Steve jogged my memories this evening.
I had a an old Triumph TR-3 when I was in my 20's. The vehicle really was aweful to drive. Jumped all over the road. (Solid rear axle).
Very little winter heat from the heater and I had to hand-crank it countless times to start up this piece of junk when the dumb battery quit! The hand-crank used to smack me in the back of my hand and almost broke my hand countless times! Is Triumph still in buisness? I hope not! Junk English auto!
I used to drive my girlfriend at the time up to Bartlett, NH, to a ski lodge. I had to bring a blanket for the girl to wrap around her legs in order to make the trip. Heater was bad.
The Triumph should have been sold in the Southern California region only. Not New England!
Another Junk auto was a Fiat back in the early 70's. The ignition never had a good seal on it and I was always stranded on a water-filled highway or road. The frame collapsed due to rot after three years. The frame must have been built from old beer cans! Another bad vehicle.
I bought a French vehicle once. Lasted a year and a half. The head gasket blew and the anti-freeze came back into the cylindar walls and blew the engine. Just Great! Viva La France!
Same for a Buick LeSabre that cost me $700 for a minor motor job rebuild. The paint and vinyl roof blew off on the highway two years later. Nice paint job?NOT!! So much for Detroit lousy paint technology!
Jaguar had a history of valve problems and suspension problems over the years also.
My friend had 4 transmissions replaced in her Dodge vehicle within 4 years. Dodge offers 70K miles guarantee on their transmissions. Good for 70K. After that, forget it. True story.
Wonder why the Japanese are today's #1 auto makers and will always be?
Seems to be Toyota and Honda in the running as the world's auto makers.
I have learned my lesson over the years. I now have owned a Honda Civic since 2001. I think I will will have this vehicle in 2010 and still get a nice used car value for it. Great auto. 32-38 MPG still.
And you?? Any horror stories out there? Do not be shy. The year does not matter or manufacturer.
Come on JR or anyone else?
Angeline, you must have bought a lemon at some time?
-Kevin
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What was the worst autombile you ever owned or drove?
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TAKES THE PRIZE!!
Jack, That does take the prize for an auto that lasted, I think, about a year. I remember their ads. The autos were really bad and the manufacturing was from Yugoslavia.
Better to buy a nice wool sweater or shirt from that country now. Wood crafts are also nice to purchase today. Really nice. Well crafted.
Jack, What ever happened to the YUGO AUTO?? Made into dumpsters?
What happened to yours? Did you blow it up! :
..."Jack, What ever happened to the YUGO AUTO??..."
I insured it to the max...had a friend steal it...and collected big time...and I'm lying like a rug...LOL.
Actually a friend had one and I sold it to him for a parts car.
I've driven a company vehicle for over 30 years. We've owned German, Japanese and American cars, however. The German VDubs were a love/hate relationship. The best thing about my Beetle is that I could fix it myself including complete engine teardowns. The bad thing is it needed a bit more maintenance than I'd hoped for. It did always start and run. It was awful in winter....poor heat/defrost...but it did move through snow ok. My company cars have been from Ford, GM and Chrysler. I'd say the GMs (Chevys) were the worst....lots of engine problems, knock, blown radiators, hoses and gaskets. My Chrysler vehicles have been ok with the exception of on "K" car. It had a nice Mitsubishi engine that was quick but prone to carburetor icing on chilly and foggy days. The car was good for about 15 miles and it would chug to a halt. I'd have to wait for the venturi to thaw out before I could proceed. We owned on Chrysler minivan which we bought with an extended warranty. The car was decent but we used the warranty often. Currently we own two Toyotas...a 2000 Camry and a 2005 Corolla. Both of these have been trouble free. My wife drives the Camry and the Corolla was for the kids commuting to college. These cars aren't elegant but I don't care for elegant anyway.
You had a TR. I took my first drivers exam in my dad's MG-B. I passed, which was rare for a boy back in those days. I've driven Jaguars (XKEs) and Porches (911s). These were plenty fun but I'd never own one even if I could afford it. I remember red lining the Jag once which put me at about 140 mph. I was shaking badly when I brought 'er down at the stop sign. The old Brit cars from your TR days were not built for comfort. Your car had massive brakes, a stiff suspension and was built for rough driving. It may have had radial ply tires as well. Younger folks won't remember the transition to these and the feel of the old bias plys. I'm not sure if the TR had a Lucas electrical system as many Brit cars did. Of course Lucas was known as the "Prince of Darkness". Another saying I remember about Brit cars was "If there's no oil under it, there's no oil in it." These TRs and MGs were fun to drive, as I recall. They weren't all that quick in reality but gave the sense of speed no less.
