This next car comes in as a tip from Matt C who writes: I had to check if this was the same brown, rear wheel drive, four door, manual transmission Mazda 626 that I sent in two years ago. It isn't, which is good because it would have been sad to see that earlier example get so badly deteriorated in such a short time. But it is running, driving, and looks like it could be saved with a little effort. Find this 1981 Mazda 626 5 Speed offered for $1000 in Milledgeville, GA via craigslist.
Do you remember when Mazda built econoboxes that were fun to drive? Wait...they still build some of the most fun poor people haulers on the planet, but why is the MX-5 the only car that gets right-wheel-drive? How much of the BMW 3-series would be converted by a rear-drive Mazda 6...not that you'll see it in the showrooms today, but there was a time when you could get a Mazda sedan capable of doing donuts after church on a Sunday with the entire family. Find this 1980 Mazda 626 Capella offered for $3,900 in Vinings, GA via craigslist. Tip from Matt C.
The original Mazda 626 named was first applied to a front-engine rear-drive sedan/coupe in 1978. The 626 was known as the Capella in its home market, but over here in the land of the free, it was Mazda's mid sized offering with a focus on luxury. Find this 1982 Mazda 626 Coupe here on eBay
bidding for $4,050 with 2 days to go, located in Pullyaup, WA.
The second generation Mazda Capella was badged as the 626 for the US Market and sold from 1979 through 1982. There was a 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan version, but both rode on MacPherson front with a four link sold beam axle out back. Find this 1980 Mazda 626 Capella offered for $5,900 in Vinings, GA via craigslist.
Mazda has always been the Japanese equivalent to Chrysler (or maybe AMC...no...Subaru is AMC) -- not quite number one or two (Honda/Toyota and GM/Ford) in terms of sales but always releasing strangely appealing vehicles. The first generation US spec Mazda 626 (aka 2nd generation Capella) certainly qualifies as quirky, but is it something you would ever want to drive? Find this 1982 Mazda 626 offered for $4,800 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
When it comes to the clean car feature search, there are a few things we look for in a late model car. Let's check the short list; manual transmission, original owner, low miles, nice condition, and stock -- if a car meets those requirements it really doesn't matter if it is a Yugo or a Saab -- like this next piece. Find this 1983 Mazda 626 5psd offered for $2,450 in Danville, CA via craigslist. Tip from Kaibeezy.
The 2nd generation Mazda Capella was known outside Japan as the Mazda 626 and featured classic front-engine rear-drive setup and a few basic 4-cylinder powerplant options. Of course the best versions where saved for the Japanese domestic market and here in North America we only got a smog-choked 80 horsepower from 2-liters, but the owner of this one tossed that lump on the scrap heap and fired up the sound of ten thousand killer bees. Find this 1980 Mazda 626 Coupe 13B Powered for sale in Kansas City, KS (just where is Waldo anyway?) for $4,000 via craigslist. Tip from Christian E.
Modern automakers get flak for changing their
numerology (I'm looking at you, BMW) and confusing everybody. Is it a
greater sin to change major driveline and layout characteristics and
keep the same name? Find this rear-drive 1982 Mazda 626 coupe with
40,000 miles for $2,800 in San Antonio, Texas. Words and tip from DT commenter & contributor slowcarSLOW-MPGlol. 
The GC generation Mazda Capella was a mid-sized sedan built in Japan for world wide distribution. It was released in 1982 and in a departure from previous rear-drive versions, it was front-engine, front-wheel-drive. As much as this may make purists throw small tantrums it was, arguably, a better car in every way from the previous version as it introduced a turbocharged engine and independent suspension at all four corners. Find this 1985 Mazda 626 LX 5-spd for sale in Tustin, CA for $2,400 via craigslist.