Blog Tag: Holden

Worst SUVs under $20,000 for single mums

 

If you’re a single mum looking to buy an SUV, you probably want one that has all the qualities that you seek in a prospective partner. You need an SUV that is reliable, respectable and stylish. You also want to make sure that your relationship with the SUV is hassle-free. You certainly do not want one that costs you a fortune down the line.

To help you dodge the SUV equivalent of the blind date that quickly turns into a nightmare of a relationship, here’s 5 to avoid.

 

5. Jeep Patriot

In fifth place, we have the Jeep Patriot. When you think of a Jeep, your mind probably conjures an image of a rugged Hulk of a machine that can take on anything. But, the only thing the Patriot can successfully take on is your patience. Unreliable, uninspired and underwhelming, the Jeep Patriot will constantly frustrate you with its long list of flaws. Its overheating engines, dodgy gearboxes, fussy electronics, wonky entry system, poor suspension and confusing design choices makes it one of the worst cars to drive.

 

This is not one car you should invest your money in.

 

4. Nissan Pathfinder

While Japanese automobile manufacturers have been historically known for their superior build quality, and Nissan, in particular, has seldom compromised with safety, it really dropped the ball on the 4th-generation Nissan Pathfinder that was launched in the 2013.

 

The CVT transmissions in the Pathfinder are bad enough to begin with. But as the car begins to age, the transmissions keep failing with an alarming frequency, resulting in repair bills that often mount to thousands of dollars. Add to that the front-wheel strut issues, shoddy windscreens, ill-conceived interior trims, proliferating electronic gremlins and you get a car that will ensure that you never drive in peace.

 

3. VW Tiguan

When it comes to automobiles, German engineering is as highly regarded as Japanese manufacturing. Volkswagen, one of the leading German automobiles brands, has, in fact, given us some of the finest cars in the world. Sadly, the Tiguan is not one of the and it falls way short of the lofty standards we have come to expect from Volkswagen. 

 

While brand new Tiguans perform remarkably well during the length of their full factory warranty, they rarely stand the test of time. Despite exuding that familiar, understated European suave image that Volkswagen cars have come to be known for, the Tiguan unravels once the warranty period is over. The DSG gearboxes fail, the turbos malfunction, the electronics falter, and some engines need replacing only after a few years of wear and tear. 

 

So, unless you enjoy shovelling your hard-earned money down the drain, you may wish to steer clear of a Tiguan that is past its prime. 

 

2. Jeep Grand Cherokee

If you think the Jeep Patriot is bad, wait till you drive its elder sibling, the Grand Cherokee. The WK model, in particular, is an unmitigated disaster. The WK2 model, while admittedly an improvement on the previous model, doesn’t fare much better on the road either. The reports of awful customer service further makes this car more of a liability than a treasure.

 

The Grand Cherokee is beset by a staggering number of problems. There have been multiple reports of electrical issues, transmission failures, overheating engines and clunky steering wheel can result in a very uncomfortable ride. The diesel models are plagued by an additional problems too. There have been reports of high pressure pumps failing which then pump metal shavings into the fuel system, completely destroying the fuel system in the process. 

 

Owning a Grand Cherokee, thus, comes with the risk of incurring repair costs that often surpass what the car is worth; and while, the quality of the car has seen some improvement in recent years, Grand Cherokees are still far too risky to invest in, especially if they have more than 40,000kms on the clock.

 

1. Holden Captiva

Holding the dubious honour of being the number 1 car on our list of the worst SUVs under $20,000 (for anyone, really, not just single mums) is the Holden Captiva, which frankly should be renamed to its colloquial title, the Holden Craptiva. 

 

This particular model is every car owner’s nightmare. There are a million things wrong with this car. Faulty transmissions, overheating engines, poor suspension, unreliable braking systems, frequent electrical problems and excessive oil consumption are just a few of the issues you can face with this car. 

 

So profoundly flawed is this particular model, in fact, that its manufacturer, General Motors, is currently facing several petitions and class actions suits on account of the damages caused by this car. If you care at all for your own well being and that of others, stay as far away as you can from the Captiva. This car should not be anywhere near your garage.

