The worst cars of the 00's.

David09

Inspired by captainspeed's thread of suggesting the most advanced cars of the 00's, on the flipside, which cars would you consider the worst and most scrapped??
Back in the 80's and early 90's, lots of sub-standard cars disintegrated with corrosion and were halfway dissolved before they reached the crusher (Fiat Ritmo). Nowadays, due to NCT, the cause of death is that they're money pits and are unviable to repair.

So, I'll nominate a few...

Fiat punto, Rovers with K-series and early laguna ii's.


May the jihad begin...

David09

David09 wrote: »

Fiat punto, Rovers with K-series and early laguna ii's.


May the jihad begin...

MG ZT 180

Guy:Incognito

Did this thread not happen before or am I getting made up De Ja Vu?

This thread is the only race a 1.4 focus will ever win

ottostreet

David09 wrote: »

Inspired by captainspeed's thread of suggesting the most advanced cars of the 00's, on the flipside, which cars would you consider the worst and most scrapped??
Back in the 80's and early 90's, lots of sub-standard cars disintegrated with corrosion and were halfway dissolved before they reached the crusher (Fiat Ritmo). Nowadays, due to NCT, the cause of death is that they're money pits and are unviable to repair.

So, I'll nominate a few...

Fiat punto, Rovers with K-series and early laguna ii's.


May the jihad begin...

no way. the mark 2 punto had problems with head gaskets on the 8v, but apart from that, super little cars!

i havent enough experience with cars from this decade to pick a 'worst' but based on hearsay, those lagunas do seem pretty bad!

Ardennes1944

no way jose should puntos be there. had an 8v and loved it!

David09

ottostreet wrote: »

no way. the mark 2 punto had problems with head gaskets on the 8v, but apart from that, super little cars!

i havent enough experience with cars from this decade to pick a 'worst' but based on hearsay, those lagunas do seem pretty bad!

Yes, and the higher spec versions of Punto may have been better cars, but initially the biggest problem the punto faced was it's price. At the time, people bought base spec, cheapest-of the cheap cars with distaste in order to attach a current year reg plate.
The 8v punto was one of the cheapest cars money could buy, (or finance could fit) so it's fate could only have been similar to that of anything Daewoo.

unkel

David09 wrote: »

So, I'll nominate a few...

Fiat punto, Rovers with K-series

Here we go again. Those cars really don't suit Irish owners who know nothing about cars. Who do not service their cars. Ever. You might get away with that kinda ignorance in a Honda or Toyota for a few years (is that why those are so popular here?) but not in most other cars.

ottostreet

David09 wrote: »

Yes, and the higher spec versions of Punto may have been better cars, but initially the biggest problem the punto faced was it's price. At the time, people bought base spec, cheapest-of the cheap cars with distaste in order to attach a current year reg plate.
The 8v punto was one of the cheapest cars money could buy, (or finance could fit) so it's fate could only have been similar to that of anything Daewoo.

It was actually my base spec Punto that gave me least hassle!

People really over estimate a non cooked hg on a tidy 4 cylinder engine, its fixed in a few hours for about 150 more than a timing belt and water pump change.

Ardennes1944

ottostreet wrote: »

It was actually my base spec Punto that gave me least hassle!

same, no elec windows, sunroof, central locking. but it had power steering

Fishtits

Renaults

Ask anyone in the trade...

Ardennes1944

for lagunas yes...but for everything else mechanically they are pretty sound

David09

unkel wrote: »

Here we go again.

RoverJames wrote: »

People really over estimate a non cooked hg on a tidy 4 cylinder engine, its fixed in a few hours for about 150 more than a timing belt and water pump change.

In some cases, yes. In others, no.

In terms of puntos, they tend to blow hg's between cylinder and water jacket and then they stop...
Repair is straightforward, head removal, skim, replace along with a 'stat.

In the case of the k-series, they blow the hg between oil and coolant and continue running in this state for some time before the oblivious owner realises. By then the whole cooling system is gummed up and oil has turned into mayonaisse, requiring lots more work to remedy.

colm_mcm

Cityrover, without a doubt.

Arthur Daley

original Citroen C5. A step back from the Zantia, and pig ugly.

jetsonx

Chrysler 300 - the most vulgar and crass car on Irish roads bought during
the Tiger years - meant to be a cr@p car to drive also.

VolvoMan

I reckon the Peugeot 307 was a pretty poor car. It was as dull as a Mk4 Golf, but not as well built and twice as unreliable.

Stinicker

Toyota Corrola, it was like sticking pins in your eyes for most of the decade, even the current model, tends to induce vomit in me.

unkel

David09 wrote: »

In the case of the k-series, they blow the hg between oil and coolant and continue running in this state for some time before the oblivious owner realises. By then the whole cooling system is gummed up and oil has turned into mayonaisse, requiring lots more work to remedy.

