Shite to avoid at all cost

[ashmicro]

Vauxhall Novas. Detestable, wretched shitboxes with a back axle held on by chewing gum. The only car that has ever been the exception to my "Anything's better than walking" rule. I'd sooner be entombed in a Citroen AX disel, parked in Vanessa Feltz's ringpiece.

 

I had a boggo Brava, and the steering wheel was so cheap and nasty that a hundred mile drive caused my hands to bleed. Still better than a bastard Nova, though.

[oman5]

I can only speak from my own experience...I've had over a hundred various snotters over the years. heres a few I wouldn't have given to me.

Lada riva 1.5 catalyst. gutless, crap on fuel, on-or-off brakes, awful handling, loads of play at the wheel even when steering in good condition, almost impossible to get it through MOT emissions.

cortina mk5 1300 base. slow enough to be dangerous, crap on fuel, interior basic to the point of being empty.

Fiesta mk2. I owned a 1.6 diesel which actually went pretty well, but alarmingly the inner wings on both sides began to split behind the struts due to the weight of the engine. a basic tin box, made of metal that was tin-foil thin, and in 957cc form a waste of time and not particularly economical either.

Punto. numerous electrical gremlins, including an amusing tendency for switching the heater on causing the headlights to come on, a complete instrument cluster that required replacement at only 4 years old, underseal that dries out and shrinks causing bare metal to be exposed at the floor/sill join, chronic rusting above the windscreen, electrical power steering that stops working intermittantly.

Mitsubishi Pajero 2.5 td. ok I suppose if you particularly need a 7 seater or big 4x4 for towing, but pretty lifeless with the 2.5 engine, engine has head problems, and no matter how you drive it you'll be lucky to see more than about 22 mpg. I'm not a fan of 4x4s but I'd go for a disco everytime.

Oh, and any Renault made after about 1986.

[pandamonium]

Oi, leave off the Lada. Take the cat off, add a manual choke weber carb and you'll have more power and will still pass emissions tests better than as standard.

 

My vote for avoid at all costs is the early Skoda Felicia. Had two and hated both of them.

[R9UKE]

My vote for avoid at all costs is the early Skoda Felicia. Had two and hated both of them.

 

Yes, the Felicia is in my top 5 worst cars of having the displeasure of driving. Horrible utilitarian shit box. Cue Felly Magic telling us to fuck off

[Rocket88]

personnally (and this is subjective, I know) I would avoid all Vauxhall built after 1973 as they are simply dull.

 

I'll see your "avoid dull post '73 Vauxhalls", and raise you a Carlton GSi.............

[Rocket88]

Mercedes "A" class, Freelander with K series, most automatic Renaults, early VW Polo base model, and +1 for Chrysler Neons

[ProgRocker]

 

Agree with the anything post-2001 comment. Also anything with a dual mass flywheel.

 

Having had to spend £1100 on a clutch with DMF for my Nissan (probably a Renault part!), fair comment. Also having read the previous comment about the Renault 2.2 dCi engine makes me realise that I have bought a shit car.

[cort16]

I quite liked my Neon R/T. I seem to be the only person in the planet who did though.

The Vectra C is pretty grim. I got one as a hire car years ago thought it was bloody horrible in every way. They even managed to make the indicators annoying, which you'd think was impossible given it's just a stick.

[loserone]

Some of this lot seems very strange for this place..

 

I really loved my Lanos. Well no, I hated it, but I have rose tinted spectacles as not many of my generation got a first car with 60k on at 6 years old for £500 and doubled the mileage in eighteen months.. I once drove it out of a locked car park by having two wheels on the wall all the way out, and used to lie on the roof smoking whilst waiting for friends to arrive at airports.

 

I replaced the Lanos with that N16 I sold last month; I'm not sure it was an improvement. I got rid of the Lanos because it had broken down for the second time. Neither time did it cost more than £40 to fix. I don't think the Almera ever had a service/work done with a bill for less than £400. In fact, I think the maintenance cost more than the depreciation, which is pretty good going for a car with very little soul.

 

Prog Rocker - Don't be too disheartened by this; I'm sure it's a transformed car with a decent diesel engine in, most of my issues were with the 1500 (which I ragged) and the suspension, which didn't take kindly to commuting 50 miles a day through flooded, potholed single lane roads flat out. I think yours is newer than the ones with the rusty cross member issues too. It's things like this which will eventually result in the N16 Almera being a target for the next generation of autoshitist. Often scrapped due to the cost of fixing problems, never going to be many people's desires, and those who've taken care of a nice example will be respected and revered.

