I’m a Mechanic: 9 Cars I Would Never Buy and Why They Aren’t Worth It

[+thexfile Subscriber²]

However, car buyers should also consider hidden problems like transmission, the depreciation rate, and repair costs so they won’t have to deal with headaches and a drained wallet a year later.

GOBankingRates talked to Chris Pyle, an auto mechanic and expert at Just Answer, to discuss the ten cars he would never buy and why they aren’t worth it.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/m-mechanic-9-cars-never-120045756.html

 

[Som]

On 28/09/2024 at 16:16, thexfile said:

However, car buyers should also consider hidden problems like transmission, the depreciation rate, and repair costs so they won’t have to deal with headaches and a drained wallet a year later.

GOBankingRates talked to Chris Pyle, an auto mechanic and expert at Just Answer, to discuss the ten cars he would never buy and why they aren’t worth it.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/m-mechanic-9-cars-never-120045756.html

 

that site gave me headache, hadn't realised how bad yahoo has gotten 

BTW anyone thinking of buying a mazda 6, avoid, garages hate it becasue its a bitch to fix

[+DoctorD Subscriber²]

Oddly the Model Y is the top selling car on the planet so this guys opinion is just like yahoo, out of date and complete garbage  

[Matthew S.]

On 28/09/2024 at 11:47, Som said:

that site gave me headache, hadn't realised how bad yahoo has gotten 

BTW anyone thinking of buying a mazda 6, avoid, garages hate it becasue its a bitch to fix

Never had issues with Mazda's aside from some parts being hard to get.

Sad thing is most mazda's share the exact same engine so parts are relatively easy to get.

[Som]

On 28/09/2024 at 18:50, Matthew S. said:

Never had issues with Mazda's aside from some parts being hard to get.

Sad thing is most mazda's share the exact same engine so parts are relatively easy to get.

something about the 2015 mazda 6 causes mechanics to have a nervous breakdown. I had to trade mine in because i couldn't get a mechanic to fix it, and it was the second engine problem in 4 months. Lovely looking car though and lovely to drive too

[spaceelf]

On 28/09/2024 at 11:12, DoctorD said:

Oddly the Model Y is the top selling car on the planet so this guys opinion is just like yahoo, out of date and complete garbage  

Your response to his opinion is equally garbage considering you haven't addressed anything he said.

Not to mention their total sales have gone from roughly 75% of the EV market two years ago to half the market now as per https://caredge.com/guides/electric-vehicle-market-share-and-sales

Edited September 28, 2024 by spaceelf

[DocM]

On 28/09/2024 at 16:03, spaceelf said:

Not to mention their total sales have gone from roughly 75% of the EV market two years ago to half the market now as per https://caredge.com/guides/electric-vehicle-market-share-and-sales

 

Only because more EV manufacturers came into the market, so a Tesla market share reduction was anticipated by just about everyone who pays attention. 

Focusing down on the US market, the Model Y and RAV4 are neck and neck for best-selling vehicle in 2024, both being ahead of the F-150. We'll see how Q4 goes.

[+DoctorD Subscriber²]

On 28/09/2024 at 16:03, spaceelf said:

Your response to his opinion is equally garbage considering you haven't addressed anything he said.

Not to mention their total sales have gone from roughly 75% of the EV market two years ago to half the market now as per https://caredge.com/guides/electric-vehicle-market-share-and-sales

His opinion is just that an opinion but if you would like me to dive into one facet as to why it is garbage then let's look at his opinion that clearly states “The reasons are the cost of ownership once a motor or battery fails, and the repair cost is far more than the vehicle value.” on a car that has one of the most rock solid warranties in the industry that transfers with the car not to mention that a 7-8 year old Model 3 is still resale selling for about 20k - 30k on the used market almost the price of a new one.  His opinion is the same one that involves the scare tactics that folks are using to scare the consumer away from a very efficient vehicle because it is not a gas/petrol or diesel and based on Fear not Fact or logic.   Also I will again point out THE WORLD is Global not just the US market alone buys cars.

Edited September 28, 2024 by DoctorD

[spaceelf]

On 28/09/2024 at 16:08, DocM said:

We'll see how Q4 goes.

I can only work with data I have, so yes.

[spaceelf]

On 28/09/2024 at 16:09, DoctorD said:

Also I will again point out THE WORLD is Global not just the US market alone buys cars.

If I had data from the entire world in front of me, I would use it.  I don't.

Since they are a US manufacturer, they're likely stronger here.

[DocM]

On 28/09/2024 at 17:22, spaceelf said:

If I had data from the entire world in front of me, I would use it.  I don't.

