Eberhardt’s Tire & Automotive is your complete auto repair
specialist. Call us for any need. We are here to service your vehicle with the
up most care and concern.
Eberhardt’s Tire & Automotive
2335 E Orangethorpe Ave.
Fullerton Ca. 92831
With
the average new car selling for around $30,000, and even a moderately
equipped compact model going for close to $20,000 these days,
cash-strapped motorists have little choice but to purchase a used
vehicle. Unfortunately, a relatively short supply of pre-owned models –
precipitated by the 2007-2009 economic recession, when fewer new
vehicles were purchased or leased – continues to keep used-car values at
or near record-high levels according to the National Automobile Dealers
Association (NADA) Used Car Guide.
What’s more, even though
today’s cars tend to last far longer than did models from 20 or more
years ago, like fine wines some tend to age better than comparable
models of the same vintage. With used-car values already out of whack,
shoppers need to be extra cautious to avoid compounding an already
unfavorable financial situation by selecting a more-problematic model
that will require costly out-of-warranty repair work.
To that end
we’ve compiled the accompanying rogues gallery of 10 used cars to
avoid, based on data we’ve compiled from multiple sources including
reliability surveys, safety ratings, resale values and our own
experiences road-testing the vehicles over the years.
Our
selections are largely based on both initial-quality/performance and
long-term reliability reports for model-year 2008 and 2009 vehicles
conducted by Consumer Reports and J.D. Power & Associates. All of
the models in our list were rated as being below average in overall
reliability by both organizations. Consumer Reports bases its durability
findings on data supplied by owners of 1.3 million vehicles, while J.D.
Power’s findings were compiled from information supplied by 43,700
original owners of 2008 model-year vehicles and 31,000 original owners
of 2009 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. Both sources
polled participants regarding mechanical and other problems experienced
during the prior 12 months.
While we’ve included used cars to
avoid in most market segments, we came down especially hard this year on
under-performing luxury vehicles. Not only have used luxury-car prices
skyrocketed by about 22 percent from 2009-2011 according to the NADA
Used Car Guide, but the cost of replacement parts and labor tend to be
considerably higher than with similar models from mainstream brands
(after all, there’s a reason that BMW and Mercedes-Benz dealers can
treat their customers to posh service-department waiting rooms and the
latest models as loaner cars).
Those looking to the pre-owned
market for a less-expensive way to obtain upscale brand cachet often
find themselves paying dearly for the privilege in terms of steeper
repair bills. This is one segment in which we strongly recommend buying a
late model “certified” used car from a dealer that’s both been
reconditioned and comes with a comprehensive warranty.
Other
models in our list tend to be cars and trucks that not only missed the
mark in terms of accommodations and performance as new cars but have
only fared worse over time in terms of their dubious durability.
Of
course, even a vehicle that boasts top long-term reliability can prove
to be a “lemon” if its been abused, has hidden damage or was improperly
maintained. That’s why it’s always prudent to have a trusted mechanic
carefully inspect any used car or truck under your consideration to get
an impartial evaluation of its operating condition. And always run a
model’s vehicle identification number (VIN) through a title-search
service like CarFax to make sure it hasn’t been previously flood-damaged
or salvaged and subsequently rebuilt.
The good news for those
considering a pre-owned vehicle is that analysts see used car prices
taking an end-of summer dip, dropping an average 3.8% in August and
between 3% and 3.5% in September, according to the NADA Used Car Guide.
“Over the next few months, we expect to see an acceleration in the
decline of used-vehicle prices that usually begins as the summer season
winds down,” says Jonathan Banks, senior analyst with the NADA. Expect
prices to drop further over time as the inventory of used vehicles
continues to grow concurrently as more models come off lease and added
trade-ins from new-car sales fill dealers’ lots. “This means that for
the first time in years, downside price risk is on the horizon in 2013
and even more so farther out into 2014,” Banks says.
BMW X5As
with all the models in our list of used cars to avoid, BMW’s sporty
large crossover SUV is cited by both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and
associates for having worse than average reliability from the model
years we’re tracking, 2008 and 2009. Keeping up with even regular
maintenance on an X5 can be costly enough, but footing the cost of
out-of-warranty repair bills can be prohibitive. Consumer Reports notes
specific problems with the fuel system, body hardware and power
equipment. J.D. Power gives it low marks across the board for
powertrain, body/interior and feature/accessory dependability; it also
got low scores for initial quality regards to its powertrain,
feature/accessory and overall design quality.
Cadillac STSDiscontinued after the 2010 model year, the midsize rear-drive STS was never as sporty as the smaller
CTS,
nor as plush as the larger DTS. It was offered with a choice of V6 and
V8 engines and in an ultra-sporty STS-V version that remains overpriced
even in the resale market and can be particularly costly to repair. J.D.
Power gives it low scores for overall dependability, (though the 2008
version fared a tick better in that regard than did the 2009 model),
along with poor initial quality grades. Among major components, Consumer
Reports cites issues with its electrical and braking systems. It only
received an “acceptable” score in the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety (IIHS) side-impact tests and 4 stars out of five in driver and
passenger frontal collision protection from the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), with four stars for side-impacts on the
driver’s side.
