10 Cars that Refuse to Die
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Not so sure I agree with all of their list.
They probably should have stopped the Accord's year range around 1998, or whenever the auto transmissions became a concern. 1990-1997 were the years of exceptional reliability.
As for "all" Subaru wagons...weren't some of them head gasket eaters?
Why didn't they include the Corolla with the Prism? I see a lot more Corollas than Prisms simply because they were better sellers. They even mentioned they were the same car in the article.
Some cars not on the list probably should be. Such as all those [censored] obnoxious, stinky "box Chevys" that won't stay in the junkyard. Their new owners spend too much on candy paint, so the tired 25 year old oil burning 305 has to lug around 26" wheels.
They probably should have stopped the Accord's year range around 1998, or whenever the auto transmissions became a concern. 1990-1997 were the years of exceptional reliability.
As for "all" Subaru wagons...weren't some of them head gasket eaters?
Why didn't they include the Corolla with the Prism? I see a lot more Corollas than Prisms simply because they were better sellers. They even mentioned they were the same car in the article.
Some cars not on the list probably should be. Such as all those [censored] obnoxious, stinky "box Chevys" that won't stay in the junkyard. Their new owners spend too much on candy paint, so the tired 25 year old oil burning 305 has to lug around 26" wheels.
I know some cars on the 10 "worst" list:
1. Ford Focus (all models)
2. Volkswagen Jetta (1999-until redesign)
3. Dodge Neon
4. 1980s-90s Hyindai Elantra and Scoupe
5. 1st Gen KIA SPORTAGE
6. Possible 1990s-2004 Cadillac Eldorado/ETC...
well thats half the 10 "worst." (Reliability, recalls, etc.)
As to the best, yeah i saw an episode of Top Gear with a Ford Fiesta, a Crown Vic taci cab with over 400,000 miles on it and a Mercedes E300. The Crown Vic won the comparo (the Fiesta clutch died while the guy was driving it, i had that happen. The Mercedes started overheating or something. The Crown Vic just kept going.)
I wonder if it was the original ATF fluid in the Crown Vic. That 4.6L has me respecting Ford a lot more.
Second PS: I was recently in the backseat of an early 90s Crown Vic/Grand Marquis cab car, and the backseat was NOT that roomy. Now Lincoln Towncar.. THATS roomy.
1. Ford Focus (all models)
2. Volkswagen Jetta (1999-until redesign)
3. Dodge Neon
4. 1980s-90s Hyindai Elantra and Scoupe
5. 1st Gen KIA SPORTAGE
6. Possible 1990s-2004 Cadillac Eldorado/ETC...
well thats half the 10 "worst." (Reliability, recalls, etc.)
As to the best, yeah i saw an episode of Top Gear with a Ford Fiesta, a Crown Vic taci cab with over 400,000 miles on it and a Mercedes E300. The Crown Vic won the comparo (the Fiesta clutch died while the guy was driving it, i had that happen. The Mercedes started overheating or something. The Crown Vic just kept going.)
I wonder if it was the original ATF fluid in the Crown Vic. That 4.6L has me respecting Ford a lot more.
Second PS: I was recently in the backseat of an early 90s Crown Vic/Grand Marquis cab car, and the backseat was NOT that roomy. Now Lincoln Towncar.. THATS roomy.
Hmmm, I only had one of the cars on this list --- and I Killed It.
Threw a rod on a 1982 Volvo doing somewhere north of the 85 MPH speedo on the highway when I was in college.
Threw a rod on a 1982 Volvo doing somewhere north of the 85 MPH speedo on the highway when I was in college.
Out of the 10 best the only ones I see around here are the Jeep Cherokees. I can't remember tha last time I saw a Crown Vic or BMW.
