Voting is open for The Truth About Cars' first ever Ten Worst Automobiles Today (or TWAT) award that we told you about earlier in the month. The initial list of more than 120 reader nominations contained predictable TWAT-eligible autos like GM's ancient minivans, uh, sorry, Crossover Sport Van, a couple of Saturns, several DaimlerChryslers, and a few Korean models. Some vehicles that were nominated but didn't make the list included highly-respected vehicles like the Toyota Camry, Pontiac Solstice, Ford Focus and Honda Fit.
Using a highly refined proprietary system, TTAC staffers trimmed the candidates to 20. Voting for the Ten Worst Automobiles Today is now open until Wednesday. See the 20 TWAT candidates after the jump.
Here are TTAC's 20 candidates for its TWAT award.
- Buick Rendezvous
- Cadillac Escalade
- Chevrolet Aveo
- Chevrolet Cobalt / Pontiac G5 / Saturn Ion
- Chevrolet Impala
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- Chrysler Aspen
- Chysler Crossfire
- Ford Ranger / Mazda B-series
- GM Minivans
- Hummer H2
- Infiniti QX56
- Jaguar X-type
- Jeep Commander
- Jeep Compass
- Lincoln Mark LT
- Lincoln Navigator
- Saab 9-7x
- Subaru B9 Tribeca
- Subaru Baja
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In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Jeep Compass Sport 4x2
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Carrera S
First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike @ Oct 29th 2006 2:25PM
the FIT?!
HAH. that's one of the ten best cars on the road today. silly haters.
show me another car that lets you do as much with the interior, gets that kind of MPG, is as much fun to drive, and is of the same quality and i'll show you... wait, there is no such thing.
Rich @ Oct 29th 2006 2:46PM
Uhhh, that's why it didn't make the list, critical-reader Mike.
Mike @ Oct 29th 2006 2:58PM
"Some vehicles that were nominated but didn't make the list included highly-respected vehicles like the Toyota Camry, Pontiac Solstice, Ford Focus and Honda Fit."
Note its mention, Smart-Pants Rich.
Not everything someone says has be to a lashing out against the original post, although that may be a foreign concept to you since it sounds like you've got a chip on your shoulder. Yes, it is in fact possible to make a post where you're agreeing with something and not just being a prick.
james f. @ Oct 29th 2006 2:59PM
Hmm, after scanning, I think that list does a good job of making itself irrelevant. Perhaps if they were going for ten most mediocre cars they would have something besides a half assed attempt at an Alexa spike.
Though most of those vehicles aren't especially desirable to me I wouldn't go so far as to call any of them terrible or junk. Admittedly, plenty are mediocre, like the gm minivans, or questionably styled, like the b9 tribeca. This list does alot to show that the gremlins and the azteks of the current automotive world are few and far between.
TIM @ Oct 29th 2006 3:04PM
Mostly American Cars. HUH What's the deal? I have to pick GM vans because they weren't good ten years ago when they came out. The ford Mondeo/X-Type and the Lincoln Mark because it is a stupid concept. I do think the "baby vette" Cobalt and the "ultra super sporty" G5 and this "out of this world" Satrun Ion deserve a little more credit though. Seriously they just lack reliability according to consumer reports but pretty much OK
Misaniovent @ Oct 29th 2006 3:07PM
Why are some of these even options?
The other Bob @ Oct 29th 2006 3:57PM
I agree with James F. in post #4.
Overall it’s a pretty stupid list. Many of the cars listed are bland, but many are high quality and long lasting, including the Impala which last I checked was beating the Camry and Accord in dependability studies, is pretty affordable, comes in many configurations, and gets decent mileage. That, like others on the list, may have things about them that certain buyers don't like, but once they have some good attributes, shouldn't it remove them from the list?
Since the Subaru Baja is good at nothing, can’t haul much load, looks like shit, gets mediocre gas mileage, middle of the road dependability and is expensive, I voted for that.
The Truth About Auto Journalists @ Oct 29th 2006 3:57PM
How about the most irrelevant automotive website:
The Truth About Cars
Autoblog
Edmunds
Cars! Cars! Cars!
TrueDelta
Cars.com
After this list, I vote TTAC, the most irrelevant car website.
