Used Cars to Avoid

Forbes has compiled a list of used cars they believe consumers should avoid.

The list was determined by reviewing data from the most recent J.D. Power & Associates U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, reliability surveys, resale values, safety ratings, as well as Forbes' road tests.

In addition, some 43,700 original owners of 2008 model-year vehicles responded to a Forbes study on problems experienced during the prior 12 months. The vehicles on the list below were rated “below average” in overall reliability, specifically powertrain performance; issues with the body and interior treatments; and failures with features and accessories.

The vehicles on the Forbes list include:

* Mitsubishi Eclipse: According to Forbes, the Eclipse's appeal "has suffered a steep decline in recent years ... the Eclipse not only gets poor marks from J.D. Power & Associates for reliability, Automotive Lease Guide says the Eclipse will retain as little as just 25% of its original value after five years of ownership..."

* Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon: The J.D. Power study says these vehicles "lack power, particularly when compared to the V-6 and V8-equipped competition."

* Land Rover Range Rover Sport: According to Forbes, "as a three-year-old model, gets slammed for its poor fuel economy, low resale value and dubious reliability ratings."

* Chevrolet Aveo: J.D. Power & Associates U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study of three-year-old models report that the "subcompact Chevrolet Aveo would still make our list for its utter lack of style and substance."

* Dodge Charger/Dodge Magnum: Forbes notes, "Though enthusiasts may prefer the cars' rear-wheel-drive configuration for its inherently crisper handling qualities, they tend to slip and slide on wet pavement and become stuck in the snow; those fitted with the optional all-wheel-drive system fare better in that regard."

* Land Rover Range Rover Sport: Forbes writes: "Expensive and reportedly repair-prone, with fuel economy at a thirsty 12 mpg in city driving, suffering high maintenance and repair costs and facing a steep and costly drop in resale value between the third and fifth years of ownership ... "

* Suzuki XL7: This 'crossover SUV" is available in five- and seven-passenger versions. Forbes notes that the seven-passenger model has "a cramped third-row seat that's virtually unusable. Despite its car-based underpinnings the XL7 drives more like a small truck with imprecise steering and intrusive road noise at highway speeds."