What's the Worst Car You Ever Had?

[Miatatom]

Just saw a list of the worst cars GM ever built and the Vega was #4. I had one back in the 70s. It was a station wagon but with no windows in the sides except for the driver and passenger windows. It was a 74 and was dead by 1978. What a POS that thing was. A friend bought a Chevette and it was about as bad as the Vega.

[HomerS]

92 Mercury Topaz!!!  Bought brand new and I was like Norm walking into the bar on Cheers when it came in for service frequently.....everyone knew my name.  Before the warranty ran I out I sold it.  I was making good $$ by the end of my time with that POS and the dealership told me to look at the Mustang.  I said you can't fix this thing why would I spend more money with Ford?  Several Mitsubishi's, couple Dodge's, a Pontiac and now Genesis...I've not been back.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Yeah, probably a Vega.

I used to buy a lot of "broken" cars really cheap, fix 'em, drive 'em for a while to get the bugs worked out, and then find them good homes while making a modest profit.

I usually had several vehicles running at the same time, so if whatever "interesting" car was my daily at the moment needed work, I always had a backup...and I was the go-to guy whenever any of my friends needed a loaner for a day or two.

Anyway, I bought a sad little Vega running on two cylinders. It had been badly overheated, the rings had seized at some point and scored the cylinders, and it had fouled two plugs. New plugs and a couple of "anti-foulers" and she ran OK again, but smoked a little...and used oil. I still had to clean the plugs every week or so, but I liked the little car so I didn't really mind. It cleaned up quite well and looked nice (yellow with a white / hound's-tooth interior), was kinda fun to drive, and didn't use much gas.

It wasn't the kind of car I could really sell on, as the necessary periodic plug-cleaning was beyond the scope of most people who'd buy a really cheap car. So I decided to keep it as a long-term backup, and had actually been looking into sleeving the cylinders.

Anyway, I loaned it to a friend and the shrunk-in fuel line fitting fell out of the carb (typical Vega) while he was driving it. It sprayed fuel on the hot engine, caught fire, and burned to the ground. Like I said, I liked the little car and was really sad when it died...and I never understood why my "friend" hadn't done more to try to save it. End of the friendship, too...though it took me a few more years to learn to NEVER loan ANYTHING to ANYBODY.

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY

[Smoke Wagon]

Only 7 years of ownership experience across 4 vehicles so no crazy lemon stories from me. Worst/most inconvenient thing that happened to me on the road was either the fuel pump going out on my ‘80 F-150 (I had to push it out of a busy intersection and make the repair in a Staples parking lot) or the shifter cable snapping on my ‘03 Ram 1500 in a hotel parking lot, it still drove home fine and I replaced the broken cable the next day. A little mechanical knowledge and preventative maintenance goes a real long ways, partly why I’m still upset that auto shop classes have all but disappeared in high schools. Although overall, cars are lasting longer than before (at least the powertrains) and major repairs aren’t as frequent of an issue. For better or worse, they’re becoming less romanticized by the general public and thought of more as appliances. 

[Rob Hall]

35 years of driving, had 9 vehicles, mostly bought new or 2-3 years old at the time.  Never had anything too awful, but did have a few I kept too long, past the point where they became unreliable money pits..

[Joe Handley]

I think my ‘88 Dodge Shadow ES is probably the worst I’ve owned, but not horrible. The worst car that has been in the family was that ‘86 Pontiac 6000 LE sedan Dad bought in the early 90’s that I have mentioned elsewhere on this site is probably the absolute worst vehicle anyone  in the family has had! The only way calling a flaming pile would have been more accurate is if it had act aught fire and burned down vs getting totaled by sliding into/under the back bumper of a pick up that May have had brake light/tail light cutouts installed and in use.

[Oldcarfan27]

Worst car I've ever had is the Suburban my wife uses. She wanted a big truck for safety, so we got this one. Looked great on the lot and had low miles. It suits our needs perfectly, but the parts quality is ----.

Everything has had to be replaced, some of it twice! Alternator 2x, water pump, radiator 2x, power steering pump 2x, front brakes 2x, rear brakes, O2 sensors, control arms, entire steering system, A/C compressor 2x, A/C system 1x, all 4 window regulators and motors, blower motor and resistor 2x, fuel pump 3x, fuel injectors and entire fuel system.  Rear diff is making noise, but has been doing that for decades so I'll worry about that when it dies. Now there is rust bubbling up in a weird place - the roof, right above the windshield. Makes no sense, because we're in a dry part of California and there is no rust anywhere else on this thing!

