At Least These Unreliable Cars Look Cool
There are tons of cool-looking cars, but, sadly, they’re not all as good as they seem. Some of the best sports, performance, and luxury vehicles are actually very unreliable, especially if you want to drive them regularly. Keep reading to discover 35 cool-looking cars to avoid.
Porsche Cayenne
The Cayenne may not look like a traditional Porsche, but it’s still very cool. It takes some aspects of the classic design, such as the long front grille, and restyles them into a modern SUV. Sadly, engine and suspension failures are common with the Cayenne.
Lotus Elan
We can see why so many people love the Lotus Elan: it’s a vintage beauty and has incredible pop-up headlights. But many of the Elan’s components are unreliable, including the fuel and suspension systems, so it’s a nightmare to maintain.
Aston Martin DB7
Any car that is cool enough for James Bond is cool enough for us, and we’ll admit that we’re obsessed with the Aston Martin DB7’s sporty two-seater design and fashionable long hood. If only its performance wasn’t impacted by unreliable suspension and braking systems.
BMW 850i
The BMW 850i is one cool-looking car that spawned multiple more innovative models. But though we love the look of the original design, we can’t excuse how poorly many of the components age, which often leads to expensive and time-consuming repairs.
Maserati Shamal
The Shamal was Maserati’s flagship grand tourer, and we have to appreciate the design. It makes simple yet impactful choices, such as the square front and flared wheel arches. Unfortunately, the Shamal is also described as the most unreliable Maserati because its parts are fragile.
Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
The Pontiac Grand Prix was already iconic, but the GXP performance-style trim took the model to new heights of physical power. And though you can certainly feel that power while driving, you’re also likely to break down due to poor fuel management.
Ferrari 308 GTB
The Ferrari 308 GTB looks like something out of an action movie, with slick lines, innovative headlights, and a powerful, low-slung chassis. Sadly, beauty is pain, and maintaining this car is particularly agonizing, as many of its parts are old and unreliable.
Volvo S60
Physically, the Volvo S60 is a modern masterpiece, steeped in luxury and very dynamic to drive. But its insides aren't as impressive, with many owners struggling with problematic brakes, premature engine wear, and safety concerns.
Lamborghini Miura
When we say that the Lamborghini Miura is hot, we're talking about both its looks and its tendency to catch fire! This gorgeous sports car is one of the best-looking Lambos ever built, but it has also been rightfully labeled one of the most poorly built.
Audi R8 V10
Any car with a V10 engine is a guaranteed powerhouse, and the Audi R8 certainly delivers. It looks like a supercar and is definitely one of the brand's most impressive builds. The only downsides are how much oil the engine wastes and the unreliable dual-clutch transmission.
Tesla Cybertruck
If you know anything about Tesla, you'll know that its innovative Cybertruck is the epitome of terrible reliability. Though we do give kudos for such a cool, futuristic design, we can't ignore the frequent complaints about its faulty technologies and frankly abysmal mechanical construction.
Vector M12
What can't we say about the Vector M12? It's an absolute marvel to behold, with high-performance bodywork, aerodynamic lines, and a racecar-inspired windshield. But though you’ll go fast, you won't get far because the M12 is notorious for breaking down and lacks mechanical refinement.
Jaguar I-Pace
Jaguar fully embraced the future with its first all-electric vehicle, giving the I-Pace a loud yet classy, futuristic design and luxurious finish. But once you look past its exterior, you’ll see that it lacks the reliable battery and software required for running an electric car.
Mercedes-AMG GT
The Mercedes-AMG GT is one car we’d certainly look twice at! Its design is very aggressive, but it evokes power and promises performance. Sadly, that promise is often false because the GT’s performance is regularly hampered by worn brakes and expensive engine failures.
BMW X5
If there’s one thing BMW does well, it’s building large, powerful cars with cool designs that really stand out from other modern vehicles. But no amount of style can fully redeem the X5, which is known to have uneven suspension and excessive battery drain.
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
We’ve seen beautiful Italian cars, but the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is on another level. It seamlessly blends performance with sophistication, and is a very rare collectible model. But it’s exhausting to maintain any car with such delicate and expensive components.
Toyota GT86
We’ve got to hand it to Toyota: the GT86 might be one of the most driver-focused cars we’ve ever seen. It’s aerodynamic, low-slung, and powerful. The only problem is how much oil it consumes, and many drivers find themselves caught out on the road.
