Blog Tag: BMW

ReDriven’s Lemon List: Worst cars to buy in 2023

What are some of the worst cars you can buy in 2023? Here are some of our picks.

You might love the cars on this, you may own one of the cars coming up and have never had an issue and that’s wonderful. But after trawling through reliability reports, customer satisfaction surveys, and talking to mechanics and auto industry experts, these are categorically some of the worst used cars you buy right now.

BMW 5 Series

In particular, the surveys and experts report that the 2004 to 2010 E60 series are the very worst of the BMW 5 Series generations. Considering that brand new, these were asking anywhere from $80,000 to $175,000, with used prices here in Australia ranging from as little as $5,000 to just under $25,000, we get that these may seem like a bargain. But they aren’t.

 

There’s a reason they have plummeted in value. Across the E60 range, BMW powered the car with what many experts claim to be some of the worst BMW engines ever. The 520i’s N43 commonly has timing chain issues thanks to the timing chain guides breaking off and damaging the oil pump, sometimes resulting in catastrophic engine failure. Then there are fuel injector problems and oil pressure issues so bad it can lead to engines seizing.

 

The 535i’s N54, which actually won multiple Engine of the Year awards when it was new, can now suffer from turbocharger issues and failures, seemingly endless oil leaks, and fuel injector failures. Speaking of injector issues, there are commonly reported injector defects on 525i and 530i models with the N53 petrol engine. The consequence of bad injectors can often require a complete engine swap.

 

When it comes to the V8 N62 in the 540, 545, and 550i, there are loads of reports of coolant hose leaks, oil gaskets leaking, and valve failures often due to the oil leaks. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll be replacing all 32 valves, which will be very costly. The turbo diesel N47 in the 520d can suffer from timing chain problems, which can eventually cause damage to the pistons or rods, requiring a full engine rebuild. Plus, there are DPF dramas and cooling system issues as well.

 

Even the flagship M5 with its S85 V10 can have issues. Throttle actuators failing, rod bearings failing, and all of the complications surrounding a hugely complex V10 engine, engineered with tight tolerances but built for the mass market. Even ignoring the engines, the windshields were prone to cracking, there are endless reports of interiors becoming more rattly than a maraca collection, door handles squeak, and the list of reported electronic gremlins goes on forever.

 

Yes, with fastidious maintenance, there are owners out there that have never had an issue. But if you’re buying a used one, how do you know 100% that the previous owners have maintained the car thoroughly? So, sorry, they’re just far too risky.

Kia Carnival

Remember many years ago when Kia was a manufacturer of cheap and nasty vehicles? Well, the first and second-generation Carnival, or Sedona depending on where you’re watching this from, is the epitome of this scenario.

 

To be fair, the second generation from 2006 to 2012 was marginally better, but even then, just don’t buy one; they’re still horrible. Mechanically, oil leaks, valve seal and head gasket leaks, engine bay plastics falling apart, causing all sorts of issues, electronic gremlins, multiple reports of catastrophic engine failures, even the exterior and interior are plagued with issues.

 

Honestly, the list of complaints surrounding these things is terrifying. Yes, they’re cheap, but they’re cheap for a reason. Do not buy an early Carnival, even if it means getting public transport or walking instead. Just don’t do it to yourself; you’re better than that.

 

In saying all of that, it is amazing just how far Kia has come from making these horrible early examples to the current Carnival, let alone the EV9.

Audi A6

Specifically, the problem child of the Audi A6 family seems to be the 4th generation C7, and in particular, early examples from 2012 to around 2015, funnily enough, before the mid-cycle update.

 

Various consumer and reliability reports awarded these A6 models with just 1 out of 5-star ratings, reporting brake squealing problems, steering issues, and engine issues across the range. But particularly with the hugely popular 3.0-litre turbo diesel, these engines potentially suffer from ECU gremlins causing a variety of issues. Failure of the fuel pressure regulator, failure of the serpentine belt, throttle bodies failing due to wear and tear, clogging, electrical problems, mechanical problems, and excessive oil consumption can all be an issue.

 

And aside from the mechanicals, there are reports of transmission issues and electronically, infotainment systems can fail causing display screens to freeze or go blank. Phone pairing, Bluetooth, voice control commands, steering wheel controls, and audio gremlins can all occur, and backup cameras and sensors can fail.

 

Now, again like the BMW, there are thousands of A6 owners out there that have never, and most likely will never, have an issue, and thorough maintenance should mitigate many potential dramas. But, if the previous owner or owners have mistreated it or cut some corners financially, which many have, with the cost of parts and often labor asking a premium here in Australia, is a used A6 really worth the stress?

Fiat 500

Let’s get something straight: the particular Fiat 500 we reviewed has never had an issue. Read through the comment section of that video, and you’ll see hundreds of messages from owners that have also never had an issue, in fact, many claiming the little Italian is the best car they have ever owned.

 

However, after speaking to Fiat technicians and Euro and Italian specialist mechanics, and reading through reliability reports and customer surveys, according to the experts, the 500 can be an absolute nightmare. The manual transmission examples seem to be marginally more reliable than the disaster that is the Dualogic automated manual thing, but even then, there are reports of faulty fuel-injector seals. Diesel-engined models can have odd clutch vibration issues; TwinAir engines can have poor sealing around the timing cover, resulting in oil leaks. There can be premature wear with the suspension, and there’s faulty engine mount dramas.

 

And yes, it is very funky, but underneath that cool body, the 500 is just a cheap little city runabout. Possibly thanks to it being so budget-conscious, there are all sorts of complaints regarding poor build quality and the associated issues with exterior and interior trim, not to mention ever-increasing electronic dramas.

 

Now we go into all of this and more in our full review video, but the overall takeaway is that it seems no two 500’s are ever the same. The build quality, and therefore reliability, can vary enormously depending on what moment it rolled through the production line.

 

The risk, if you’re buying a used Fiat 500, is then twofold: what mood were the Fiat workers in when they made yours, and how did the previous owners treat it? Because if they missed a service or have cut corners on maintenance, you could end up with an absolute lemon.

