| It was not that long ago that buying a used car | | | | transmission has been found to have problems. In |
| meant taking your chances. People would run the risk | | | | fact, many drivers have found that the automatic |
| of purchasing a car with faulty equipment such as a | | | | transmission is difficult to put into reverse at times. |
| poor engine, alternator, and transmission. Fortunately, | | | | The cost for repairing it makes it an unwise choice |
| there are now many websites and consumer reports | | | | for someone who can only afford a used vehicle. |
| that inform people of the best and worst used cars | | | | Mazda RX-8: Used car buyers have also reported |
| to buy. | | | | engine problems with Mazda RX-8. |
| In order to help avoid, buying a 'lemon,' the following | | | | Kia Sedona: Used car buyers have also reported |
| is a list of the worst used cars to buy: | | | | engine problems with the Kia Sedona. Some |
| GMC Canyon 2004 to 2006 models: Used car dealers | | | | consumers have also reportedly experienced rusting |
| have been warned to keep away from the 2004 to | | | | of the tailgate of the Sedona. |
| 2006 models of the GMC Canyon primarily because | | | | Cars that made the worst used cars list, among 1999 |
| of issues with the brake lights. Some reports indicate | | | | to 2008 models, listed in alphabetical order: |
| that they fail to come on when the brake is applied | | | | A - L |
| or they come on and do not go off even when the | | | | Audi A6 Allroad, Audi A8, BMW X5 (V8), Buick |
| brake is no longer engaged. | | | | Rendezvous (AWD), Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Blazer, |
| Chrysler Sebring: Problems noted include: poor | | | | Chevrolet Colorado (4WD), Chevrolet S-10 (4WD), |
| reliability, poor cabin quality, poor performance, and | | | | Chevrolet Uplander, Chevrolet Venture, Chrysler |
| problems with the engine, air conditioning and heating | | | | Pacifica, Chrysler Sebring convertible, Chrysler Town |
| systems. | | | | & Country (AWD), Dodge Grand Caravan |
| Ford Explorer: Problems noted included: coolant and oil | | | | (AWD), GMC Canyon (4WD), GMC Jimmy, GMC S-15 |
| leaks, clanking timing belts, and ticking valves in the | | | | Sonoma (4WD) Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sedona, |
| 4.6-liter engines. | | | | and the Land Rover Discovery LR3 |
| Volkswagen Passat: The Volkswagen Passat has had | | | | M - Z |
| a number of issues linked to its used models. These | | | | Mazda RX-8, Oldsmobile Bravada, Oldsmobile |
| include steering problems, engine and engine cooling | | | | Silhouette, Pontiac Aztek, Pontiac G6 (V6), Pontiac |
| issues and problems with the fuel system. | | | | Montana, Montana SV6, Porsche Cayenne, Saturn |
| Dodge Intrepid: Problems noted included: engine | | | | Relay, Volkswagen Cabrio, Volkswagen Jetta (V6), |
| troubles with the 2000 model, faulty airbags and | | | | Volkswagen New Beetle (turbo), Volkswagen Passat |
| seatbelts, and electrical problems. | | | | (V6, FWD), Volkswagen Touareg, and the Volvo |
| Pontiac Aztek: The Pontiac Aztek is widely | | | | XC90 (6-cyl.) |
| acknowledged to be a mistake by GM, and with | | | | Today, used cars are less risk because there is more |
| good reason. Problems with this vehicle include the | | | | information out here about used cars. Consumer |
| brake system, issues with the heater and cooling | | | | Reports magazine is a popular magazine for getting |
| systems, engine problems and electrical trouble. Some | | | | information about used cars. They compile their |
| car pundits loathe this car because its engine is weak. | | | | report based on driver experiences. There is |
| Some drivers also found it rather ungainly to handle. | | | | thousands of information on the internet about used |
| BMWs (With automatic transition): These cars are | | | | cars. As well, the federal government's vehicle defect |
| known for their excellent engineering, but not | | | | notices and J.D. Power and Associates' reliability data |
| everyone is enthused about the automatic transition | | | | makes it easy to trace general mechanical issues with |
| BMWs. A car buyer looking at a used BMW however | | | | used cars. |
| should be aware of certain flaws. The automatic | | | | |