Worst Car Purchasing Decisions: Insights from Five Disastrous Experiences
Car purchases can often go awry, leaving owners with regretful and seemingly permanent memories. Here are five of the worst car purchasing decisions from experienced car owners, detailing the issues and lessons learned from each vehicle.
1. The Clumsy 1986 Dodge Omni
My closet car humiliating experience involves an old 1986 Dodge Omni. I received the vehicle as a family-owned 25-dollar transfer, although it was a true nightmare on wheels. Believe it or not, this car had a manual five-speed transmission, but its shifter was so vague that it felt like shifting through a bowl of mashed potatoes filled with bent metal. The adventure of every drive was akin to playing “Gear Change Roulette,” and reversing was a gear-graunching crapshoot. Over 25,000 miles, this shoddily constructed car went through five clutches, and the right rear fender even fell off. Additionally, the driver's seat got stuck in a rearward position, making it impossible for me to reach any pedals. At 5'7", I struggled to operate this beast.
2. The End-of-Line Fiat 124 Spyder
The Fiat 124 Spyder, another tale of woe, followed a peculiar path. Purchased for just $100, it was running well when I bought it. However, it never started again. The wiring was deteriorated, leaving some wires ending in rusty stumps. Eventually, the car ended up with a Fiat collector for parts. This experience serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough inspections before purchasing a used car.
3. The Disgraceful Ford Fairmont “Beula”
Buying a Ford Fairmont named “Beula” was one of my most embarrassing decisions. I traded away my beloved Mustang for this hunk of junk. Beula was not just ugly; it had plastic seats, making it an eyesore. During my first year of teaching in a public school, I refused to offer to drive for lunch due to the mortification it brought. While I knew what I was getting into with this vehicle, Beula truly tested my patience.
4. The Troublesome 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX
The 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX was the biggest gas-guzzler I have ever had the displeasure of owning. Purchased new, it quickly developed issues, primarily with the air conditioning. Within a week, it was not blowing cold, and despite repeated refills, it returned to warm temperatures. Service after service failed to resolve the issue, each attempt finally leading to the replacement of the compressor. Issues continued; the brake light switch went out, forcing me to drive for a final in college without proper signaling, a situation that could have been avoided with better communication from the dealer.
5. The All-Bugs-And-No-Features 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX
After my first owner experience with the 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX, it only got worse. The first clutch failed at 45,000 miles, requiring DIY repairs. Air injection valves failed twice, at 50,000 and 77,000 miles, costing $50 each time. The air injection bypass tube rusted through, necessitating replacement, as did the charcoal canister shutoff valve at 76,000 miles. Window switches failed every 20,000 miles, and the dash clock buzzed incessantly. The rear seat latches rattled, and the driver-side window switches failed frequently. This vehicle, purchased with a warranty meant to protect from future issues, proved to be a nightmare. Between the car itself and the incompetent dealer network, it was a huge waste of time and money.
Base model Nissan pickups were, in comparison, much better. This experience underscores the importance of thorough research and dealing with reputable dealers, as well as the reliability of base models.
These experiences taught me the crucial aspects to consider when purchasing a car, such as the foundational reliability of the vehicle, the need for maintenance expertise, and the importance of a dealer's reliability.