Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. What's the worst car you ever owned?

What's the worst car you ever owned?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
announcementquestion
55 Posts 36 Posters 0 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • F Forogar

    Mine was a Renault 14. Weird offset rear wheels, engine canted back at 78 degrees, practically needed to remove the engine to change the spark plugs, automatic gearbox exploded/disintegrated after a year. The only good news was I bought it at a heavy discount price because it was a dealer demo car even though it had all the bells and whistles being the top model version. Also, the gearbox was replaced under guarantee. It still put me off automatics for a long time. Renault 14 - Wikipedia[^]

    - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

    R Offline
    R Offline
    Ron Anders
    wrote on last edited by
    #9

    A 1967 Dodge Dart with 6 cylinder motor. It was 1983? We were kids and the 67 chevelle we had as our first car got rear ended and with unibody construction was done for. The dart had a weird issue that when the dry Santa Anna winds of So. Cal would blow, that thing would not start. So yeah on the most "beautiful" dry smog free days I was late for work - try to explain this to your boss, that on nice days your car wouldn't start. One dark night we were coming back from visiting my parents in seal beach on the 22 fwy at speed when the bolt that held the fan to the crankshaft left. The spinning fan jumped into the radiator with alternator belt attached and I don't have to tell you what that sounded like to go from cruising peace to all hell breaking loose in an instant. After weeks went by, we eventually got the POS back on the road and traded in for a Toyota Corolla hatchback that was a very good car. The 4 x 4 trailblazer we just got rid of comes in a close second but it was a 2003 and we drove it for all it was worth. Except for 3 transfer case explosions, countless ignition coil replacements and the interior plastic breaking left and right it was a pretty decent vehicle.

    G D R M 4 Replies Last reply
    0
    • F Forogar

      Mine was a Renault 14. Weird offset rear wheels, engine canted back at 78 degrees, practically needed to remove the engine to change the spark plugs, automatic gearbox exploded/disintegrated after a year. The only good news was I bought it at a heavy discount price because it was a dealer demo car even though it had all the bells and whistles being the top model version. Also, the gearbox was replaced under guarantee. It still put me off automatics for a long time. Renault 14 - Wikipedia[^]

      - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

      C Offline
      C Offline
      charlieg
      wrote on last edited by
      #10

      84 Volkswagen Vanagen.... never again. Bought it new. Within 36K miles, a/c broke, lots of little issues. By 50k, the rear CV axles were gone, seems the factory forgot to grease them. 55k - one ot the cylinder heads started leaking fluid. What a piece of garbage

      Charlie Gilley <italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape... "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783 “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759

      OriginalGriffO 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • R Ron Anders

        A 1967 Dodge Dart with 6 cylinder motor. It was 1983? We were kids and the 67 chevelle we had as our first car got rear ended and with unibody construction was done for. The dart had a weird issue that when the dry Santa Anna winds of So. Cal would blow, that thing would not start. So yeah on the most "beautiful" dry smog free days I was late for work - try to explain this to your boss, that on nice days your car wouldn't start. One dark night we were coming back from visiting my parents in seal beach on the 22 fwy at speed when the bolt that held the fan to the crankshaft left. The spinning fan jumped into the radiator with alternator belt attached and I don't have to tell you what that sounded like to go from cruising peace to all hell breaking loose in an instant. After weeks went by, we eventually got the POS back on the road and traded in for a Toyota Corolla hatchback that was a very good car. The 4 x 4 trailblazer we just got rid of comes in a close second but it was a 2003 and we drove it for all it was worth. Except for 3 transfer case explosions, countless ignition coil replacements and the interior plastic breaking left and right it was a pretty decent vehicle.

        G Offline
        G Offline
        Gary Wheeler
        wrote on last edited by
        #11

        Ron Anders wrote:

        when the bolt that held the fan to the crankshaft left

        I have a similar story. My '72 Ford Maverick had a 170 cu. in. inline 6-cylinder engine. My wife was driving when one of the fan blades decided it had had enough, and struck out on its own. On its way it gouged a trough through the radiator and then committed unlawful congress with the battery. Meanwhile, the water pump disintegrated due to the unbalanced fan, and the harmonic balancer became unbalanced. Essentially everything forward of the engine block was destroyed.

        Software Zen: delete this;

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • F Forogar

          Mine was a Renault 14. Weird offset rear wheels, engine canted back at 78 degrees, practically needed to remove the engine to change the spark plugs, automatic gearbox exploded/disintegrated after a year. The only good news was I bought it at a heavy discount price because it was a dealer demo car even though it had all the bells and whistles being the top model version. Also, the gearbox was replaced under guarantee. It still put me off automatics for a long time. Renault 14 - Wikipedia[^]

          - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

          R Offline
          R Offline
          Ron Anders
          wrote on last edited by
          #12

          I want an EV because of the far far fewer things that can go wrong but the USA where I be is still too Big Loud Truck.

