10 New Cars You Should Avoid Buying
December 6, 2012
Cars such as the Dodge Journey, Jeep Wrangler, and Nissan Versa Hatchback are included on a list of 10 cars that were picked due to such things as below-par handling and performance, low marks for quality and reliability, and low crash testing ratings. Forbes used sources such as Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and Associates, the Highway Loss Data Institute, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to compile the results.
Below are the 10 cars Forbes.com suggests you avoid, along with a few of the reasons why.
| Vehicle to Avoid | Why? |
|---|---|
| Dodge Journey | Base powertrain lacking, low marks for reliability and satisfaction |
| Jeep Compass/Jeep Patriot | Below-par performance, marginal side-impact performance |
| Jeep Wrangler | Clumsy handling, uncomfortable interior, hard to get in and out of, marginal crash performances |
| Nissan Versa Hatchback | Below average quality, design/performance and reliability |
| Nissan Xterra | Uncomfortable ride, low marks for quality and design/performance |
| Smart ForTwo | Impractical, underpowered, requires premium-grade fuel |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | Below-par performance and handling, low marks for quality and reliability |
| Suzuki Kizashi | Low marks for quality and reliability |
| Suzuki SX4 | Slow acceleration, noisy cabin, uncomfortable ride, cramped interior, unimpressive fuel economy |
| Volvo XC90 | Below-par handling, higher than average ownership costs, below average reliability |
My Recommendation for Car Shoppers
TrueCar No-Haggle, CarsDirect, and NADAGuides are the quickest way to see the lowest car prices in your area. These sites show you no-haggle prices from dealers closest to you - and the deals are usually really good. This should be the first step you take when negotiating your car price. Follow this up with my checklist to make sure you squeeze out every last bit of savings.- Gregg Fidan
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About The Author
Gregg Fidan is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate
the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.
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