 

SImilarly, I've been in a couple of Bravaeiou recently , and thought they were a generally nice car - light, comfortable, fairly spacious, and not bad looking. The Bravo reminds me a lot of the 145, which I have a major wantage for (but a veto from the other half, and no space).

 

Perhaps I've got an odd viewpoint driving two early 90s Mazdas, but then, I though that was half the point of this place? Shite can be interesting whenever it's from, and however simple or indeed complicated it is. Unloved is the key, be it unloved from the start, unloved through reputation (or parts availablity/prices) or just forgotten about.

 

If something's unloved so much that even we don't like it, point me at the hardcore edition of autoshite please, cause I'd like to read about every car that's been listed so far.

[Station]

Yes, the Felicia is in my top 5 worst cars of having the displeasure of driving. Horrible utilitarian shit box. Cue Felly Magic telling us to fuck off

 

I've just bought a Felicia, I think it's quite nice actually. The steering is absolutely horrible (needs power steering - even cornering at speed feels heavy), and the SPi engines are rattly and basic, but apart from that I can't fault it.

[Mr Lobster]

Some of this lot seems very strange for this place..

 

Don't worry. Its just the bi-monthly 'all xx are crap / new cars are shit' thread.

[MK5 Escort]

Near enough all Fords post-2000/1 ish. Darlings of the vocal press (barring BMW), overrated in most respects and surprisingly expensive to put right when they go wrong. TDCi's in particular with they're self-destructing injectors.

 

All Peugeots ending in x'07' and x'08'. A lot of x'06's for that matter too, whilst I'm thinking on. At least they were largely pretty things to look at...

 

+1 on the Freelander K Series. My brother had one which expired in a very large cloud of steam on the M6 not far from the M55 Blackpool turn-off - in the outside lane . That was replaced by a diesel Freelander which was barely any better.

 

Mk3 Golf - some serious quality control issues were going on when that was in production. It remains one of the very worst cars which has ever graced the family driveway. It's one car which I struggle to find any redeeming features.

[Split_Pin]

Some of this lot seems very strange for this place..

 

Don't worry. Its just the bi-monthly 'all xx are crap / new cars are shit' thread.

 

Yes, normally this forum is a good place to be!

[oman5]

not sure I agree with mk3 golfs? I had one years ago and passed it on to my dad who still has it. 1.9 N/a diesel, coming up for 180k and still fine, pulls ok, 55-60 mpg. I bought it on the strength of 2 other mates who own them- both with over 250k on the clock. reverse gear gets very noisy on all of these golfs but still keeps working.

In fact I'd say that as long as you don't crave excitement, it would qualify as the ultimate banger for reliability, ease of maintenance,practicality and longevity. with the n/a diesel there is virtually nothing that goes wrong with them.

[messerschmitt owner]

personnally (and this is subjective, I know) I would avoid all Vauxhall built after 1973 as they are simply dull.

 

I'll see your "avoid dull post '73 Vauxhalls", and raise you a Carlton GSi.............

I'll see your Carlton GSi and raise you a Lotus Carlton!

[John F]

personnally (and this is subjective, I know) I would avoid all Vauxhall built after 1973 as they are simply dull.

 

I'll see your "avoid dull post '73 Vauxhalls", and raise you a Carlton GSi.............

I'll see your Carlton GSi and raise you a Lotus Carlton!

 

I've no idea what dull means (subjectively, of course) to Taff, but I'm fairly sure that in terms of spirited driving, most people would concede that the HP Firenza, Mk 1 Cavalier GLS Coupé, Chevette HSE, Mk 1 / 2 Astra GTE, Lotus Carlton, Mk 3 Cavalier SRi / GSi 2000, Calibra V6 and Turbo and the V8 Monaro are likely to be more engaging than e.g. a 1.1 Viva HA.

[tonedepear]

not sure I agree with mk3 golfs?

 

+1

 

I had a 1.6 petrol which seems to be broadly regarded as the worst available option, and it provided sterling service pretty much, and it was comfy and pleasant and surprisingly economical. I'd have another fo sho.

[Taff]

I've no idea what dull means (subjectively, of course) to Taff, but I'm fairly sure that in terms of spirited driving, most people would concede that the HP Firenza, Mk 1 Cavalier GLS Coupé, Chevette HSE, Mk 1 / 2 Astra GTE, Lotus Carlton, Mk 3 Cavalier SRi / GSi 2000, Calibra V6 and Turbo and the V8 Monaro are likely to be more engaging than e.g. a 1.1 Viva HA.

 

i did say it was subjective! i've never been a fan of vauxhalls since they stopped making Crestas/viscounts, i haven't enjoyed a vauxhall since. but i accept that i may, jusy may, be wrong about them being dull.....

