The 50 Worst Cars of All Time

[Lemur]

It's one of those list thingies. Pretty good selection, although I'm steamed they omitted the AMC Pacer.

Anybody owned any of the more recent cars on the list?

1899-1939

• 1899 Horsey Horseless
• 1909 Ford Model T
• 1911 Overland OctoAuto
• 1913 Scripps-Booth Bi-Autogo
• 1920 Briggs and Stratton Flyer
• 1933 Fuller Dymaxion
• 1934 Chrysler/Desoto Airflow

1940-1959

• 1949 Crosley Hotshot
• 1956 Renault Dauphine
• 1957 King Midget Model III
• 1957 Waterman Aerobile
• 1958 Ford Edsel
• 1958 Lotus Elite
• 1958 MGA Twin Cam
• 1958 Zunndapp Janus

1960-1974

• 1961 Amphicar
• 1961 Corvair
• 1966 Peel Trident
• 1970 AMC Gremlin
• 1970 Triumph Stag
• 1971 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron Two-Door Hardtop
• 1971 Ford Pinto
• 1974 Jaguar XK-E V12 Series III

1975-1989

• 1975 Bricklin SV1
• 1975 Morgan Plus 8 Propane
• 1975 Triumph TR7
• 1975 Trabant
• 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda
• 1976 Chevy Chevette
• 1978 AMC Pacer
• 1980 Corvette 305 "California"
• 1980 Ferrari Mondial 8
• 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood V-8-6-4
• 1981 De Lorean DMC-12
• 1982 Cadillac Cimarron
• 1982 Camaro Iron Duke
• 1984 Maserati Biturbo
• 1985 Mosler Consulier GTP
• 1985 Yugo GV
• 1986 Lamborghini LM002

1990-Present

• 1995 Ford Explorer
• 1997 GM EV1
• 1997 Plymouth Prowler
• 1998 Fiat Multipla
• 2000 Ford Excursion
• 2001 Jaguar X-Type
• 2001 Pontiac Aztek
• 2002 BMW 7-series
• 2003 Hummer H2
• 2004 Chevy SSR

[Crazed Rabbit]

I'm steamed they omitted the AMC Pacer.

• 1975 Bricklin SV1
• 1975 Morgan Plus 8 Propane
• 1975 Triumph TR7
• 1975 Trabant
• 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda
• 1976 Chevy Chevette
• 1978 AMC Pacer
• 1980 Corvette 305 "California"
• 1980 Ferrari Mondial 8
• 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood V-8-6-4
• 1981 De Lorean DMC-12
• 1982 Cadillac Cimarron
• 1982 Camaro Iron Duke
• 1984 Maserati Biturbo
• 1985 Mosler Consulier GTP
• 1985 Yugo GV
• 1986 Lamborghini LM002

Hmmm?

And they hate the model T because it made a car driving nation out of us?



CR

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

although I'm steamed they omitted the AMC Pacer.

1978 AMC Pacer

The vast majority of the cars on the list seem to be American. I'm not sure whether that's a reflection on where the magazine is published, or on the relative merits of our car industries.

What on earth is the 2002 BMW 7-series doing on there, though? I'd gladly trade in my old civic for one of those.

[drone]

Pretty good selection, although I'm steamed they omitted the AMC Pacer.

1978 AMC Pacer

Come on, you don't think they'd forget the Pacer?

Happily, I've never owned any of these cars. People were pretty peeved when GM started taking away their EV1s though, so it couldn't have been that bad.

[Lemur]

Like I said, I'm really glad they included the Pacer. What's wrong with you people?

[Crazed Rabbit]

Hmmm. Looking at more of their '50 worst of all time', it appears a lot are on for political reasons (Model T and Hummer H2 'because it was non-politically correct!') or because of one or two minor flaws (BMW 7 series).

Heck, they put a Lamborghini LM002 on there because 'This V12-powered super dune buggy gets on the list — well, my list anyway — purely because of its appalling clientele.'

I mean, its one thing to disagree over which styling and design and underpowered engine is worst, but this something else altogether.

CR

[Lemur]

Hmmm. Looking at more of their '50 worst of all time', it appears a lot are on for political reasons (Model T and Hummer H2 'because it was non-politically correct!') or because of one or two minor flaws (BMW 7 series).