At least your memories give you good stories to tell. 
Steve, You have also. My old TR did have Lucas ignition. Never lost the headlights and electrical. Not sure who made the battery. It was lousy.
The Triumph was a fun car to drive during the summer. Had a great choice of dates that loved the car.
The side slide-windows were awful in the winter.
My next purchase was a Fiat Arbarth, Zagato, Double Bubble Coupe. Aluminum body and a rear engine drive. WILD auto. I tried to race with this in SCCA until I purchased the Merlyn from England in 1963.
My buddy purchased an MGB and a Lotus Elan in the early 60's. Both were a problem with him. Constant repairs and expensive to repair at the time. My other friend had a Jag XKE that I drove at a buck-25 on the South East Expressway. The Jag was fun to drive and expensive to rebuild the valves, brakes, etc. constantly. Not a trustworthy vehicle. fabulous on looks, however.
My favorite car was a 1973 Detomaso Pantera mid-engined two seater. I added a twin ignition, Eldebrock high-riser manifold and a dual 750 Holly double-pumper carb. That brought my HP up to 438HP. The car screamed. Had to modify the back deck to accommodate the breather.
I kept the car for nine years, sold it and made money on it. Today the Pantera is worth about $75K+.
The Pantera was a great car. Had problems with overheating driving in slow traffic. The Pantera was built for speed with a 200 MPH speedometer. I only drove it 125mph max. Roads in New England are too crowded. Need the German Highways for this type of auto. Keep up with the Ferrari?s.
I think that the Toyota for your family and daughters is the right choice. I have two Honda's. Both Honda's and Toyota's are fab.
Great autos, good value that holds up at trade-in time.
I love Ferrari?s. Those days are over for me. Just a dream now?
-Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Wow, have not even *heard* of that ride in a verra long time. Back in the mid seventies used to see 'em, rarely. One time I was a passenger in a friend's "muscle" car - a '66 GTO and we got passed by one on the way to the beach. My bud saw it coming in his rearview mirror from the next "hump" (overpass) back - said something like 'holy s...' ; he thought it was an 'unmarked' cop pursuit car at first. We were doing about 85-90 mph and that mutha passed us like we were standing still - must have been clocking around 150 at a guess. Billy did not even *consider* trying to catch up! Anyway, my worst car was probably my Dad's MGB - I never drove it as I was way too young, but though it was a nice car and he really loved to drive,he was constantly tuning her up, seemed like every dang weekend she needed points adjusted or the carb acted up. Lucas electrics I think - known for their dodgyness (sp? - heck, might not even be a 'real word'!). He briefly traded her in (plus quite a bit of cash) for a four-door Jaguar, forget the model now, and Sister and I loved having an actual backseat, but our garage was a tad too small for it. There was like three inches clearance each side, just barely fit lengthwise, so one night, a bit tipsy, he crunched the passenger side. Took it back, paid more money, etc., and got back the MG which had luckily not been sold in the interim. Mom found it all rather amusing. :^) Refrained from too many "told you so's" but reminded him when she needed some leverage...
Rick "best was my first car - a '68 Camaro" Jones
..... a W Dasher, I forget the year, but it was the first model year for it.
It had an Audi engine, and was a demonstrator.
When we first drove it home, the oil light came on. There wasn't a drop of oil in it. (This was before the "Lemon Law" came into effect here.)
That car used more oil than gasoline.
Later learned that the Audi engine was at fault. Had to replace the valve covers , etc., several times.
But had to keep it until finally bought a 1984 Toyota Tercel. Sold the Dasher for $300 to a private party, but included the maintenance records and caveats.
Angeline
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Angeline, Don't you just hate it when that happens?
I drove a brand new Civic Honda out of the dealer's parking lot.
The next day the car would not start. Had it towed to my dealer and had a rental until the dead BRAINE was replaced. That was the only problem with my Honda since I purchased it. Been good for five years. No problems ever since.
Toyota is a great automobile also.
Not sure about Audi.
My wife wants to purchase a new auto. She is torn between the Honda Civic and that new auto from Honda. The three door model.
Recently, while vacationing in Europe, we saw a number of brand new autos on the market. Really small autos: Three doors from Mercedes also.
In Belgium the cost of gasoline is close to $6.80 per gallon.
In Turkey, the price is $8+. France is close to $8 also.
Happy driving everyone. We are complaining at $3 per gallon today.
Wait until next year?
