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A car dealer’s scientific guide to the 10 worst used vehicles
Yahoo ^ | 1/17/2014 | Yahoo

Posted on 01/19/2014 10:57:43 AM PST by cicero2k

Quality is something we all want when it comes to cars, especially older used ones. But how do we get it?

I have been studying this question in one form or another for nearly 14 years now. I began my automotive career as a car dealer, buying and selling hundreds of vehicles a year. As time went on, I became an auto auctioneer, a remarketing manager and a part-owner of a wholesale auto auction.

(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS: automobiles; cars; michigan; usedcars; worstcars; worstusedcars
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Many Freepers like to drive older cars. This article offers much insight into which cars are good and worth repairing vs. which are crushed (i.e. older Ford Taurus and Chryslers with 2.7 engines)

Also see analysis at

http://members.wolfram.com/nickl/QualityIndexRating.html

1 posted on 01/19/2014 10:57:43 AM PST by cicero2k
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To: cicero2k

I’ve actually never had a problem with my “older Suzuki”. Still has original muffler/cat and valve cover never off except for timing belt change.


2 posted on 01/19/2014 11:02:31 AM PST by steve86 (Some things aren't really true but you wouldn't be half surprised if they were.)
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To: cicero2k

All vehicles I would avoid anyway. Still interesting. Friend of mine said stay away from Mazda because of oil leaks.

I will add one of my own, 2008 Chevy Aveo, just because for a small car it got crappy MPG ( and I drive 60 ). Underpowered, accelerates like a pig on stilts. Only good point, it had the best factory radio of any car I’ve had.


3 posted on 01/19/2014 11:05:37 AM PST by 12th_Monkey (One man one vote is a big fail, when the "one" man is an idiot.)
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To: cicero2k

We’ve had good luck with Cadillac DTS. We buy them when they are coming off lease at 3 years, and we drive them forever. We buy the most luxiurious model available (heated and cooled seates, back up sensors, etc.)


4 posted on 01/19/2014 11:07:19 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: cicero2k

I’ve had some problems with my used Aviator but overall it is a solid vehicle.


5 posted on 01/19/2014 11:08:58 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: cicero2k

I call BS. I would expect GM to claim at a minimum seven of the bottom ten spots.


6 posted on 01/19/2014 11:09:05 AM PST by Hoodat (Democrats - Opposing Equal Protection since 1828)
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To: cicero2k

(later)


7 posted on 01/19/2014 11:09:43 AM PST by imardmd1 (Fiat Lux)
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To: cicero2k
I have a '96 Firebird that I love....actually I have had four of them. Two TA's and two FB's.

Id rather put 15k into this car and make it "new" rather than spend 25K on a new car.

8 posted on 01/19/2014 11:09:55 AM PST by Las Vegas Ron ("Medicine is the keystone in the arch of socialism" Vladimir Lenin)
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To: cicero2k

I don’t imagine they’re around anymore, but the Mazda RX7 should certainly qualify - that rotary was a total POS!


9 posted on 01/19/2014 11:12:02 AM PST by Slump Tester (What if I'm pregnant Teddy? Errr-ahh -Calm down Mary Jo, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it)
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To: cicero2k

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/12/monday-mileage-champion-the-year-in-review/

...Well, approximately two-thirds of the vehicles that reach the 300k+ mark at an auction I attend will usually belong in one of four categories.

Ford truck or SUV. Chevy truck or SUV. Honda car. Toyota everything.

There you have it. Nearly two thirds of the vehicles that I see with serious high mileage credentials will belong in one of those four categories...


10 posted on 01/19/2014 11:13:59 AM PST by jjotto ("Ya could look it up!")
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To: cicero2k

All ten of those cars are crap to begin with - I just picked up a 2000 Buick Park Avenue Ultra with 67K original miles and nary a scratch on it for 6 grand. Original sticker price 38K, it has the excellent V6 with a factory supercharger. Gets 25mpg on a cruise with a ton of passing power.


11 posted on 01/19/2014 11:16:10 AM PST by dainbramaged (Windage and elevation, Mrs. Langdon; windage and elevation.)
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To: cicero2k

Thanks for posting.


12 posted on 01/19/2014 11:27:26 AM PST by PAR35
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To: dainbramaged

My 1998 Buick Park Avenue Non-Ultra has 190,000 miles and plenty of scratches. Plenty of nuisance problems (stuck doors, windows , bas head lamp lenses) and I HATE daytime running lights, but that 3800 drivetain is a champ.


13 posted on 01/19/2014 11:28:15 AM PST by Dr. Sivana (“The only thing that can save us is if Kerry wins the Nobel prize and leaves us alone.”-Moshe Yaal)
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To: Hoodat

Depends. I know many people who have had great luck with GM trucks. Some of the cheap econoboxes they made, not so much.


14 posted on 01/19/2014 11:31:05 AM PST by matt04
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To: cicero2k

What?

No Pintos or Gremlins?


15 posted on 01/19/2014 11:35:43 AM PST by left that other site
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To: cicero2k

I love my ‘06 Scion Xa. Only gripe is that the paint is fragile and gets chipped off easily. Add that to the NYC drivers who believe they have to tap the cars fore and aft while parallel parking, and you have chipped bumpers.


16 posted on 01/19/2014 11:40:37 AM PST by EinNYC
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To: left that other site

Don’t forget Chevy Vegas!


17 posted on 01/19/2014 11:40:47 AM PST by 4yearlurker (Some people say that experts agree!!)
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To: 4yearlurker

Oh Yeah...and the Chevy Geo too.


18 posted on 01/19/2014 11:42:51 AM PST by left that other site
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To: matt04

My 1999 Chevy Venture is the best running vehicle I ever owned. It’s got 128 thousand miles and still runs great! That being said I will never buy another Chevy.


19 posted on 01/19/2014 11:43:00 AM PST by 4yearlurker (Some people say that experts agree!!)
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To: jjotto
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/12/monday-mileage-champion-the-year-in-review/

A good complimentary article.

As an owner of a 2000 Civic, I tell people that it is like driving for the cost of gasoline, and at 35 MPG, it is not much.

Then my 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. Rides quiet as a luxury car, and had only to replace a fuel pump in all that time. The brakes are original.

20 posted on 01/19/2014 11:43:54 AM PST by cicero2k
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