| WHO TO CALL: ™ Auto Editor a Andrew McCredie 985-2131 (147) a? PITA aa rine Seated re Base price (DX): $19,995 Price as tested (ES Type: four-door, five-passenger compact sedan Layout: engine/front-wheel-drive Engine: 2.5 1 V6 DOHC 24 valves Horsepower: 160 @ 5,500 rp.m. Torque: 156 ft-lbs. @ 5,000 rp.m. ‘Transmission: five-speed man- ual (four-speed automatic). Curb weight: 1,351 kg (2,979 Ibs.) $30,295 transverse — front NEWS photo Paul McGrath THE 1996 Mazda 626 Cronos remains basically unchanged for 1996 except for a new grille and hood. This four-door, front-wheel-drive compact sedan offers great -handiling, but the standard four-cylinder engine doesn’t have a lot of horsepower. Test drive the Mazda 626 Cronos at Wolfe Mazda, 1595 Boundary Rd., Vancouver. iazda desic THOUGH. IT's been about threé-and-half years since the Mazda 626 Cronos model was introduced, this compact front-wheel-drive Jopanese sedan has aged ~ rather weil. Greg Its rounded styling, which has - virtually no sharp edges to speak ‘of, looked untisual in 1992, but is : now a mainstream look. Its superb “handling, which was a pleasant surprise for a compact sedan back ~ then, is now commonplace and still _compares well with newer, perfor- mance-oriented sedans like the Ford Contour and Plymouth Breeze. "In fact, the 626 was a trendsetter in many respects. But since ‘its styling was a bit ahead of its time — and that Mazda is a smaller company than principal Japanese rivals Toyota, Honda and Nissan, and doesn’t have the same kind of marketing clout or dealer network — the 626 failed to get the recognition it deserved. <” There are only a few changes for 1996, notably a new grille “and contoured hood which make the 626 look like the bigger Millenia sedan. Driving the 626 after a lapse of a few years reminded me of what a pleasant car this is to drive. The 626 and the MX-6 “Mystere coupe share the same platform, which is also shared ‘with the Ford Probe. All of them are built at a Ford/Mazda plant -dn Flat Rock, Michigan. . ; “95 JEEP V8 GRAND CHEROKEE LTD. * Optionol Leather —® Sale or lease Country Susp. ® Two Available most New ® Limited Model © 6 Months Old 3,000 ‘93 Storm GSI ‘94 Supreme Conv, ‘95 Neon . ‘94 Corsica . "9 Possat GL ‘9S tumina V6 .. KE ‘94 Comoro 228 ILE. Wilson ‘93 Grand Prix “SE” 4 dr. With its wide track. fully independent suspen- sion, and some special Mazda suspension tweaks, the 626 offers some of the best handling available in a front-wheel-drive sedan. In addition, it has the look and feel of a well-built car which inspires more confidence and respect. Like most of its competitors, the 626 Cronos is available with a standard four-cylinder engine or an optional V6 engine. The standard 2-litre DOHC 16 valve four-cylinder engine is a delightfully smooth engine, but its 114 horsepower is less than most of its newer competitors. Equipped with the standard five-speed manual transmission, the 626 goes from 0 to 100 km-h (62 m.p.h.) in an accept- able 10.7 seconds. But with the automatic trans- mission, it takes a rather slow 13 seconds. Still, horsepower isn't everything, especially for everyday driving chores, and it does get great gas mileage, 9.4 1/100 km (30 m.p.g.) around town and 6.6 V100 km (43 m.p.g.) on the highway when equipped with the manual transmission (slightly more with the automatic trans- mission). In addition, the lighter weight of the four-cylinder engine (compared to the V6) improves the car's front to rear weight ratio, thereby improving handling. The optional 2.5-litre DOHC 24 valve V6 engine has 160 horsepower and more torque, providing substantially more instant throttle response. With the manual transmission, 0 to (00 km-h is achieved in 8.5 seconds, and with the four-speed automatic, it’s 10.8 seconds. (Eagle-eyed readers will notice that the four-cylinder 626 with the manual transmission is fuster than the six-cylinder car with the automatic transmission, at least ina Q to 100 km-h drag). Fuel consumption with the six- test drive in stands test of time cylinder engine and a manual transmission is 11.8 1/100 km (24 m.p.g.j in the city, and 8.6 1/100 km (33 m.p.g.) on the highway. Those who prefer shifting their own gears should note that the 626 offers a manual transmission combined with a V6 engine — something not all Japanese sedans offer. — - Performance and handling aside, the 626 has wonderfully simple und attractive interior that is both spacious and airy. A low hood and lots of window glass provide excellent outward visibility, and interior room is surprisingly spacious considering the 626’s relatively short 2,610 mm (103 in.) wheelbase. The new 626 also boasts a few unique interior features. Centre vents cun be made to oscillate from side to side, much like many home fans do. And the console positioned shift lever can be locked in position with a key. The 626 is available in three trim levels: DX, $19,995; LX, 22.400; and ES, $30,295. The DX is available with a four- cylinder engine only: the LX offers a choice of four- or six- cylinder engines; and the ES comes only with the V6 engine. The DX includes such standard equipment as dual airbags, power steering, AM/FM stereo radio with auto-reverse cassette deck and four speakers, 60/40 split folding rear seatbacks with locks, one-speed intermittent wipers, tachometer, adjustable steering wheel, rear defroster, (wo cupholders, and 195/65R-14 inch tires. The four-cylinder LX adds air-conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control. The top-ot-the-line ES adds a standard V6 engine. four wheel disc brakes with ABS, Icather upholstery, power glass sunroof with sunshade, CD player, leather-wrapped steering wheel, six-way power driver's seat, and bigger 205/5SHR-15 inch radials and alloy wheels. If you're considering a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, or an import-oriented domestic sedan, the 626 is certainly worth comparing. LS GHEVAIOLET. | ‘95 Grond Cherokee Ud... ‘95 Chevy Ext, Cab ... "95 Chevy 5-10 Ext. .. "89 Ford 3/4t. dxd ... "8° Chevrolet Ext. Cob ‘88 Bronco ‘Eddie Baver” . B88 Jeep SY oo csssen * Collector Car @ THE LAST YEAR! * Both Tops Incl. * Rare Offering e Pearl Firemist *95 CHEVY BLAZER LT * Leather Seats © Touring Model ¢ Fully Equipped Keyless Eni * Custom Alloys « 6 Months Old © From $459. 00/mo. C29 50 "$23, 488 $16,550 ‘92 Caravan V6