 

Ford Fiesta/Focus

 

The generations we’re referring to are the 2010 to 2016 WT and WZ Fiesta and 2011 to 2015 LW Focus but specifically those fitted with the Powershift six-speed dual-clutch transmission or DCT. Excluding the performance ST and RS variants which can be awesome, the manual non-performance versions aren’t anything special either. But the major issue here is that terrible DCT. Vibrations, shuddering, and hesitation before engaging gear, even when they “sort of” work correctly, but so many have failed completely resulting in huge repair bills. Then there are the associated issues due to the transmission, like engine mount dramas being regularly reported.

 

Thanks to this, Ford was fined $10 million in 2018, and according to the ACCC, our consumer watchdog here in Australia, even though Ford knew the shuddering was a quality issue with the vehicles, dealerships were apparently encouraged to tell customers that the shuddering was the result of the customer’s driving style. Now a court demand has forced Ford to review customer requests to refund or replace vehicles, but if you’re buying second-hand, why risk that at all? It’s not like they’re some amazing car worthy of ignoring this huge issue, in fact there is a long list of other commonly reported issues for these specific models too.

 

The good news, for the Focus at least, is that later models switched to an entirely different and far-less problematic six-speed torque-converter auto but the Fiesta, look unless it’s an ST, just don’t buy one.

Holden Astra/Cruze

Speaking of not buying one, for God’s sake do not buy a Holden Cruze or Astra. Let’s start with the Astra, which depending on the year model, many of you will know as the Opel, Vauxhall, Chevrolet or Saturn Astra or possibly Buick Verano or Buick Excelle, but which generation should you avoid, all of them.

 

The only exception is the VXR performance models but even then, look we haven’t fully reviewed one yet but, we have a feeling you’re better off just buying something else. Actually, if you do have a VXR and you’re in Sydney or Newcastle and you’d like to defend your Astra’s honour by having us feature it, let us know in the comments or message ReDriven on Insta or Facebook.

 

Anyway, besides the VXR, just steer clear of all Astras. According to many in the auto industry, the 4th-generation TS Astra is quite possibly the single greatest bucket of utter rubbish on the market. Dubbed by mechanics as the Disastra, some workshops even refuse to work on them as they are truly that bad. Poorly made, a list of common problems as long as the equator, the TS Astra is the epitome of mechanical crap.

 

And unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to get a whole lot better for later models. Reading through customer surveys and repair reports, everything from endless and mysterious electronic gremlins to interior and exterior trim seeming to self-destruct, to complete catastrophic engine failures, even with the right maintenance and with under 80,000 kms on the clock, and that’s for the most recent examples.

 

But amazingly, the Cruze is even worse, well done Holden you’ve outdone yourself, no wonder you don’t exist anymore. Ah the Cruze, apparently there are owners out there that have never had an issue with their Cruze but in saying that, there are all sorts of crazy conspiracy theories flying about these days so don’t believe everything you hear.

 

Now for the full details on just how horrible these are, we’ve made a full review video but as an overview, the Cruze was designed, engineered, developed, and built on the tightest of budgets and the cost-cutting shows. Early models suffered complete transmission failures and depending on what engine is loosely bolted into the front of the thing, problems ranging from oil leaks to electrical issues to faulty and glitchy sensors to water pump failures and coolant leaks, which of course leads to overheating, which of course can leads to an engine meltdown, to turbocharger failures, not to mention every piece of trim rattling or falling off, it’s just a very very poor car.

 

But to make things even worse, at least here in Australia, Holden doesn’t exist anymore so accessing parts will eventually be a headache and would you even want to spend the money to fix it at all? You shouldn’t.

 

We’ve reviewed versions of the cars on this list:

Check out our used car reviews of the Kia Carnival, Fiat 500, BMW 5 Series, Ford Fiesta, Holden Cruze, Audi A6.

ReDriven’s Lemon List: Worst SUVs to buy in 2023

Navigating the used SUV market can be a minefield for the unprepared buyer. Certain models that may seem attractive initially, prove to be more trouble than they’re worth due to their poor long-term reliability and high maintenance costs. Here’, we’ll be going through some of the worst SUVs on the used market today.

Nissan Pathfinder

Many owners out there love their Pathfinder and have never had an issue and that’s wonderful. But I had one of these 4th generation 2013 to 2020 Pathfinders as a long-term press car, and even back then when it was new I remember thinking, you’d only buy one of these if you had never test-driven anything else, because it is very bloody average.

 

It felt old even when it was new, they can be very average on fuel, the handling and suspension feels a bit soggy and the infotainment system is rubbish, even Nissan’s after-sales support is regarded as some of the worst out there.

 

But mechanically, things are even worse. Up until the early 2000s, Nissan maintained Japan’s reputation for making extremely reliable vehicles, but since the company’s merger with French motoring giant Renault, Nissan seems to have slowly lost its mojo.

 

This generation of Pathfinder tends to prove that. There are plenty of reports of higher-than-average and very annoying mechanical, interior and exterior trim and electronic issues, but the big failure point for the Pathfinder surrounds its continuously variable transmission or CVT.

 

The issue is that the belt or the chain, in this case, can wear prematurely or start slipping between the two pulleys. This results in shuddering and vibrations that can lead to damage and catastrophic failure, which can cost many thousands of dollars to repair.

 

Now to Nissan’s credit, Pathfinders did improve with each new year model and when these vehicles were under warranty, most of the fixes were carried out quickly and at no cost to the owner, but with Pathfinders finishing their new car warranty periods, just don’t run the risk, there are plenty of other SUVs out there that, even aside from the CVT dramas, are just better in every way.

BMW X5

Now, in a way, this one continues on from the BMW 5 Series that made the list in our Worst cars to buy in 2023 list, as the X5 is something of a jacked-up SUV version of the 5 Series, but in the X5’s case, the research shows that the 2014 to 2018 F15 is the worst of the X5 generations. In saying that, the 2007 to 2013 E70 X5 also has a long and often terrifying list of potential issues too.

