Post-New-Year's Hangover - the Worst Cars of 2008

In the last blog (a few days back … sorry!), I picked out my choices for some of the best cars of last year. This time I’m picking some bad ones. So bad, in fact, that I couldn’t even think of clever titles for the categories.

Worst overall: Chrysler Sebring / Dodge Avenger. These heinous twins of darkness represent, to my mind, the worst of what modern manufacturers have to offer. They really have no redeeming qualities, other than that they are very attractive to rental outfits. Other than possibly inducing nostalgia for cars from the former USSR, I’d avoid these two like the plague.

Most in need of redesign: Ford Focus. Introduced in 1999 as a 2000 model, this dinosaur has thus been around for NINE model years without a significant mechanical redesign. It was a nifty car when it was new, especially in terms of styling. The current model, on the other hand, is sort of like that infamous lipstick on a pig. Why do I care? American auto manufacturers need to realize that we Americans don’t deserve to be treated so badly. The small car segment is really hot, and instead of investing in the product to make it fresh (like they did with the European-market Focus, which shares a platform with the cool Mazda3 and Volvo C30), they’ve let it linger on in a sort of pathetic Marlon Brando situation. The competition is better, so don’t waste your time on the old news Focus.

Most disappointing: BMW 1 / Smart ForTwo (tie). I had high hopes for both of these cars, but they are flops. The BMW 1 was supposed to be a resurrection of the classic BMW 2002 coupe: light, fun, sporty. Instead it is expensive, and almost as heavy as the larger 3-series. Why give up the back seat room? Get a 3-series. And the Smart! Don’t get me started. With a painful ride and the herky-jerkiest drivetrain since the Yugo graced these shores, it’s really a bad car. Sure, it’ll park lengthwise against the curb, but you’ll never want to get in it to move it.

Least Sexy: Buick Lucerne. It kind of looks like a lungfish with four eyes, and it probably appeals to your Great Aunt Lucy. Trust me, if you’re south of 60 years old, your date is going to bail. Sure, you can say that it isn’t too bad for a GM car, it’s quiet and well-built. But honestly, a coffin is quiet and well-built, but save it for when you’re dead.