So for all the Ford Focus comments, I’ve always had great success with Ford trucks but not so much their cars.
Had a Kia Sedona that was a POS. Door handle literally fell off in my hands, among other issues.
Had a friend who had issues with a Volvo SUV (also right after warranty, similar to a post upthread).
My husband had a used Mercedes that was very expensive to repair. That was the end of Mercedes for us.
WOW! @sax
I remember the Ford Pinto case from law school.
:-"
The Ford Focus was a 2015; the rental car agent warned us that they all were like that. We never had issues with Ford rentals before this one, so it was quite an unpleasant surprise, getting a Ford was usually a “bonus” for us. Plus, the plastic inside the car looked very cheap…
@southerncalmom What year was your Sonata? The early Hyundais were horrendous . Hyundaii did a complete 180 though and now have great ratings on reliability.
Rental cars have been universally beat to hell, in my experience. I do things to them that I’d never do to my own car. The advice somebody gave on buying an ex-rental car as a good used vehicle-I just had to laugh.
I’d never, ever buy a used car that had never been loved.
I’ve driven the Fusion (so sad that Ford appropriated the Aston Martin DB-7 body for it), my daughter has backed her SUV into a brand new one in a parking lot (no damage on her SUV, $3k damage to the tinfoil ford and the door caved in on the Fusion at backup speed from D’s car).
I’ve driven the Ford Escape, the Ford Focus, and the Ford Edge. They just seem to be really randomly designed-really different from the Fusion and REALLY different from my Ford Flex. While I really like that Ford did not take a bailout from the government during the great recession, I’d like to see more of their cars getting away from cheap tinfoil and more towards solid and high tech.
^^I’d probably be happy if they could just tighten down their bolts. I’ve had a new Fusion for less than 4 months, going into the shop for the 6th time for a loud rattle/vibration that’s been there since delivery. They’ve found various things, all of which were loose, none of which has made the least improvement for this defect.
We love our F150s, have 160,000 and 170,000 miles and nothing wrong. We had a Taurus with strange issues too (rear seatbelt not installed properly twice, wind howling around the front windshield). I do not think Ford makes their cars to the same level as their trucks.
I’ve never understood buying cars off of rental fleets either. Glad I’m not the only one.
To me it seems like they would be more beat up.
I guess if you got a fabulous deal it would be worth it. ??
@sax:
I agree, from everything I have heard, Hyundai is no longer the piece of tin it once was, they made an effort in the last 5 or so years to work on their quality. They used to be horrible, their reputation was so bad they had to offer the extended warranty (100k powertrain) and some of that still lingers.
Ford Escape. My husband loved it but it had just under 60k miles and was only 8 years old when the transmission went. That wasn’t the first pricey problem but it was the worst and our last since we got rid of it and won’t buy another Ford.
I had a Oldsmobile Ciena. Had a lot of mechanical issues with it, including having the transmission go out. It was the first new car I ever bought and a disappointment.
We were offered a few used Mercedes, but our mechanic looked them over and begged us to decline as they would cost a fortune to figure out and repair their mechanical issues. He would have made that fortune but he’s a very honest guy.
We didn’t like the Nissan Verano either when we rented it.
anything made by VW.
Our money pit was a PT Cruiser. Thankfully, they don’t make them anymore!!!
sorry wrong thread
Many will disagree, but my Toyota mini-Van with all wheel drive was the worst.
Lost power going 70, and we r lucky nobody was hurt. Then, I didn’t realize for years, but the dealer put the fix through as an insurance claim. It should have been a warranty issue. That dealer is SCUM. Same dealer that said they would sell me a Scion TC (kid car) for 14,999, but when we sat down to talk, they mentioned the 2.5K additional fee. Kid was disappointed we walked out, but we got a better one elsewhere.
A Nissan Versa. Had one as a rental and it was so uncomfortable. Ended up with back pain due to the seat.
Really hated Husband’s Infinity G 37.
I would be afraid to drive a smart car? (I think that is what it is called) Those super tiny cars that barely fit two people and has no trunk.
I drove a Dodge Intrepid in the 90’s. The car and the dealership were nothing but trouble. Will never buy another Chrysler Corp. car.
My '98 Voyager was quite good for a long time, had massive issues around 100,000 miles and then fine after about 120,000. I gave it to an indigent acquaintance, and it still starts in the coldest weather, rust bucket or not at 136,000. The multi use capacity of that thing, as well as the very comfortable seats made it a pleasure to drive, if a pain to park. My research at the time about the transmissions convinced me to avoid the Grand Caravans and Voyagers and go for the base model, with better gas mileage. The transmission was never an issue.
D has an older Passat wagon. The VW mechanic says it is a lovely, comfortable car, but most people burn out on the cost of upkeep over the long haul. Any experiences to share? VWs maintenance always seemed a bit much to take on.