 

But focussing on the third-gen X5, as well as pretty much every engine in the range reporting a range of common issues, the most popular powerplant across the F15 X5 lineup on the used market, is the 3.0-litre N57 turbo diesel straight 6, and it can commonly suffer from everything from turbo failures to fuel injectors failing to crankshaft damper issues to High-Pressure Fuel Pump problems, EGR complications and high oil consumption, which can all result in an engine just feeling grumpy through to complete catastrophic failure.

 

On top of that, many owners reported major issues with electronics, transmission faults, steering problems and even exhaust issues. Now, obviously, with fastidious maintenance, many of these problems can be avoided, but the risk is when you’re buying used, many examples haven’t received this level of care, and there are even some sellers out there falsifying documents and just blatantly lying, so it is critical to verify that any used X5 you look at has a genuine and thorough service history

 

Or just don’t take the risk and buy something more reliable to start with.

 

Nissan X-Trail

Now I’ve owned two Nissan X-Trails and I never had a problem with either, so surely the experts and our research are wrong. Well, unfortunately, just because my personal experience was great, that does not represent the entire market. And I do tend to love shit cars.

 

The major complaints tend to surround the 2013 to 2022 T32 and to a lesser extent the original 2000 to 2007 T30 Nissan X-Trails. The T32’s issues are very much like its bigger sibling Pathfinders. Various electronic gremlins like warning lights illuminating when there are no issues, air conditioning annoyances, fuel injection issues, engines not starting or stalling but the big problem is again, that bloody CVT.

 

Even though the transmissions do vary between the X-Trail and Pathfinder, the belt is steel in the X-Trail and chain-driven in the Pathfinder, the X-Trail can suffer the same shuddering and vibrations and potentially catastrophic failures as in the larger Nissan. While servicing and maintenance are absolutely critical to at least try to avoid these problems, a better way to avoid them is to not buy an X-Trail in the first place.

 

Then when it comes to the older original T30 model, these can potentially be a tough little nugget of an SUV and as I said, I personally never had an issue with mine, except for the crank angle sensor failure which happens to all of them, but the major problem occurring, surrounds the head gaskets letting go.

 

The drama here is, if you’re paying someone to fix it and there are complications, the cost of repair can sometimes be more than what the entire X-Trail is even worth, it might be just safer to buy an equivalently aged Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V instead.

 

Audi Q5

Unfortunately through our research, we found that both generations of the Audi Q5 are enthusiastic about waving red flags, in fact, two of the Audi technicians we spoke to both claimed one generation was worse than the other, they just couldn’t decide on which generation that was.

 

But let’s focus on the positives first, they’re lovely to look at and be in, they offer a wonderful driving experience, the levels of practicality, tech and safety are excellent and, Mexico continues to prove that they can excel when it comes to the levels of fit and finish. That’s right, the Q5 is made in Mexico, and last time I checked, Mexico isn’t in Germany, or even Europe.

 

Anyway, what goes wrong with them? First-gen Q5s can suffer from suspension and brake complications, electrical system issues and many customers even complained of faults with the bodywork.

 

Mechanically, diesel-engined Q5s account for more concerns than their petrol counterparts and specifically the 3.0 TDI Quattro engine can suffer from sensor issues, excessive oil consumption and oil leaks, throttle body dramas, serpentine belt issues, ECU gremlins, fuel pressure regulators can fail and the transmission can play up. But the petrol power plants don’t come away unscathed either.

 

The 2.0-litre turbo power plant can have timing chain complications that can result in catastrophic engine failures, there are water pump issues, excessive oil consumption, fuel flanges can leak and obviously, there’s all the various electronic gremlins, not to mention engine bay plastics that are now getting on the brittle side.

 

The second-generation Q5 does tend to fair a little better for mechanical issues, most likely because it’s a more recent vehicle so the issues haven’t had time to show themselves yet, and you’d like to think Audi or Volkswagen have tried to improve the mechanicals over time, but on the flip side, the reports show that electronic dramas are more prevalent in the newer generation.

 

As a disclaimer here, both of those owners close to me adore their Q5s and have honestly never had an issue, and that will be the case for many owners out there, but my friends have both owned their Q5s since new and both are perfectly maintained. But if you are buying used, are you 100% sure that the Q5 you’re looking at can claim the same sort of history because if it has missed a service or two, or if the previous owners have cut corners, be prepared for the worst.

 

Mercedes-Benz GL Class

Specifically, we’re talking about the first-generation, 2006 to 2012 X164  GL-Class which many are attracted to thanks to all the image bullshit that comes with luxury European brand names, like Mercedes-Benz. But the GL-Class wasn’t made in Europe, it was poorly bolted together in Tuscaloosa,  Alabama, and if you’re terrible at geography, that’s in America.

 

The list of common faults on these huge SUVs is ridiculous. Electrical problems like door look and tailgate locking mechanisms completely failing, sometimes even locking owners out of the car, powered tailgates not opening or closing, exterior lighting issues, sunroofs leak which results in all sorts of major electronic issues and your fancy SUV smelling like wet dog.

 

The air suspension can completely fail, infotainment systems can become glitchy and slow or just stop working. Engine-wise, diesel models suffer from the same problems seen in other modern diesels like EGR and cooler issues, DPF-related problems, leaking injector seals and choked-up inlet systems. Terrible transmission shudder and delayed gear selection issues are quite common. Hub and wheel bearing issues are becoming more common over time, generally caused by loose driveshafts, sometimes even ending in catastrophic wheel bearing failure.

 

The list goes on and on but the good news is, the parts and labour required to fix everything will cost a premium and with the GL-Class weighing more than most family homes, it’s also incredibly tough on the consumables like tyres and brakes, which being large and needing to be premium, will also be expensive.

 

Even better news is that these depreciate in value at an astounding rate so you won’t only spend thousands maintaining and fixing it, you’ll end up with an SUV worth a fraction of what you paid for it in the first place.

But some people just love their luxury brand names no matter what don’t they? It’s sad.

