Despite the recent spate of recalls in the auto industry,finding catastrophic fault with today's new cars is ratherdifficult. Still, shopping around for a car is not as easy as1-2-3.

Not only are you looking for affordability, you're looking forperformance, durability, fuel efficiency and other necessaryfeatures that make it worth your money.

Another step most car buyers miss when buying a car is shoppingaround for insurance. During a recent Quadrant Information Services study, commissioned byinsuranceQuotes.com, Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley BlueBook said this is a very important factor to consider beforepurchasing a new vehicle.

“You may buy a less expensive vehicle that will wind up costingyou more in the long run because it's relatively expensive toinsure,” he added.

J.D. Power's 2013 Insurance Shopping Study found that only 23percent of auto insurance customers shopped around for insurancepolicies.

The type of car you own does affect auto insurance rates, andwhether the car is used or new also factors into the cost of yourinsurance. Because new cars are more valuable than used, they'reconsidered to be higher risk vehicles. New cars are more likely tobe stolen and will most likely be more expensive to repair shouldthere be an accident.

Many buyers look to new cars for satisfaction, even withoutdoing adequate research, but are all new cars worthwhile?

“New cars just aren't what they used to be,” says Forbesmagazine, even with all the “evolution in styling and technologicalbreakthroughs that have literally reinvented the automobile duringthe last quarter millennium.”

Here are 15 new vehicles Forbes thinks you should avoid when shoppingaround for a new set of wheels:

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BMW 7 Series

BMW's flagship sedan that is known for its languid styling haslost its edge over the years and no longer carries the sporty feelof earlier versions, some critics say.

Its product lineup includes an expensive and less-than-efficientgas-electric hybrid model.

To Consumer Reports, the 7 Series is just “a ponderous,technology-laden vehicle with ungainly handling,” and one of thelowest-scoring cars, worst overall values and most expensiveoperating costs in its class.

On top of that, ALG gives it a rock-bottom resale value ratingand it has a below-average performance score from J.D.Power.

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Cadillac XTS

According to Forbes, “the big and benign full-size front-driveXTS sedan” is “something of a guilty pleasure,” but falls short intoday's ultra-sophisticated luxury-car market.

While Consumer Reports cites the XTS as being among theindustry's worst values, Forbes thinks the Chevrolet Impala offersequivalent accommodations for less money.

The biggest Caddy also gets low marks for initial quality andperformance from J.D. Power and a below-average resale value ratingfrom ALG.

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Dodge Journey

Dodge's seven-passenger crossover SUV doesn't age well, expertssay, and is crying out for a redesign.

The base 2.4-liter, 173 horsepower four-cylinder engine that'smated to a dated four-speed automatic transmission has received nomerit. Forbes thinks the Journey is better off fitted with theoptional 3.6-liter 283-horsepower V6 engine and smoother-shiftingsix-speed automatic transmission.

Consumer Reports rates the Journey with “below-averagereliability, lack of agility and a transmission that's reluctant todownshift.”

J.D. Power gives it low scores in reliability and performanceand ALG, a below-average resale value rating.

Related: Here are the 10 least ticketedcars by model

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Fiat 500L

For many seeking a small and fun urban hipster transportation,the Fiat's 500 coupe and convertible is a worthy alternative to theMini Cooper, but the longer four-door L is out of pace with otherfamily-minded compact crossovers of competitive price, criticsmaintain.

From J.D. Power, the 500L receives low marks in initial qualityand performance, and from ALG, a below-average resale valuerating.

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Jeep Compass

This compact crossover has recently gotten cosmetic updateswhich helped to boost sales, but lingers insipidly at the back ofthe pack in a crowded market segment, say critics.

It carries a weak 2.0-liter 158-horsepower four-cylinder baseengine with an optional 2.4-liter 172 horsepower four that doesn'tprove to be much better — just a “dull and sluggish” engine,according to Consumer Reports.

The product-reporting company also describes the passenger cabinas “cramped and cheaply trimmed.” In initial quality, performanceand reliability, it receives low marks from J.D. Power and abelow-average resale value rating from ALG.

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Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot has almost the same reviews as the above JeepCompass, except that the Patriot assumes more-traditional Jeepexterior styling.

To Consumer Reports, it benefits from “a compliant ride andmostly simple controls, but little else stands out.” However, itgets low marks in performance and reliability from J.D. Power and abelow-average residual value rating from ALG.

