What Car Have You OWNED And ABSOLUTELY HATED?

The great thing about owning a vehicle is that you wind up developing a relationship with them as time goes on. Though some people may think I am crazy that I believe you can form a bond with an inanimate object, I reckon it's possible.

While I have not owned nearly as many sets of wheels as Agent 001, I can confidently say there's been vehicles I've adored with all my heart and ones I wish I could have burned to the ground — that whole arson thing killed that option for me.

Tonight we want to focus exclusively on the vehicles you've had the unfortunate luck of purchasing and having to live with until they met their timely demise.

So, let's hear it: what vehicle have you OWNED and HATED to its core?

I'll be sure to submit mine in the comments below.

w222 - 8/12/2014 10:55:49 PM

0 Boost

LS460L - boring to drive, bad brakes, wind noise issues.

TheSteve - 8/12/2014 11:57:43 PM

+3 Boost

Another sunshine, rainbows, and fairydust post by '009 (that's sarcasm, in case anyone's in doubt). I'm not joining in on this self-inspired hate-fest.

Agent00R - 8/13/2014 10:03:56 AM

-1 Boost

There's two ways we can do this, @TheSteve.

Either you can choose to participate in a meaningful way, or you can not participate at all. You don't have to like our stories but you can opt to NOT click on them!

atc98092 - 8/13/2014 7:01:15 PM

+1 Boost

Um, it was 00R, not 009.

TheSteve - 8/14/2014 11:50:05 AM

+3 Boost

'00R: Respectfully, and I truly do mean that, when anyone posts their views in a public forum, then they are subject to receiving others' criticism, opinions, and counterpoints. That's just the way things are.

On a related note, I'm not sure what your message to me is. Are you telling me "If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all?" I can empathise with that sentiment, except it would be ironic coming from someone who just made a post titled "What Car Have You OWNED And ABSOLUTELY HATED?" Or are you saying to me, "Don't criticize or disagree with me?", in which case I respond, I'm sorry you feel hurt by my post. It was not my intentions to hurt your feelings.

TheSteve - 8/14/2014 11:52:51 AM

+1 Boost

PS: I apologize to '009 for misattributing this thread to him. This was my error, unintentional as it was.

cidflekken - 8/13/2014 1:04:01 AM

+1 Boost

Worst: Lexus GS300. Horrible transmission. Scary ride dynamics. Interior quality was questionable. On top of that, major repair issues. And barely over 50k miles. Couldn't wait to get rid of that car.

Runner-up: Toyota 4Runner. Such a disappointment and wasn't even that great in the snow. The Pathfinder I had before it was 10x's better in all aspects except power.

JDMUSMuscle - 8/13/2014 2:51:47 AM

0 Boost

Pathfinder was better? This is rather hard for me to believe, since I usually hear about many problems on the Pathfinder.

Rather surprised you did not like 4Runner.

cidflekken - 8/13/2014 7:01:44 AM

0 Boost

Absolutely. The Pathfinder was better than the 4Runner in almost every single aspect except horsepower. Better interior design and quality. Better handling. Better snow and off-road ability. Better ride. I had it for 4 years and never had a single problem outside of routine maintenance. And, actually, I had another Nissan, a 350Z for 6 years and never had a single problem with it either outside of normal wear and maintenance.

Agent001 - 8/13/2014 1:04:02 AM

0 Boost

Original BMW X5 with sport package.

Hated it SO much, I turned around and returned.

BMW of South Bay was cool as most dealers would have told me to pound salt.

WORST BMW suspension ever.

001

pcar4evr - 8/13/2014 3:57:06 AM

0 Boost

1974 Datsun 260Z. I hated it and it hated me, since it consistently tried to kill me during the summer months. With all that crappy emission control stuff from the early 70's, the car would vapor lock whenever the temperature hit 85F. I'd be making a turn at a traffic light with oncoming traffic, hit the accelerator and the car would roll into the oncoming lane, sputter and die. Most dangerous car I ever owned.

cidflekken - 8/14/2014 5:10:12 AM

+1 Boost

So, did you indict it for attempted murder?

Glad you made it out alive, seriously. Sounds like a godawful situation.

jprescott - 8/13/2014 8:37:52 AM

+1 Boost

1976 Ford Mustang Hatchback- downfall of US autos back then
2003 E500 Mercedes. POS

Agent00R - 8/13/2014 10:02:29 AM

-1 Boost

Oof. 2003 was during the "bad period" of Mercedes.

iamdabest1 - 8/13/2014 9:28:53 AM

0 Boost

mazda millenia S and mitsubishi 3000gt sl, both cars were plagued with electrical problems. of my newer ones, i wasnt crazy about my lexus is-f , just didnt like the handling for the type of car its supposed to be.

Agent009 - 8/13/2014 9:36:31 AM

+3 Boost

2000 Lexus LS400 - Car was garage kept but paint top coat peeled, Leather way too thin and poor quality, trim that fell off.

Car was reliable as hell, but looked like crap. Lexus continually dodged the issues blaming it on environmental issues and what not.

2008 Lexus 450h - Left us stranded twice in 100 degree heat. Starter battery simply could not take the Texas heat. Each battery lasted a year. Both headlight housings leaked, all Tire pressure monitors had to be replaced in 4 different visits. Car was in the shop 8 times in two years.

Maulvader - 8/13/2014 10:44:19 PM

+3 Boost

Didn't you get a Lexus RX not too long ago? So you list 2 Lexi (and only Lexi) as the cars you "ABSOLUTELY HATED" and then went and got another one.

Fits well with the reputation you've been able to develop on this site - lacking somewhat in the I.Q. department.