 

We’ve reviewed versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Volkswagen Tiguan and Holden Captiva.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Worst first cars under $5,000

 

You want your first car to be safe and economical and, at the same time, fun and enjoyable to drive. While a budget of $5000 doesn’t exactly leave you with the room to be too picky, there are certain models that you must avoid at all costs.

 

For that purpose, here’s our list of the 5 worst first cars under $5000. Let’s dive right into it.

 

5. Citroen C4

In fifth place, we have the Citroen C4. While the C4 oozes style and French elegance, it is not a car you wish to spend your hard-earned money on. The car performed poorly even when it was first launched. The first-generation C4, manufactured between 2004 and 2010, was, in fact, subject to a host of factory recalls. Now that they are well past their prime, their performance has gone further downhill.

 

In a recent reliability survey, Citroen finished 28th in a list of 32 automobile manufacturers. One look at the C4 and you will know why. Faulty electronics, dodgy suspension, and wonky gearboxes are only a few of the issues you could face with this car. Add to that the difficulty of procuring many of the defective parts which are both outrageously expensive and hard to find, and you have a car that will give you frequent nightmares. 

 

4. Holden/Chevrolet Cruze

In fourth place we have the Holden or Chevrolet Cruze. The Cruze proved to be a huge disappointment from the very beginning.  Even in its heyday, the Cruze failed to inspire much faith in its overall safety and it consistently scored the lowest rank in reliability surveys conducted among compact sedans.

 

You can imagine how well they will fare with a few kilometres on the clock. Faulty transmissions, weak engines, electronic defects, dodgy brakes and poor suspension make the C4 one of the most persistently malfunctioning cars. You really do not want this in your life.

 

3. Peugeot 307

The French will always be known for giving us some of the finest food, movies, art, wine, cheese, clothing, architecture that the world has had the fortune of experiencing. And we’ll certainly never stop thanking them for perfecting the exquisite art of kissing. What we will not be thanking them for is the Peugeot 307. 

 

It is truly difficult to fathom how a company, that gave us iconic cars like 205 GTi, 106 and 306 Rallye, could produce such a colossal disaster. The Peugeot 307 comes with a nightmarish list of defects. Malfunctioning electronics, faulty indicators, lousy ignition systems, sloppy suspension, leaky fuel systems and a lackluster interior trim make this one of the worst products of French engineering.

 

2. Volkswagen Golf

In second we have the Mk5 Volkswagen Golf. This might upset some Volkswagen fans who have long been smitten with the uber stylish Golf that promised to be everything that they had hoped for in a car: well engineered, safe, practical and efficient. But, if you buy the Volkswagen Golf, especially one with the 1.4-litre engine and a DSG gearbox, chances are you will cry yourself to sleep every night. 

 

In a customer satisfaction survey conducted in 2014, the Mk5 Golf held the unenviable position of being the lowest-ranked family hatchback; and the years haven’t made the car any better. You may, on rare occasions, come across a well-behaved Mk5 Golf. But, most Mk5 Golfs are notoriously unreliable. You will face persistent issues with water pumps, oil leaks, suspension and electronic gremlins.

The DSG gearboxes are also absolutely atrocious. Equally appalling is the wheezy and underpowered engine that will beg to be replaced in only a few years. This is one car that will certainly suck your bank account dry.

 

 1. Holden Astra TS

In first place is the Holden Astra — infamously referred to as “Dis-Astras” by mechanics in Australia. The Astra is truly the stuff nightmares are made of. It is riddled by a million defects. Misfiring engines, clunky transmissions, failing alternators, faulty ECUs, finicky clutches, dodgy steering locks, leaky fuel system, shoddy air-conditioning and flimsy interior trim are all part of its hellish package.

 

Replacing faulty parts is a whole other nuisance as most of its parts cost a fortune when compared to what the car is worth. The Astra also exhibits a brazen disregard for safety. The older Equipe variant, for instance, doesn’t even have antilock brakes, something that should be mandatory for all new drivers. There’s a reason why car dealers refuse to take them as trade-ins. These are not cars anyone should invest in.

 

We’ve reviewed the Holden Cruze here.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

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