The auto industry experienced a very tumultuous 2010, with massive recalls, brand closures, government programs encouraging the turning in of junk cars, and bankruptcies that have changed the landscape. Any car with a ¨worst value¨ distinction (using a five-year cost of ownership as a baseline) is representative of cars with poor residual values and lousy performance specs that don´t justify the high cost of ownership.
Here are five models that meet the criteria for a worst value car.
Chrysler Sebring
Labelled ¨the worst car in America¨ by numerous publications, the Chrysler Sebring is dogged by poor reviews across the board, with industry leading poor interior, high ownership costs, and a poor depreciation rate (30% residual value) after three years. With a starting price of $21,000, similarly priced cars like the Accord, Camry, Fusion, and Sonata have infinitely more choices to offer. Reliability has dropped in recent years, with its lifetime powertrain warranty scrapped for 2010. Plus, most of Sebring´s sales are to Hertz and Avis and not to regular buyers.
Pontiac G5
The Pontiac G5 is hurt by record depreciation rate over the first five years (we´re talking up to 60%!). Compared to the Honda Accord´s 58% residual value after a three year lease, this is a crime. Plus, its low fuel economy and low reliability tacks an additional $7,000 to $10,000 over lifetime maintenance over a champion like Honda. Thankfully the Pontiac line has been discontinued.
Mercury Mountaineer
The 2010 Mercury Mountaineer is the automotive version of highway robbery, offering the worst specs for the highest price. $27,000 for a midsize SUV that tops 20 mpg highway is beat by the majority of similarly priced cars in its segment, like the Buick Enclave, the Chevy Traverse, the Toyota Highlander, and the Honda Pilot. To be fair, it does offer uimpressive towing capacity but the majority of midsize SUV buyers prefer comfort and performance. Mercury has also been beset by poor reliability scores.
Dodge Caliber
The Dodge Caliber ranks almost dead or dead-last in the midsize car segment. Characterized by a lack of innovation, its brought down by poor performance, a cheap plastic interior, and a comical asking price (starting at $21,000) Plus, Dodge has some of the worst reliability scores around. It´s only drawing point is its stellar safety scores with top scores across the board.
Nissan Sentra
The ¨Chrysler¨ of Japan, Nissan has historically dragged behind its big brothers Toyota and Honda in the performance department. The Sentra epitomizes that, priced similarly to competitors Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta with a lot lesser features. The Mazda3 and Chevrolet Cruze are also sportier options an are cheaper than the Sentra. Sentra´s mpg numbers are disappointing for this segment (24 mpg city/31 mp ghighway) compared to the Cruze´s 40 mpg and the Civic´s 34 mpg.. Its biggest weaknesses are its power and handling, with extremely sensitive brakes and a disappointing sense of security (I´ve never experienced so much road noise) in the vehicle in a recent drive.
All in all, steer clear (no pun intended) from these disappointing, poor excuses for cars.