I was looking into buying a used BMW in 2003, and let me assure you, the original iDrive was not a minor flaw. Owners were trading in their cars because they couldn't deal with it.

When I finally settled on a used car, I made absolutely sure that it did not have iDrive installed. Who wants to navigate four sub-menus to adjust the air conditioning?

[ShadesPanther]

wheres the Lada?

[Csargo]

Ford Model T??? Insanity.

[Marshal Murat]

I liked the look of the Plymouth Prowler. Very nice look, not good engine...

Also, the Lada looks like the Russians were trying to confuse you.
Which end is the front?

[Lemur]

I think we can all agree that any list of bad cars that omits the Lada is just silly. And the author's reasoning for the Model T is kinda weird. He attacks it for making cars a norm, and only mentions in passing its supposed mechanical problems. Where was his editor? Asleep?

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I don't think the Trabant belongs on the list. From what I've heard it was a very simple, fairly easy to repair and reliable car, and the idea of using duroplast was fairly innovative at the time. The main problem I had heard of was that the industry in Eastern Germany wasn't capable of putting out huge numbers of Trabies, but the people still love Trabants in Eastern Germany and there were plenty of mopeds to make up for the small number of Trabies produced. Plus there was the Warthburg (Anyone want to help my spelling on this?) if you wanted more of a family car.

[Kekvit Irae]

I can agree with some of the ones on the list.

The H2 is bigger than an Xbox. Just try and find a parking space for that behemoth.

The Pinto is just a fiery death-machine.

The Yugo. Nuff' said.

[lars573]

Ha! Two transformers made the list!

[Seamus Fermanagh]

I always thought of the AMC Pacer the way I thought of the lead singer for the Pogues....there is a level of ugliness that supercedes itself to be oddly appealing. Alcohol obviously helps.

The Chevette was an essay in mediocrity. It got me from point A to point B for a few years.

[Fragony]

This, should be number one.

[Vuk]

The Pinto is just a fiery death-machine.

I have never owned a car I enjoyed driving more! As long as you don't let some one ram you in the arse, it is as safe as just about anyother car made at its time. That thing could too. :P

It certainly isn't a family car, but with a little modification can be a great single driver car.

I don't know why the 2000 Ford Excursion and the Model T are on the list. The Ford Excursion is one heck of a vehicle, and the Model T...well. The model T wasn't custom made like all the other cars of its time, so of course it wouldn't be the best out there, but there could be a lot out there; something never before possible.

It is also completely ridiculous to include the Explorer. The Explorer is a star of the vehicle industry. It is a heck of a lot safer than a minivan...did I metion more reliable? (Also I will never forget the time when one saved my behind by towing my Taurus out of the snow. :P)

This has to be put on the 50 worst lists of all time list.

Vuk

[Yawning Angel]

What, no Vauxhall Viva ???

My parents and some friends used to own one of these as a sort of 2nd car shared between a couple of families. Used to deposit us kids at school - certainly get no street cred rocking up in one of them

[Kekvit Irae]

I'm guessing the Explorer is there because of the Ford-Firestone controversy, but that was due to the tires, not the car itself.

[Vuk]

I'm guessing the Explorer is there because of the Ford-Firestone controversy, but that was due to the tires, not the car itself.

Quite so.

Vuk

[Geoffrey S]

I'd be tempted to agree with the problems with the Model T making a car-driven lifestyle. It's arguably shaped the way people transport themselves today, but has created a heavily oil dependant society that can't last indefinitely and has retarded more initiatives for public tranport, promoting a suburbia lifestyle. Though all that is seen in hindsight, and I also agree that such reasons have no place in this kind of a list.

Fragony, agreed. Anytime I see that car I wonder what kind of lunatic would want to actually pay for something so ugly.

[Kralizec]

Haha, my parents own a Multipla. Ironicly my mother now insists on keeping it because people keep telling her how ugly it is.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Haha, my parents own a Multipla. Ironicly my mother now insists on keeping it because people keep telling her how ugly it is.

My point about the pacer.

Frag, that car is truly hideous.

[Caius]

I'm guessing the Explorer is there because of the Ford-Firestone controversy, but that was due to the tires, not the car itself.

Im guessing we are talking about Internet Explorer?

