The Worst car In The History of The World

"CodyVella" (codyvella) 12/04/2014 at 04:30 • Filed to: None

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I just finished watching the Top Gear Special "The Worst Car In The History Of The World". The basic premise of the special is not necessarily to find the outright crappiest car ever built, but to find a terrible car from a manufacture who is known for building great automobiles. An example would be Ferrari building the Mondail or F50. Both terrible cars in comparison to the other things they built. A non-example would be the Toyota Corolla; boring yes, but still a good, reliable car.

In the end, Clarkson and May settled on the Lexus SC430 as the worst car ever built, for a number of reasons. I however, disagree. I feel as though there have been a few worse examples over the years.

I nominate the 3rd gen Honda Vigor/Acura Vigor as the worst vehicle ever built. First off, I'm a huge Honda fan. Hell, I'll even defend the 2012 Civic (I owned one). But the Vigor was a HUGE error in judgment on behalf of the Honda Motor Co.

To start, I'm willing to bet that unless you're a die-hard car enthusiast, no one under the age of 30 has even heard of the Acura Vigor. That's because they never sold many here in North America, because the reviews at the time weren't particularly nice to the car. Second, the Vigor was intended to slot in between the Acura Integra, and the Acura Legend. However it was priced more towards the high end, almost on par with the MUCH more powerful Legend. This brings us to its engine; either a 2.0L or 2.5L Inline 5 cylinder. Now many of you are probably saying, "Honda made a straight 5?!" and you're right to do so, because Honda was never able to make the 'ol 5 banger work, so they abandoned it. After the Vigor, it lived on for a few years in the Acura 2.5RL as a "holdover" engine. The 2.0L was good for around 150hp while the 2.5L was good for approximately 185hp. These are some pretty respectable numbers, however many reviews criticized the engine for making a lot of noise, but not really delivering any real power. This could explain why Honda abandoned developing its 5-cylinder engines. Or it could be because they realized they're not Volvo or Audi. Then came the suspension. It was described as too harsh, and unbalanced. Towards the end of the model's run, Honda decided to soften the suspension to give it a comfier ride. But it was too little, too late. It's looks didn't help much either. It looked horribly outdated and too squared off around the corners. Finally, the interior. The Vigor actually had a nice interior. This was really its only redeeming factor, even if there is too much faux wood for my liking.

Now, if anyone actually reads to the end of this post; I have never driven a Vigor. I would love to, but there's so few remaining (especially up here in Canada) that I doubt I'll ever get to drive one. My opinion is based entirely off what I've read, or been told from experience.

Now Oppo, tell me, what do you think is the "Worst Car In The History Of The World"? Remember, it can't be just bad. It has to be from a manufacture that has made some amazing cars, but possessed a lack of better judgment at some point in its career.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 04:45

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I present to you the Audi A2, what the fuck were they thinking..

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 04:47

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Speaking of Vigors/Legends..

I saw a ratty example of the Legend at UWaterloo in Mid-October, I hope the owner has plans for restoring it.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 12/04/2014 at 04:49

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Well, they were thinking about light weight, aerodynamics and fuel economy. It might not've been particularly attractive and was often prone to expensive repairs due to the aluminium construction, but it was quite innovative for its day.

pip bip - choose Corrour > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 04:51

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Datsun 120Y.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 04:52

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I wouldn't say the Vigor is that bad, at least it doesn't look like a melted turd like the SC430.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 04:56

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I'll go for another Honda, the newer Insight:

It was trying too hard to be a Prius knock-off, the original insight still has some cred.

from what I've read, interior is cheap and rattly, ride quality is bad, noisy, and despite undercutting the Prius by quite a bit, it felt a lot worse, and had significantly worse fuel economy, despite it being a hybrid as well.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > pip bip - choose Corrour 12/04/2014 at 05:05

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Ehhhh, I wouldn't say so. When you compare it to the competition of its day, the 120Y was the favoured one, especially in Britain, where British built cars tended to be pretty poor. Cars like the 120Y were the first to show that your car didn't have to break down every two weeks, that cars could be reliable and be used everyday.

Tinfoil Hat in a thunderstorm, now with added diecast > pip bip - choose Corrour 12/04/2014 at 05:09

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Not enough stars! I can't star more!

BATC42 > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 12/04/2014 at 05:11

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Well if Audi released it today I would defintely agree with you, but when it was launched in 2000, it was quite consistent with what they were making at the time.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 12/04/2014 at 05:25

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I like those. I actually was going to view one until the thought of trying to get cheap parts for an oldish rare Audi entered my mind.

FalconHoon > pip bip - choose Corrour 12/04/2014 at 05:41

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Here Here.

FalconHoon > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 12/04/2014 at 05:41

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They were terrible in Australia

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 05:48

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I actually like the Vigor. I thought it was just about the right size. I was unaware that they came with a 5 cylinder though. Learn something new every day.