Range Rover / Land Rover

While researching this list, we realised it could have been made up of nearly purely Land Rover and Range Rover products. The Evoque, Discovery, Disco Sport, Range Rover Sport, Velar, big daddy Range Rover, and even the current Defender all have long and concerning lists of common complaints attached to them no matter what the generation. Maybe excluding some of the really early Discoverys but even then, for the majority of us, anything wearing a Land Rover or Range Rover badge really should be avoided.

 

But, let’s get something straight, not every single Land Rover or Range Rover out there is going to be a disaster, read through the comments on our review videos or check out the owner’s groups and there are thousands of owners that have had a completely flawless experience, the right Land Rover or Range Rover can be an exceptional SUV. The issue is, the difference between the good and the bad ones can be enormous and when buying used, especially without any or a rapidly concluding new car warranty, the chances of buying someone else’s problems tend to increase. And what problems might they be selling you?

 

Well thanks to the entire range sharing loads of components, all can be guilty of everything from endless and mysterious electrical gremlins to air-conditioning failures, brakes, fuel system, infotainment and suspension issues, interior and exterior trim issues, and mechanically, you name a problem, chances are it’ll happen to a Land Rover or Range Rover including far too many catastrophic engine failures.

 

To put into numbers just how bad these can be, many auto industry experts, including those that work for Land Rover/Range Rover, claim that the Discovery Sport is the very worst of the bad bunch and some stats show that over 35% of all Disco Sports sold, have reported major issues. And remember, Land Rover/Range Rover is classified as a premium brand so parts and labour costs, expectedly, do ask a premium.

 

If you’re a hardcore fan, either love working on your vehicle or are in the financial position to easily pay for the ongoing maintenance and repairs, and you have a second car to drive around in while your Land Rover or Range Rover is away getting repaired, absolutely, buy one because when they work, they can be phenomenal vehicles, but if you don’t meet that criteria, you’d be crazy to take those sorts of financial risks.

Holden / Chevrolet Captiva

Commonly referred to as the Holden Craptiva or ‘that piece of shit that’s broken down yet again’, the Captiva is about as bad as a modern vehicle can be. Suffering from extensive reliability and quality problems like catastrophic engine failures at worst, through to oil leaks, timing chain failures, camshaft problems, DPF and EGR issues at best, as well as transmission failures, electronic problems, poor wiring connections and faulty computer body modules that control many of the vehicle’s functions.

 

Even the ECU throws up incorrect codes, so when a mechanic is trying to diagnose a problem, having the car blatantly lie to them only makes matters worse and often ends up costing the owner more in labour charges. But again the disclaimer, apparently, I mean we’ve never actually met one of these people, but apparently, there are people out there that have never had an issue with their Captiva and they love them, and if that’s you, go buy a lottery ticket because luck is clearly on your side.

 

Otherwise, don’t buy one, you deserve to be happy, and the Captiva will deny you of this.

 

We’ve reviewed many of the cars on this list: Check out our reviews of the Nissan X-Trail, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Holden Captiva and Land Rover Freelander 2 & Land Rover Discovery.

 

 

 

 

Sleepers (Looks normal, goes fast)

 

There’s not much cooler in the world of cars than the sleeper. A car that has the ability to wipe the floor with even the fastest supercars yet looks totally normal and completely understated. And there have been a host of awesome sleepers available over the years, but which do we think are the best? Here’s the ReDriven Top 5.

5. VW Golf R Wagon (Mk7 and 7.5)

In fifth, we had to have a wagon in this list, but will it be the only wagon? It’s the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf R wagon.

 

It may be able to hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just a touch under 5 seconds in standard form, but tweak the engine just a small amount and the Golf R Wagon will be embarrassing all but the very fastest cars out there.

 

Add to that its immense traction with a very intelligent all-wheel system, lightning-fast gear changes via its DSG transmission, and superb handling, and this brutally fast practical wagon will still fly under the radar as it looks nearly identical to a standard Golf wagon.

4. Audi RS6 Sedan (C6 2008-2010)

Still dabbling in the Volkswagen family tree, our 4th place winner is already well known for being a fast wagon, but it’s the sedan version that really nails the sleeper criteria. It’s the 2008 to 2010 C6 Audi RS6 sedan.

 

The recipe was insane but brilliant. Take the V10 engine from a Lamborghini Gallardo, bolt two turbos on it to make it the most powerful Audi engine to date, and then stick it in what essentially looked like a slightly lowered A6 fitted with some nice wheels.

 

But, Audi actually left some of the engine’s potential on the table, with a simple software tune, the standard 571 hp can be increased to around 650 hp, it is a weapon. Plus, only 1500 C6 RS6 sedans were ever produced, compared to the almost common, 14,000 Gallardos.

3. BMW M550i xDrive (2018-2021)

In third place, and like 5th and 4th, it’s another German, it’s the BMW M550i xDrive. The M550i recently received a boost in power, like it even needed it, going from 456 hp to 523 hp.

 

This propels the classy BMW from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. To put that into perspective, the iconic and ballistic McLaren F1 does the same 0 – 100 km/h sprint in 3.2 seconds, so this thing, with its 5 seats, multi-zone climate control, enormous boot, and lovely stereo, is just a smidge over half a second slower to 100 km/h than a multi-million dollar hypercar, incredible.

 

And then there are the looks, or lack of looks, as while it is undeniably a very attractive car, it looks almost identical to a base spec 5 series. And because 5 series BMWs are commonly driven by people that are, well, old, no one is going to expect it to have “rip your face off” levels of performance.

2. Volvo V70R (2000 – 2007)

No one is expecting these to be fast, it’s another wagon, it’s from Sweden, it’s the second-gen 2000 to 2007 Volvo V70R.

 

Ok, compared to the power levels the previous 3 cars had, the 300 hp V70R may seem a little on the weak side but where the Volvo beats the Germans is in its under the radar appeal.

 

Short of those in the know, hardly anyone is expecting a Volvo station wagon to be bloody fast and like the Golf R Wagon, with a few tasty tuning mods, these things can be seriously capable.