The oblivious owner?

I'm glad to see you agree with my sentiments expressed earlier. I would not have found the strength in me to use such a diplomatic description of the owner

David09

VolvoMan wrote: »

I reckon the Peugeot 307 was a pretty poor car. It was as dull as a Mk4 Golf, but not as well built and twice as unreliable.

Dmf and dpf give trouble along with electrics, but Hdi 1.6 somewhat makes up for this in terms of driving dynamics.

Stinicker wrote: »

Toyota Corrola, it was like sticking pins in your eyes for most of the decade, even the current model, tends to induce vomit in me.

Totally agree about the corolla, but it's funny how a car so good (perceived reliability) can actually be so bad, (ie tasteless, cheap plastics, dull).
Reliability comes at a high price.

Daegerty

Peugeot 407 SW

now I think of it all Peugeot have taken a fairly big downward turn this century. all filled to the brim with electronics and sensors and other cheap sh1te that can break and endlessly give you grief.

VolvoMan

Daegerty wrote: »

Peugeot 407 SW

now I think of it all Peugeot have taken a fairly big downward turn this century. all filled to the brim with electronics and sensors and other cheap sh1te that can break and endlessly give you grief.

I'd say they've gone a good ten years without building a single good car.

I think that even the 308 RCZ and 3008/5008 are still a long way away from what they used to produce.

Guy:Incognito

Reliability, whether good or bad does not determine if a car is the best or worst. Its a factor but a bland , mass market appliance is never going to be the best car, even if none ever broke.

Much reliability is percieved anyway. Theres been threads on here over the last month or so regarding Mondeos and some Jap cars where there have been lines like "bought the car 6 months ago, it's hasnt missed a beat, apart from needing a new rad". Now if that was a Renault or a Fiat it would be met wit "bloody cars had a new rad and I've only had it 6 months"

As far as I remember, a lot of the reliability surveys had Land Rover bottom a good chunk of the time. Personnally I'd rather spend my time in somethign they produced than the horrible 00 corrolla my Aunt had or the even worse (worst interior even contender imo, bloody square everything) 05 Corrolla one of my cousins has.

johnos1984

Renault Laguna Mk2

Rubbish in every way, not just reliability.

Reliability is very poor, expensive to maintain, none of the engines are particularly good due to poor reliability and being under powered, heavy car, cheap interior plastics, uncomfortable seating, low roof line, smells funny, plastic leather, squeaky plastics, poor visibility, expensive, depreciation, old man image and ugly compared to what went before.

I really can't think of a good point about the car. Now some cars have those faults but I can't think of another that has them all

At least the Cityrover was cheap is all I'll say

Guy:Incognito

The car i disliked the most, only going by ones I've had direct experience with, was the current Zafira (well it was current up to last year, honestly care so little for it that I wouldnt bother checking if it's been replaced). I've been in 2 for 3 day stints and didnt like them at all. The aforementioned square everything interior a la the Vectra, the seats are uncomfortable and the rear seats awkward to use. Coming from the Scenic we have to having to get everyone in the middle row to get out and move the poxy bench seat to pull up the 2 rearmost seats is just a pain in the hole.

savagecabbages

Thy Hyundai Accent got uglier and duller as the decade progressed...

Anything by Chrysler from that era (PT Cruiser, Crossfire, an as mentioned 300). These are all ugly, but as far as the worst car is concerned I'd have to have a good think about that. There could be several winners depending on what exactly we are looking for:

Style
Build quality
Value for money
Handling
Economy
etc.

stevenmu

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Reliability, whether good or bad does not determine if a car is the best or worst. Its a factor but a bland , mass market appliance is never going to be the best car, even if none ever broke.

I'm inclined to agree, but I do think that any car which not only has, but also promotes as a positive, a city/girly button deserves to win this thread outright, despite how hard the nissan tiida tried to be the blandest.

Eric Cartman

the prius - it was the car that turned the tide form people actually liking cars and driving to being more flaming than a george michael - elton john sex tape and ruining automotive design forever coupled with making people actually afraid of buying cars with anything more than a piddly engine with cylinders the size of thimbles

David09

David09 wrote: »

In the case of the k-series, they blow the hg between oil and coolant and continue running in this state for some time before the oblivious owner realises. By then the whole cooling system is gummed up and oil has turned into mayonaisse, requiring lots more work to remedy.

