Mid 90's mazda 929's Any good?

[stockNAfairlane]

Ive noticed these around a lot lately and i really like the look of them but i have a few questions someone might be able to answer (google doesnt seem to help me here).

Are they easy to work on yourself?
What are service costs and fuel economy?
Do they have any power?
Are they just crap?


IF anyone knows anything about these cars post up please. Im especially interested in servicing and how they react to mods.

Thanks guys

[Fairlane]

Pretty solid car, if i remember correctly they have around a 3.0lv6, fuel economy is pretty good. But they are an extremely heavy car and parts can be hidiously expensive, but they are reliable and typical japanese built. As for Mods NFI, they are RWD, but i have NFI what people do to them, guessing turbo i suppose.

Better of with an LS400, but i can dig up some info for you.

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...256D490029241F

just check my autospeed subscription- Turns out, but a toyota 1jz in a 929- so thats a mod i guess- also

The second most powerful Mazda six is also fitted to a luxury saloon – the vehicle recognised in Australia as the mid ‘90s 929. The JE-ZE is a 3.0-litre, DOHC, 24-valve V6 with a 9.5:1 compression ratio. In Japanese spec it’s rated at 151kW at 6000 rpm and 272Nm at 3500 rpm. This engine is essentially a DOHC version of the JE 3.0-litre V6 released in the early-mid ‘80s.

[ZA-289]

I reckon their snot, but they do look nice and have lots of features, but parts are hard to get and expensive, their are also hard to work on yourself, and finally they have lots of things to go wrong.

[It'sTheVibe]

I've got an old Wheels or Motor under a pile of mags in the garage, where they did a comparo between the 929, a Calais and 2 other mid-range luxury cars (can't remember which). If you're interested, I'll dig it out and email you a scan of the review.

[irsa76]

Great cars when new and under warranty, I was an apprentice at the local Mazda dealer at the time. Hugely expensive to fix, or even maintain. As they are RWD and have 4WS most wheel aligners won't touch them, or if they do charge a fortune. And if the alignment is out they will destroy tyres and apparently the rear steering rack in quick time. The engine is tough, also used the RWD MPVs, but the auto is also massively expensive when it goes bang. Iirc the auto was used in the MPV and the Cosmo. I also belive the diff was used in the Cosmo and RX7. At the time they were called the Japanese Jag. If you find a good one, and they are out there, and are prepared to spend money on it they are a very nice car.

[MITCHAY]

Wasn't there a Eunos version which had a S/C engine? Someone on here posted up one I think. Beautiful cars though especially dumped on some nice wheels.

[irsa76]

The Eunos 800 had the "Miller cyle" engine, not sure what it was all about as we weren't the Eunos dealer. While both cars were the same size, and price, they were completely unrelated.

[stockNAfairlane]

When you say "massively expensive" what figures am i looking at?

[stockNAfairlane]

And that comparo article would be a great help if its not too much trouble thanks.

[It'sTheVibe]

ok, PM me your email address and I'll try and get it done tomorrow.

[irsa76]

Originally Posted by stockNAfairlane

When you say "massively expensive" what figures am i looking at?

The prices I remember were from 1996/97, the auto had a list price of $14,000. The average 4 wheel alignment is a couple of hundred dollars, due to it taking an hour or so. Most parts would be Mazda only due to the low volume, and Mazda is not cheap for some parts.

[Aulpgute]

In their day they were a very sleek 'Japanese Jaguar' but due to them being overweight for their engine and obscenely expensive spares prices they have always been the poor cousin to their obvious competition, the Toyota Cressida Grande. 15 yrs later at todays prices they would make an awesome project for a fat V8 transplant, proper wheels and suspension etc...

[InfernoSR]

DOnt know about the 90's 929, but the 80's are alot of fun