 

Add to it all wheel drive traction and sports tuned suspension but a massive boot, leather interior and that very cool Swedish design aesthetic and this is one awesome sleeper.

 

Plus, if you want one, they’re now really affordable, if you can find one for sale.

 

1. Ford Falcon G6E Turbo (2008 – 2014)

First, and look yes we’re getting a bit patriotic here but these things are seriously quick and bloody boring to look at, making them the perfect sleeper. In first place, it’s the Ford Falcon G6E Turbo.

 

If you’re into cars at all you’ll most likely know that Ford’s turbo charged 6 cylinder Barra engine, even when completely standard, is a weapon of a power plant.

 

But, with only minimal mods, these things can produce deep into the 500hp range and with some more serious modifications, they’ll easily top 1000hp.

 

Now, here in Australia, the Falcon was commonly associated with being a taxi or a hire car, and many Falcons were sold as part of fleet car packages for local businesses and governments and councils.

 

The G6E added some leather and chrome touches to make them feel a little classier but to have a car that looks so plain and unassuming yet is powered by this monster of an engine, surely must be one of the all time great sleepers.

 

Check out our review of the Golf R Wagon.

 

In the market for a used car? Check out all our ReDriven Cheat Sheets.

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Cars under $30,000 for single dads

So obviously a car in this category has to be practical, safe, reliable and under 30 grand. But this is a car for single dads, it has to exude a sophisticated cool, it has to say ‘yes I’m a dad, so I’m doing my best at being a responsible adult but, hey I’m single and I’m ready to mingle’. It might also help if it frustrates the ex a little bit too.

So, what are the best used cars under 30 grand for single dads? Here is our Top 5

5. Subaru WRX

In fifth place, it’s our performance car pick, the Subaru WRX.

 

For 30 grand, single dads should be on the hunt for the 2014 to 2018 VA WRXs and ideally in the premium trim but if you really want to annoy the ex, get one with the optional wing attached.

 

The WRX is fast but practical, it’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system will keep you and the kids safe while also firing you out of corners like a ballistic missile and while the WRX becomes more mature and refined with every new generation, there’s still something fun and almost juvenile about the WRX.

 

And you just know there’s going to be some great satisfaction when the ex says “you bought a WRX?”

 

4. Lexus IS350 F Sport

In fourth we have our more luxurious choice, but it’s still dipping its toes in the performance car pond, it’s the Lexus IS350 F Sport 

 

The IS350 is an exceptionally good car, but the F Sport is something special. It blends luxury and performance with genuine reliability and practicality. Also, if you happen to be picking someone up for a date, the F Sport just oozes class and cool.

 

30 grand should get you into a 2013 to 2016 F Sport, and at that price it will have a few kilometres on the clock, but, it’s a Lexus so that shouldn’t matter too much.

 

3. BMW E28 5 Series

In third, it’s the E28 5 Series BMW and specifically, the M535i. Like the Lexus, this does its best to dabble in the luxury feels but it does it with some old school charm.

 

Ok, it might not have anywhere near the safety credentials of modern cars but the E28 is practical, it oozes cool, it’s fun to drive, especially in M535i spec, and you’re kids will love the old school charm.

 

Understandably you might have some concerns when it comes to reliability but E28s in this 30 thousand dollar area are generally in incredible condition and should have thorough service histories to give you some peace of mind.

 

Plus, they are pretty simple machines with not all that many electronics so hopefully, that means there is less to go wrong. God they’re cool.

 

 2. Toyota Prado

In second place, we’re getting into adventure mode and this is probably the most sensible car on the list, it’s the Toyota Prado.

 

30 grand should get you behind the wheel of 2012 to 2014 Toyota Prado in either standard trim with lower kilometres or modified and heavily accessorised but with higher kilometres.

 

We’d recommend finding one with some tasty mods and four by four accessories but, make sure it has been cared for and has a full service history.

 

The Prado has loads of room for the kids, with a few mods it will get you about as far away from your ex as is humanly possible. And, with Toyotas incredible reputation for reliability, it should easily last longer than your marriage did.

 

1. Ford Ranger XLT/Wildtrack

In first place, it’s not fast, it’s not luxurious but it will take you, your kids and loads of their stuff far off the beaten track, it’s the Ford Ranger.

 

We had to have a 4×4 dual-cab ute on this list and for 30 grand, our pick is the Ford Ranger, particularly a post-facelift XLT from late 2015 and into 2016.

 

The XLT is the sweet spot of the Ranger lineup and for good reason. It’s loaded with all the kit you and your kids will need, is arguably the nicest to drive on road and will tackle some very serious terrain off road, meaning your kids won’t shut up about how awesome dad’s new truck is to their mum.

 

Plus they’re showing pretty good reliability, as long as they haven’t been abused and if you want to know all the graphic details, we’ve made a video on one.

 

We’ve reviewed versions of the Subaru WRX, Toyota Prado & Ford Ranger.

 

In the market for a used car? Check out all our ReDriven Cheat Sheets.

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Best BMW M cars

 

With the latest G80 M3 and M4 BMWs landing in showrooms and the monstrous M5 CS just around the corner, we thought it only fitting to pay tribute to the cars that have built BMW Ms notoriety and reputation. So, here are our top 5 BMW M cars of all time.

 

5. BMW E39 M5

In fifth place, it’s a personal favourite, it’s the E39 M5.

 

The E39 is often considered to be the best M5 of all time and therefore, one of the best sports sedans of all time.

 

Packing a near 400 horsepower 4.9-litre V8 into a beautifully balanced chassis, wrapped in a masculine yet understated body shell, delivering its thrust via a rear-wheel-drive 6-speed transmission creates one hell of a recipe.

 

The result is a 0-100 time of under 5 seconds while looking all suave and sophisticated. Oh, and it sounds just incredible too.

 

4. BMW 1 Series M Coupe

In 4th place, it is the 1 Series M Coupe or to many, simply the 1M.

 

Once BMW gave the secret project the green light, the plan was to limit production to just 2700 units but with rave reviews from motoring journalists and demand from fans, 6309 1Ms were built.