Just poorly made parts from a company that thinks I'll just buy another car from them again. The only reasons we haven't gotten rid of it is we can't afford a new car, my wife only wants a big, safe truck like this and I don't have a lot of choices for a quality made SUV like she wants.

Good side of it is, at almost 200k, the original engine and trans run like brand new, so it's not like I haven't been trying to take care of it. It's just all the smaller parts from outside sources that just don't build things to last.

Saving grace is that I've learned how to practically rebuild this entire vehicle by myself. Unlike the new cars made today.

When it does get replaced, I plan on using the engine and trans in another car, maybe my project car in the garage, as I know how it runs.

[iamsuperdan]

I've had exactly one vehicle that was troublesome.

1990 Jeep YJ Islander. 4.2L inline-6, 5-speed manual.

 

Bought it in early 2005 with only 165,000km on it. One owner vehicle, and he gave me all of the service records for it. A little rusty, but very well maintained. Figured this would make a good vehicle to bomb around in for a while. 

Well, that didn't go quite as planned. About a week into owning it, the brake lights and rear turn signals stopped working. Very strange, as it passed the required insurance inspection the day after I bought it. 

So fixed that. Then put a decent head unit in it, cleaned it up so looked a little better.

About a month into owning it, it had to get towed for the first time. Just stopped running. Felt like it ran out of gas and would not restart. Carb issues. Dealer said they fixed it. Two weeks later, tow number 2. Different dealer could not diagnose any issues. 

 

Ran fine for a couple of months, then it was constant non-start or stalling issues. Every time, felt the same, like it was out of gas. Took it to a third dealer, and they said it was definitely the carb, but that they couldn't fix it. Apparently, Chrysler's Gold Star program or whatever it was called had a separate certification for carburetors, and none of their techs were certified, so they were not allowed to fix it. I was not amused.   Had a chat with the service manager and dealer principal. How could a Jeep dealer not be able to fix a Jeep? By this time, it was September, winter was coming, I was frustrated and fed up with this, and needed something reliable to drive. Turns out, Jeep was having their employee pricing sale, and had a new 2005 TJ Sport, in my preferred colours and spec. Spoke with the dealer principal again and the sales manager. They gave me a trade on the old YJ that was more than I paid for it in the first place and covered almost all fo the repairs I had spent on it over the previous few months. Plus employee pricing on the new Jeep. 

 

So the story ended well.

[Rob Hall]

Several familiar interior pieces in that TJ that look much the same as what was in my '00 WJ Grand Cherokee..steering wheel, HVAC controls, radio...always liked the TJ generation.

[iamsuperdan]

10 minutes ago, Rob Hall said:

Several familiar interior pieces in that TJ that look much the same as what was in my '00 WJ Grand Cherokee..steering wheel, HVAC controls, radio...always liked the TJ generation.

I miss it. It was an awesome vehicle. Did a bunch of stuff to it, put 100k on it over the next couple of years and it was bulletproof. Sold it and bought a new 08 JK Sahara. Tehcnically a better Jeep, but I kind of preferred the TJ.

 

[Rob Hall]

4 minutes ago, iamsuperdan said:

I miss it. It was an awesome vehicle. Did a bunch of stuff to it, put 100k on it over the next couple of years and it was bulletproof. Sold it and bought a new 08 JK Sahara. Tehcnically a better Jeep, but I kind of preferred the TJ.

 

I put 170k on my WJ GC from new, really enjoyed it...been happy the last 5 years w/ my WK2 GC, have thought about getting a TJ Wrangler or XJ Cherokee as a fun beater..

[stitchdup]

My worst was bmw e21 3 series. it looked ok until i put it on jackstands and they went through the floor. If i wasn't out from under it to answer the phone i wouldn't be here now

[imarriedawitch]

First car was a '75 Ford Pinto, even new it was a piece-o-BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH.

[bluestringer]

Yep, Vega. I had a 73. Aluminum block and head, it warped if it got just a little hot. My cousin also had one that we stuck a 427 in and took to the local dragstrip, it was a mean little runner. 

[John M.]

1 hour ago, bluestringer said:

Yep, Vega. I had a 73. Aluminum block and head, it warped if it got just a little hot. My cousin also had one that we stuck a 427 in and took to the local dragstrip, it was a mean little runner. 