Wonder what will happen with the SUV sales?
-Kevin
The one I like is the "Fit". I miss the cargo space I had in the Tercel.
Angeline
Speakeasy Moderator
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Angeline, Brand New Model more or less designed for the European Market. Very small and easy to park. Gets good gas milage.
Would be a good choice if you lived in a major City and were single I think.
Not my choice of what to purchase either.
-Kevin
It got a glowing review in Consumer Reports. Surprisingly roomy inside. 4 door hatchback. (I miss my 2 door hatchback Tercel.) Seating 2 in the front, 3 in the rear. They got 34 mpg manual, 32 mpg automatic. Standard antilock brakes, curtain air bags, standard power accessories. $13,850. Easy access and good visibility.
You can probably tell I favor a small car. My self-limited driving range is all "city".
Angeline
Speakeasy Moderator
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but surprisingly they have been fairly reliable. Probably the worst was a powder blue Ford Fairmont wagon, late 70's. Manual trans, no AC, no power windows or anything. It burned oil like you wouldn't believe. The car always felt like it was on the verge of dying.
But somehow I drove it to work every day for almost a year before I finally junked it for something decent. Amazingly, it ran until the very end.
EdH, I hear you. I nursed a few on till they just died. Had them towed off. Sometimes I paid for the junk
car to be towed.
Best to be done with them once and for all sometimes.
I had a Chevy Chivette and drove it to a friend that needed an auto. Gave him the Title and the keys to it.
He asked me what he owed. I told him, "How about a beer and a drive home."
The dumb car had a whole in the driver's floorboard. My feet used to get wet when I drove through a rain puddle. My friend fixed it with a sheet of aluminum. The passenger side also had a hole in the floorboard.
Not to worry. He never carried passengers! Lasted another two years.
True story.
-Kevin
EdH, I do not like Fords or GM products in the USA.
Any Fords in your future? Do not choose a Powder Blue anything from any dealer. YUCK!!
We rented a Ford MONDERO Wagon in Europe during our 10-day trip. Nice Euopean manufactured auto. All the bells and whistles. Drove well. We saw a lot of of them on the road. Nicely built. Comfortable. We logged 3,000 miles in comfort.
The navigation unit was programmed in German only.
Lucky we had our TomTom portable navigation in English.
Led us to a few breweries and wine cellars everywhere.
The unit is awesome to program. Leads you anywhere where you want to travel to. Reliable and accurate. The TomTom is unbelievable.
Recomended.
Also Ford Mondero Station wagon.
Great trip with a reliable vehicle, navigation and good beer and wine.
I loved the dark beer.
Also Champagne France. Hic! :
actually, I've owned quite a few Ford products, and most have performed rather well. My current car is a used Lincoln Continental that is fun to drive but eats way too much gas. I plan to get rid of it when my daughter leaves for college, and take over her Toyota Camry.
The Camry is a nice, but rather unexciting car. Gets great mileage though.
The head (slant 4) never matched the block. Two years , 4 head gaskets plus four new valve lifters (under warrantee) and I dumped it for a VW Ghia. The VW dealer told me the Tempest blew the engine as they were driving it to their used car lot.
Oddly that model car got rave reviews from "Consumers" and AAA. They soon changed their minds though.
The VW lasted me till the early 80's!
?That Tempest was my Uncle's worst auto ever in the world for him. Nothing but problems from day one!
Gearup?"The VW dealer told me the Tempest blew the engine as they were driving it to their used car lot.?is so funny! :
Steven, Never knew that. Still a crap car in the long run it seems.
Glad I never purchased one. Looked good though. Was a top theft auto for years. Was a muscle car for a while. Fun to ride in and drive.
I have some purchased some junk dooziez over the years.
I guess we all have. Have to live and learn.
Good memories in the long run.
Good riddance to crap autos!!!
Have fun with your next auto puchase.
Hope it it is the best purchase in your lifetime.
-Kevin
was the car I learned to drive in when my dad was teaching me. It was a stick (floor) but forgotten the number of gears. The drivers ed (we had that in HS back then) was a column stick Chevy. Through my youth and until I was permanently employed and given a company car, I never had an automatic. It was hard to learn how to drive it. I'm still a two footed driver and can't operate gas and brake with the same foot. I never raced wheel to wheel but got into SCCA solo events. It was fun for a while but I really couldn't handle the personalities of some of the people in the club....too many hot heads with big egos. We had a number of cars in the family pool as several of us would show up to run these events so I got to try several cars. I also learned a lot about what not to do to make a car handle better. The guys who just put all the heavy duty suspension components, bigger tires, etc. and tried to lighten the cars by removing everything they could from the interior and running on gas tank fumes just didn't do well for the most part. I learned that garage mechanics aren't smarter than the engineers to designed the vehicles and matched the components for best performance. All the crap that some folks put on their cars just made them into pigs that wouldn't handle well.