 

What makes it so special? Well in a word, simplicity.

 

Stick a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-6 into a compact coupe body with perfect 50/50 weight distribution, keep it as strictly a 6-speed manual, toughen up the looks with muscular pumped wheel arches and gorgeous 19” alloy wheels and then price it well under it’s big brother M3 while offering near identical performance. What’s not to love?

 

It’s not insanely fast with a 0-100 time of 4.3 seconds and they can be a little sketchy on the limit, and having an enthusiastic drive in the rain can be either terrifying or exhilarating depending on your skill set. 

 

3. BMW M1

In third, it’s the original M car, it’s the M1.

 

BMW made fewer than 500 M1s as a homologation special for sports car racing and the stunning Guigiaro-designed M1 was hand built between 1978 and 1981 and the M1 was the first car to be solely developed by BMW’s M division.

 

Its engine outputs may seem a little underdone compared to the power figures we’re used to these days but the 3.5-litre straight-six still managed to propel the stunning M1 from zero to 100 kilometres an hour in around 5 and half seconds, super impressive for the late 1970s.

 

In its hey-day, the M1 was an absolute hero car and these days is one of the most incredibly sought after cars in the world.

 

2. BMW E46 CSL

In second place, it’s the E46 M3 CSL. When the E46 M3 CSL appeared in 2003, it wowed enthusiasts all around the world with its application of racing technologies being applied to a street car.

 

To reduce weight, composite materials were used on the roof, bumpers, rear valance, boot lid and various body panels. Suspension components were lightened and strengthened, the interior was stripped out and fitted with gorgeous lightweight racing buckets. It could even be specified without climate control or a stereo.

 

The CSL ended up weighing in at 110 kilos lighter than the stock M3, and then there was that engine.

 

The already phenomenal 3.2-litre straight-six was modified and massaged to become one of the all time great naturally-aspirated engines.

 

Like the M1 in third place, these days the 265kW output might not sound all that special but this engine is about so much more than the numbers. Its response, characteristics and sound, especially when deep into the higher rev range is pure motoring nirvana.

 

It even lapped the Nurburgring in under 8 minutes, but, it’ missed out on the top spot for a reason and that reason is its one achilles heel.

 

Why BMW insisted on fitting the CSL with its SMG transmission is beyond us. It’s not the worst gearbox ever made and if driven knowing how to extract the best out of it, doesn’t completely ruin the experience like many will insist. But the CSL not being offered with a 6-speed manual is a crime.

 

1. BMW E30 M3 Evolution III

Now, this car is considered to be one of the finest driving machines of all time and more than lives up to BMWs Ultimate Driving Machine tagline. Unlike many current BMWs, taking out the top spot, as it did at countless touring car races, its the E30 M3 and in particular the Sport Evolution model.

 

Built to allow BMW to compete in the DTM and Group A touring car series in the mid 1980s, BMW took the standard E30 2-door coupe body and tweaked, adjusted and modified it to be stronger, lighter and more aerodynamic while the suspension and brakes were lightened, revised and improved.

 

Powering the E30 M3 is one of the most revered 4-cylinder engines of all time, the S14. 

 

Starting off with just 143kW as a 2.3 litre and eventually reaching 175kW as a 2.5 litre in the Sport Evolution, the S14 may sound underpowered compared to many of todays cars but when combined with the E30 M3’s truly sublime chassis balance and driving dynamics, this car delivers a purity and delicacy no modern BMW can match.

 

And remember, the E30 is the only M3 that was designed and engineered to truly be a racing car first and a road car second. This thing isn’t marketing hype, it’s the real deal.

 

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Most overrated used cars

 

We just don’t get it. These are the cars that everyone raves on about but in reality, they’re actually pretty bloody average at best.

Either they are unreliable or they’re well below average to drive and live with or they’re just not worthy of their hype. Here’s our top 5 most overrated cars on the used car market.

5. Minis

In fifth place, Minis. Ok this one hurts because I kinda love these things, I love the aesthetic and what they’re all about but, once you remove all the image and quirkiness, they’re just, not very good.

 

But which Mini? Well, all of them.

 

We get it, they’re funky and cool and there’s not much else on the road like them but that is all novelty and look, novelty wears off.

 

What you’re left with is a car that really isn’t that well made, is becoming renowned for having some very serious mechanical issues and excluding any of the really rare performance models, will depreciate like crazy.

 

As far as what goes boom, CVT automatic transmissions fail, timing chains fail resulting in incredibly expensive engine failures, water pumps fail, many of the engine components are plastic and they tend to fail over time, there are radiator support problems, power steering problems and a whole host of electronic and computer issues.

 

Then there’s the depreciation. A 2020 Countryman Cooper S is going to set you back around 65 grand, you know how much a 2015 version of that car is, a little over 25 grand.

 

So it’s lost $40,000 in value in just over 5 years which might be ok if it was some groundbreaking incredible car, but they’re just not.

 

4. BMW X6M

 In fourth it’s a car that is despised by motoring journalists around the world yet people still buy them and people It’s the BMW X6 and in particular the X6M.

 

The X6M is an SUV that is utterly useless at being an SUV, drinks fuel like it genuinely hates the environment, depreciates like the Titanic floats and if driven enthusiastically, is building quite the reputation for being a mechanical nightmare, which means you should avoid doing the one and only thing the X6M is good at. 

 

And then there are those looks, which yes, are subjective, but in my opinion, the X6 is genuinely one of the all time ugly cars.

 

Because it’s based on the X5, which is not a sleek design by nature, the sloped roofline on the X6 makes the whole thing just look bulbous and awkward.

 

Plus that sloping roofline eats into your cargo space, and creates the mother of all blind spots.

 

If you really need a fast BMW SUV, buy an X5M, you’ll still have all the mechanical gremlins and plummeting depreciation but at least people won’t laugh at you.

 

3. Maserati Ghibli

In third place it’s the Maserati Ghibli. Many excuse these things because they are Italian and they have heritage and pedigree, it’s just a shame that nothing else about them matches the romance.

