Posted on 01/22/2005 8:18:53 PM PST by BenLurkin
Making a list of the worst cars of all time, which we compiled last year, is easier than making a list of the worst cars currently on the market because, frankly, all cars are built pretty well these days.
However, even now in the early days of the 2005 model year, several vehicles stand out for subpar performance in several important categories--in some cases, matters of life and death such as safety.
What follows is a roundup of the ten worst cars on the market, based on three criteria: the worst crash test scores, the lowest projected reliability and the lowest projected residual values. We thought about castigating cars for multiple recalls, but the 2005 model year is too young to do so (most recalled '05 models have been recalled only once so far). Furthermore, consumers often ignore such issues as recalls--unless they are for universally dangerous reasons, such as spontaneously exploding gas tanks--in favor of style, sex appeal or raw power.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the cars in the slide show are not particularly sexy. Several of them are among the cheapest cars on the market.
In the interest of fairness, we excluded from consideration all cars that are in the process of being killed, such as General Motors' (NYSE:GM - News) Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire, both of which have horrendous crash test scores. Excluding lame ducks, there are no cars currently sold in the U.S. that suffer the indignity of a one-star crash test rating. Out of a possible five stars, several achieved two-star ratings, and we included all of those models.
The source for all crash test scores is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation that administers vehicular safety laws.
Whatever your current political leanings, we advise you to trust the government when it says you and your kids could have a 21% to 25% chance of serious injury in a particular car--at least trust it enough not to buy that car.
For reliability, we looked to Consumer Reports. For projected residual value, we went to the bible of the automotive resale world: the Kelley Blue Book Residual Value Guide.
Read on to see which vehicles earned warnings from the government, and to see the rest of the worst 2005-model cars.
OK, I'm not in a particularly good mood. So no Geo Metro jokes, eh?
the worst car in 2005 is any one driven in the Sunni Triangle
Is the Segway considered a car? Head on crash rating must suck!
The Ford Fairmont was a dog.
Best used car deal?
A late model Lincoln.
They are very expensive brand-new, but their resale value plummets right off the lot.
here's no market for them outside of the Florida retirement community.
So, you can pick up a used one, with hardly any miles on it, for a song.
"HUOM! Katso artikkeli autosta FordMusclen nettisivuilta...!"
(At least that's what the website says)
A Fairmont with a 5.0L (302 ci) was not a bad vehicle at the time.
I'm not entirely sure I believe these ratings. Consumer Reports sometimes comes up with some pretty odd results.
This guy has done some work on his it seems.
1987 and 1980 Ford Mustang 4 cyl.
I had one of these Futuras. The harmonic damper sheared off after only 700 miles and ruined the bearings on the crankshaft and the whole engine had to be rebuilt. Two Ford dealerships refused to fix it under warranty and I eventually found a Lincoln Mercury dealership that aqreed to fix it. It was a good car after that, but what a miserable beginning.
Pontiac Aztec - for being so damn ugly.
Isn't that Super Dave Osborn driving that?
He's thinks he's an airplane, eh!
hey. I had a Fairmont with a straight 6, a 1979. The crankshaft was working it's way out of the block and that thing still ran like a raped ape. It looked like hell, the interior was shot, the guy I got it from wanted it off his property, he gave it to me. That car got me around for a year before I finally took it apart (I have this need to completely disassemble a motor when I'm done with it, drives my husband crazy, and it tears the heck out of my nails).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.