Maintenance Isn't Always Simple
Have you ever tried to maintain an old car at home? Take it from us, folks — it can be tricky at the best of times! But some of the toughest vehicles to preserve are arguably the coolest of the lot. To prove that, we've got an eye-opening selection of them right here.
Ferrari 308
Made famous in the classic '80s TV show Magnum P.I., the Ferrari 308 remains a highly desirable car today. But unfortunately, this cool beast is a nightmare to maintain. The engine is known to be iffy, while the body's prone to rusting as well. Service costs can reach close to $2,000 in some cases!
Porsche 911
Boasting a strong engine and a beautiful body, it's no surprise that the first generation Porsche 911 still has legions of fans today. How about the upkeep, though? Is it easy to look after? Well, not quite. In addition to rust issues, locating the right spare parts for this car can be very tough.
Jensen Interceptor
The Jensen Interceptor was hard to ignore when it first rolled out in the mid-1960s. It was an incredibly powerful sports car thanks to its V8 engine. But looking after it now can be challenging, to say the least. Alongside reliability issues, the Interceptor's electronics can also cause major headaches.
Ferrari 250 GTO
Struggling to take your eyes off the Ferrari 250 GTO? We don't blame you — it's a gorgeous motor! It might just be one of the most eye-catching vehicles from the 1960s. Maintaining it can be extremely difficult, though. The V12 engine needs specific care, while original parts for repairs are pretty hard to come by now.
Aston Martin DB5
An undeniable diamond, the Aston Martin DB5 continues to wow car enthusiasts today. Not bad for a motor that was only produced for two years in the '60s, right? But for as beautiful as it is, the DB5 is seriously tough to maintain now. The electrics and the engine are known to be problematic.
Triumph Stag
The Triumph Stag had a lot going for it in the looks department. Could the same be said for its performance, though? Probably not! It was equipped with a highly untrustworthy V8 engine that drivers didn't particularly care for. If you want to replace it with a better engine today, it could cost you thousands.
Ferrari F355
The Ferrari F355 is still a remarkably cool car today. It's a proper classic from the 1990s. Mind you, looking after one can be very costly. How much are we talking here? Well, if you want to get a F355 repaired or serviced now, the bill could reach over $2,500.
Lamborghini Miura
We'll be blunt here — the Lamborghini Miura is an incredibly impressive motor. It turned a bunch of heads after making its debut back in 1966. But maintaining it now isn't without its challenges. For instance, you've got to carefully tune the V12 engine and keep tabs on both the transmission and the brakes.
McLaren F1
Another classic car from the 1990s, the McLaren F1 still has the power to steal your heart. You might ask for it back after seeing the maintenance costs, though! The upkeep for this motor can put a real strain on your finances, as preserving the aging components doesn't come cheap.
Maserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli quickly became an automotive icon after making its debut in the latter half of the 1960s. What a car! Preserving it isn't particularly easy, though. The arches and wheels are prone to damage as a result of the vehicle's low ground clearance. And there are mechanical problems to contend with, too.
Alfa Romeo GTV6
If you're in the market for a cool Italian sports car from the past, then look no further than the Alfa Romeo GTV6. As the name suggests, it was equipped with an awesome V6 engine. But be warned, folks — maintaining it can be a huge pain. The clutch is a particularly problematic component today.
Lotus Esprit
Boasting an eye-catching body, the Lotus Esprit was in production for close to 30 years. And it's still a cool car now, despite the challenges of maintaining it. Preserving the fiberglass shell can be tricky, while the mid-engine design also adds a layer of complexity to repair work.
Lamborghini Countach
The Lamborghini Countach is an absolute stunner. Talk about a car that just oozes cool! Is it easy to look after, though? Unfortunately not. You'll likely need expert skills to maintain the V12 engine, in addition to the motor's famous scissor doors.
Mazda RX-7 FD
There's no denying that the Mazda RX-7 FD is a beautiful sports car. But it's also developed a reputation for being very hard to maintain. You see, the vehicle's twin-turbocharged rotary engine can go wrong pretty quickly if you don't manage it correctly. Fixing it up can cost over $4,000!
McLaren MP4-12C
Over the course of its three-year production run between 2011 and 2014, the McLaren MP4-12C attracted plenty of attention from car lovers. It's a gorgeous motor! Looking after it today can be tough, though. Why? Well, there are frequent issues with the transmission and electrics, while the cooling system is known to leak, too.
Ferrari 365 GTB/4
Otherwise referred to as the Daytona, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 is a true classic from the late 1960s. It's hard to keep your eyes off it, right? Mind you, maintaining the Daytona isn't without its challenges today. For instance, you've got to contend with an iffy electrical system and rust.
