissions. Go figure.)

As such, in this case I’d be hesitant to go with used.