I don't play with cars any more but, one thing all this did was make me better on the street. I'm sure I've avoided many accidents over the years by learning the subtleties of braking, steering and maneuvering in a controlled manner.
Steven, You should sign up with Skip Barber's Racing School for a weekend or so. If you think that you are a good shoe now, wait until you go through that school. Everything is supplied and the tracks are your's to use with excellent instructors. The cost is not cheap!
I raced in New England with Skip. He is an excellent driver and a nice person. Had an automobile dealership on the North Shore that specialized in imported cars.
Sorry you had an unpleasant experience with the SCCA at that time.
Things change all the time for the better.
Another idea for some drivers is to sign up for a defensive driving school. You use your own car and drive to avoid mishaps. Also pylon driving skills are used.
I too, never used that heel and toe method in a race car. I got cramps in my arch trying to use it. What the heck does it save in time?
A thousandth of a second maybe. LOL!
-Kevin
2 Worst-
1971 Dodge Demon, 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix
2 Best-
1969 Ford Falcon, 2001 Dodge Intrepid
The 2 best cars were my very first car and my current car.
Both motorcycles (2001 Honda Shadow ACE and 2002 Honda Goldwing) have been awesome.
Cindi
?and now about your motorcycles!
Most people that I know have a Harley of some kind and swear by them.
I swear most of the drivers are deaf!! All those straight pipes for years leave you deaf! What did you say???
Today, the Rice Burners have a high-pitched whine that will wreck your hearing as well as agravate me when one of them is driving by me at about a Buck-Twenty! Most drivers of Kowasaki-Death-Wish cycles are looking for a grave to drive into! I swear!
I have never driven a motorcycle or have been a passenger on one.
I raced SCCA sports racing in a British Merlin for three years. My friend that was the Junior National Champion with racing motorcycles told me I was nuts for racing with a Sports Racer!
800 Lbs, soaking wet and good for about 145 MPH max at the time.
It was exciting. The crowds loved them! Like a formula car, only covering the wheels with a thin body.
What happens to a human body on a motorcycle when at that speed and an accident happens in racing? Say about 150mph?
Cindi, on the other hand, do not tell me. I can just imagine.
Thanks,
-Kevin
Both were used. More up than down. Now I know why I got the Caddy so cheap. Thought I would have some fun with it, waving flags out the moon roof. It was a piece of junk.
Rolway, I know why you purchased the Nash Rambler! It had fold-down seats you romantic.
When I first met my wife, she drove her mother's Nash Rambler and we used to take it to the Drive-In Theatre. I left my Chevy Corvette at my home.
I wonder what the movies were that we missed?
-Kevin
Course I didn't have it very long. Kept dropping parts off the body every time I hit a pot hole. The day my foot went through the floor board scraping up my leg, I left it out side the gate at the junk yard. It was left on my door step so I was not out too much accept for the hurting leg.
& Fold-down seats. Great for Drive-In Thearters &
Hot dates. The ultimate neat car.
Was a fun vehicle while dating. Was an aweful driving vehicle.
Homely, also, that only your grandmother would drive.
Rolway, My mother-in-law never used that feature and probably never knew about it, thank goodness we never told her about it!
Nash Rambler, the greatest invention since peamut butter!!!
You missed it! Try to purchase one now. Worth MILLIONS!!!
Just kidding.
Sorry for your hurting leg. Should have saved the fold-down seats.
Shame on you! :
duckman, AGREE!!! Three times over.
As a matter of fact, I had three timing chains replaced in one year.
How about that one!
It was a crap car. Oh, my window handle crank used to break off all the time. Cast aluminum piece of crap also.
You too?
Would you purchace a Chevrolet today? I happen to like my Honda.
I will purchase another Honda. GM can have their SUV's.
duckman, Ahh, the beauty of an automobile purchase and inheriting a piece of crap! Never know at the time.
Hope we do not make that mistake again ever. Live and learn over the years.
- Kevin
Did have to have braes worked on about every 6 months as my mother has a habit of not using the brakes until she is about 5 feet from where she wants to stop. Except for a 1984 Plymoth Turismo, I have bought all GM products and have had no problems. My mother almost bought a "Le Car" because she thought it was cute.
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