Owning a sports car is one of those things that is on every gearhead’s bucket list. After all, sports cars generally offer the best designs and the best driving experience. Unfortunately, most gearheads don’t check this key item off their bucket list because sports cars are usually expensive and out of reach for them.
This is where the used car market comes in. With a little research, you can find plenty of used sports cars that won’t break the bank. However, before you try to find one, be aware that the reason some of these sports cars are so cheap is that they are extremely unreliable and may cause you to spend more on repairs than you can afford. actually spent to buy them. That said, here are ten affordable but unreliable sports cars to avoid.
ten Porsche 924 – $7,500
Porsche is one of the most iconic German automakers, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t built some terrible cars. The 924 shows it perfectly. Introduced in 1976, the 924 is a front-engine sports car developed to be an entry-level model for those who could not afford the 911.
Although its low price attracted many buyers, few liked it because it did not look like a Porsche. It was powered by a weak front-mounted Volkswagen engine, which made it slow and boring to drive. The motor was also prone to overheating and electrical issues. It’s no surprise that the 924 is among the cheapest Porsches you can find today.
9 Honda Prelude 1996-2001 – $16,000
When naming the best Japanese sports cars of the 90s, most reducers mention models such as the Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra Mk4 and Nissan Skyline GT-R. Few people even remember the Honda Prelude, although we think it was better than most well-known models.
The Prelude impressed many with its sleek design, VTEC power and advanced technologies like rear-wheel steering. However, if you’re looking for a Prelude, the fifth-generation model is best avoided. It is uglier than its predecessor and has a reputation for having transmission and engine valve problems.
8 Maserati Biturbo – $12,000
The BiTurbo is considered one of the most important Maseratis ever built. The BiTurbo was the first production car to feature twin turbochargers, paving the way for other automakers to try the technology.
However, beyond that, the BiTurbo didn’t really have much to do. On the one hand, many think it’s one of the ugliest Maseratis. It is also prone to problems as the twin-turbo technology was still new when it was developed.
seven 2002 Ford Thunderbird – $18,500
In 2002, Ford decided to revive the Thunderbird nameplate, but instead of giving it the four-door sedan body that gearheads were used to, Ford made it a two-seater sports car – the same body style as the original 1955 Thunderbird.
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While gearheads were excited to see what the modern version of the 1955 Thunderbird would look like, many were disappointed when it finally made its debut. The main reason most gearheads didn’t like it was its ugly design, which looked nothing like the gorgeous 1955 model. Its Jaguar-sourced V8 engine can also be difficult to maintain.
6 1992 BMW 850 CSi – $20,000
In the early 90s, BMW presented one of its most impressive sports cars of all time – the first generation 8 Series. Everyone loved the vehicle’s revolutionary design, which was created using CAD. Besides its beauty, the design of the 8 Series made it one of the most aerodynamically efficient vehicles of the time.
The 8 Series wasn’t just about looks – it had the power, as it was powered by a 309hp V12 engine. Unfortunately, that engine is why the first-gen 8 Series is a bad idea, as it can be tough to stay in shape.
5 Aston Martin DB7 – $18,000
The words “Aston Martin” and “entry level” should not be used in the same sentence. If you want to know why just get a DB7. The DB7 was developed in the 90s when Ford owned Aston Martin.
It was meant to be an entry-level model that rivaled the growing number of cheap sports cars in the 90s. The DB7 was great at the time because it had a nice design and a powerful V12 engine under the hood. However, the DB7 is not a good buy today, as its 30-year-old V12 engine will definitely fail.
4 Sky of Saturn – $11,000
Saturn and other GM brands were going through a terrible time in the early 2000s. A poor economic climate coupled with lackluster sales left Saturn on the verge of bankruptcy, so it developed the Sky to try and boost sales .
Heaven almost saved Saturn. It had an attractive design, decent performance, and an incredibly low price. Unfortunately, the Sky didn’t offer the level of refinement that sports car buyers were looking for and wasn’t all that reliable.
3 2008 Maserati Gran Turismo – $27,000
$27,000 wouldn’t normally be classified as “cheap,” but it certainly is when spent on a 12-year-old Maserati sports car. The GranTurismo has depreciated massively since its introduction in the late 2000s and is now within reach of most gearheads.
However, the GranTurismo is not a super sports car to buy, especially if you plan to drive it often. Despite a superb design and a Ferrari-sourced engine, the GranTurismo will drive you crazy once the inevitable breakdowns begin because it’s extremely expensive to fix.
2 Pontiac Fiero – $5,000
The first car that comes to most people’s minds when ‘Pontiac’ is mentioned is the legendary GTO, which many consider to be one of the best muscle cars of all time. However, Pontiac built many other impressive models before its demise, and the Fiero was almost one of them.
Introduced in the early ’80s, the Fiero won over gearheads with its eye-catching wedge-shaped design and the fact that it was America’s first mid-engined sports car in decades. Unfortunately, the Fiero had many build quality issues and often broke down. It was also prone to engine fires.
1 MG Midget – $6,500
British automakers were at the top of the affordable sports car market at the time, with brands like Triumph, Austin Healey, AC Cars and MG vying for glory. One of the most memorable British sports cars of the 60s is the MG Midget.
The Midget had a terrible model name, but it made up for it with its stunning design. This two-seat roadster is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. However, since it has a small 65 horsepower engine, it’s not that fun to drive. Its 50-year-old engine is also unreliable.