 

can I add mk1 1300cc capri? really looked the part but was utterly crap to drive

[Cavcraft]

Some of this lot seems very strange for this place..

 

Don't worry. Its just the bi-monthly 'all xx are crap / new cars are shit' thread.

 

Have to agree with that. It's also been the reason for a few fall outs and (possibly) people leaving iirc.

 

My car is shit, your car is shit, new cars are shit, old cars are shit etc.

[scruff]

I don't think a Mpi Disco is to be avoided, they aren't as juicy as a V8 and the engines are pretty good, they are slower than a Tdi but not much. I've driven a couple and they were OK, just get one with a good gearbox as you will be using it A LOT

[tonedepear]

This is a right wishlist.

[John F]

I've no idea what dull means (subjectively, of course) to Taff, but I'm fairly sure that in terms of spirited driving, most people would concede that the HP Firenza, Mk 1 Cavalier GLS Coupé, Chevette HSE, Mk 1 / 2 Astra GTE, Lotus Carlton, Mk 3 Cavalier SRi / GSi 2000, Calibra V6 and Turbo and the V8 Monaro are likely to be more engaging than e.g. a 1.1 Viva HA.

 

i did say it was subjective! i've never been a fan of vauxhalls since they stopped making Crestas/viscounts, i haven't enjoyed a vauxhall since. but i accept that i may, jusy may, be wrong about them being dull.....

 

can I add mk1 1300cc capri? really looked the part but was utterly crap to drive

 

You certainly can, Taff

 

I once drove an early Mk II 1.3 and if it had been any slower the council would have charged rates on it.

 

I disagree that we should avoid "contentious" threads like this... we're all different & there WILL be differences of opinions, but we're all adults here & should be able to deal with it. And sometimes it's just good to let off a bit of steam... for example, have I mentioned recently how much I detest Citroen bloody Xsara bloody Picassos? Hehe!

[John F]

I don't think a Mpi Disco is to be avoided, they aren't as juicy as a V8 and the engines are pretty good, they are slower than a Tdi but not much. I've driven a couple and they were OK, just get one with a good gearbox as you will be using it A LOT

 

I remember hearing that some early Discos had gearbox trouble... Do the MPi models use the LT77 box like the 200 TDis?

[trigger]

Some of this lot seems very strange for this place..

 

Don't worry. Its just the bi-monthly 'all xx are crap / new cars are shit' thread.

 

Have to agree with that. It's also been the reason for a few fall outs and (possibly) people leaving iirc.

 

My car is shit, your car is shit, new cars are shit, old cars are shit etc.

 

This is the first time I've looked on this thread and this is why, It's a forum about shite, unloved cars with it's members moaning about shite, unloved cars, Quality stuff guys, keep it up.

[Negative Creep]

Doesn't mean we have to like everything and never criticise a car we don't like. This isn't RR.

[dollywobbler]

I don't think a Mpi Disco is to be avoided, they aren't as juicy as a V8 and the engines are pretty good, they are slower than a Tdi but not much. I've driven a couple and they were OK, just get one with a good gearbox as you will be using it A LOT

 

I remember hearing that some early Discos had gearbox trouble... Do the MPi models use the LT77 box like the 200 TDis?

 

All Discos up to the 1994 facelift used the LT77 - though the Mpi came along not long before that facelift. Think the point Mr Scruff was making is that you need to stir the box a lot to keep an MPi on the boil! There's not much low-down grunt with the Mpi, so it has to be worked hard.

[theorganist]

Have to be honest I think this thread has been harmless and does not seem to overly criticise other shiters cars, there has not been any arguing from what I can see!!

 

I do not have any recommendations to make as if it is old and interesting (and preferably obscure) then I am up for having a go at owning it.

[R9UKE]

Does anyone on this site have one of those old Protons? I've not noticed any in signatures or general chat, and it's shite that most would avoid but I'm dying to own.

 

[trigger]

I'm sure there's one chap on here has one with a Lynx bodykit?, There's also a guy over on RR who's just crashed one, poor guys sounds like he's just learned an expensive lesson.

 

Edit - here http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... ead=120124

 

I drove one years ago, it was very cheap and plasticity feeling and reminded me of a 80's Mitsubishi Colt which is funny as that's what it is, I'm also sure you he had to start it with your foot on the clutch pedal.

[R9UKE]

Crashing in one of those, he's lucky to have lived to tell the tale. I was in Malaysia last year and the bastard things are every other car. They were called the Saga there, not sure they actually got a model name here?