Rolls-Royce Phantom V
Talk about a car that just screams luxury! The Rolls-Royce Phantom V has been wowing motorists ever since it first appeared back in 1959. But keeping it in tip-top condition today can be tough. The biggest challenge is sourcing original parts for a reasonable cost. It can get pricey.
Lamborghini Diablo
The Lamborghini Diablo has everything that you could want from a sports car. It's high-performing and looks amazing on the road. Maintaining one, though? That can be difficult. The V12 engine requires intricate care, while the electrical system needs its fair-share of love as well.
Porsche Carrera GT
The Porsche Carrera GT is one of the most stylish sports cars to emerge from the mid-2000s. It's a really cool motor! Good luck maintaining it, though. Repairs can be very expensive today, which isn't great news for a car that suffers with suspension and fuel pump issues.
Aston Martin DB9
Compared to most of the cars on this list, the Aston Martin DB9 is practically a baby! The model was only discontinued back in 2016. So, given that it's on the younger side, is this an easy vehicle to preserve today? Not really. The DB9 incurs very high maintenance costs.
Maserati Biturbo
Who doesn't love a classic Maserati? The Biturbo certainly looks the part. But here's the thing, folks — this car has been known to cause headaches for collectors. It isn't the most reliable motor to drive, while rust is a major issue, too. Service costs can reach close to $1,000.
Ferrari Mondial
On looks alone, the Ferrari Mondial seems like a cool car to own. But maintaining it? Oh boy. This is a very tricky vehicle to preserve, and that's reflected in the service costs. You could easily be billed more than $1,800 to fix it up!
Jaguar E-Type
Another fabulous car that impressed motorists throughout the 1960s, the Jaguar E-Type is still highly-coveted today. And that's despite all the challenges that come with maintaining it. Rust is a big issue, as it can affect the vehicle's frame and body. Meanwhile, the engine requires careful tweaks as well.
Mercedes-Benz 280SL ‘Pagoda’
Retro cars don't come much cooler than the Mercedes-Benz 280SL ‘Pagoda.' It's a real keeper! But you've got to work hard to preserve it today. Mechanical and electrical problems are frequently reported, and that's not good when replacement parts are already tough to source. It can get quite expensive.
Ferrari Testarossa
Is the Ferrari Testarossa the finest sports car to come out of the 1980s? It's definitely in the conversation! Maintaining it today can be very costly, though. If you want a full service, the bill could exceed $2,700. You'll need deep pockets to keep that up.
Mercedes-Benz 600
The Mercedes-Benz 600 was in production for nearly 20 years, with the run ending in 1981. It's still a highly-regarded car today, despite the maintenance challenges you'll face. The vehicle's hydraulic system is one of the toughest things to preserve, as a simple leak could cause major problems.
Lincoln Versailles
While the Lincoln Versailles was only on the market for three years at the end of the 1970s, it still has a loyal fanbase today. It's certainly a very nice car to look at! But preserving it isn't simple. The variable venturi carburetor is a frequent frustration, and the old electric features are tough to maintain.
AMC Matador
A '70s classic, the AMC Matador has a certain charm about it. Maybe it's the quirkily cool exterior! Compared to other cars from that era, though, this model is especially hard to maintain today. Why? Simple — replacement parts for repairs aren't readily available.
Datsun 260Z
The Datsun 260Z has been turning heads ever since it came out back in 1974. But will maintaining it today give you a headache? It's possible! This car is prone to rust in several areas, ranging from the front panels to the rear wheel arches.
Ford Mustang II
In case you couldn't tell by the name, the Ford Mustang II is the second-generation model of the iconic car. It's still an absolute beauty! But the upkeep isn't easy. The Mustang II has a hydraulic suspension and braking system that's extremely tough to preserve.
Chevrolet Caprice Classic
The Chevrolet Caprice Classic is exactly that — it's one of the classiest cars to come out of the '70s. Is it tough to look after today, though? You bet! Engine wear is a big issue, in addition to rust. The electrical systems can be problematic, too.
Plymouth Trail Duster
The Plymouth Trail Duster is something of a collector's item today. It was the brand's one and only SUV, and it wasn't produced in great numbers. But that makes maintenance a lot harder now. There aren't many replacement parts for Trail Dusters in the wild.
Pontiac Grand Ville
The Pontiac Grand Ville is one more name to add to the list of cool 1970s cars. It's so stylish! Yet the upkeep could drive you up the wall today. In addition to rust problems, replacement parts are pretty tough to source.
Porsche 356
Making its bow in 1948, the Porsche 356 became a must-have sports car across its 17-year production run. It's still an awesome vehicle to look at today. Maintaining it, though? That's another matter. The 356 isn't just prone to bad rust, but its electrical systems can cause headaches as well.
Through: Lothar Spurzem