Well whoever drives a car until it gets that bad doesn't deserve much better to be honest. However, replacing a DMF and clutch on a Mark3 Mondeo would be a lot costlier and more time consuming than repairing the HG you described. So on your criteria a Mk3 Mundeo should be replacing the K series powered Rovers and the Puntos in the title chase to worst car of the 00s. Still, it won't catch the 1.4 Focus in this one :pac:

savagecabbages

come to think of it one car which actually makes me angry is the Lexus RX400h, a hybrid SUV. Its a complete contradiction. I dont mind a manufacturer going down the route of reducing emissions and impact on the environment, but a hybrid car is not a good way to do this. [A fully electric car or a good diesel is a better way to achieve this.]

This is a large SUV jeep with a 3000cc engine! Yes 3 litres! Its got an engine twice the size of many cars on the road, while pretentious people go around in them thinking they are being environmentally conscious. 'I drive a hybrid, aren't I great'. VOMIT

Jimmy Garlic

Ssangyong Rextons, Hyundai Santa Fes and all the other shi*tbox, mutant 4x4s that people of a certain gender with bad depth perception love.
What is the point of a Hyundai Santa Fe?.

shamwari

The early 1 litre Corsa C's were sh!te. Engine electronics that were poor, horrid seats, and interior that looked and felt cheap and plasticky. Power steering faults that were expensive to fix and actually common in occurrence. And without doubt, the worst 1 litre engine ever conceived. It was unreliable, underpowered, and had about as much go as Scalextric motor. It's 1.2 brother was thankfully a bit better.

As a devout and totally unashamed Punto owner, I have to say that it is a very badly maligned car and doesn't deserve the poor reputation it has widely earned. The Corsa is far more deserving of it instead.

200motels

All Ford cars and I've had a few and anything French.

but43r

johnos1984 wrote: »

Renault Laguna Mk2

Rubbish in every way, not just reliability.

Reliability is very poor, expensive to maintain, none of the engines are particularly good due to poor reliability and being under powered, heavy car, cheap interior plastics, uncomfortable seating, low roof line, smells funny, plastic leather, squeaky plastics, poor visibility, expensive, depreciation, old man image and ugly compared to what went before.

I really can't think of a good point about the car. Now some cars have those faults but I can't think of another that has them all

At least the Cityrover was cheap is all I'll say

Have you ever driven one? Hell, have you ever actually sat in one?
Used to own one and while it wasn't the most reliable car I ever had it was very comfortable. The 1.9 120 bhp engine is NOT underpowered in them. I'm quite tall and I found that roof line wasn't low at all. Smells funny? That totally depends on the owner. While it's probably not the best looking car on the road in it's class it's certainly not ugly.

Laguna II is definitely not ground braking car and reliability is bit poor but I would not call it the worst car of 00's.

TheAnswer

jetsonx wrote: »

Chrysler 300 - the most vulgar and crass car on Irish roads bought during
the Tiger years - meant to be a cr@p car to drive also.

Mk1 X5. Now there's vulgar!

bladespin

The Skoda Octavia, probably a great car but I'd be loathe to ever sit in one, for no better reason than they seem to be pushed in just about every car change thread here, if owners need that kind of positive endorsement every time they open boards I'd be concerned about the car.
Apart from that, they're bland, fugly, boring, with questionable reliability (flywheel) and not as economical as some owners say.

BrianD3

johnos1984 wrote: »

Renault Laguna Mk2

Rubbish in every way, not just reliability.

Reliability is very poor, expensive to maintain, none of the engines are particularly good due to poor reliability and being under powered, heavy car, cheap interior plastics, uncomfortable seating, low roof line, smells funny, plastic leather, squeaky plastics, poor visibility, expensive, depreciation, old man image and ugly compared to what went before.

I really can't think of a good point about the car. Now some cars have those faults but I can't think of another that has them all

LMAO, that's some of the worst rubbish I've read on this forum. "low roof line" "heavy car". "expensive" AND "depreciation". And best of all, "smells funny".

There is nothing underpowered about Laguna engines compared to its competitors at the time. There is nothing wrong with either the seat or ride comfort, in fact it's probably best in class. As for looks, I think you'll find that even ardent Renault bashers would consider it a decent looking car.

Mr.David

BMW X3

Nissan Tida
:eek:

johnos1984

but43r wrote: »

Have you ever driven one?

Yes many times, hell I nearly even bought one from GBM Renault in Kilkenny until I found out its history

but43r wrote: »

Hell, have you ever actually sat in one?

As above I've driven many of them and my mate owns one which he cannot sell

but43r wrote: »

Used to own one and while it wasn't the most reliable car I ever had it was very comfortable.

Not with the half leather/alacantara bucket seats they weren't and the ready to break centre arm rest

but43r wrote: »

1.9 120 bhp engine is NOT underpowered in them.