I've got two nominees for worst car from a decent manufacturer.

The first is the Aston Martin Cygnet.

The second is the Cadillac Cimarron

JDMatt > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 06:36

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As an American, the new Chevy Colorado is the "C'mon Bruh!" of compact pickup trucks.

Chevy needs a compact truck, but it would help if the truck they were selling was actually compact. The Colorado illustrates how big the Silverado has gotten.

Same goes for the new Ford Ranger, but that's not coming to the USA.

thebigbossyboss > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 12/04/2014 at 06:50

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It looks.....like an elephant/

Saoul-Virage > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 12/04/2014 at 06:58

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They were thinking the future, like BMW today :

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 07:15

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Same here, except I never got as far as checking parts prices because they have enough of a cult following that they're still a bit expensive for what they are.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 07:15

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"An example would be Ferrari building the Mondail or F50"

How, how, is the F50 a bad car in any way other than exterior styling.

davedave1111 > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 12/04/2014 at 07:16

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The Cygnet's a great little car, though - because the IQ is a decent car, and it's just a slightly nicer IQ. The price was/is ludicrous, but as tiny city cars go, it's a good one.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Saoul-Virage 12/04/2014 at 07:17

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And we'll look back on the i3 and think "what the fuck were they thinking?"

AthomSfere > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 07:29

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I think the real reason Honda abandoned the inline 5, the Vigor engine was by far Honda's least reliable engine. That and the were making a good V6 and I4s the I5 didn't make sense and was ruining the brands reputation.

AthomSfere > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 12/04/2014 at 07:32

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I'd agree here well before on the Vigor!

AthomSfere > Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready 12/04/2014 at 07:33

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Even in exterior styling I love the F50.

Lets be honest, the only real problem with the F50 is that it wasn't a F40.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > AthomSfere 12/04/2014 at 08:04

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I don't really mind its styling that much either, but I know most people do.

And yes, that was the only real problem with the F50.

bmil128 > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 08:21

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My grandmother bought a Vigor when it came out in the summer of '91 as a '92 model. Here in the US they only sold it with the 2.5L inline 5. Price was about $27k vs the legend that was $31 or $32k. Lexus was the hot car at the time as the ES and SC coupe had just been released. She only kept it two years, I only remember she did not live close to a dealer and the closest Honda dealer could not service the engine for an oil change. The car later morphed into the 2.5TL or the 3.2TL with the V6.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JDMatt 12/04/2014 at 08:28

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The Colorado was never supposed to be compact, it was supposed to be mid-sized. It's about the size of the Tacoma and Frontier.

And if that's the worst car in the world, the world is doing pretty damn good.

505Turbeaux > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 08:29

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the history of the world is an awful lot of tragedy to toss it all on a Vigor. I have driven them, and contemporary Legends and Integras, and they were solid, decent looking cars.

You could say the Chevy Vega was terrible, along with the NSU Ro80 (doesn't stop me from wanting one), the Volvo 3 series, the Chevy Citation, any number of things best left crushed from the 70's, Alfasud. I can't make my mind up to give you an answer, so I will say the Mercedes 350SD/SDL AKA the rodbender or cylinder oval-er. Should have been so sweet. Tons of power, efficient, smooth, but the powerplant was just not up to Mercedes standards of longevity.

Party-vi > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 12/04/2014 at 08:42

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It is a very cheap interior but not rattly. Ride quality is choppy but it's fun to fling it around, it is noisy and city traffic has it seeing around 35mpg. The steering is very numb but the Si steering wheel and lots of boost-assist makes it fun to wring it out on backroads.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > 505Turbeaux 12/04/2014 at 09:07

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One of the first times people realized it was possible for a Benz to be kind of shit, I think. Kind of impressive when you consider what such small changes did to a (head issue/particulate trap discounted) bulletproof engine.

505Turbeaux > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 12/04/2014 at 09:12

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oh yeah, well they had the heads figured out just fine by then, and the traps were gone, and it is was sure built well, just didn't work with the displacement at all. IIRC they carried over to the W140 for a few years as the S350 and those were equally junk in the motors. Failure rate of 30% I think I heard at one point. But if you get a good one...man are they nice to drive

505Turbeaux > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 12/04/2014 at 09:18

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Hey RR, I also need to pick your brain on a grey market 85 Range with a 5 speed and low miles that finally got down to the price I was offering (I looked at it last year and still have my list of issues with it) should we chat on here (Ill start a new thread), or should I shoot you my email? Either way is peachy

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > 505Turbeaux 12/04/2014 at 09:47

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Probably chat on here unless you've got some real in-depth items. I can't say I'm a prices expert on Rangie, but engines and some other points, I'm more "your huckleberry". I should say, though - one you don't have to *put* the five-speed in, not a bad thing.

