What's the worst car ever?

[VJ]

My previous VW...
A list of the problems:
- non working fuel gauge (first day), replaced
- key replaced (transponder problems)
- transponder activating incorrectly (so you can't start), replaced
- computer didn't detect power drawn by the servo-motor (engine stalled when steering was locked to one side), new software
- computer refused to accept new software, replaced computer
- lock replaced (called back by factory)
- door secured again
- fuel consumption 12-16 l/100 km (for a car this size, 6-7 l/100 km would be normal), never solved
- ...

I got rid of it when I lost traction(rpm dropped to 0, even though the motor was running, car behaved like in neutral) whilst driving, twice !


Jörg

[Brian Ellis]

Hillman Imp

Its rear wheel drive:


Yes, its engine, in diecast aluminium with dry sleeves, was behind the back axle

The front end was such that owners had to put 75 kg of steel bars in the front to keep the front wheels on the ground and have a modicum mixed understeer and oversteer: without them, you had nosteer!

[Nowhere]

Hmm...this looks like "zaporozec" I mentioned (would have to check the technical details, too lazy ). But the fact that the dexcription on the scan is in Polish is a good clue...

[Brian Ellis]

The Imp was made in a purpose-built factory on Merseyside. The design was by Rootes Group engineers and the maker was actually Chrysler, who bought out Rootes. To the best of my knowledge, it was not made elsewhere but I suppose they could have licensed it elsewhere or sold it outright when Chrysler bakrupted the old Rootes group (Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam).

[Nowhere]

Since "our" version was build in Ukraine AFAIK, former USSR...I doubt they would had care about infringing copyrights by not licensing or something...
(in the same fasion FSO warszawa had a Russian engine which was essentially modified Ford T engine)

[GT98]

I know of a couple...

The Buick Grand National

Thats strange..never heard ANYONE say that the 3800 tubrocharged V6 to be a POS.

[lecter]

Here's my vote: (it's a Fiat, I believe)

[Elie]

Thats strange..never heard ANYONE say that the 3800 tubrocharged V6 to be a POS.

Here's a snippet from one chapt regarding the Grand national engine...

"The block change to the 3800 series was made official in early 88. Some early '88s had the 231ci, while the others had the 3800. The reason for the change was that the more powerful, more efficient 231ci had one major design flaw. Because the block was short (in the tall sense), a simple problem occurs when the timing chain jumps. No matter which way it jumped, the valves would start tapping the piston heads. Which is bad. In some cases the vavles actually broke off. They (GM) tried to prevent major damage to the pistons by using a nylon timing gear, but failed (seems GM has an issue with plastics...). What would happen is after ~90,000 miles the nylon would warp or strip, and sometimes the valve(s) would be stuck full open when that occured, and the piston(s) would ram them. The motor was pretty much toast if that happened. Of course, nothing was really done about it, and most people ended up frying the motor after 100,000 miles from failure to fix the timing chain. For those who were smart enough to gather from the knocking noise that something was wrong, the replacement parts were all metal. So, as long as you changed the chain and gears at 90,000 miles, you were good to go. I only recently figured out that the warning to the chain going bad a second time is a drop from 35mpg to 20mpg.
The 3800 had thicker head gaskets, and a slightly taller block to remedy the problem. Although it worked just fine, gas mileage decreased from 35 to ~32 and torque dropped from 235+ to about 215. However, it was a workhorse. They easily got to 350,000 miles (in a lot of cases) on regular oil changes. The 231ci could see as much only if the timing chain was changes every ~90,000 miles (said job takes 4 hours).

I don't know the differance between the 3800 and the 3800 s2 or s3, as said motors have little to do with my car"


Could have been a great success, I liked it myself, too bad it had these issues though.

Regards,
Elie

[Fluff]

Worst car i have driven is a Austin Montego... which was horrible.

[The PIT]

Renault Clio 1.4

[Brian R.]

1973 Chevelle SS454 - Ugly and slow unless you put alot of money into it - then it would self-destruct.

http://chevysupersports.com/Chevelle73-76.htm

Bought one new, and the entire exhaust system fell off just a block from the dealer.

I had to replace the front springs because they undersprung the heavy front end and it bobbed and bottomed out on any bump. Replaced the shocks with high buck adjustable Koni's all around to help the springs.

The carburetor (Quadrajet) had a problem with the secondary return spring coming off and the secondary throttle butterflys would remain open - quite a surprise. It leaked gas into the intake manifold and washed the oil off the cylinder walls every cold start. Eventually replaced the carburetor with a Holly and the intake manifold with an Edlebrock. Ran like a 3-legged dog when it rained.

Got around 7-8 mpg.

Went through 4 engines before I gave the car away. Weak bottom end (2-bolt) - weak rods - kept making bad knocking noises periodically. Once engine went under warranty, the rest on my time.

Weak 10-bolt rear end (3.42). Weak 4-speed Muncie M-21. Strong 11-inch mechanical clutch - my left leg would get cramps in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Eventually, the frame rusted out and the engine torque broke it in half.

What a beast...

[Elie]

One should say, why the heck do they even release a car like that for sale with all the bugs you mentioned????????

[Nowhere]

Hmmm...

[Brian R.]

One should say, why the heck do they even release a car like that for sale with all the bugs you mentioned????????

I think I just got a bad one. They were actually nice looking if you overlooked the front bumper that stuck out like a fat lip. Also, I should have mentioned that I kept the car for 13 years. One engine every 3 years isn't too bad, the way I ran it...

[Flangor]

My dad has one of these bad boys. He simply replaced the engine. Cost a bundle though. You really have to love your car though. I have no idea how much time and money he has put into that thing.

Here's a snippet from one chapt regarding the Grand national engine...

"The block change to the 3800 series was made official in early 88. Some early '88s had the 231ci, while the others had the 3800. The reason for the change was that the more powerful, more efficient 231ci had one major design flaw. Because the block was short (in the tall sense), a simple problem occurs when the timing chain jumps. No matter which way it jumped, the valves would start tapping the piston heads. Which is bad. In some cases the vavles actually broke off. They (GM) tried to prevent major damage to the pistons by using a nylon timing gear, but failed (seems GM has an issue with plastics...). What would happen is after ~90,000 miles the nylon would warp or strip, and sometimes the valve(s) would be stuck full open when that occured, and the piston(s) would ram them. The motor was pretty much toast if that happened. Of course, nothing was really done about it, and most people ended up frying the motor after 100,000 miles from failure to fix the timing chain. For those who were smart enough to gather from the knocking noise that something was wrong, the replacement parts were all metal. So, as long as you changed the chain and gears at 90,000 miles, you were good to go. I only recently figured out that the warning to the chain going bad a second time is a drop from 35mpg to 20mpg.
The 3800 had thicker head gaskets, and a slightly taller block to remedy the problem. Although it worked just fine, gas mileage decreased from 35 to ~32 and torque dropped from 235+ to about 215. However, it was a workhorse. They easily got to 350,000 miles (in a lot of cases) on regular oil changes. The 231ci could see as much only if the timing chain was changes every ~90,000 miles (said job takes 4 hours).

I don't know the differance between the 3800 and the 3800 s2 or s3, as said motors have little to do with my car"


Could have been a great success, I liked it myself, too bad it had these issues though.

Regards,
Elie