 

On paper it sounds great, a rear-wheel drive, leather-lined Italian styled sports sedan with a Ferrari-engineered power plant from luxury brand Maserati. But in reality, it was a horrendously thrown together dog of a car from the Fiat Chrysler group.

 

While it sourced its engine from Ferrari, pretty much everything else was from various Jeeps, Dodges and Chryslers and these are companies not exactly renowned for quality or reliability, hence why the Ghibli is truly horrific when it comes to things that go wrong.

 

Then there are the ergonomics. Anyone larger than a toddler will struggle for room in the back seat and up front, because the Ghibli is basically a concoction of various bits and pieces from other cars, nothing feels right, or in many cases, works as they should.

 

Then there’s the fact that even though Ferrari helped with the engine, the Ghibli is not actually all that fast, and it doesn’t drive all that well, especially when compared to its competition.

 

Finally, because these things are genuinely terrible, the depreciation is horrific. Back in 2015 a new Ghibli with a few options would have cost you over $150,000 here in Australia, these days (back in 202 when this was written) a 2015 Ghibli, will cost around 50 grand. So it’s lost two thirds of its value in just over 5 years or putting it another way, about $415 a week. What a joke.

 

2. Old School Mustangs

In second place it’s the first-generation, 1964 to 1973 Ford Mustang. We’re talking about the base model, inline 6-cylinder, not the V8s…..which, also aren’t all that great.

 

There’s no denying the Mustang is cool, it looks incredible and thanks to Steve McQueen and Carol Shelby, the Mustang has become one of the all-time iconic cars.

 

But, and this comes from experience, unless it’s been modified to a point where it’s hardly a Mustang anymore, in our opinion, they drive like utter crap and just do not live up to all the hype.

 

Firstly they are slow, a base model Hyundai i20 would leave it for dust, the ride quality is somehow harsh and floaty at the same time, the steering is more a suggestion than a tool to actually turn the car, the build quality is a joke and it will need constant repair.

 

I’ve driven a bunch of old school Mustangs and after the 15 minutes of romance and novelty wears off, I’ve just always been left disappointed and feeling totally underwhelmed when driving these things.

 

And it’s not an age thing because every time I drive an old 911 or Alfa Romeo of the same vintage, I’m generally blown away and trying to work out which internal organs I can sell to buy one.

 

Again, sorry, but old school Mustangs, excluding the fire-breathing ones, are massively overrated.

 

1. Range Rovers

In first place, it’s Range Rovers.

 

The sad thing about our top pick is the engineering that goes into these to make them incredibly capable deserves to be applauded, it’s just a shame they have a real habit of falling apart.

 

And even though you could probably steer it up and over Mount Everest while keeping cozy and safe, the vast majority of these are purchased as a status symbol or fashion accessory.

 

When we were doing the research for this list, we quizzed mechanics and automotive engineers and went through dozens of consumer satisfaction reports, vehicle reliability reports, and the car that consistently came out worst, Range Rover.

 

But even though people keep buying them, which Range Rover or Range Rovers should you avoid?

 

Well, we’d steer clear of the Evoque, the Range Rover Sport, the Discovery Sport, the Velar, the Discovery and the range-topping Land Rover Range Rover. Actually, I think that’s the entire line-up…

 

Yes, they look stunning, they’ll probably be great for your image and when they work, they’re a joy to drive. But, the looks will fade, serious things will start going wrong, which will be very bad for your bank account, and you won’t get to enjoy driving it because it will spend most of its life up on a hoist in some mechanic’s workshop. Plus the depreciation is insane!

 

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Worst family SUVs Under $35,000

 

So you need an SUV to lug your kids, their friends and all their stuff around. If your priorities are that this SUV needs to be safe, reliable and dependable, then it sounds like you’re an excellent parent making responsible decisions.

But, if those priorities take a back seat to say, having a European badge, projecting a sense of superiority or having the ability to distract you from your immense lack of self esteem, steering you towards onlu a luxury SUV, then it sounds like you’re potentially a bad parent and you’re probably not going to like this list. Here are the Top 5 worst family SUVs under $35,000

 

5. Audi Q7

In fifth place, it’s the Audi Q7. While it might share its platform with the likes of the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne, don’t be fooled into thinking that premium badge translates into premium quality.

 

For under 35 grand you’ll be looking at first-gen 2005 to 2015 Q7s. Unfortunately, we have read and heard countless reports of these Q7s suffering various electronic issues from just not starting to randomly going into limp home mode, to screens and infotainment systems just turning off to drive system errors, to start stop systems failing, even to parking sensors being faulty from new.

 

Then there are the multiple reports of diesel particulate filter faults, various oil and coolant leaks and ECU gremlins.

 

Also, don’t be fooled by the whole ‘made in Germany’ quality thing because Q7 was made in Slovakia, Russia or India.

 

4. Mercedes Benz ML350

In fourth place, another luxury German SUV that isn’t made in Germany, actually it’s not even made in Europe, it’s made in India, Indonesia, Thailand or the US, it’s the Mercedes Benz ML350

 

For 35 grand you’ll be looking at 2012 to 2015 ML350s and according to multiple consumer reports, the ML350 is one of the most complained about and problem riddled Mercedes Benzs of all time.

 

Oil leaks, electronic issues, transmission failures, melted motor mounts, stretched timing chains, and reports of these things just randomly giving up and stopping are common.

 

Then you have the cost of labour which is huge.

 

See, because Mercedes fits all the engine stuff into this beautifully engineered tight little unit to make it super efficient to manufacture, the problem is, getting into that tight little unit to fix all the stuff that goes wrong is incredibly difficult and takes loads of time and time is money, so repairing these, it generally costs a fortune.

 

3. BMW X5 

In third place, it’s yet another German Luxury SUV that, isn’t made in Germany. This one is from Mexico, Russia or the US, it’s the BMW X5… and… X6, but unless your eyesight is at Stevie Wonder levels of accuracy, you’ll obviously avoid the X6 because it’s as ugly as F….

 

For 35 grand you’ll be looking at the second-generation E70 series X5 but which exact variant and configuration of X5 should you avoid, well, all of them.