I wonder why Ford T is on the list. I mean, it can be old, but its one of the first cars ever!

[Crazed Rabbit]

I'm guessing the Explorer is there because of the Ford-Firestone controversy, but that was due to the tires, not the car itself.

Nope. More politically correct reasons:

Forget about the whole Firestone tire controversy. In its very success, the Ford Explorer is responsible for setting this country on the spiral of vehicular obesity that we are still contending with today.

The thing could have functioned perfectly w/o maintenance for 100k miles and they'd still have it on there.

The Ford Excursion is on there simply because it's bigger than what an average person absolutely needs.

This has to be put on the 50 worst lists of all time list.

I completely agree.

Crazed Rabbit

[edyzmedieval]

Ford Model T? Trabant? Renault Dauphine?

You are kidding right?

[Vuk]

Nope. More politically correct reasons:


The Ford Excursion is on there simply because it's bigger than what an average person absolutely needs.

I completely agree.

Crazed Rabbit

I disagree. While I prefer the smaller (more Euro) sports car, I'd feel alot safer knowing that my ma was driving an Explorer. Safety is very important (esp for people who are not the best of drivers :P) and vehicles like the Excursion and Explorer hit it home in that department. I remember this friend of mine was going to this green peace meeting (at which, everybody was a woman) and they were complaining about SUVs and thinking of ways to get rid of them. A little while later a report came out that said your chances of living through a crash in one of them was a lot better than in a minivan or car.
The whole discussion ended abruptly, and most of the women there started driving SUVs. :P

Safety aside, they are handy (sometime necassary) for transporting equiptment, large groups of people, and even for towing. I have never driven an SUV (though I have thought about buying one), but see nothing wrong with driving one. The "evil" emissions that they give off are only marginally greater than a mid-sized car. (I once owned a tank of a car that I'm sure let off a LOT more emissions...good old days :P)

Vuk

[Lemur]

Safety is about more than mass and height. We've had a couple of threads about it in the Backroom, but trust me, when you factor in rollovers and single-vehicle accidents, SUVs are not statistically safer than sedans. And of course, the driver is the most important piece of safety gear.

Looks like BMW is trying to get a late entry into the Ugly Cars list. Check this thing out: BMW X6. Looks like a tarted-up Aztec.

See for yourself:

[Uesugi Kenshin]

I disagree. While I prefer the smaller (more Euro) sports car, I'd feel alot safer knowing that my ma was driving an Explorer. Safety is very important (esp for people who are not the best of drivers :P) and vehicles like the Excursion and Explorer hit it home in that department. I remember this friend of mine was going to this green peace meeting (at which, everybody was a woman) and they were complaining about SUVs and thinking of ways to get rid of them. A little while later a report came out that said your chances of living through a crash in one of them was a lot better than in a minivan or car.
The whole discussion ended abruptly, and most of the women there started driving SUVs. :P

Safety aside, they are handy (sometime necassary) for transporting equiptment, large groups of people, and even for towing. I have never driven an SUV (though I have thought about buying one), but see nothing wrong with driving one. The "evil" emissions that they give off are only marginally greater than a mid-sized car. (I once owned a tank of a car that I'm sure let off a LOT more emissions...good old days :P)

Vuk

SUV's are very unsafe for the other people in collisions though. What happens when a hummer's bumper collides with the driver side of a small car?

I doubt it looks good for the car driver.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Anybody owned any of the more recent cars on the list?

1899-1939

• 1899 Horsey Horseless
• 1909 Ford Model T
• 1911 Overland OctoAuto
• 1913 Scripps-Booth Bi-Autogo
  
• 1920 Briggs and Stratton Flyer
• 1933 Fuller Dymaxion
• 1934 Chrysler/Desoto Airflow

It's so funny that they should've included a 1920 Briggs and Stratton Flyer! I went to a farm recently, and in this barn a local peasant had, underneath lots of old dust and farming equipment, this very 1920 Stratton Flyer from the list. Well it was from 1922, but anyway.

The old man tried to sell that piece of junk to me for fifty euro. He said he thought it was a 1970's Korean car or something, but I was onto him and realised it was much older than that, so there was no way I'd part with fifty euro for a car that old. Sneaky bastard, trying to take advantage of me. What did he take me for, some sort of fool from the city?