45 ACP's list is much closer to what I see daily here.
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
I know some cars on the 10 "worst" list:
1. Ford Focus (all models)
2. Volkswagen Jetta (1999-until redesign)
3. Dodge Neon
4. 1980s-90s Hyindai Elantra and Scoupe
5. 1st Gen KIA SPORTAGE
6. Possible 1990s-2004 Cadillac Eldorado/ETC...
45 ACP's list is much closer to what I see daily here.
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
I know some cars on the 10 "worst" list:
1. Ford Focus (all models)
2. Volkswagen Jetta (1999-until redesign)
3. Dodge Neon
4. 1980s-90s Hyindai Elantra and Scoupe
5. 1st Gen KIA SPORTAGE
6. Possible 1990s-2004 Cadillac Eldorado/ETC...
My personal Neon refuses to die, and I see alot of unloved ones everyday going to the local college or driven by retired folks.
I also see alot of Dodge Rams with the diesel from the 80's and 90's, not so much commuting but on lots of farms. I guess they are always worth fixing until they break in half.
I also see alot of Dodge Rams with the diesel from the 80's and 90's, not so much commuting but on lots of farms. I guess they are always worth fixing until they break in half.
Neons and Focii are pretty good cars.
No way the 'worst'!
No way the 'worst'!
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
I know some cars on the 10 "worst" list:
1. Ford Focus (all models)
2. Volkswagen Jetta (1999-until redesign)
3. Dodge Neon
4. 1980s-90s Hyindai Elantra and Scoupe
5. 1st Gen KIA SPORTAGE
6. Possible 1990s-2004 Cadillac Eldorado/ETC...
well thats half the 10 "worst." (Reliability, recalls, etc.)
As to the best, yeah i saw an episode of Top Gear with a Ford Fiesta, a Crown Vic taci cab with over 400,000 miles on it and a Mercedes E300. The Crown Vic won the comparo (the Fiesta clutch died while the guy was driving it, i had that happen. The Mercedes started overheating or something. The Crown Vic just kept going.)
I wonder if it was the original ATF fluid in the Crown Vic. That 4.6L has me respecting Ford a lot more.
Second PS: I was recently in the backseat of an early 90s Crown Vic/Grand Marquis cab car, and the backseat was NOT that roomy. Now Lincoln Towncar.. THATS roomy.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Ford Focus and Dodge Neon "Worst cars"? what are you smoking dude? Sure the early focus models, for the first couple years had problems. But after that they've pretty much been dead reliable.
The neon was sligthly (emphasis on slightly) worse than the focus, but still a fairly reliable basic transportation. I won't argue the point on those specific Hyundai and Kias because I don't know much about them.
I know some cars on the 10 "worst" list:
1. Ford Focus (all models)
2. Volkswagen Jetta (1999-until redesign)
3. Dodge Neon
4. 1980s-90s Hyindai Elantra and Scoupe
5. 1st Gen KIA SPORTAGE
6. Possible 1990s-2004 Cadillac Eldorado/ETC...
well thats half the 10 "worst." (Reliability, recalls, etc.)
As to the best, yeah i saw an episode of Top Gear with a Ford Fiesta, a Crown Vic taci cab with over 400,000 miles on it and a Mercedes E300. The Crown Vic won the comparo (the Fiesta clutch died while the guy was driving it, i had that happen. The Mercedes started overheating or something. The Crown Vic just kept going.)
I wonder if it was the original ATF fluid in the Crown Vic. That 4.6L has me respecting Ford a lot more.
Second PS: I was recently in the backseat of an early 90s Crown Vic/Grand Marquis cab car, and the backseat was NOT that roomy. Now Lincoln Towncar.. THATS roomy.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Ford Focus and Dodge Neon "Worst cars"? what are you smoking dude? Sure the early focus models, for the first couple years had problems. But after that they've pretty much been dead reliable.
The neon was sligthly (emphasis on slightly) worse than the focus, but still a fairly reliable basic transportation. I won't argue the point on those specific Hyundai and Kias because I don't know much about them.
I agree that there is no way Neon is the worst, although I think being an interference engine the timing belt killed a lot of them - the ones I came across seemed to get no maintenance.
I am still shocked by the number of 91-96 Cutlass Cieras and Buick Centurys I see on the road. Another car that gets no love from their owners but keep on truckin!
I am still shocked by the number of 91-96 Cutlass Cieras and Buick Centurys I see on the road. Another car that gets no love from their owners but keep on truckin!
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
I know some cars on the 10 "worst" list:
1. Ford Focus (all models)
2. Volkswagen Jetta (1999-until redesign)
3. Dodge Neon
4. 1980s-90s Hyindai Elantra and Scoupe
5. 1st Gen KIA SPORTAGE
6. Possible 1990s-2004 Cadillac Eldorado/ETC...
well thats half the 10 "worst." (Reliability, recalls, etc.)
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Ford Focus and Dodge Neon "Worst cars"? what are you smoking dude? Sure the early focus models, for the first couple years had problems. But after that they've pretty much been dead reliable.
The neon was sligthly (emphasis on slightly) worse than the focus, but still a fairly reliable basic transportation. I won't argue the point on those specific Hyundai and Kias because I don't know much about them.
The early Focus had expensive ignition switch that failed frequently. The early Neons had head gasket scrubbing problems. Both problems were corrected.
I think part of the problem with the early Kias was that they were cheap "disposable" cars and the owners maintained them poorly as such. The Sportage used a variant of the reliable Mazda F engine. The Sephia was essentially a Mazda Protege' that Kia had applied their own unique styling to.
I still maintain that my Hyundai Scoupe was as good/better than any 4G15 powered Mitsubishi product.
Originally Posted By: 45ACP
I know some cars on the 10 "worst" list:
1. Ford Focus (all models)
2. Volkswagen Jetta (1999-until redesign)
3. Dodge Neon
4. 1980s-90s Hyindai Elantra and Scoupe
5. 1st Gen KIA SPORTAGE
6. Possible 1990s-2004 Cadillac Eldorado/ETC...
well thats half the 10 "worst." (Reliability, recalls, etc.)
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Ford Focus and Dodge Neon "Worst cars"? what are you smoking dude? Sure the early focus models, for the first couple years had problems. But after that they've pretty much been dead reliable.
The neon was sligthly (emphasis on slightly) worse than the focus, but still a fairly reliable basic transportation. I won't argue the point on those specific Hyundai and Kias because I don't know much about them.
The early Focus had expensive ignition switch that failed frequently. The early Neons had head gasket scrubbing problems. Both problems were corrected.
I think part of the problem with the early Kias was that they were cheap "disposable" cars and the owners maintained them poorly as such. The Sportage used a variant of the reliable Mazda F engine. The Sephia was essentially a Mazda Protege' that Kia had applied their own unique styling to.
I still maintain that my Hyundai Scoupe was as good/better than any 4G15 powered Mitsubishi product.
JHZR2
Staff member
Given that the MB w123/126 and Volvo 240 is on there, all is well.
Originally Posted By: tpitcher
That's an intetresting list. I think the Saturn SL Series should be in there, especially if people kept the oil full...
Glad to see the Crown Vic in there.
how do you get 45mpg in your saturn ? I have the same car and I get 37
That's an intetresting list. I think the Saturn SL Series should be in there, especially if people kept the oil full...
Glad to see the Crown Vic in there.
how do you get 45mpg in your saturn ? I have the same car and I get 37
i havent had 10 cars i would say they are the "best", really there is NOTHING that is the best. how ever i would drive a 1964- 1965 dart a gain, slant six. who wouldnt?
Early SAAB 900 and 9000 models should have made the list.
Also, the reason I see many Olds Cutlass cars is because so many of their owners are retired, and no longer drive much.
Also, the reason I see many Olds Cutlass cars is because so many of their owners are retired, and no longer drive much.
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Subaru's and Volvo's do have owners who put the money into maintenance and keep them going a long time.
I have an '86 and '87 Subaru with unmentionable miles on them. I put about $500 into each of them yearly and thats because I like to tinker, not because I have to.
Albeit, they arent much of a rig but they are a tough, go anywhere vehicle that will take whatever you can hand it.
Subaru's and Volvo's do have owners who put the money into maintenance and keep them going a long time.
I have an '86 and '87 Subaru with unmentionable miles on them. I put about $500 into each of them yearly and thats because I like to tinker, not because I have to.
Albeit, they arent much of a rig but they are a tough, go anywhere vehicle that will take whatever you can hand it.
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