Worse built car you have ever owned
Discussion
You lot are rank amateurs when it comes to bad cars .
Try a Yugo Zastava , all the cheap nastiness of the trim without the robust underpinnings of the usual eastern European vehicles.
A constant round of squealing bearings , a growing pile of fallen off trim in the boot .
How the hell could something so small with such narrow tyres be so heavy to steer .
I only had it for a few weeks but had a headache after every journey. On the plus side I did persuade my mate to let me operate the crusher when I scrapped it . It still worked and was still road legal but no way was I going to let anyone else experience how bad it was .
Try a Yugo Zastava , all the cheap nastiness of the trim without the robust underpinnings of the usual eastern European vehicles.
A constant round of squealing bearings , a growing pile of fallen off trim in the boot .
How the hell could something so small with such narrow tyres be so heavy to steer .
I only had it for a few weeks but had a headache after every journey. On the plus side I did persuade my mate to let me operate the crusher when I scrapped it . It still worked and was still road legal but no way was I going to let anyone else experience how bad it was .
I have had a few that fall into the dreadful build category.
L322 4.4 Range Rover, i actually got rid of it after 2 months as my dream car turned out to be rattly, leaky and just generally very crap for something that costs so much money.
2004 Vectra, pretty sure they found the worst quality plastics to build the interior with, god did it rattle and then brokedown.
And actually my current 2008 Subaru forester, it doesnt feel like it will breakdown, but it squeaks, rattles and even the exhaust whistles when you accelerate! The windows groan when you put them down, the gearbox is like stirring nearly set concrete. On the plus side everything does work.
L322 4.4 Range Rover, i actually got rid of it after 2 months as my dream car turned out to be rattly, leaky and just generally very crap for something that costs so much money.
2004 Vectra, pretty sure they found the worst quality plastics to build the interior with, god did it rattle and then brokedown.
And actually my current 2008 Subaru forester, it doesnt feel like it will breakdown, but it squeaks, rattles and even the exhaust whistles when you accelerate! The windows groan when you put them down, the gearbox is like stirring nearly set concrete. On the plus side everything does work.
watchnut said:
Mouserat said
Not many Mini's are used to bomb up and down the M1 doing 40K miles a year like a diesel Mondeo or 5 series. There mainly driven by women with tiny heads doing short commutes, never switching of the start/stop, knackering the battery after 4 years causing a host of electrical problems that were never noticed because Radio 1Xtra was turned up too loud.
I am not sure what you meant about the "start/stop" My Mini is used for teaching learners....the start/stop is activated many many times a day driving around Southampton's traffic lights and numerous "stalls". I had to replace the battery when the car was 6 years old, for any battery that is good going with the amount of work mine has to do. I would suggest that even 4 years for a "start/stop" battery would be reasonable
and what is radio 1
?
I am not sure who said what?Not many Mini's are used to bomb up and down the M1 doing 40K miles a year like a diesel Mondeo or 5 series. There mainly driven by women with tiny heads doing short commutes, never switching of the start/stop, knackering the battery after 4 years causing a host of electrical problems that were never noticed because Radio 1Xtra was turned up too loud.
I am not sure what you meant about the "start/stop" My Mini is used for teaching learners....the start/stop is activated many many times a day driving around Southampton's traffic lights and numerous "stalls". I had to replace the battery when the car was 6 years old, for any battery that is good going with the amount of work mine has to do. I would suggest that even 4 years for a "start/stop" battery would be reasonable
and what is radio 1
?Why don't you just use the "quote" button? It honestly isn't difficult. Even I can do it.
Howard- said:
The 2010s were truly dark days for French cars. I know numerous people who owned one from this era and they were all dreadful, with myriad issue as you have described.
I wouldn't ever buy a newer one but at least they look more "premium".
I know there are people on here who will say they've owned one and it had no problems whatsoever, just as I'm sure there are people with Honda Civics that have caused them nothing but trouble.
To answer the thread title.. Probably a Fiat Cinquecento
Owned two cinq sporting, a sei, in fact many many fiats and had zero bother with any of them, from 132 2 litre twink to 20vt coupe with pandas old and new in the middle, unos and puntos. I likes a fiat me!!!I wouldn't ever buy a newer one but at least they look more "premium".
I know there are people on here who will say they've owned one and it had no problems whatsoever, just as I'm sure there are people with Honda Civics that have caused them nothing but trouble.
To answer the thread title.. Probably a Fiat Cinquecento
TVR Griffith 500.
It was five or six years old when I bought it, so it should have had all it's niggles sorted, but no. It broke down every couple of months. Full details in my profile. Cost a fortune to keep on the road.
On the plus side, when it worked it was epic, and it led me here (via the TVRCC following it's first breakdown).
It was five or six years old when I bought it, so it should have had all it's niggles sorted, but no. It broke down every couple of months. Full details in my profile. Cost a fortune to keep on the road.
On the plus side, when it worked it was epic, and it led me here (via the TVRCC following it's first breakdown).
