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I've had some really bad cars in my 65 years, but the all-time hands down worst was a top of the line '71 Audi 100LS. I needed a very nice and dependable car for my job, and the Audi salesman told me it was "just like a small Mercedes" for only 3/4 the price. My wife ate that line up. Leather interior, real walnut dash, etc, but as I soon discovered, the only thing it had in common with a Mercedes was that they both came over on a boat.

I can't take up enough time and space here to begin to list even 1/10 of the major problems we had with that example of fine German engineeering and craftmanship in the 1-1/2 years I owned it, but I will list a few of the most maddening ones.

1. A/C. It never worked properly from day one, and neither the dealer nor any A/C shop in FL could fix it. In all the time I owned the car, the A/C never worked for more than 2 consecutive days at a time. Most of the time it simply didn't work at all. That may not be a major problem in Deutchland, but it sure is in FL.

2. Starting the engine. Simply put, much of the time it just wouldn't start. It would start fine when the engine was cold, but after running for a few miles it wouldn't re-start until it cooled down again. Another problem that neither the Audi dealer nor any other repair shop could fix, or even explain. A German mechanic told me he knew what the trouble was and how to fix it. But after spending over a thousand dollars (1972 dollars) and several months with him, it was no better than before. The problem was still there when I traded it in.

3. Brakes. Went out after one month. Dealer couldn't get parts to repair, so after 2 weeks with a loaner I had to drive 80 miles to find them at a ridiculously high price, and then couldn't get reimbursed by the dealer. Also the power brake unit never worked properly.

Too many more problems to list, but I can only say there was no end to the serious troubles with that car for the 1-1/2 years I owned it. Every week was a new set of problems. I spent more time driving our old '66 Dodge Monaco 2nd car (great car BTW) than I did in the Audi. That was over 1/4 century ago, and I have never been tempted to buy another German car since.

FWIW, after owning 21 different makes of cars that I can remember offhand, and a few I can't, I don't believe Nissan can be beaten for dependability.

My folks had a 66 Dodge Monaco wagon with a 383 and a Carter AFB. That was one big, roomy, powerful car that floated over bumps--I think it was the smoothest riding car I ever rode in--and it had an underdash A/C that would grow icicles on you. I'd like to have a new one.

PS several of my brothers were in Oklahoma with my mother when they had a close encounter with a tornado. Those who say you can't outrun a twister are full of it. They were all telling me about how she was going the fastest she ever had in her life:} "Did you know that big wagon will go over a hundred!"