JW @ Oct 29th 2006 4:21PM
I happen to like all the cars on that list thank you very much.
My Top Ten Worst
Yaris
Camry
Focus
Acura MDX
Honda Fit
Chevy Aveo Hatchback
Nissan Versa
Lincoln Aviator (whoops i mean MK whatever)
Lincoln Navigator (why doesn't this one have an MK?)
2007 Tundra
moses @ Oct 29th 2006 4:27PM
NO.1 worst automobile site;
ding ding ding
The Truth about cars
Mutha Trucker @ Oct 29th 2006 4:30PM
Everyone on that site hates anything American, and besides that they are a bunch of smart asses.
Mike @ Oct 29th 2006 5:05PM
JW, you just hate economical and intelligent purchases.
Fact is that the hatchback design is incredibly effective and makes tons of sense. Sorry your manliness needs to be compensated with a Hummer.
infinihertz @ Oct 29th 2006 5:17PM
JW, the Lincoln Aviator doesn't exist anymore. It hasn't been rebranded as an "MK whatever" as you put it. The MKX which I assume you're referring to is nothing like the Aviator in terms of platform or design, unless you're referring to the fact that it's SUV-like.
To address your question, AFAIK the Navigator wasn't rebranded as an MKsomething because it was deemed to have a well-established brand image already that shouldn't be messed with - like the Mustang, but apparently unlike the Taurus. I have mixed feelings about that line of reasoning, but there you have it.
beanspants1 @ Oct 29th 2006 5:30PM
that's a crappy list.
These cars should not be on that list:
Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet Aveo
Chevrolet Cobalt / / Saturn Ion
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Chysler Crossfire
Ford Ranger / Mazda B-series
Hummer H2
Infiniti QX56
Lincoln Navigator
The H2 should be changed to H3, and the Monte Carlo should be changed to the Monte Carlo SS.
The Lexus R400h and Honda Ridgeline should be added.
iQuack @ Oct 29th 2006 6:20PM
Meaningless list but GM shouldn't be too happy with 9 out of the 20 (45%) on it!
The Chevy Impala is not a fabulous car, but it was improved enormously last year. Impala is no longer ugly and its interior has been upgraded.
I thought that a rented Impala from last month was a good car that does not belong on an honest "Ten Worst" car list.
Ryan @ Oct 29th 2006 6:28PM
"contained predictable TWAT-eligible autos like GM's ancient minivans, uh, sorry, Crossover Sport Van, a couple of Saturns, several DaimlerChryslers, and a few Korean models."
-Where are the few Korean vehicle?
-I see the Chevy Aveo is on there, but really that is a Chevy, or should be considering one, considering it's a Chevrolet. BUT where are the rest?
-This list is dumb, first off: ALL MINIVANS are gross, ergo they should all be on there.
-Second: Is a Kia Spectra and/or Rio more deserving than an Impala? Hardly.
-And they have a problem with the Lincoln Mark LT? Why not say Lincoln Mark LT/F-150? (Like ya did w/the Ranger/Mazda B-series, which BTW is not much of a "series")
-Should be call "the lies about cars"
Rich @ Oct 29th 2006 7:35PM
Uhhh...once again, yeah cognitively-challenged Mike....that's why it didn't make the list.
Rich @ Oct 29th 2006 7:47PM
BTW, Mike, and for the record, my pants are indeed smart, but so are my shoes, shirt, and jacket. Why the focus on my pants? Oh yeah, you dig the Fit.
Bada Bing.
big boy @ Oct 29th 2006 8:18PM
15, the ridgeline is the best truck on the road today.
far jr @ Oct 29th 2006 8:51PM
Let me see any biases here? Hmmm
No one finds any of the following more suspect than the Impala? Acura NSX, Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda Element, Scion xA, Kia Amanti, Mitsubishi Raider, Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Land Cruiser, Hyundai Tucson, Lexus LX 470, VW Phaeton, or Honda Insight.
I agree with most on the list but find it somewhat suspect that GM gets targeted with the Impala and Cobalt. Not my favorites but much better relative to it's competitors than say an NSX vs Corvette, Kia Amanti vs Avalon, or Insight vs Prius. Both Impala and Cobalt are top ten sellers for 2006... hardly worst car territory!
http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4023925