What was the worst car you ever owned?

[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.

[moosmom]

Mine was a 74 Volkswagen Bug that I bought used after my divorce. The woman who sold it to me failed to tell me it was in a car accident. Wasn't aware that the frame was bent. It had no heater coil so when winter came, I not only had to scrape the OUTSIDE of the windshield, but the INSIDE as well!!!!

[Kirsten]

My silver-colored '93 Ford Fiesta, always had problems with it, and I hated it. I drove it from 2003 - 2006. It eventually died when it was running out of oil on the autobahn - killed the engine for good.

Kirsten

[DJFyrewolf36]

Hey now with all this Ford bashing I have to point out that Ford made one good car...

MINE lol My car has been through the ringer several times and she keeps on going.
Pam, the Corvairs had really really BAD exhaust routing. What made them unsafe really was that the fuel line was routed way too close to the exhaust manifold. What you probibly experenced was ether fuel dripping on the exhaust or oil and the smoke getting through the heating system. Or something was cooking electrically. Either way...NOT GOOD! Hubby had a corvair burn to the ground on him on the highway, Im glad that didn't happen to you!

[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.