          D M 2 Replies Last reply
          0
          • R Ron Anders

            A 1967 Dodge Dart with 6 cylinder motor. It was 1983? We were kids and the 67 chevelle we had as our first car got rear ended and with unibody construction was done for. The dart had a weird issue that when the dry Santa Anna winds of So. Cal would blow, that thing would not start. So yeah on the most "beautiful" dry smog free days I was late for work - try to explain this to your boss, that on nice days your car wouldn't start. One dark night we were coming back from visiting my parents in seal beach on the 22 fwy at speed when the bolt that held the fan to the crankshaft left. The spinning fan jumped into the radiator with alternator belt attached and I don't have to tell you what that sounded like to go from cruising peace to all hell breaking loose in an instant. After weeks went by, we eventually got the POS back on the road and traded in for a Toyota Corolla hatchback that was a very good car. The 4 x 4 trailblazer we just got rid of comes in a close second but it was a 2003 and we drove it for all it was worth. Except for 3 transfer case explosions, countless ignition coil replacements and the interior plastic breaking left and right it was a pretty decent vehicle.

            D Offline
            D Offline
            dandy72
            wrote on last edited by
            #13

            Ron Anders wrote:

            A 1967 Dodge Dart with 6 cylinder motor. It was 1983?

            So, the "worst car you ever owned" was 16 years old when you got it? Doesn't sound unreasonable.

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • R Ron Anders

              I want an EV because of the far far fewer things that can go wrong but the USA where I be is still too Big Loud Truck.

              D Offline
              D Offline
              dandy72
              wrote on last edited by
              #14

              Ron Anders wrote:

              I want an EV because of the far far fewer things that can go wrong

              Of course if it's always parked, waiting to be charged, fewer things can go wrong than if you were actually driving it...

              OriginalGriffO 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • C charlieg

                84 Volkswagen Vanagen.... never again. Bought it new. Within 36K miles, a/c broke, lots of little issues. By 50k, the rear CV axles were gone, seems the factory forgot to grease them. 55k - one ot the cylinder heads started leaking fluid. What a piece of garbage

                Charlie Gilley <italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape... "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783 “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759

                OriginalGriffO Offline
                OriginalGriffO Offline
                OriginalGriff
                wrote on last edited by
                #15

                Volkswagen - YouTube[^]

                Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
                "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

                L 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • D dandy72

                  Ron Anders wrote:

                  I want an EV because of the far far fewer things that can go wrong

                  Of course if it's always parked, waiting to be charged, fewer things can go wrong than if you were actually driving it...

                  OriginalGriffO Offline
                  OriginalGriffO Offline
                  OriginalGriff
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #16

                  LOL. U winz d internetz 4 2da. :laugh:

                  Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                  "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
                  "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

                    Volkswagen - YouTube[^]

                    Sent from my Amstrad PC 1640 Never throw anything away, Griff Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #17

                    I like this one: [Volkswagen: Un-pimp Your Ride, compilation. - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWMpHc77qNI)

                    C 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • F F ES Sitecore

                      My Lamborghini only gets 5 mpg. Ugh.

                      R Offline
                      R Offline
                      realJSOP
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #18

                      My Mustang gets 3 - because 'MURRICA!

                      ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                      -----
                      You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                      -----
                      When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

                      L 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • R Ron Anders

                        A 1967 Dodge Dart with 6 cylinder motor. It was 1983? We were kids and the 67 chevelle we had as our first car got rear ended and with unibody construction was done for. The dart had a weird issue that when the dry Santa Anna winds of So. Cal would blow, that thing would not start. So yeah on the most "beautiful" dry smog free days I was late for work - try to explain this to your boss, that on nice days your car wouldn't start. One dark night we were coming back from visiting my parents in seal beach on the 22 fwy at speed when the bolt that held the fan to the crankshaft left. The spinning fan jumped into the radiator with alternator belt attached and I don't have to tell you what that sounded like to go from cruising peace to all hell breaking loose in an instant. After weeks went by, we eventually got the POS back on the road and traded in for a Toyota Corolla hatchback that was a very good car. The 4 x 4 trailblazer we just got rid of comes in a close second but it was a 2003 and we drove it for all it was worth. Except for 3 transfer case explosions, countless ignition coil replacements and the interior plastic breaking left and right it was a pretty decent vehicle.

                        R Offline
                        R Offline
                        realJSOP
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #19

                        Ron Anders wrote:

                        the bolt that held the fan to the crankshaft left.