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Jeep Wrangler/Wrangler Unlimited

Some people might view the Wrangler and its four-door WranglerUnlimited version among the best-performing off-road vehicles, butForbes reports that passenger comfort is limited, the ride is harshand erratic and at higher speeds, passengers suffer from excessivewind noise.

The resale value, however, is great, according to Forbes, butConsumer Reports's testing places the Jeep Wrangler among thelowest-scoring models, and the Unlimited among its worst-valuemodels.

On top of that, the original Jeep's descendent receives lowmarks in initial quality, performance and reliability from J.D.Power.

10 most ticketed cars by model, percent ofvehicle owners

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Lincoln MKS

Since its debut for the 2009 model year, this full-size FordTaurus-based model has had little more than just cosmeticrevisions, and just “doesn't cut it as a luxury sedan,” accordingto Consumer Reports.

Powered by a choice of a turbocharged or nonturbo V6 engine, itgets a below-average performance rating from J.D. Power and abelow-average residual value ranking from ALG.

Consumer Reports cites it for being one of the worst valuesamong new cars, and to make matters worse, the MKS is fitted withthe MyLincoln Touch multimedia operating system that is said toconfound and distract drivers at every turn.

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Lincoln MKT

Sharing its engines and many features with the MKS, the luxuryversion of the boxier-looking Ford Flex seven-passenger crossoverSUV has been around for nearly as long as that model without anymajor update.

J.D. Power gives it below-average scores for initial quality andreliability and received below-average marks for depreciation fromALG.

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Rated at the equivalent of a mere 66 horsepower, the four-doori-MiEV is an all-electric car with an EPA-estimated operating rangeof only 62 miles on a charge (or less, depending on vehicle speed,ambient temperature and use of accessories), Forbes reported.

Although Mitsubishi has not yet released information on the 2015model, the price was reduced by $6,000 last year, making it one ofthe most affordable EVs on the market.

Unfortunately, it received a rock-bottom rating for residualvalue from ALG and was given one of Consumer Reports' lowestoverall performance scores.

Auto insurance premiums could fall by 30%, Deloittereport says

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Mitsubishi Mirage

Widely panned, Mitsubishi's return to the subcompact car marketprovides affordable transportation and little more, Forbes cited,but apparently falls short in many ways, such as its “sluggishacceleration from its 74-horsepower three-cylinder engine.”

It falls among Consumer Reports' lowest-scoring models and wasgiven below-average marks for performance by J.D. Power.

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Nissan Armada

This large and lumbering SUV, based on the Titan full-sizetruck, is very roomy, but is a task to drive with its bouncy rideand heavy handling.

The Nissan Armada gets low marks from J.D. Power for initialquality and reliability, and ranks among the lowest overall scoresfrom Consumer Reports, which cited that “its overall fuel economyof 13 mpg is abysmal, reliability is poor and ownership costs arethe worst in the category.”

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Nissan Titan

The Nissan Titan is in dire need of a refresh, critics say.

Forbes says the full-size pickup truck tends to be an also-ranin an intensely brand-loyal segment, and is handily outclassed byentries from Chevrolet/GMC, Ford and Ram, and to a lesser degree,Toyota.

The Titan is rated both below average in residual value from ALGand in performance from J.D. Power, and is noted as being amongConsumer Reports' worst values.

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Scion iQ

The micro-sized two-door hatchback comes with oddly alignedseating that's said to accommodate three adults and one smallchild, but is best driven solo, experts say.

It gets below-average ratings across the board for residualvalue from ALG and for initial quality, performance and reliabilityfrom J.D. Power.

It falls among Consumer Reports' lowest rated cars, with CRsaying that “the rear seat is awful, the cabin is loud andacceleration is molasses-like”.

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Smart ForTwo

Auto critics say this two-passenger micro car's saving grace iseasy parking. Its fuel economy is decent, but any savings at thepump are negated by the car's need for premium-grade fuel.

The ForTwo is reasonably affordable but is rated below averagefor depreciation and is among Consumer Reports' lowest-scoring newcars based on its “tiny, two-passenger cabin, a herky-jerkytransmission and an under-powered engine,” calling the Smart, “adumb choice.”

Related: Top 10 most expensive 2016 model year vehicles toinsure