That was my first car. Only had it 5 months before going into the Navy in early 1985. Paid only $200 for it in the summer of 1984. Decent on gas but the engine drank oil like crazy.

[stavanzer]

1973 Audi 100 4 door sedan. I bought it in 1981 from a good friend of my Dad's. (Some Friend.) He moved 2 weeks after selling me this turkey, and at 18, I had no idea how to work on this Germanic Back Birth. It had inboard Disc Brakes mounted next to the front transaxle. You could barely see them, let alone reach them to change the pads. When it ran, it handle well enough, and it was my first experience with FWD, but keeping it running was a PITA. Being German, and part VW, it had the same Horsehair stuffed seats that VW's had and the same damp, rotting smell that old VW's get. I paid $500.00 for it, drove it (when it ran) for about 6 months, and paid the Junk Yard $200.00 to haul it off. Worst Car by Far, in a lifetime of so-so cars.

(The 383 powered '65 New Yorker, was a close second)

[slusher]

A 1983 Buick Regal.  Always something wrong with it. One owner car I gave it and the payments to my brother he wanted it and it continued to dollar him to death. He was sick of it until his wife totaled it and he was released.. Then my wife wanted a 2008 G6 another car that was in and out of the shop until it was paid for. I took her and helped her get a Dodge Charger and she said never would she have another GM.  We couldn’t keep tires on it. Would wear 60 mile tires in 25 thousand miles. Lined up and rotated still would do it. 4 sets of tires in 5 years. Never wrecked. Dodge or ford is my brands.  

[stavanzer]

I'll never own another American branded car. 

Toyota, Honda, Hyundai or Kia are my go to cars.

Realistically, though, I may never purchase another car. My 2014 Toyota Sienna is probably the last car I'll ever own. 

Edited April 7, 2022 by stavanzer

[Rob Hall]

After 21+ years with Jeeps, I will likely keep buying Jeeps for my primary vehicle..my '14 Grand Cherokee (WK2) only has 56k, will probably upgrade to a WL Grand Cherokee 2 row in a few years, after the new inline 6 twin turbo becomes available.   I could see buying another Cadillac sedan or another V8 manual Mustang down the road, or a late model V8 manual Challenger.   Have thought about getting an older 4x4 pickup to use on my farm, depending on what I do long term with the property. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

4 hours ago, bluestringer said:

Yep, Vega. I had a 73. Aluminum block and head, it warped if it got just a little hot. 

Actually, the head was cast iron unless it was a Cosworth.

Cast iron head, alloy block...backwards from every other engine on the planet.

Semi-experimental no-liner silicon-impregnated engine block, iron-sprayed pistons, all intended to achieve a lighter, simpler, cheaper assembly; not a very good idea in the long run, though I've seen well maintained Vegas that ran fine until they rusted to non-economically-repairable swiss cheese.

Porsche 928 (and others) used the same Reynolds 390 or A390 aluminum/silicon block material, again linerless, and got it to work well enough...though rebuilding an alloy engine using a linerless block can be problematic.

https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/830010/

Edited April 7, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy

[bluestringer]

6 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Actually, the head was cast iron unless it was a Cosworth.

Cast iron head, alloy block...backwards from every other engine on the planet.

Semi-experimental no-liner silicon-impregnated engine block, iron-sprayed pistons, all intended to achieve a lighter, simpler, cheaper assembly; not a very good idea in the long run, though I've seen well maintained Vegas that ran fine until they rusted to non-economically-repairable swiss cheese.

Porsche 928 (and others) used the same Reynolds 390 or A390 aluminum/silicon block material, again linerless, and got it to work well enough...though rebuilding an alloy engine using a linerless block can be problematic.

https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/830010/

Yes, you are correct. I knew it was something that was mismatched about the block and head. Memory getting bad in my old age. 

[Jantrix]

I don't really have a worst car ....... so much as a worst luck car. 

Purchased a used 100,000 mile, '86 Jeep Grand Wagonaire. We bought cheap from a neighbor knowing it needed a transfer case, but ran great, no leaks. Suspension in great shape. Rust free. We were gonna have a great camping off the path, vehicle. All leather, AC blew cold. Drove it in rear wheel drive only for a while, as we saved for the transfer case. $2200 later we had a new or rebuilt tranny/xfer case. We were VERY happy. I spend another $300 fixing this or that, window motors and the like, in the driveway. One evening driving home in the left lane of I70, I noticed a ticking sound, and looked down and saw my oil pressure gauge bottoming out. I threw on my directional but by the time I got through the rush hour traffic to the shoulder, the ticking had become a kabang-kabang! Just as I shut off the ignition to coast to a stop, the busted rod, exited the bottom of the oil pan. 