505Turbeaux > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 12/04/2014 at 09:50

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ok so as not to thread jack I will start a new post in a few once I find all my pictures I took of it last year, so keep your eyes open. I think my valuation is ok on it, but I did make it last year.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 10:23

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I duno I could've got one for about the price of my Panda if I'd gone a bit older. Saying that the Panda holds it's value reasonably well too.

TotallyThatStupid > CodyVella 12/04/2014 at 10:31

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Vigors kick ass.

I worked at an Acura dealer when these were new. A 5-speed Vigor with that 20-valve 5-banger - I think all USDM cars were 2.5-liter - was a great car, a combination of Audi and Acura, without the Audi's penchant for shedding parts. With Acura/Honda ergonomics and driving characteristics, they drove like more powerful Preludes. They came in cool colors.

History hasn't been kind to them, though. I've read they are not as long-lived as other Acuras of the time. They rust. The bonded leather is shit (just like all Japanese cars of the time save maybe Lexus), but cloth trim was available. It could be the combination of the wrong people owning them or they just weren't built as well, but given Honda's vibe at the time I have a hard time believing the latter.

Still, I'd look hard for a nice 5-speed as a daily.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 10:46

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Hmm. Just had a quick look on Autotrader and even half-decent ones are £1600+. The good ones start at over £2k. Those are 13 years old.

You can get a half-decent Panda for about £1k these days, and it'll be at least three or four years younger.

Obviously there's a price-point you can get either, but when you compare what you can get, the A2s look a bit expensive.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 10:56

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My 2005 Panda diesel was £2k and was the cheapest within 100 miles at the time. A little less pricey than a good A2 but not by much, it is a bit younger though as you say.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 11:05

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You want a diesel A2, you're looking at quite a bit more than £2k.

ETA: A few hundred quid isn't a huge amount of money, of course, but as a percentage it's quite a lot.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 11:09

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You're right actually I checked out the cheapest on AT and it's £250 more and has 50'000 miles more than my car. Not to mention more to tax and fuel.

Edit: actually the same to tax and closer to as good on fuel than I thought.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 11:16

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Yeah, they're not really overpriced as such, just not quite such good value as the Fiat.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 11:21

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You're basically paying for the higher quality interior and the badge on the A2. Similar running costs, power, speed and handling I imagine is fairly similar. Both cars I'd be happy to drive.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 11:32

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Yeah, I'd be happy enough with either - and you can see why people might cross-shop them. The A2s have come down a little in price from when I last looked, too.

Not sure the Fiat isn't a much better handling car, though.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 11:41

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I'd guess the Audi handles a tad better, most Pandas have such tiny tyres understeer starts pretty early. My tyres squeal if I take a roundabout slightly too fast.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 11:44

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I'd guess the A2 might be faster through corners, but I'd be astonished if it's more fun.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 11:53

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The Panda is chuckable as all good city cars should be, I imagine the A2 is designed to be a bit more grown up.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 11:55

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The Panda's fun the way only Fiats are. I haven't driven the A2, but I assume it's pretty staid even compared to the average car in the sector.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 11:58

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"Being built largely from lightweight aluminium, that helps it feel nimble and controlled on backroads, while motorway cruising is solid and fuss-free. The ride is more fidgety than we'd like, though." The words controlled and stable back that up. Seems a very well set up car, but not a fun one.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 12:12

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I should really just go test drive one :)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 12:15

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You should. I'd try and test drive cars for the hell of it more often if I wasn't young enough that sales people dont want me to.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 12:16

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Heh, yeah, but the nearest used-car dealer to me is a complete dick. Rentals are good fun, and you don't have the owner sitting next to you fretting.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 12:24

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I can't even rent yet unfortunately.

davedave1111 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 12/04/2014 at 12:32

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I'm sure you can, somewhere. Might have to pay a little more for it.

http://www.petrolprices.com/blog/the-best-…

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > davedave1111 12/04/2014 at 12:38

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Wow £40 a day surcharge with some companies for being young. I think I'll wait till I hit 21 haha.

signinsrlame > CodyVella 12/14/2014 at 01:29

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The worst car has to be asshole terrible BUT from a legendary manufacturer? Could you be any more precious, anal and subjective? So we eliminate trabant and daewoo and renneault...don't be such a putz

pip bip - choose Corrour > CodyVella 01/04/2015 at 05:54

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GM J-car.

BattlingMaxo > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/04/2015 at 09:18

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I'm glad Chevy finally figured out where the headlights are supposed to be. The last generation Colorado front ends remind me of Tom Tucker's kid on "Family Guy", the one with the upside-down face.....

Whale Tail > CodyVella 01/30/2016 at 23:53

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I await the day when people stop hating so fucking much on the F50. I personally love the design, it’s a roadster that’s still very rigid, and it’s got what’s basically a freaking F1 engine. Jeez people, it was an awesome vehicle. Get over it haters.

/rant