                        The fan is connected to the waterpump, which is driven with a belt that connects it to a pulley on the crank... Also, there are four bolts that hold the fan onto the water pump. I've never seen all four bolts let go all at once, but I have seen OEM fans lose a fan blade, go off balance, and eventually tear itself apart, but only if you were lucky enought to not have the detached blade slice open one of the water hoses first. :)

                        ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                        -----
                        You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                        -----
                        When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • F Forogar

                          Mine was a Renault 14. Weird offset rear wheels, engine canted back at 78 degrees, practically needed to remove the engine to change the spark plugs, automatic gearbox exploded/disintegrated after a year. The only good news was I bought it at a heavy discount price because it was a dealer demo car even though it had all the bells and whistles being the top model version. Also, the gearbox was replaced under guarantee. It still put me off automatics for a long time. Renault 14 - Wikipedia[^]

                          - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

                          J Offline
                          J Offline
                          Jorgen Andersson
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #20

                          A VW Passat. Actually nothing really bad. But it kept killing my back. And it had a more or less continuous series of small breakdowns that all cost a fortune to repair. I was happy to see it go. Honorary mention. My fathers Citroën GS. It broke down in a most remarkable fashion. As a fresh driver without a car of my own I had borrowed it from my father when visiting a friend. On the way home I heard a loud bang. And when I tried to apply the brakes, absolutely nothing happened. Now I should probably mention that it had fairly unusual brakes, where the brake disks where attached to the drive shafts at the gearbox. What had happened was that the bolts that fastened the disks to the gearbox somehow got ripped off. Removing the brake calipers with it. I ended up rolling a couple of kilometers before the speed went down so far that I could stop the car by breaking using my feet. Had it broken down basically anywhere else I would have had a serious accident. My father obviously had a hard time believing that I really didn't do anything, tasked me with repairing the car. So I had to exchange a smashed gearbox. This would normally not be a to hard thing to do. Except on this car. There was a welded beam between the front fenders that prohibited me from lifting the engine out of the car. I had to dismantle the front of the car and lift the engine out horizontally before I could exchange the gearbox on this piece of shit car. The whole procedure took me two weeks. As a comparison, it took me two hours to exchange the clutch on a Ford Granada I owned later.

                          Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • F Forogar

                            Mine was a Renault 14. Weird offset rear wheels, engine canted back at 78 degrees, practically needed to remove the engine to change the spark plugs, automatic gearbox exploded/disintegrated after a year. The only good news was I bought it at a heavy discount price because it was a dealer demo car even though it had all the bells and whistles being the top model version. Also, the gearbox was replaced under guarantee. It still put me off automatics for a long time. Renault 14 - Wikipedia[^]

                            - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

                            D Offline
                            D Offline
                            Duncan Edwards Jones
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #21

                            1972 ex British Gas Series 2A Landrover. Could go absolutely anywhere, except past a petrol station without stopping...

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • R realJSOP

                              My Mustang gets 3 - because 'MURRICA!

                              ".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
                              -----
                              You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
                              -----
                              When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              Lost User
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #22

                              #realJSOP wrote:

                              My Mustang gets 3 - because 'MURRICA!

                              Yeah, but you use those poofy little wine gallons over there. Other bloke is from Britain where they are using the manly beer gallon so probably close to the same mileage.

                              Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • F Forogar

                                Mine was a Renault 14. Weird offset rear wheels, engine canted back at 78 degrees, practically needed to remove the engine to change the spark plugs, automatic gearbox exploded/disintegrated after a year. The only good news was I bought it at a heavy discount price because it was a dealer demo car even though it had all the bells and whistles being the top model version. Also, the gearbox was replaced under guarantee. It still put me off automatics for a long time. Renault 14 - Wikipedia[^]

                                - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

                                M Offline
                                M Offline
                                Mark_Wallace
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #23

                                A simca something-or-other. I bought it from a buddy because he needed the money, and he wouldn't have got twenty quid for it, elsewhere. When it was running, it was a good drive. I don't think I need to expand on that; I'm sure you can guess the rest.

                                I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • F Forogar

                                  Mine was a Renault 14. Weird offset rear wheels, engine canted back at 78 degrees, practically needed to remove the engine to change the spark plugs, automatic gearbox exploded/disintegrated after a year. The only good news was I bought it at a heavy discount price because it was a dealer demo car even though it had all the bells and whistles being the top model version. Also, the gearbox was replaced under guarantee. It still put me off automatics for a long time. Renault 14 - Wikipedia[^]

                                  - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

                                  K Online
                                  K Online
                                  kmoorevs
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #24

