My mother owns a 98 626 with the 2.0L. Her guy basically obliterated a brand new transmission (previous owner had it installed) and now I'm on the hunt for a good used transmission. I was told since it is essentially a Ford platform, any transmission from a similar motor (Contour, Escort, etc) would interchange. I can't find any from a mazda since they're coveted here where I'm at and was wondering if a Ford 2.0L transmission would interchange. Any input is appreciated.

 

It appears the US spec GF 626 was different to the rest of the world. Weather or not its running gear was shared with other models eg Ford Telstar is unknown. The escort was a European designed & built so its unlikely to share running gear with a Japanese designed platform.

Wikipedia shows the escort & contour ( Mondeo ) used European Duratec & Zetec engines.