Maserati Quattroporte
Any car with a reputation for being unreliable is a red flag, even if it looks as cool as the Maserati Quattroporte. This sleek, performance-inspired car uses several problematic Chrysler parts, and the interior has even been known to melt!
Alfa Romeo 4C
Everything about the Alfa Romeo 4C is stylish, right down to its carbon-fiber accents and distinctive Scudetto grille. But even the coolest-looking speedsters can be problematic, as evidenced by the 4C’s tricky handling, which makes it a risk on the roads.
Land Rover Defender
You probably see Land Rover Defenders every day, but the original design is definitely the coolest. This car looks like it could take you on an adventure to anywhere, if only it wasn’t so unreliable! Let’s just say, you can barely drive a Defender without a warning light coming on.
Subaru BRZ
At face value, the Subaru BRZ has everything going for it. It’s the ultimate street-styled racecar, with a powerful, wide stance and sumptuous interior. But if you’re looking for reliability, you won’t find it in this oil-starved, gear-grinding, beautiful car.
Bentley Bentayga
When it comes to cool-looking cars, Bentley never misses. The Bentayga is non-traditional, but has similarly luxurious crystal-cut headlamps and a long, muscular hood. Unfortunately, it often suspends adventures due to power wastage and jerky brakes, resulting in pricey repairs.
Mazda RX-8
We can never hate a car with hinged doors that open in opposite directions and can be twisted up and around! But as cool as the RX-8 is, we’d probably avoid it due to reliability concerns. Sometimes, the ignition is so weak that the engine doesn’t even turn on.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit
We’ve never seen a Rolls-Royce that we didn’t think was cool, but we particularly like how the Silver Spirit combines vintage luxury with modern features, such as wide-opening doors. The only thing that puts us off is how unreliable and uncomfortable the suspension is.
McLaren 12C
On a list full of cool-looking cars, the McLaren 12C is still a standout. It’s inspired by F1 racecars, with phenomenal dihedral doors and eye-catching louvered fenders. But it has been known to have several serious (and expensive!) performance failures.
Lamborghini Aventador
There are a few Lamborghinis with reliability concerns, but the Aventador definitely takes the title of ‘most terrible’ for its problematic clutch and jerky engine. This is a huge shame because its predator-inspired shape, extended windshield, and scissor doors are extremely cool.
Nissan 350Z
The Nissan 350Z is, hands-down, one of the best-looking cars in the Z-car lineup. It’s low-set for power, with a sloping roofline and emphasized racing fenders. But don’t get too excited because the engine often stalls or cuts out due to poor throttle and oil wastage.
Saturn Sky
There’s no denying the beauty of the Saturn Sky. This speedster is sporty and chic, with a build inspired by Vauxhall. We’d give it a 10/10 rating, if not for its unfortunate issues with the engine overheating and various components leaking during transit.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
The name is a bit of a mouthful, but this car is a high-performance model that references classic racing cars with its aerodynamic build and panoramic windshield. But it also has a highly unreliable engine, and many models have been recalled for dodgy brakes.
Porsche 997
The Porsche 997 is a later version of the 911, so of course, it’s incredible to look at. But classic looks aren’t everything, and, sadly, the 997 is seriously unreliable. The engine often fails, stranding drivers and costing thousands in repairs.
Maserati GranTurismo
The Maserati GranTurismo’s name in English is “grand touring”, and it’s exactly the type of comfortable yet beautiful car that most people would want to cruise the countryside in. Sadly, the transmission and suspension systems make long journeys seem impossible at times.
Jaguar XK
If you know anything about unreliable cars, you’ll know that the Jaguar XK is a risky investment. It’s a shame because the XK is incredibly sophisticated and sporty to look at, but many of its components under the bonnet are likely to fail.
Tesla Model X
Though the Model S gets plenty of flack, the Tesla Model X often flies under the radar. If you’re drawn in by cool features like Falcon Wing doors and panoramic windshields, be warned that the Model X has incredibly unreliable charging and numerous glitches.
Lotus Elise
Though the Elan is unreliable, it’s actually the Elise that takes the title of least reliable Lotus. While its classic, vintage sports car design, stylish headlights, and convertible roof are all pluses, we can’t excuse its flawed engineering, which makes it more vulnerable to leaks and failures.
Pontiac Phoenix
And rising from the ashes in all its glory is the Pontiac Phoenix. This car takes the old-fashioned, boxy look and gives it style. We particularly love the classic long hood. Unfortunately, it’s plagued with engine and transmission issues, and struggles to reach 50,000 miles on the odometer.
