Auto Manufactures have done a great job on boosting their quality and reliability of their vehicles, buying a used car can still make you panic. You always have to worry about how honest is this seller, and you also want avoid vehicles that have a bad history.
To help buyers with their concerns, Money Watch looked at owner surveys to see which cars they disliked and which ones gave them the most problems. We focused on the 2008 models, this year ranked in the latest dependability study from J.D Power and Associates. Buying a 3 year old car lets you shop after the biggest new car depreciation has hit. Because used car prices have gone up so quickly this year 1 & 2 year old model cars can make worse financial sense than buying new.
To make our list of used car rejects, a car had to get a minimum two out of five in the J.D Power “circle ratings” for dependability. It also had to be ranked below average as a used car by Consumer Reports in its annual April car issue and online car rankings.
Here are our recommendations for used cars to avoid, plus some better alternatives in the same category.
Small Car: Volkswagen Beetle- the Beetle’s cute looks and all around appeal don’t save it from being on the least reliable list. Owners of the 2008 models told Consumer Report’s that they had problems with the climate control system and power equipment, both of which can lead to very expensive repairs. The convertible model is selling for $19,350 on dealer’s lots according to Kelly Blue Book website.
Alternative: Hyundai Elantra- Hyundai has remarkably strong sales year for new cars this year. Even in 2008 the company was making quality cars backed by a 10 year warranty, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The Elantra got the maximum five circles in the J.D Power reliability ratings and ranked an above average used car by Consumers Reports, survey responders reported no major problems. This Elantra is selling for $12,435.
Midsize Car: Volkswagen Passat- Volkswagen strikes out again. Despite having good reviews when new, the Passat gets a minimum J.D Power two circles and a below average rating for Consumers Reports. Problems with the Passat are problems with the fuel, electrical and climate systems and the power equipment. The 2008 Passat is selling at dealers for $ 19,515.
Alternative: Ford Fusion- Ford’s first real competitors in years against mid-size leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the fusion won the reliability award in this year’s J.D Power survey. Consumers Reports give it a much above average used car rating. There were no reported major problems with the 2008 Fusion. Dealers are offering the Fusion for $17,365.
Midsize SUV: GMC Acadia- All though the quality has improved in recent models, the 2008 Acadia is a loser in this category. With the minimum two circles in the J.D Power survey, it gets a worse than average used car ranking from Consumer Report’s. Some Reported problems with the suspension and audio system. The Acadia SLE model is selling for $25,000 at dealerships.
Alternative: Toyota 4 Runner- This 2008 Toyota stalwart won the J.D Power reliability award and is rated much better than average as a used car in the Consumer Reports ratings, there were no major problems reported with the 2008 4Runner. Reviewers praise its capability both on the highway and off road. The 2008 4Runner SR5 version is selling for about $27,730.
Large SUV: Ford Expedition- If you need large capacity and hauling and can ignore the bad mileage (the Expedition gets 12 MPG city and 18 MPG highway) Look elsewhere. The big SUV’s of Fords line up gets the minimum two circles from J.D Power and a worse than average Consumers Report rating. Reported problems were with the transmission and audio system. The used 2008 Expedition is selling for about $23,530 in the XLT version.
Alternative: Toyota Sequoia- In a category with no winner, the Toyota entry again looks like the best bet. It gets four out of five circles in the J.D power rating and an above-average rating from Consumer reports. The Reviews praise its roomy seating and comfortable ride for long highway trips. The 2008 Sequoia SR5 version is selling at $31,265.
Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country- Chrysler originated the minivan and in most years has sold more than other companies. But sometime in 2008 manufacturing quality started to lag.
The Chrysler minivan got the minimum two circles from J.D Power and much worse than average used car rating from Consumer Reports. Problems people listed with this minivan were the suspension, brakes, and climate system and power equipment. The 2008 Town & Country LX version is going for $16,000 at used car dealerships.
Alternative: Toyota Sienna- The Sienna wins the reliability award for minivans from J.D Power, amd gets a better than average rating from Consumer Report. Buyers praise its comfort and seating; it holds up to eight people. The Sienna CE version is going for an average of $20,130.
Despite Toyota’s recall problems and lagging sales this year, its dominance of numerous categories in three years old used cars is a reminder of what a strong record of reliability it had achieved. Domestic companies certainly should not count out Toyota as a strong competitor.
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