Since they are a US manufacturer, they're likely stronger here.

 

They are a US manufacturer with large factories in Germany and China, both undergoing expansion by 2x. Slowed by the economy, there are also plans for Tesla factories in India and Mexico. 

In terms of the battery issue, or half of Tesla's use lithium iron phosphate battery, not the nickel cobalt cells used in heavier duty applications like sports sedans etc.

Lithium iron phosphate batteries, the higher power versions of which include manganese, have a much longer lifetime - enough charge cycles to be the equivalent of 1 to 4 million miles. After the car falls apart around them they can be recycled into grid storage batteries.

Tesla also happens to be a world leader in those grid batteries, the Megapack. There's a unit going into Arizona with a capacity of about 1 GW/h, they are sold out for about the next 5 years. That unit is growing at about 50%.

[spaceelf]

On 28/09/2024 at 16:38, DocM said:

 

They are a US manufacturer with large factories in Germany and China, both undergoing expansion by 2x. Slowed by the economy, there are also plans for Tesla factories in India and Mexico. 

In terms of the battery issue, or half of Tesla's use lithium iron phosphate battery, not the nickel cobalt cells used in heavier duty applications like sports sedans etc.

Lithium iron phosphate batteries, the higher power versions of which include manganese, have a much longer lifetime - enough charge cycles to be the equivalent of 1 to 4 million miles. After the car falls apart around them they can be recycled into grid storage batteries.

Tesla also happens to be a world leader in those grid batteries, the Megapack. There's a unit going into Arizona with a capacity of about 1 GW/h, they are sold out for about the next 5 years. That unit is growing at about 50%.

Yes, I know your sales pitch.  It doesn't tell me anything about their vehicle sales.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/charted-teslas-global-sales-by-model-and-year-2016-2023/

From what I'm seeing they're selling far more in the US, and will likely continue to do so.

[DocM]

On 28/09/2024 at 19:56, spaceelf said:

Yes, I know your sales pitch.  It doesn't tell me anything about their vehicle sales.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/charted-teslas-global-sales-by-model-and-year-2016-2023/

From what I'm seeing they're selling far more in the US, and will likely continue to do so.

 

In 2023 Tesla sold 1.81 million vehicles, 654,888 in the US so the majority are sold overseas. 603,304 were sold in China.

[Joe User]

I love the Tesla Cybertruck because it makes the Chevy Bolt and Volt look absolutely cool in comparison. 

 

 

[DocM]

On 28/09/2024 at 22:25, Joe User said:

I love the Tesla Cybertruck because it makes the Chevy Bolt and Volt look absolutely cool in comparison. 

 

CT = top selling EV truck in the US, heading to Canada, Europe, the ME, then S. Korea. One was seen in the UK not too long ago. 

Production rate was 1300/week in June, probably closing in on 2000 by now -  which would be ~ 100,000 a year. 1-2m reservations.

[FloatingFatMan]

Shouldn't this be in the Neobahn section?

[Joe User]

On 28/09/2024 at 22:42, DocM said:

 

CT = top selling EV truck in the US, heading to Canada, Europe, the ME, then S. Korea. One was seen in the UK not too long ago. 

Production rate was 1300/week in June, probably closing in on 2000 by now -  which would be ~ 100,000 a year. 1-2m reservations.

Good for them!

I'm impressed that people are flocking to what looks like a half finished trash compactor on wheels. Shows good marketing skills.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Bolt has all the charm of a used modern NYC taxi, and I like the Bolt. Beauty is subjective. 

Edited September 29, 2024 by Joe User

[Astra.Xtreme]

This was a surprisingly solid article with really good advice.  I think most people know that every Stellantis brand is junk.  If you buy a Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa, etc, you're just begging for crap reliability and lots of time in the repair shop.

Tesla keeps riding the bottom of the reliability ratings, so no shocker there.  They have the best EV tech, but it comes with heavy risks.  Most other EV makers haven't figured out how to make them profitable or repairable, so the whole EV industry just kind of sucks.  Without proper charging infrastructure, I have a feeling many EV brands are going to die off in the next 5-10 years.  It might just be Tesla plus everybody else reverting to hybrid tech.

I see a lot of people bashing Mazda here, but honestly they're one the best brands to buy right now.  Consistently near the top of the reliability ratings, the interior quality is great for the price, and they don't use that CVT junk.  Most lower cost vehicles have a CVT and Toyota is trending more in that direction now.  I just wish they had some options that were higher performance and more sporty.

[satukoro]

As usual, your best bet for a reliable and economical sedan or suv is going to be a Honda or Toyota.