In terms of falling apart my OH's Fiat Punto (2011), just everything inside fell off/stopped working, however it never let us down in 79,000 miles.
For me easily (& unsurprisingly) my Jaguar S-Type, so many "they all do that sir" excuses for short cuts taken at the design and manufacturing stage which manifested themselves during ownership, most miserable ownership experience ever. Hateful car, hateful dealerships and I'm not surprised when I hear stories of JLR products woes.
For me easily (& unsurprisingly) my Jaguar S-Type, so many "they all do that sir" excuses for short cuts taken at the design and manufacturing stage which manifested themselves during ownership, most miserable ownership experience ever. Hateful car, hateful dealerships and I'm not surprised when I hear stories of JLR products woes.
JulianHJ said:
TVR Griffith 500.
It was five or six years old when I bought it, so it should have had all it's niggles sorted, but no. It broke down every couple of months. Full details in my profile. Cost a fortune to keep on the road.
On the plus side, when it worked it was epic, and it led me here (via the TVRCC following it's first breakdown).
Same here, except it was a 3 year old Corrado VR6. Dodgy fuses, head gasket failure, radiator leaks and a fiddly immobiliser. Traded it in for a new Saxo VTS and life improved immeasurably.It was five or six years old when I bought it, so it should have had all it's niggles sorted, but no. It broke down every couple of months. Full details in my profile. Cost a fortune to keep on the road.
On the plus side, when it worked it was epic, and it led me here (via the TVRCC following it's first breakdown).
Howard said:
To answer the thread title.. Probably a Fiat Cinquecento
I was front seat passenger in an Astra in a medium speed head-on with an original Cinquecento Sporting. Late 80s I think.We emerged with cuts and bruises. He had to be cut out of the Fiat by the fire service and had life altering injuries.
Criminally shoddy in my view.
The worst car I've ever owned is a three way tie between three models of the same automaker, Volvo. Bought a new 1984 Volvo GL for my wife since we were having our first child, and every new mother wanted a Volvo for its supposed safety. Had to have the engine rebuilt at 22,000 miles and never ran right again. Bought two other Volvos in early 1985, a 740 Turbo and a 740 for my elderly parents (obviously before the GL grenaded). The 740 Turbo didn't make it to the freeway on ramp to drive it home from the dealer, took weeks to sort out the initial problems, and blew through 5 turbos in its first year. My dad's 740 besides losing interior pieces from day one sounded like a diesel and it wasn't a diesel. None of those pieces of crap stayed with our family more than about a year.Simply rubbish!
tberg said:
The worst car I've ever owned is a three way tie between three models of the same automaker, Volvo. Bought a new 1984 Volvo GL for my wife since we were having our first child, and every new mother wanted a Volvo for its supposed safety. Had to have the engine rebuilt at 22,000 miles and never ran right again. Bought two other Volvos in early 1985, a 740 Turbo and a 740 for my elderly parents (obviously before the GL grenaded). The 740 Turbo didn't make it to the freeway on ramp to drive it home from the dealer, took weeks to sort out the initial problems, and blew through 5 turbos in its first year. My dad's 740 besides losing interior pieces from day one sounded like a diesel and it wasn't a diesel. None of those pieces of crap stayed with our family more than about a year.Simply rubbish!
It is amazing how peoples experiences vary. I can understand perhaps 400 series, or modern 'ford' or Chinese volvos having dropped in quality, but 700 series was a 'proper' volvo. I have owned volvos from lowly Renault engined 343, through a 250k mile plus amazon estate, 164, 245s, 760, 940 and s80 thus far and never had a complaint. 205 GTI - An extremely shoddy and cheap interior which used to fall apart going around corners, or just by looking at it.
Ball joints, steering, suspension, mounts, linkage, the list is endless - nearly everything had to be replaced.
Great fun to drive when it worked but an absolute pile of junk.
I really can’t believe the prices of them now.
Ball joints, steering, suspension, mounts, linkage, the list is endless - nearly everything had to be replaced.
Great fun to drive when it worked but an absolute pile of junk.
I really can’t believe the prices of them now.
To add some support for the Volvo 7 series cars..my uncle had a 760 GLE with the 3.0 litre 204 bhp engine...I think it was from the early 90's. The engine sound when pushing it was glorious and it just "shoved" you back in the huge leather seats! Later on it did start to throw up a lot of issues and I think eventually got sold for scrap but it was a beast!
I also have a soft spot for the old skool Volvo 440/460's...dropped on 17's did them proper justice but maybe not approved by the Volvo's member club
Worst car I've driven was my parents 1981 Fiesta popular plus...no appetite to go up.hills unless you ragged it silly and always a funny burning smell when trying to give it some beans...still miss it though.
I also have a soft spot for the old skool Volvo 440/460's...dropped on 17's did them proper justice but maybe not approved by the Volvo's member club
Worst car I've driven was my parents 1981 Fiesta popular plus...no appetite to go up.hills unless you ragged it silly and always a funny burning smell when trying to give it some beans...still miss it though.
A 1991 Ford Fiesta RS Turbo, was only 2.5 years old, it would eat alternators every time the heated screen was used, shear engine mountings every time on a frosty morning it had boost cut, snap rear anti roll brackets like carrots, & most annoying was anytime it sat at a constant speed on motorway for over an hour, that's all it wanted to do, you had to switch off the ignition at the top of the slip road & restart to get any sense out of it for the onward journey.
VR99 said:
To add some support for the Volvo 7 series cars..my uncle had a 760 GLE with the 3.0 litre 204 bhp engine...I think it was from the early 90's. The engine sound when pushing it was glorious and it just "shoved" you back in the huge leather seats! Later on it did start to throw up a lot of issues and I think eventually got sold for scrap but it was a beast!
I also have a soft spot for the old skool Volvo 440/460's...dropped on 17's did them proper justice but maybe not approved by the Volvo's member club
Worst car I've driven was my parents 1981 Fiesta popular plus...no appetite to go up.hills unless you ragged it silly and always a funny burning smell when trying to give it some beans...still miss it though.
I'm thinking that was a 960? The 760 was only available with a four pot turbo or the smooth but asthmatic prv 2.7 v6. The 960 had the big straight 6 which was a modular engine related to the wonderful 5 pot I think? This straight 6 was available in 2.5 or 3.0 and is a wonderful, smooth creamy engineI also have a soft spot for the old skool Volvo 440/460's...dropped on 17's did them proper justice but maybe not approved by the Volvo's member club
Worst car I've driven was my parents 1981 Fiesta popular plus...no appetite to go up.hills unless you ragged it silly and always a funny burning smell when trying to give it some beans...still miss it though.
Correct answer is probably my 205 GTi, where bits of trim fell off regularly but it was mechanically very strong and so much fun, that I could forgive it a lot. Likewise, my "sheddy" 14 year old W202 C-Class diesel estate. The door mirror housing was literally falling off, the CD player didn't work and the heated rear window interfered with the radio but it had done 200k and felt like it could comfortably do another 200k.
Most disappointing/unreliable would have to be a 7 year old 2000 mk4 Golf GTi and a 2001 WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee. Nothing actually fell off but constant reliability problems with both cars.
Most disappointing/unreliable would have to be a 7 year old 2000 mk4 Golf GTi and a 2001 WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee. Nothing actually fell off but constant reliability problems with both cars.
Jonesy77 said:
205 GTI - An extremely shoddy and cheap interior which used to fall apart going around corners, or just by looking at it.
Ball joints, steering, suspension, mounts, linkage, the list is endless - nearly everything had to be replaced.
Great fun to drive when it worked but an absolute pile of junk.
I really can’t believe the prices of them now.
Bet the tissue paper front seat bolsters lasted about 5k miles Ball joints, steering, suspension, mounts, linkage, the list is endless - nearly everything had to be replaced.
Great fun to drive when it worked but an absolute pile of junk.
I really can’t believe the prices of them now.
I had a new Skoda favorit GLXi back in the day, my first new car on a K plate I think....I digress it was poor.
Highlights were the headlining falling out as one while driving down the M3.....you hit a bump and suddenly you can no longer see......that is arse twitching for sure
Others were the random and odd loose earths;
1) All dash lights and gauges would suddenly flick to the opposite of what they had said....so all warning lights cam eon and everything was fully hot and empty until you hit the next bump.
2) How many cars can you change CD track by flashing the lights
3) Indicate left and the rear wiper would work
trying to impress a GSI cavalier down the M271 when all of a sudden he disappeared in a cloud of 007 smoke....except that was my heater pipe blowing off and dropping the coolant onto the exhaust.
Fun days.
Highlights were the headlining falling out as one while driving down the M3.....you hit a bump and suddenly you can no longer see......that is arse twitching for sure
Others were the random and odd loose earths;
1) All dash lights and gauges would suddenly flick to the opposite of what they had said....so all warning lights cam eon and everything was fully hot and empty until you hit the next bump.
2) How many cars can you change CD track by flashing the lights
3) Indicate left and the rear wiper would work
trying to impress a GSI cavalier down the M271 when all of a sudden he disappeared in a cloud of 007 smoke....except that was my heater pipe blowing off and dropping the coolant onto the exhaust.
Fun days.
2002 Volvo C70 convertible,
For a car that was only 6 years old when I bought it and had only done 60k miles, the amount of stuff that went wrong with it in the 18 months I owned it would of been laughable if it wasn’t so f
king expensive. Put me off ever buying another Volvo, though the new S60 might one day tempt me back.
For a car that was only 6 years old when I bought it and had only done 60k miles, the amount of stuff that went wrong with it in the 18 months I owned it would of been laughable if it wasn’t so f
king expensive. Put me off ever buying another Volvo, though the new S60 might one day tempt me back.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff