The voting for the 2007 TTAC Ten Worst Autos award continues apace. You have until midnight tomorrow to make your choices. If you haven't voted yet, click here to jump over to the polls. If you have voted, thanks. You've done your part to help rid the world of four-wheeled turkeys. We'll announce the "winners" on November 1, so you won't have long to wait to find out if your selections won. In the meantime, here's an update of what's been going on behind the scenes.
As was the case last year, there were a few likely victors amongst the finalists. Also, as was the case last year, not everyone agrees on what makes a vehicle one of the "Ten Worst." As soon as we announced the finalists some of you immediately questioned our procedures and techniques (and at times, parentages). Here are our responses to some of your more … uh … pointed observations.
How can you evaluate a car you've never driven?
Let's just face it– there's no way anyone could have driven all 136 vehicles that were nominated. Chances are most nominations were made by someone who hasn't even driven that specific vehicle. However, with all the information available nowadays, the desperation the manufactures show in their marketing campaigns, word-of-mouth reports and personal observations, you don't need to spend time behind the wheel to draw a pretty good conclusion whether or not a vehicle is any good. After all, if it walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, you don't need an ornithologist to tell you it's not a pigeon-toed chicken with a head cold.
Why is the ABC Blandmobile on the list when they stopped producing them months ago?
The rules (actually, about the only rule) specified any car has to be offered for sale as a new model in the U.S. between January 1 and now is eligible. Though the manufacturer may have pulled the plug (or is about to do so) on a dud, that model is still on the lots waiting for some sucker eager car buyer. If a manufacturer has a model that's so bad no one wants one, and it languishes on the lots even after they're not making it any longer, they should be recognized for their idiocy. Kind of like a posthumous Medal of Honor in reverse.
Why didn't the XYZ Uggo make the final cut? It got a lot more nominations than the ABC Blandmobile.
From the outset, we stated we weren't going to track how many times someone said "me too" to someone else's nomination, nor would the number of nominations come into play while selecting the finalists. For most cars, almost every nomination was countered by a subsequent post stating why that car shouldn't be nominated. If we counted every time something was nominated, would we then deduct a point every time someone presented good rationale that countered the nomination?
You shouldn't have included last year's winners in this year's competition.
Why not? If a manufacturer is making no effort to improve their turdmobiles, they deserve to be recognized for it until they do. That is unless someone else has introduced a bigger turdmobile in the interim. (Did I just hear GM offering a prayer of thanks for the Chrysler Sebring?)
The list of finalists proves you're pro-import, anti-domestic AND unpatriotic.
Uh huh. Right. You left out prejudiced, leftist, elitist and dictatorial. The list of finalists was selected by a democratic poll of our writing staff, many of whom own domestic vehicles. They felt the individual models listed were the worst of all the nominees– without considering manufacturer or country of origin. If you feel strongly that we're biased against domestic cars, you're welcome to write and submit a fact-based editorial supporting your opposing viewpoint. Or you can start your own blog with our blessing and support.
So far the voting has been close. But the front runner should come as no surprise to anyone. Although we're not saying which one it is, here's a hint: it rhymes with price-blur dweeb-ring. We will tell you who the ten leaders are though, as of the time I'm writing this Thursday evening. Here they are in alphabetical order:
Chevrolet TrailBlazer / GMC Envoy / Isuzu Ascender / Saab 9-7X (GMT-360)
Chevy Aveo
Chevy Monte Carlo
Chevy Uplander
Chrysler Aspen
Chrysler Sebring
Dodge Nitro
Hummer H2
Jeep Compass
Saturn ION
Is this also a list of the winners? Who knows? You'll have to wait until we release the winners on Thursday, November 1 to find out. Voting closes at midnight (EDT) tomorrow, Saturday October 27. If you haven't voted, you still have time to express your opinion. What are you waiting for? Click on over to our polling site and vote! And as always, thank you for helping make TTAC a much louder voice in the automotive wilderness.
GM 6, Chrysler 4. Everyone else: a big fat zero.
Home team rules TWA2K7, a complete shutout.
If you consider this award to be the:
Ten
Worst
Automobiles of
Two-thousand-seven
then the name of the award, ummm… somehow never really changed…
then the name of the award, ummm… somehow never really changed…
Shhh – don’t tell the marketing guy that!
Perhaps next year allow cars for sale in the US or Canada. That would have allowed the Smart FourTwo (but really, it’s only big enough ForOne) to be in the running, as it’s currently for sale in Canada. Besides, except for the Smart, I think every car for sale in Canada is for sale in the States, maybe with a different name (Pontiac Pursuit in Canada, G5 in the US, for instance.)
Ten
Worse
Automobiles of
Two Thounsand and Seven
On
Sale
In
The
US
Only.
Ahh, well…
“price-blur dweeb-ring”
Thanks for the laugh!
About that photo of the last Edsel: even though the infamous grille was gone, Ford appears to have started with the ’60 Ford and did everything they could to make the Edsel as hideous as possible!
Where’s the Ford Focus? you have 8 out of my 10 votes so far.
Until I read this update, I had planned on abstaining from voting. I haven’t driven many of the vehicles on the list and yet some are so dispicable that I would find great satisfaction from watching them fed into a crusher! Thanks for convincing me to cast my ballot!
If you have voted, thanks. You’ve done your part to help rid the world of four-wheeled turkeys.
But I like turkeys. They remind me of Thanksgiving. You can’t get any better than that.
Now, can someone please pass the cranberry sauce?
It looks like I’m getting another full year of getting into a TWAT daily.
That makes all the aggravation worthwhile…
“Besides, except for the Smart, I think every car for sale in Canada is for sale in the States, maybe with a different name (Pontiac Pursuit in Canada, G5 in the US, for instance.) ”
Here are some of the vehicles we’re missing out on in the US:
Acura CSX
Chevrolet Optra
Nissan X-Trail
Pontiac Montana SV6
Pontiac Wave
Suzuki Swift+
Volkswagen Golf/Jetta City
“Here are some of the vehicles we’re missing out on in the US:
Acura CSX
Chevrolet Optra
Nissan X-Trail
Pontiac Montana SV6
Pontiac Wave
Suzuki Swift+
Volkswagen Golf/Jetta City”
Acura CSX – rebadged Honda Civic
Chevrolet Optra – rebadged Suzuki Forenza
Pontiac Wave – rebadged Chevy Aveo
Volkswagen Golf/Jetta City – I believe it is the Mark 4 Golf sold alongside the Mark 5 Version, I could be wrong.
The only cars not sold here in one form or another are the Nissan X-trail and Suzuki Swift+. The Montana SV6 is obviously a previous Artist Formerly Known as TWAT winner/loser.
Once again, this top 10 list summarizes very well the #1 reason why the domestic brands are losing market share to imports.
The Suzuki Swift+ is another Chevy Aveo rebadge, so that just leaves the X-Trail and the Smart as cars sold in Canada that aren’t sold in the US, and the Smart will be coming next year.
Don’t forget the Dodge Caliber! It looks like they hired a 9-year old to draw that thing.
If anyone still thinks TTAC and many of its readers have something against American cars, consider this: if we had a 10 best, Corvette would certainly be a nominee, and would very likely be on the final list. I would vote for it.
The Nissan X-Trail is being replaced by the Rogue, which will also be launched in the US, so there’s one more difference being eliminated.
Incidentally, it’s a Rogue, not a Rouge. (I’ve seen some articles with typos, that have since been repeated across the internet.)
There is the Mercedes B-class, which has not made it Stateside. I’m not aware of any plans to sell that in the US.
David Holzman: if we had a 10 best, Corvette would certainly be a nominee, and would very likely be on the final list. I would vote for it.
We did have a 10 best, and as you predicted, the Corvette was on it!
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=3789
“If a manufacturer has a model that’s so bad no one wants one, and it languishes on the lots even after they’re not making it any longer, they should be recognized for their idiocy.”
By this criteria, the 2005 Pontiac Aztek should still be eligible. Surely there are new ones yet on dealer’s lots, somewhere.
“If a manufacturer has a model that’s so bad no one wants one, and it languishes on the lots even after they’re not making it any longer, they should be recognized for their idiocy.”
I take it the Jaguar X-Type is a clear winner then? My local Jag dealer (the one also selling one of those SAAB-Cadillax things for 50% of list price) is making more and more desperate offers to get people through the door.
I expect in a week to come away with an X-Type Diesel estate with all the toys and probably a cheque in exchange for Mrs T&Cs Skoda.
Then again, would I want to? Hmmm.
Is the H2 really a bad vehicle or does the vote reflect it’s global warming poster boy reputation?
Hey guys… I feel like I should comment on the photo used with the new posting… the final Edsel. Interestingly, the 1960 was the most conventional Edsel and it didn’t deserve to die. I actually think it is a good looking car, and frankly better looking than the 1960 Fords. Take a look or do a search for 1960 Edsel Hardtop coupe. They are sleek and handsome.
Just like consumers report I will vote for::::
V6 Toyota Camry
V8 Toyota Tundra
Like to see them on the list!!!
Another crack in the armour.
The H2 is probably 70% poster boy 30% lousy vehicle.
Other vehicles are better as big SUVs
Tahoe
Expedition
Sequoia
others are better off roaders
LR3
Land Cruiser
XTerra
H3
The Suzuki Swift+ is another Chevy Aveo rebadge, so that just leaves the X-Trail and the Smart as cars sold in Canada that aren’t sold in the US, and the Smart will be coming next year.
Don’t forget the Mercedes B-class, which has been reviewed on this site by yours truly. Don’t worry, you ain’t missin’ much.
So are any cars on sale outside the US going to make this list on this “international” site ?
The wires don’t end at the beach guys.
Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger
Dodge Nitro
Chevrolet Cobalt
Dodge Caliber
Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon
Hummer H3
I spent yesterday at the international digital imaging convention in Orlando. The parking lot was like a TWAT, ooops – I mean Ten Worst, convention, full of rentals which were easily identified by their bar codes. About the only ones not in the lot were the Jag, H2, H3, and the LT. What a craptacular display of wasted metal, and acres of rock hard plastic. Checking these things for fit and finish shows one of the reasons why they made the list. Most wreak of easily noticable cheapness and lack precision assembly. One Colbalt had the trunk lid on so crooked that it was above the quarter pannel on the left and below it on the right by about 3/16ths of an inch. I must agree everything I saw that was on the Ten Worst list certainly belongs there.
On the way home I laughed outloud as I drove by the Lincoln dealer and saw a bikini cald babe standing in front of an LT with a sign that said “take me home today”.
The H2 IMHO is 100% bad vehicle. Perhaps so bad it became a poster boy, but that was after the fact. Like the big boy that it is, it became a poster boy “all by itself”.
I’ll expand when I’m not so tired, but here are the main talking points:
– Was a soldier when the H1 became civilianized: moronic, I thought (I couldn’t wait to get away from the ride of military vehicles); and offensive (soldiers were dying in them in Kuwait)
– The H2 removes any authenticity be not even being a military vehicle. It’s so heavy it qualified as a full business expense (“commercial vehicle”), yet you have barely any room inside. The gun-slit windows prevent you from seeing the car next to you that you’re about to mangle with your monstrosity.
– Piss-poor mileage is fine, as long as there is a damn-great tradeoff. Where is that with the H2? Off-roadiness? Beaten handily by many others. Passenger cossetting and roominess? Nyet. A 1st Gen xB is more airy. Great cargo space? Hah! Not even. And how’s *that* for a loading height. Macho good looks? Nope: most men and women over the age of 19 see it rather as “boy who’s yet to grow up”, or, “compensating-man”. High-speed prowess? Handling? Let’s not even go there.
Where does this vehicle make sense?????
Okay, I was reading Kman’s post just above this one, and just as I finished his “boy who’s yet to grow up” and “compensating man” phrase, when out of the corner of my eye, I see this ad:
The Sexiest Web Browser: Feel confident and secure with your Web. Free Download!
Naturally, it then dawned on me that maybe H2 drivers should try Firefox. No, really, bear with me for a moment. By all accounts, it handles well, goes anywhere, it’s free, and it gets great gas mileage.
I do believe that it would be a much more economical form of .. er, “compensation.” ;)
yea what about the focus , it is terrible. you might want to reconsider the aspen, it may be a clone of the durango, but with the hemi mds it probably gets better fuel mileage than any of the other suv being built that will carry seven passengers. and if you factor in its hauling ability and passenger capacity it may have better fuel mileage than some of those sub -compacts. that boast of 40 mpg but wont carry 2 people comfortably.
Hey guys… I feel like I should comment on the photo used with the new posting… the final Edsel. Interestingly, the 1960 was the most conventional Edsel and it didn’t deserve to die. I actually think it is a good looking car, and frankly better looking than the 1960 Fords. Take a look or do a search for 1960 Edsel Hardtop coupe. They are sleek and handsome.
I agree it’s a good looking car, but by the standards of the time, it’s just another Ford. Yeah, it’s got that little thingy that divides the grill, and the little parking lights on the chrome just outside the dual headlights…
On the other hand, the difference betw the ’60 Edsel and the ’60 Ford is equivalent to the difference between any two cars on the road today.
H2: “Nope: most men and women over the age of 19 see it rather as “boy who’s yet to grow up”, or, “compensating-man”.
Here in No. California most of the H2s I see being driven around are piloted by very well turned out women. I guess that takes the compensating bit to a whole new level.
I guess that takes the compensating bit to a whole new level
LOL! After reading some comments on the “comepensation” part, I meant to jump back in and clarify: of course, when we read “compensating”, we think of one thing in particular (um, rhymes with “cletus”), but that’s a narrow, though most used definition.
For the H2, I mean it in the broadest sense of the term, which includes “cletus” compensation, but more seriously, a whole slew of other not-necessarily-physical traits.
Repressed anger, insecurity, need to dominate, glass-is-half-empty worldview, “F*** the world and everyone it it”-itis, insecurity, low self-esteem, insecurity, emasculated, simpleton, insecurity.
(Most of) These can apply to both genders.
… but if you’ll allow me some additional fine-tuning, IMHO the women driving the H2 are looking for, or wishing they were with, a very manly-man-man with extra testosterone. They are also obviously professionally successful, and so purchase the substitute.
Alright. [/end of judgementalism]
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman in an H2.
H3s yes H2s no
A Durango is sexier, H2 is just cheesy.
As a former owner of Toyotas in the past (1980s), and seeing as the whole ToYoMoCo has degraded to pure shit, Scion, Lexus and all (what a shame), I’d like to nominee the entire Toyota Mo Co!!!
But really folks,
Toyota Camry (I can beleive no one is flaming this car here, it is the anti-sport car! And the 6sp slusher is dumber than mud, with an interior complete with Tonka toy plastics. I sat in a co-workers SE V6. It’s fast to 60, and can corner with a Civic, but its still has the mojo of a de-balled house cat.
Toyota Tundra – The ‘merican Toy boys try to build a real V8 truck, but with tailgates ripping off and snapping camshafts, they’ve clearly don’t know what the hell they are doing. The automatic tranny has also caught the same stupid bug the Camry has. And the frame is far from rigid; it had a shockingly limp handshake when I introduced Mr. Tundra to Mr. Skewed-RR-Crossing.
Scion xD and second gen xB – Something unique now FUBARed. Toyota returned to what made it special back in the day, but then returned to the french frier – and they’re not eating the fries, they’re drinking the grease.
Lexus IS – What a piss poor job at building a sport sedan. Extra BHP aside, its worse than the old 300, at least in the handling and brake feel department. BMW, Acura and Infinity have to be thinking what a bunch of morons.
I can’t wait for Toyota Death Watch. Laugh, but in 5 years, America will wake up and realize the 80’s and 90’s was along time ago, and the new models are far removed from those early days. The rest of the world has already figured it out. Toyota will be going the way of Nissan in the 90’s.
This is just my $0.02
Uh… So where are the winners already?
I wouldn’t be surprised if the fearless editors are busy testing and writing up witty prose about each of the losers. At least I hope that’s what they’re doing, and they haven’t all gone off to Mexico, or got bored to death driving a Sebring.
I don’t understand why Landrover models are not on the list…?? My neighbor has one and it spends more time in the shop than he can keep track of. I believe on the JD list they are at the very bottom for reliability. Design-wise, it’s hard to find an uglier SUV. The interior ergonomics are a joke, the British have no idea how to build and design vehicles. And to rub salt in the wound, Landrover has the gall to charge 4x what their vehicles are worth.
I must object to the choice of the Dodge Nitro in this top ten worst vehicles list. I own a 2007 Nitro R/T 4×4 and it is the most fun I have had in any vehicle in the last 33 years of driving.
It is loaded with modern features, has great unique styling and fits all of my needs perfectly. I have had no trouble with mine in 13,500 miles.