Sports cars are a popular choice for many car enthusiasts, as they offer high performance and some of the best designs. However, not all sports cars are created equal. Some sports cars have everything a gearhead could ever want, which is why collectors are willing to pay top dollars for them. Some examples include the Ferrari F40, McLaren F1, and Bugatti Chiron, to name a few.
However, some sports cars have issues that make gearheads want to avoid them, particularly the models used. These used sports cars are known for their reliability issues, high maintenance costs, and lack of performance compared to other options on the market. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, it’s important to know which used sports cars to avoid so that you can save yourself time and money in your search.
10/10 Lotus Esprit Turbo
When Lotus introduced the Esprit in the late ’70s, every gearhead was impressed. The Esprit had an eye-catching wedge-shaped design created by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro, superb driving dynamics, and if you got the turbocharged version, it was pretty fast.
However, if you’re in the market for an Esprit, it’s probably best to avoid turbocharged versions. The Esprit Turbo developed a reputation for poor reliability as its engine suffered from overheating and turbo failure, which was expensive to fix.
9/10 Mercedes Benz SL600 R230
The R129 generation of the popular SL-Class is among the most iconic Mercedes-Benz models of all time. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for its successor – the R230.
While the R230 was praised for its modern and curvaceous design that looked better than the R129, everything else was terrible. The R230’s main problem was complex mechanical systems and electronics that frequently broke down, leading to expensive repairs.
8/10 Porsche 924
The 924 seemed like an important model for Porsche when it debuted in 1976. It was Porsche’s first-ever front-engined and water-cooled model and was supposed to be an entry-level model targeted to gearheads who couldn’t afford the popular 911 .
However, while the 924 was indeed affordable, it wasn’t that great to drive. The 924 was powered by Volkswagen-sourced four-cylinder engines making just over 100 hp, making it extremely slow and uninspiring to drive.
7/10 Mazda RX-8
The RX-7 is, to many gearheads, Mazda’s greatest-ever model, which is why Mazda fanboys spent years begging the automaker to create a worthy successor. Mazda finally agreed and gave us the RX-8 in the early 2000s.
Sadly, gearheads who were waiting for the RX-8 were left disappointed. The RX-8 had a weird design that many didn’t like and was powered by an unreliable Wankel rotary engine. This is why the RX-8 is cheap while the RX-7 is soaring past $50,000 in auctions today.
6/10 Ferrari Mondial
In the early ’80s, someone at Ferrari had the not-so-genius idea of building an entry-level Ferrari, resulting in the Mondial. If you know anything about Ferrari, you know they excel at building expensive supercars for the wealthy, not entry-level models.
As such, even though the Mondial had the coveted prancing horse badge, it didn’t feel much like a Ferrari. Since it has a higher roofline than most Ferraris, greater dimensions, four seats, and more weight, the Mondial wasn’t as fun to drive as the top sports cars of the day. A 0-60 of almost 10 seconds was also disappointing for a Ferrari.
5/10 Aston Martin DB7 V12
When Ford owned Aston Martin in the ’90s, it decided to build an affordable, practical, and usable model that could help the British marque get back to profitable ways. After several years of development, the DB7 debuted in 1994.
The DB7 was initially praised for its elegant styling, luxurious interior, and impressive performance, particularly the V12-powered models. However, unless you plan to park it in your garage, buying a V12-powered DB7 is probably not a good idea as it will definitely break down.
4/10 2009 Maserati Gran Turismo
In 2007, Maserati needed a new sports car model to generate sales, so it rolled up its sleeves and developed the GranTurismo in record time. Despite its short development period, the Maserati GranTurismo was well-received by gearheads thanks to its gorgeous design and powerful Ferrari-sourced engines.
Unfortunately, the GranTurismo hasn’t aged well. It’s plagued by many of the issues that Maserati have earned a reputation for unreliability, which is why it’s among the sports cars with the highest depreciation rates.
3/10 BMW 8 Series E31
Old BMWs have a reputation for bulletproof reliability compared to modern versions, but that doesn’t mean that all of them are great purchases. One classic BMW that should be avoided is the first-generation 8-Series – the E31.
The E31 is a luxury coupe BMW introduced in the ’90s. The car was lauded for its sleek computer-created design, power, and advanced technologies like electronic stability control. However, the E31 may not be a good purchase today, especially the V12-powered versions.
2/10 Pontiac Fiero
Pontiac has been dead for more than a decade now, and one car that makes us miss the brand is the Fiero. Introduced in 1984, the Fiero was meant to be an affordable mid-engined sports car that would be economical to produce and offer good fuel.
Gearheads initially fell in love with the Fiero’s sporty design and excellent handling due to the engine placement, but it didn’t take long for them to hate it. Despite its superb looks and decent performance, the Fiero was plagued by reliability issues that would sometimes result in dangerous engine fires and was recalled several times.
1/10 Chrysler Crossfire
Introduced in 2004, the Crossfire is a two-seat coupe or convertible that Chrysler built to compete in the luxury grand tourer space. The car was known for its distinctive styling, which included a long hood, short rear deck, and signature crossed-flags logo on the grille. Inside, the Crossfire featured a number of high-quality materials, including leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Crossfire was almost successful, but some Chrysler decisions turned it into a failure. For one, it was based on the Mercedes-Benz R170 platform, which was outdated. Its 215-hp 3.2-liter V6 engine also wasn’t enough to make the 3000-lb car fun, which is why it failed after just four years.