The Jeep sat for a few months while we reviewed our options. I shopped around for a short block and was astounded at the $4000-6000 prices I was getting. When I found a reasonable price, the fella on the phone said, "Wait a sec, what year was that?" "86", I replied. "Oh", says he. "That's the last year the Jeeps had an AMC 360, not a Mopar 360. it's going to be much more expensive, if you can find one at all."

I knew the engine was a 360 but for whatever reason I just figured it was a Mopar engine. I never checked. I didn't know enough about either engine for the distributor location to be give-away.

Sigh. It still stings to this day. Changing it over to a Chevy small block would have been just as expensive, I found. As an E-5 in the service with a wife and two kids, there was a limit to the money we could spend on it.

I sold it for $800 to the guy who'd towed me home a few months before. ?

Edited April 8, 2022 by Jantrix

[Oldcarfan27]

10 hours ago, Jantrix said:

I don't really have a worst car ....... so much as a worst luck car. 

Purchased a used 100,000 mile, '86 Jeep Grand Wagonaire. We bought cheap from a neighbor knowing it needed a transfer case, but ran great, no leaks. Suspension in great shape. Rust free. We were gonna have a great camping off the path, vehicle. All leather, AC blew cold. Drove it in rear wheel drive only for a while, as we saved for the transfer case. $2200 later we had a new or rebuilt tranny/xfer case. We were VERY happy. I spend another $300 fixing this or that, window motors and the like, in the driveway. One evening driving home in the left lane of I70, I noticed a ticking sound, and looked down and saw my oil pressure gauge bottoming out. I threw on my directional but by the time I got through the rush hour traffic to the shoulder, the ticking had become a kabang-kabang! Just as I shut off the ignition to coast to a stop, the busted rod, exited the bottom of the oil pan. 

The Jeep sat for a few months while we reviewed our options. I shopped around for a short block and was astounded at the $4000-6000 prices I was getting. When I found a reasonable price, the fella on the phone said, "Wait a sec, what year was that?" "86", I replied. "Oh", says he. "That's the last year the Jeeps had an AMC 360, not a Mopar 360. it's going to be much more expensive, if you can find one at all."

I knew the engine was a 360 but for whatever reason I just figured it was a Mopar engine. I never checked. I didn't know enough about either engine for the distributor location to be give-away.

Sigh. It still stings to this day. Changing it over to a Chevy small block would have been just as expensive, I found. As an E-5 in the service with a wife and two kids, there was a limit to the money we could spend on it.

I sold it for $800 to the guy who'd towed me home a few months before. ?

Sad you got rid of it, sounds like it was a beauty. Those trucks have a loyal following. I would've done the Chevy swap. 350s are cheap and everywhere, they run forever, parts are inexpensive and easy to find and there must be an adapter kit for something like that -  I know they have them for CJs. Probably could've had a local mechanic or local college school do the work and saved $$$.

[Ace-Garageguy]

10 hours ago, Jantrix said:

I don't really have a worst car ....... so much as a worst luck car. 

As an E-5 in the service with a wife and two kids, there was a limit to the money we could spend on it.

I sold it for $800 to the guy who'd towed me home a few months before. ?

Bummer. Would have been a nice one to have out where you are now.

[Jantrix]

11 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

Sad you got rid of it, sounds like it was a beauty. Those trucks have a loyal following. I would've done the Chevy swap. 350s are cheap and everywhere, they run forever, parts are inexpensive and easy to find and there must be an adapter kit for something like that -  I know they have them for CJs. Probably could've had a local mechanic or local college school do the work and saved $$$.

You're right. And I would have kept it if we were in a "home" situation, but I was stationed in St. Louis, getting out soon, with no idea where we'd end up afterward. I was interviewing all over the Midwest. Our families were in Florida. After a while a non-running vehicle becomes a stone around your neck if you have to tote it around. In 2000 I had zero luck finding an affordable solution.

11 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Bummer. Would have been a nice one to have out where you are now.

That idea has not escaped me. it would be perfect.