Agent00R - 8/13/2014 10:00:32 AM

-2 Boost

2000 Honda Civic EX Coupe — need I REALLY say more?

Agent00R - 8/13/2014 10:01:55 AM

+1 Boost

Also had a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. It was a love/hate relationship. In the shop monthly with significant issues — going into limp mode, killed its catalytic converters 2x, etc. BUT, it was a dream in a foot of the white stuff.

mre30 - 8/13/2014 10:36:51 AM

+2 Boost

I'm not sure that this counts...but I currently have an Aston DB9 Volante. Purchased it new last year..excited..first exotic car...mid life crisis..etc..etc. While I didn't have high expectations for reliability the thing is so frequently broken that I wonder why I bought it.

The real killer is that I am having a lousy ownership experience and thing is depreciating like a rock into the ocean.

For those of you who aspire to own an exotic car - not really worth it. I should've stuck with a 911.

Agent00R - 8/13/2014 1:40:24 PM

+1 Boost

Thank you for the head's up, @mre30.

Hope things get better!

leej - 8/13/2014 11:01:37 AM

+2 Boost

2002 Acura TL-S...Transmission crapped out at 17k miles...Honda America said it was my fault. It was replaced under warranty. The 2nd transmission did not even last another 2k miles...I suspect the original one was never replaced. This was a known and eventually publicized problem with the transmission being used in V-6 Hondas/Acuras at the time. There was even a lawsuit in CA when someone was killed because of the issue. The Acura dealership bought it back from me.

porscheman - 8/13/2014 12:01:24 PM

+2 Boost

1968 Jensen Interceptor, the Chrysler motor was the only good thing about it, terrible build quality, sloppy handling. Traded in a Porsche 911S for it - what a fool! :)

bergtold - 8/13/2014 2:09:48 PM

+2 Boost

the first mercedes ml. the car leaked oil,locked me out several times,went into limp home mode more than once plus many other problems.the dealer gave in and gave me a new ml which worked out fine.

cidflekken - 8/14/2014 5:14:14 AM

+1 Boost

Yes, my Mom has been a Mercedes customer for 3 decades and has had practically ever range of model you can imagine. The first-generation ML was the only one that has truly given her any issues. Mostly electrical issues. Her second gen was almost flawless, though.

W208 - 8/14/2014 8:50:23 PM

+1 Boost

Cidfiekken...I had a 2005 clk500 7spd. The car was virtually bulletproof. I bought it offlease, and never had a single electrical or mechanical issue with the thing...and I drove it like I stole it everytime I got in it. I passed up a 2008 bmw 335i in favor of the 5.0l v8.

MattDarringer - 8/13/2014 8:11:02 PM

0 Boost

None really

supermoto - 8/13/2014 8:40:44 PM

0 Boost

1985 Honda Accord. What a horrible POS.

Baby - 8/14/2014 12:32:04 AM

+3 Boost

I haven't been in many bad ones but the worst for me was the Audi 5000. We had two of them back in the day and one had to be returned under the lemon law 'I think it actually caught fire and burned up.' The other one I drove to Tijuana on a road trip and luckily I had a VW mechanic as a friend on the trip with me and we fixed it twelve times in 3500 miles. Still loved the high tech for its time though. Floating bubble.

TehShibbs - 8/14/2014 1:07:09 PM

+4 Boost

1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT - it's a Grand Prix. My grandmother loved hers!
1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX - blast to drive, but expensive transmission!
2009 Chevrolet Aveo LS - Couldn't even stay in 4th gear (automatic) at 75MPH on the freeway. Constantly downshifting into third up the slightest hill.

W208 - 8/14/2014 9:02:29 PM

+2 Boost

Biggest POS I've ever owned: 1997 mazda 626, 4cyl. It was the turd in the wolfpack. Universal failure of critical sensors almost got me killed a few times. I remember having to mash the gas upon cranking, then haul ass in reverse, slam it into 1st, punch it, then cram the lever into Drive. God help the person behind me if I had to come to a complete stop. I think this car set the record for rolling stops.

I don't know what it was about mazdas of the late 90s. They were all huge pieces of crap. Both mechanically and aesthetically.

40flash - 8/14/2014 10:03:57 PM

+2 Boost

Between 1972 and 1982 I had 4 Loti (multiple for Lotus?) One Super 7 and Three Europas. I'm thinking that anyone who has owned a Lotus will tell you about the love/hate relationship. When things are working properly there isn't much that is as gratifying as a 1000 pound Super7 or the 1400 lbs Europa on a windy mountain road. They become an extension of everything on your body that is in contact with the car & the road. Those other times when it once again on blocks in the garage is when you hate the darn thing. Overall I wouldn't trade the memories.

irloyal - 8/15/2014 7:54:10 AM

+1 Boost

A 1978 Mustang II, gawd what a pig!! It burned oil bad, had no guts, and was just fugly. My 1986 Mitsubishi Galant was a close second.

Chuck - 8/15/2014 8:13:04 AM

+1 Boost

'83 Caddy Coupe de Ville. Beautiful looking but a real piece of crap. More hoist than road. GM dealer: service was deplorable. Never again GM for me.

dimes4slim - 8/15/2014 10:24:45 PM

+1 Boost

For you old folk, my 76 Honda Accord proved that even they don't build everything right. In the first 2.5 years, which coincided with the last 2.5 years I owned it, it had carburetor flooding issues, bad 3rd gear synchros, soft camshaft, and rusting front fenders. I am a lunatic in maintaining my cars, so the rust was not expected or deserved (lived in Connecticut at the time). Honda graciously replaced the fenders under warranty, but could not or would not match them to the faded gold paint.