Chevrolet AveoReplaced in Chevy’s lineup by the far superior
Sonic
for 2012, the subcompact Aveo was a nondescript car with little in the
way of redeeming qualities other than a low sticker price and decent
fuel economy. Its diminutive 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine limps along
with just 103 horsepower, and a cramped interior is further insulted
with inferior-grade plastics. Consumer Reports takes issue with the
car’s fuel system, brakes (2009 model), body integrity, body hardware
and audio system. Owners surveyed by J.D. Power gave it low scores
across the board for dependability and mechanical initial quality
categories. In IIHS crash tests it received acceptable ratings for
frontal impact protection and only marginable scored in side-impact and
roof-crush protection. NHTSA gave it only four stars for side impact
protection on the driver’s side and three stars on the passenger’s side.
Chevrolet Colorado / GMC CanyonBuyers
have largely abandoned the small pickup truck market in recent years in
favor of full-size models that afford added utility and durability for
not much more money. The near-twin Colorado and Canyon remain among the
laggards in this forgotten segment. As new models they’re near the
bottom of the pack in terms of performance and initial quality rankings,
with sub-par crash test scores and dependability ratings in several
categories that make second-hand ownership even less of a bargain.
You’ll find the 2008 and 2009 models available in three cab
configurations with a choice of underpowered four- and five-cylinder
engines and with three suspension levels. Beware of owners who may have
exceeded the trucks’ payload and maximum towing ratings at the expense
of accelerated engine and transmission wear.
Chrysler Sebring / Dodge AvengerThese
mainstream midsize sedans were upgraded for the 2011 model year, but
the 2008-2009 versions were underwhelming rental-car fodder, with low
marks for initial quality and performance. (The Sebring is pictured
above.) Their starkly designed interiors exuded cheapness. Most models
you’ll find in the resale market are saddled by an apathetic 2.4-liter
engine and four-speed automatic transmission; a better choice would be
to seek out models equipped with a V6. Even at that, J.D. Power and
Consumer Reports owner surveys cite Sebring and
Avenger models from 2008-2009 for having poor long-term mechanical reliability.
Chrysler Town & Country / Dodge Grand CaravanThe
descendants of the original minivans have traditionally stood out more
for their novel family friendly features and admirable crash-test
ratings than their otherwise nondescript performance and reputation for
suffering mechanical problems down the road. J.D. Power surveys predict
higher-than-average problems with the vehicles’ powertrains – of the
three available engines and two transmissions, the 4.0-liter V6 and
six-speed automatic from the 2008 and 2009 model years was the
top-performing combination. What’s more, both J.D. Power and Consumer
Reports predict they'll suffer from feature/accessory failures.
Dodge Nitro / Jeep LibertyThese
mechanically similar truck-based SUVs remain awkward entries in a
crowded market of far more amenable models, with smallish and
cheap-feeling interiors, truck-like road manners and both mediocre
performance and lackluster fuel economy. Either model (the Nitro is
pictured above) can be off-road competent when properly equipped, but be
cautious of buying used 4X4 models that may have been beaten up away
from the pavement. Unfortunately their tallish designs afford a
higher-than-average center of gravity, which for 2008-2009 earned them
just a three-star rating (out of five stars) in rollover protection from
NHTSA; they also received only “marginal” scores for side-impact
protection from the IIHS. Beware of Liberty models equipped with the
“Sky Slider” canvas sunroof that are reported to be leak-prone and
problematic.
Jaguar XFHere’s
another upscale vehicle that, while sufficiently posh and an admirable
performer while new, owner surveys indicate will suffer
lower-than-average reliability, and can cost a bundle to keep running
once the warranty expires. It debuted for the 2009 model year, and came
powered by a choice of 300-horsepower and 420-horsepower V8 engines. It
was immediately saddled with poor initial quality ratings for mechanical
issues from J.D. Power. Worse, it also garners low marks for long-term
dependability from both J.D. Power and Consumer Reports, with the latter
singling out numerous big-money repair issues.
Jeep Wrangler / Wrangler UnlimitedThe
iconic Wrangler's lineage comes from the original military Jeep; the
Unlimited is the extended-length four-door version. The Wrangler remains
one of the most durable off-roaders and (to the disadvantage of
used-model buyers) boasts among the highest resale values in the
industry. While the Wrangler has a loyal following, it’s among the least
amenable models on their road, with unduly stiff handling, a
bouncy-yet-jarring ride and a deafeningly loud experience at highway
speeds, particularly with the standard cloth top; its six-cylinder
engine (since upgraded) is vastly underpowered. The two-door models from
2008-2009 get low marks for reliability across the board from J.D.
Power, with Consumer Reports rating the four-door versions lower in that
regard. What’s more, used-model buyers have to be on the lookout for
excessive wear or abuse since a large percentage of Wranglers (as high
as 60 percent) are taken off-road.
Lincoln MKSDebuting
for the 2009 model year as the upscale alternative to the full-size
Ford Taurus sedan, the Lincoln MKS came powered by a 3.7-liter V6
engine. The superior EcoBoost turbocharged V6 was a late and limited
addition, so you won’t find many ’09 MKS models equipped with it in the
resale market. It affords average performance and comfort, but falls far
short of the best luxury sedans in both regards. It received poor marks
for both initial quality and long-term durability from J.D. Power and
is likewise rated as below average in reliability from Consumer Reports.
One redeeming value is that the cost of replacement parts (most of
which are shared with the
Taurus and other Ford models) is lower than with most European brands.
brakes, alignments,
shocks,
struts,
oil
change service, batteries, tires,
clutches, drivability problems, windshields, cv boots, 30/60/90
service, alternators, radiators, air conditioning, ball Joints, tune ups, fan belts,
radiator hoses,
power steering, rear ends, engines, transmissions, upolstery,
bearings, dash board lights, check engine air pressure, oil
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