 

Engine failures, transmission failures, water pumps fail, oil leaks, coolant leaks, ECU, computer and electronic problems, injectors fail, timing chains fail, valve stem seals leak. The issues just go on and on.

 

Plus parts cost a fortune and like the Mercedes in fourth place, the labour costs will be horrific.

 

Also did I mention the X6 is ugly as F…

 

2. Range Rover Sport

In second place, and wow… haven’t these things turned into utter crap, it’s the first-generation Range Rover Sport.

 

Yet another SUV wearing a luxury badge doing its best to con you into thinking it’s worthy of some inflated sense of superiority. When in reality, it regularly finishes at the bottom of customer satisfaction surveys. The Range Rover Sport’s issues are immense.

 

Major suspension issues, engine failures, the electrics are terrible, air conditionings fail, gearbox drivetrain and diffs all have major problems or fail. 

 

Then are the copious leaks from the engine, interior trim failures, sunroof and tailgates that leak are also known issues.

 

In general, these things are just shit. The parts cost a fortune and we know of reports where repair work can take weeks to both diagnose and fix so the labour costs will send you broke.

 

Not only that, when we were researching this list, it was hard to choose which Land Rover or Range Rover product to include as they all have horrendous reputations for reliability, no matter which model or generation. 

 

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee

If you’ve done any research on the net about these, it’ll start to feel like the words unreliable and Jeep Grand Cherokee fit together like wealthy and Bill Gates, it’s the Jeep Grand Cherokee in first place.

 

For under 35 grand, the ones to avoid are the 2011, 2014 and 2015 Grand Cherokees, oh and the 2012, 2013, 2016….actually they’re all pretty bloody horrible. What goes wrong, well what doesn’t go wrong…

 

Engines blow up, transmissions fail, there seem to be endless electronic and ECU issues, interior trim falls apart, exterior trim falls apart.

 

These things are so shit there was actually a class action lawsuit filed against Jeep regarding the Grand Cherokee.

 

Then you have Jeep’s truly horrendous reputation for after sales service, trust us, do not buy a Grand Cherokee.

 

We’ve reviewed versions the Audi Q7 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

 

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Coolest cars under $10,000

 

Cars that exude cool for less than $10 grand, can it be done? Look, it’s a stretch but I think we’ve got you covered for cool rides on the tightest of budgets. Here’s our Top 5

 

5. BMW E28

In fifth place, and if you want to see just how cool this car can be, go and watch Mission Impossible Fallout, it’s the E28 BMW 5 Series.

 

Why is the E28 so cool? Well to many, this is the golden era for BMW design and these days the E28 is pretty much the perfect size. Big enough to have presence and some aggression but small enough to exude that understated cool aesthetic.

 

Plus the E28 was the basis of the very first M5, a car that pretty much set the benchmark for all fast sedans that followed.

 

An E28 M5 is going to be way out of the $10,000 budget but $10 grand will get you into a pretty decent 535i or 528i.

 

4. Peugeot 504

In fourth place, this thing will make you look and feel like you’re living in a 1960s French arthouse film, it’s the Peugeot 504.

 

What makes the 504 so cool? Well firstly it was designed by Aldo Brovarone of Pininfarina and who’s he? Well he designed the Ferrari Dino so he knows a thing or two about designing cool classic cars.

 

Secondly, and like the E28 BMW, the 504 isn’t shouty or obnoxious in anyway, it just oozes that cool french je ne sais quoi but at the same time, the 504 has been praised for its quality, chassis balance, ride, strong engine and refinement.

 

10 grand will easily get you behind the wheel of a 504, with some money left over, to…ah fix the inevitable issues it will probably have.

 

3. Honda Civic

Now look, bear with us on this one, but I swear to you, these things are cool, and a little weird which just makes them cooler. In third, it’s the Honda Civic but, the really old one.

 

We needed a small car in this list but with old school Minis, Mk1 Golfs and Peugeot 205 GTis skyrocketing in price, the 10 grand budget requires some deeper digging to find gold when it comes to small cars. And when it comes to small and cool, the first-generation Civics from 1972 to 1979 are the picks.

 

Japanese made, retro styling and some genuine reliability, ignoring any potential rust issues, these little Civics are the car equivalent of a vintage Seiko or Casio watch.

 

They might not have the pedigree or image of an old mini, Volkswagen Mk1 Golf or Peugeot 205 GTi, but trust us, these early Civics are only getting cooler.

 

10 grand will get you either an immaculate original or restored Civic or a slightly shabby one with money left over to restore it yourself.

 

2. Volvo 142

In second place, this one is pretty cool when original but throw on some period correct aftermarket wheels, lower it a little and my god, it exudes cool. It’s the Volvo 142. 

 

It’s Swedish, which is cool. It’s a 2-door coupe version of a 4-door sedan, which is cool. It was made in the late 60s and early 70s, which is cool and it was the first Volvo to feature boxy styling, which is cool.

 

Plus more than a million 140 series Volvos were sold, they’re built like tanks and being a Volvo, they’re kinda safe, so that’s good.

 

Even 7 grand will get you into a 142 leaving some money left over to buy those wheels and suspension mods, very cool.

 

1. Mercedes Benz W123

In first place, and for us a clear winner for being the maximum amount of cool for the minimal money spent, its the W123 series Mercedes-Benz. Any of the 4-cylinder 230 or 6-cylinder 280 models are the ones to go for. 

 

What makes these things so cool? The W123 is classless. And what does that mean, well the W123 was both a firm favourite for the German taxi industry and the car of choice for the likes of John Lennon, the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb and the Queen Mum.

 

Not only that, the W123 is arguably the epitome of Mercedes-Benz quality. It positively radiates Mercedes’ old-school ethos of absolute engineering integrity.

 

This superbly-engineered car was built for supreme comfort, safety and longevity yet still exudes class, sophistication and yes, an understated yet obvious cool.

 

10 grand should get you behind the wheel of a W123 and yes, it may require some TLC but it will be worth it. These things are just so cool.

 

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