The car weighs a tonne so although it may sound and feel lively, it isn't

but43r wrote: »

I'm quite tall and I found that roof line wasn't low at all.

I take it you never spent time in the rear then

but43r wrote: »

Smells funny? That totally depends on the owner.

New or used the plastics emmitted an off putting odour

but43r wrote: »

While it's probably not the best looking car on the road in it's class it's certainly not ugly.

When you consider what went before its hard to believe they made the Laguna II

but43r wrote: »

Laguna II is definitely not ground braking car and reliability is bit poor but I would not call it the worst car of 00's.

I would but then again its subjective

tweedledee

Anything by Ford,although they are much improved recently.

Cuddlesworth

but43r wrote: »

Have you ever driven one? Hell, have you ever actually sat in one?
Used to own one and while it wasn't the most reliable car I ever had it was very comfortable. The 1.9 120 bhp engine is NOT underpowered in them. I'm quite tall and I found that roof line wasn't low at all. Smells funny? That totally depends on the owner. While it's probably not the best looking car on the road in it's class it's certainly not ugly.

Laguna II is definitely not ground braking car and reliability is bit poor but I would not call it the worst car of 00's.

My dad had three of them. Brand new over the space of two and a half months. Then he got a mondeo. He eventually got his money back after settling with the garage two years later. They were never a good car.

colm_mcm

J

savagecabbages wrote: »

come to think of it one car which actually makes me angry is the Lexus RX400h, a hybrid SUV. Its a complete contradiction. I dont mind a manufacturer going down the route of reducing emissions and impact on the environment, but a hybrid car is not a good way to do this. [A fully electric car or a good diesel is a better way to achieve this.]

This is a large SUV jeep with a 3000cc engine! Yes 3 litres! Its got an engine twice the size of many cars on the road, while pretentious people go around in them thinking they are being environmentally conscious. 'I drive a hybrid, aren't I great'. VOMIT

There is so much nonsense in here It's hard to know where start!
Take an rx450h, its a suv that will do 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, has an auto box, and oodles of equipment.
Diesel power isn't much good in a lot of American states so hybrids are actually offering Americans fuel efficency without downsizing.

Drive a lexus LS600h, GS450h, RX400/450h before slating.
As for peoples reason for buying, in ireland anyway its the low tax and vrt. You can tax an rx for €156.
Hand on heart tell me you wouldnt consider one in a few years time!

johnos1984 wrote: »

At least the Cityrover was cheap is all I'll say

It wasn't nearly cheap as it should've been, rover were buying these from Tata for something like 2 grand.

Bodhan

Anything Daewoo, I'm not talking about price or spec just the cars. Drives like a bowl of jelly and looks of a washing machine.
Any of them would be my nightmare car, I'd rather take a blow torch to my skin than drive one.
Still see loads of them on the road, the Lanos seems to be making a come back. Uuuhhhh *shudders

but43r

johnos1984 wrote: »

Yes many times, hell I nearly even bought one from GBM Renault in Kilkenny until I found out its history

So even though you thought all those things about the car you where still nearly bought one?

but43r

but43r wrote: »

So even though you thought all those things about the car you where still nearly bought one?

he bought a clio once and regretted it, I told him he would :pac:

johnos1984

but43r wrote: »

So even though you thought all those things about the car you where still nearly bought one?

It was cheap and I got taken in by the bells and whistles

What more can I say

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

he bought a clio once and regretted it, I told him he would :pac:

Again cheap and me trying to be sensible

Worst car I ever had and I rank it worse than the Alfa that fell to pieces. At least that was fun to drive

johnos1984

colm_mcm wrote: »

It wasn't nearly cheap as it should've been, rover were buying these from Tata for something like 2 grand.

If they knocked 2 grand off the list price it would of been fine at that price but yes it was over priced when sold new

Guy:Incognito

johnos1984 wrote: »

Again cheap and me trying to be sensible

Worst car I ever had and I rank it worse than the Alfa that fell to pieces. At least that was fun to drive

Maybe I'll play devils advocat here for a minute and say you may be a bad judge of 2nd hand cars?

I bought a Clio new in 2000 and much like the hoards of Punto buyers at the ime I was young and poor. The car saw nothing other thna petrol for the first 2 1/2 - 3 years of it's life and 45,000 miles until it went to my mother who ran it (with services now though :-) ) for another 7 years before getting a Megane on scrappage last year.

I've treated all my Renaults (and the families) much better since then and none of us have every had a breakdown. Closest was a dead battery after the cold spell early last year in my dads Laguna I.

Even the most fervant anti-Renault posters on here over the years have admitted at one point that the Clio is a good car.

YOu were poor but bought a new car :cool: