Worst Cars of 2005

Kevin · GMPenguin

Worst Cars of 2005

ifcar · Moderator

What a poorly set up list. Their three criteria take only numbers into account, not how comfortable a car is or how it drives. Reliability is a good thing to mention, as are crash test results. Depreciation, their third decision-maker, is fine, but not without a mention of initial price.

I could've come up with a far better list than that. I think I will.

Kevin · GMPenguin

quote:
Originally posted by: ifcar
"What a poorly set up list. Their three criteria take only numbers into account, not how comfortable a car is or how it drives. Reliability is a good thing to mention, as are crash test results. Depreciation, their third decision-maker, is fine, but not without a mention of initial price. I could've come up with a far better list than that. I think I will."

I thought it was pretty stupid too, but they split it all into groups so I figured I'd post it. I'd like to see yours.

ifcar · Moderator

1. Chevrolet Cavalier/Pontiac Sunfire (dead for 06)
2. Kia Rio (being replaced for 06)
3. Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey
4. Mercedes M-Class (being replaced for 06)
5. Hummer H2
6. Cadillac Escalade/Escalade EXT/Escalade ESV
7. Nissan Sentra
8. Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis (update coming next year)
9. Chevrolet TrailBlazer and its clones
10. Jaguar X-Type

I'll change this list around and come up with some reasons when I have more time.

TheCynic · 4 Cylinder

Naturally ifcar I mostly agree with your list with exception to numero seven.

Even though I wouldn't consider myself a fanatic I'd say the main problem with the Crown Vic is depreciation (as with most American). According to the folks on the CrownVic.net board they haven't had too many reliability issues with their late models. Mine's still a peach (with a rough spot or two) going into her 9th year of life. Granted the current body is in desperate need of a significant update since it's been a while. At any rate I'd say the Navimonster should be on there too due to the reliability/resale thing.

Fire It Up · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: TheCynic
"Naturally ifcar I mostly agree with your list with exception to numero seven. Even though I wouldn't consider myself a fanatic I'd say the main problem with the Crown Vic is depreciation (as with most American). According to the folks on the CrownVic.net board they haven't had too many reliability issues with their late models. Mine's still a peach (with a rough spot or two) going into her 9th year of life. Granted the current body is in desperate need of a significant update since it's been a while. At any rate I'd say the Navimonster should be on there too due to the reliability/resale thing. "

You mean 8.

ifcar · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: TheCynic
"Naturally ifcar I mostly agree with your list with exception to numero seven. Even though I wouldn't consider myself a fanatic I'd say the main problem with the Crown Vic is depreciation (as with most American). According to the folks on the CrownVic.net board they haven't had too many reliability issues with their late models. Mine's still a peach (with a rough spot or two) going into her 9th year of life. Granted the current body is in desperate need of a significant update since it's been a while. At any rate I'd say the Navimonster should be on there too due to the reliability/resale thing. "

I'm going by my standards, not by theirs. I don't consider resale value more important than price or how well the car drives.

And the Crown Vic has unexceptional interior room for a large sedan, doesn't ride or accelerate especially well, and has terrible stock handling. The Five Hundred does every last thing better (not counting for cops, another story) and is smaller outside and less expensive.

Kevin · GMPenguin

quote:
Originally posted by: ifcar
"9. Chevrolet TrailBlazer and its clones "

I wondered this before, but am even more curious since it was brought up in the Envoy vs. GC thread. So what exactly are the reasons for this?

thewizard16 · V-12

quote:
Originally posted by: Kevin
"I wondered this before, but am even more curious since it was brought up in the Envoy vs. GC thread. So what exactly are the reasons for this?"

I kindof wondered that too. I really like the Envoy, but I'm not wild about the Trailblazer. Still, I like the Envoy.

ifcar · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: Kevin
"I wondered this before, but am even more curious since it was brought up in the Envoy vs. GC thread. So what exactly are the reasons for this?"

Terrible reliability, uncomfortable seats, and no worthwhile advantage anywhere else (except perhaps price, considering a recent $2,000 price reduction).

thewizard16 · V-12

quote:
Originally posted by: ifcar
"

Terrible reliability, uncomfortable seats, and no worthwhile advantage anywhere else (except perhaps price, considering a recent $2,000 price reduction)."

All I know is that two friends of mine have close family with Envoys, one has had hers for two years now, and it hasn't had any problems. I didn't find seat comfort to be a problem. I just like the vehicle as a whole. I couldn't really name why, other than I like the styling, good power, and an interesting, but appealing (to me) interior, but I couldn't provide a good list of reasons, really. I know that one vehicle is never a good representation of reliability, but I still probably wouldn't hesitate to buy an Envoy, if that were the type of vehicle I was shopping for.

ifcar · Moderator

quote:
Originally posted by: thewizard16
"
All I know is that two friends of mine have close family with Envoys, one has had hers for two years now, and it hasn't had any problems. I didn't find seat comfort to be a problem. I just like the vehicle as a whole. I couldn't really name why, other than I like the styling, good power, and an interesting, but appealing (to me) interior, but I couldn't provide a good list of reasons, really. I know that one vehicle is never a good representation of reliability, but I still probably wouldn't hesitate to buy an Envoy, if that were the type of vehicle I was shopping for."

There's just really nothing that the Envoy/TrailBlazer/Ascender/Ranier do especially WELL, but there are a few things the lineup does poorly (which I mentioned).

Also, I don't know what you find appealing abou the interior. It looks good in pics, but in real life the center stack is far too wide and few materials are of especially good quality, or fit together especially well.

thewizard16 · V-12

quote:
Originally posted by: ifcar
"

There's just really nothing that the Envoy/TrailBlazer/Ascender/Ranier do especially WELL, but there are a few things the lineup does poorly (which I mentioned).

Also, I don't know what you find appealing abou the interior. It looks good in pics, but in real life the center stack is far too wide and few materials are of especially good quality, or fit together especially well."

Well, I'm basing all my likes on personal experience, not pictures, but I don't know either. I admit the quality of materials isn't impressive for the most part, but there weren't any loose or misaligned pieces on hers that I noticed. The center stack is oddly wide, but that didn't bother me.