                                  A '99 Mazda 626. I bought it when it had 80K miles (from a coworker) and it had no problems whatsoever. For the 40K miles I owned it, it was another story: 0: replaced both CV joints (at different times) 1: replaced multiple cheap relays for the cooling fans 2: replaced busted coolant tank (which I think resulted from #1) 3: replaced water pump / timing belt (as a result of #2) 4: the glue for the interior panels/headliner did not stand up well to a couple of hot Louisiana summers. I remember when the flapping headliner went beyond an annoyance to a safety hazard. 5: the CD player started skipping on good discs, especially when it was cold, and especially the last tracks were the worst. 6: the brakes had a nasty habit where the calipers wouldn't fully release. I'd have to pull the wheel off and use a c-clamp to push 'em back in...and by that time, everything was smokin' hot! 7: the A/C system sprang a leak. For a couple of summers I got by with the diy charging kits. Third time was a charm when the tiny leak finally gave way and the compressor seized. :sigh: That's when my wife (gf at the time) refused to ride in it, and when I broke down and bought my first new vehicle which I still have today, now 10 y/o but with only 33K miles on it.

                                  "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

                                  C 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • L Lost User

                                    I like this one: [Volkswagen: Un-pimp Your Ride, compilation. - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWMpHc77qNI)

                                    C Offline
                                    C Offline
                                    charlieg
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #25

                                    Even so, never again. :). Years ago when I still had to drive the hoard around, I had 3 vehicles I could choose from: Ford E350, a GMC something and a Dodge something - all 15 seater. Even then, it was a crap shoot.

                                    Charlie Gilley <italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape... "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783 “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • K kmoorevs

                                      A '99 Mazda 626. I bought it when it had 80K miles (from a coworker) and it had no problems whatsoever. For the 40K miles I owned it, it was another story: 0: replaced both CV joints (at different times) 1: replaced multiple cheap relays for the cooling fans 2: replaced busted coolant tank (which I think resulted from #1) 3: replaced water pump / timing belt (as a result of #2) 4: the glue for the interior panels/headliner did not stand up well to a couple of hot Louisiana summers. I remember when the flapping headliner went beyond an annoyance to a safety hazard. 5: the CD player started skipping on good discs, especially when it was cold, and especially the last tracks were the worst. 6: the brakes had a nasty habit where the calipers wouldn't fully release. I'd have to pull the wheel off and use a c-clamp to push 'em back in...and by that time, everything was smokin' hot! 7: the A/C system sprang a leak. For a couple of summers I got by with the diy charging kits. Third time was a charm when the tiny leak finally gave way and the compressor seized. :sigh: That's when my wife (gf at the time) refused to ride in it, and when I broke down and bought my first new vehicle which I still have today, now 10 y/o but with only 33K miles on it.

                                      "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

                                      C Offline
                                      C Offline
                                      charlieg
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #26

                                      10 years old and 33K miles? Oh you must tell more! There is a story here, I can smell it. ;P

                                      Charlie Gilley <italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape... "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783 “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759

                                      K 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • F Forogar

                                        Mine was a Renault 14. Weird offset rear wheels, engine canted back at 78 degrees, practically needed to remove the engine to change the spark plugs, automatic gearbox exploded/disintegrated after a year. The only good news was I bought it at a heavy discount price because it was a dealer demo car even though it had all the bells and whistles being the top model version. Also, the gearbox was replaced under guarantee. It still put me off automatics for a long time. Renault 14 - Wikipedia[^]

                                        - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

                                        J Offline
                                        J Offline
                                        Johnny J
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #27

                                        Forogar wrote:

                                        Mine was a Renault 14

                                        Ah, well, there's your problem: Life is too short for French cars. :~ My worst was a Citroën C3. The wife promptly wanted one of the first cars that rolled off the assembly line because she had seen it in a picture and thought "it looked cute". :doh: Nothing but trouble. It started 3 days after we got it (six months after they had promised to deliver it) and continued with trouble after trouble throughout its entire life cycle. In the end, we gave it away for free just to get rid of it. X|

                                        Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
                                        Anonymous
                                        -----
                                        The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
                                        Winston Churchill, 1944
                                        -----
                                        Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
                                        Mark Twain

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • F Forogar

                                          Mine was a Renault 14. Weird offset rear wheels, engine canted back at 78 degrees, practically needed to remove the engine to change the spark plugs, automatic gearbox exploded/disintegrated after a year. The only good news was I bought it at a heavy discount price because it was a dealer demo car even though it had all the bells and whistles being the top model version. Also, the gearbox was replaced under guarantee. It still put me off automatics for a long time. Renault 14 - Wikipedia[^]

                                          - I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.

                                          N Offline
                                          N Offline
                                          Nagy Vilmos
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #28

                                          We can close the thread now. I owned, and for some bizarre reason loved, a [Trabant 601 Kombi](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fájl:Trabant\_601\_Kombi\_(front).JPG). Stupid car but a joy nonetheless.

                                          veni bibi saltavi

                                          G J 2 Replies Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups