What was the worst car you ever owned?

[Cinder & Smoke]

I know I drag this thread out every once in a while,
but there's new people here.

WHY
Don't you post on the OLD thread, to {BUMP} it up ?

That way the "old" posters don't have to RE-post their "old" story,
and everyone can read ALL the stories.

[Emeraldgreen]

1964 International Scout. It was cool looking, kind of like a boxy version of a landrover or something. It had been 're-done' by the previous owner and I'm not sure that guy knew what the heck he was doing. Of course, neither did I so that's why I bought it. It had 3 gas tanks!?! And a v-8 chevy engine inside. It broke down alot. The worst thing that ever happened while driving it was when I was driving along a narrow 2 lane highway in Arizona, heading towards the mexican border at night. There weren't any street lights and hardly a car in sight. I had the highbeams on and an oncoming car was headed my way so I hit the button on the floor with my foot to turn the highs off and ALL the lights went out. No matter how many times I stepped on the button or played with the light switch, they were not coming back on. I couldn't see the road and just prayed like crazy and gradually slowed down and somehow didn't run off the road. More pushing of the button finally got the lights to come back on. Needless to say, I drove around with highbeams every single night until I got rid of it. LOL

[Twisterdog]

A 1985 1/2 Ford Escort. I think the 1985's simply didn't have quite enough issues to suit Ford, so they added a few dozen more, and released it mid-year.

It had a ridiculous amount of mechanical problems. I sold in 1990, and only kept it that long because I was a poor college student.

It was tomato red ... everywhere. Dash, steering wheel, carpet, paint. But the tops of the tomato red seats faded in the sun to something like burnt orange. Horrid, horrid.

[Jessika]

A 1985 1/2 Ford Escort. I think the 1985's simply didn't have quite enough issues to suit Ford, so they added a few dozen more, and released it mid-year.

It had a ridiculous amount of mechanical problems. I sold in 1990, and only kept it that long because I was a poor college student.

It was tomato red ... everywhere. Dash, steering wheel, carpet, paint. But the tops of the tomato red seats faded in the sun to something like burnt orange. Horrid, horrid.

LOL I know what you mean... my friend has an 80-something Escort as his first car... the entire car, every inch of it, red!!!

I haven't had the pleasure of owning a lemon yet. My '92 Lumina I had up until 3 years ago was still going strong when I sold it to my in-laws except for minor "wear and tear" stuff [we did have to replace the alternator on that thing a bazillion times though!!!), and I can't speak highly enough about my '00 Grand Am and '04 Colorado

[Barbara]

My worst was a Renault 14. Motor was ok but everything else was rusting while you watched.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I also would have to say a Renault...it was called an Alliant or Alliance...something like that. "Reverse" went out. I had to push it to go backwards so I could only park it where I could get out going forward.

Those were the "dark days" for me and cars. I also had a Honda Civic that was like a tin can with doors during that time. It is not good when the guys at the dealership know you by name. I also remember having to push that one in the pakring garage at O'Hare and then jump into while it was moving and pop the clutch to get it started.

[lizbud]

All of the worst cars I have ever owned, were Fords. Last one was a
Ford Escort. It was black & looked good, but was a total mechanical
nightmare. Broke down every month.

By far the best cars I believe are Hondas & Toyotas.

[Pam]

I also would have to say a Renault...it was called an Alliant or Alliance...something like that. "Reverse" went out. I had to push it to go backwards so I could only park it where I could get out going forward.

Sara, I am sorry to admit this but I am laughing at the mental picture I am getting right now.

Hubby and I had a Chevrolet Corvair when we were first married. Probably half of you don't even know what a Corvair is. Ralph Nader wrote a book about the Corvair - I believe it was called Unsafe at any Speed. Anyway, smoke occasionally would come out from under the dashboard as we were driving. It didn't happen every time and we never did find out where it was coming from.