These Cars May Look Like the Cool Kids, but That's Not the Case
Some cars draw attention but ultimately fail to win people over. These 35 timeless vehicles were sleek, daring, and memorable, yet they fell short when it came to driving. So, continue reading to unearth 35 old-school beauties who were unable to stay in the limelight.
DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean's gullwing doors and stainless steel exterior gave it the appearance of something from a sci-fi movie. Unfortunately, it was more of a museum piece than a performance vehicle due to its weak V6 and slow handling. The cool factor? Out of the charts. Action behind the wheel? Not as fun!
Pontiac Fiero
Mid-engine excitement in a stylish, reasonably priced package was what the Fiero promised. However, early models had poor performance and reliability problems. It looked to be a small Ferrari from a distance, but it drove more like a commuter car with sporting ambitions. Overall, the Fiero was an audacious concept that was smothered before it could shine.
Chevrolet SSR
What could go wrong with a pickup bed, retractable hardtop, and retro styling? In fact, quite a lot. The SSR handled like a bloated cruiser, yet had the appearance of a bespoke hot rod. Yes, it was charming, but its performance never lived up to the extravagant design's promise.
‘70s Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird from the ‘70s resembled a personal luxury yacht on wheels as it was long, low, and dripping with chrome. However, it felt more floaty than ferocious when you drive it. It was more suited to boulevard cruising than aggressive driving, thanks to its soft suspension and uninspired engines.
Bricklin SV-1
The SV-1 had a futuristic feel with its gullwing doors and safety-first marketing. However, its hefty weight, poor build quality, and lackluster performance made it more of a novelty than a serious contender. It drove like it needed to be rescued, even while looking like it belonged in a superhero's garage.
Cadillac Allante
The Allanté, styled by the famous Pininfarina, had all the makings of a luxury icon. Unfortunately, it was unable to compete due to its poor drivetrain and mismatched engineering. Sure, it might have had the appearance of a European grand tourer, but it felt more like a covert GM experiment.
AMC Pacer
The Pacer's bubble-like design was ahead of its time, some might say; others just call it confusing. It had an oddball look, and it was slow due to its weight and low power. A car whose shape, not its speed, attracted attention. Its quirky charm is what people remember it for more than any thrilling action.
Plymouth Prowler
The Prowler looked like it had come straight out of a custom garage with its hot rod appearance and exposed front wheels. However, the V6 engine under the hood didn't quite match the dramatic appearance. Yes, it was daring and unique, but it was more show than action.
Buick Reatta
The Reatta was a hand-built, technologically advanced personal luxury coupe. For its day, it had a sleek, contemporary appearance, but its performance was more relaxed than athletic. You get a sense of being a fancy commuter, despite its attempt at exclusivity while driving.
Chrysler TC (by Maserati)
The TC was more badge engineering than genius. What a disappointment!. It shared parts with the LeBaron but had Italian style influences. So, expectations were high, but that was let down by mediocre performance.
Jaguar XJ-S
The XJ-S exuded sophistication with its big touring shape and graceful lines. However, things became complex under the bonnet. Its V12 engine was strong but infamously erratic, and upkeep was a pain. You end up breaking the bank every time this car needs a repair!
‘80s Lotus Esprit
The unusual, wedge-shaped Esprit was adored for its unique design. But on the downside, models from the early 1980s lacked confidence and were twitchy and underpowered. You might think it looks incredible in pictures, but it's not quite the exhilarating experience you would anticipate.
Ford Mustang II
Despite the muscle vehicle heritage associated with the Mustang name, the Mustang II failed to grasp the same fame. Despite being designed on a Pinto base, it lacked the power to support its athletic appearance.
‘70s Oldsmobile Toronado
The Toronado was boisterous and bold, with a front-wheel-drive innovation and a dominating presence. However, by the 1970s, it had lost much of its initial ingenuity and had grown into a fluffy, large cruiser. Since this car turned out to be the opposite of what you’d expect, enthusiasts are disappointed with this model.
Dodge Daytona Turbo Z
The Turbo Z was the perfect example of a true performance coupe with its angular styling and pop-up headlights. Unfortunately, the thrill was tempered by front-wheel drive characteristics and turbo lag. Don’t judge a book by its cover!
‘80s Mercury Cougar
Once a muscular beast, the Cougar had softened into a personal luxury vehicle by the 1980s. It was elegant and expensive, but the performance seemed more suited for a nocturnal nap than an exciting night out. Exciting, not so much; stylish, certainly.
‘80s Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
The Monte Carlo SS appeared poised to dominate the track with its squared-off posture and NASCAR-inspired markings. However, its handling was far from athletic, and its V8 was more bark than bite.
Toyota MR2 (Mk1)
The MR2 had a strong sports car vibe with its mid-engine configuration and sharp looks. But you can’t say the same for its engine- early models were famous for their twitchy engines instead. Yes, it was a fun car, but it wasn't quite the performance monster that its appearance implied.
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
Like a European sculpture on wheels, the Karmann Ghia's contours exuded beauty. Beneath it all, though, was Beetle: humble, straightforward, and sluggish. It drove like an economic runabout, rather than a vintage sports car.
Renault Fuego
The Fuego's name suggested fire, and its shape suggested speed. However, its performance was mediocre, and it lacked dependability. Its sporty European coupe certainly did not correlate to power in this case!
Mazda RX-7 (FB)
The RX-7 had an exotic edge due to its rotary engine and elegant design. However, it’s challenging to say the same for its performance, as early models exhibited numerous oddities and lacked significant torque. Heartbreakingly, this car has been left to rot in garages instead of showrooms.
Subaru SVX
The SVX had futuristic lines and a glass canopy reminiscent of an airplane, giving it an alien appearance. However, Subaru aimed for grand touring luxury, but the result was a model caught in the middle of confusion and innovation.
Peugeot 504 Coupe
The 504 Coupe (another car lucky enough to be designed by Pininfarina) was unquestionably elegant. But nothing is perfect, as even the gasoline versions lacked power. The only thing this car is adored for is that it exudes refinement just by looking at it!
Saab Sonnett II
The Sonnett II has a distinctive fiberglass body and an eccentric charm, but its strange proportions and low strength made it more intriguing than enthralling. It drove like a spirited lawnmower, and the Scandinavian sports car look is the only thing going for it.
Nissan 300ZX (Z31)
The Z31 lost the rawness of previous Z vehicles and gained weight, despite having a digital dash and turbocharged ambition. It seemed more like a GT than a sports car, despite its futuristic and swift design.
Alfa Romeo Spider (series 3)
The Spider featured open-top romanticism and classic Italian lines. On the other hand, its antiquated technology and lackluster performance had diminished the excitement. You can’t help but be disappointed by this model.
Fiat X1/9
The X1/9 had a considerable aesthetic appeal, and it was mid-engined and styled like a miniature Ferrari. Unfortunately, it was prevented from achieving greatness by its modest engine and problems with construction quality.
Lincoln Mark V
The Mark V was the pinnacle of personal luxury, with opera windows, vinyl roofs, and acres of chrome. But it drank fuel like a sailor and felt like you were handling a waterbed. Now, most see this car as a statement piece that has more presence than skill.
Studebaker Avanti
The fiberglass body and jet-age styling of the Avanti were revolutionary. However, it’s hard to ignore its poor performance and uneven build quality. Sure, it might have looked like a space-age cruiser, but it drove like a mid-century compromise.
Packard Caribbean
This car was Packard's final outing to the Caribbean, with its flamboyant colors and dazzling fins. By that time, the brand was losing its appeal, but it still looked like a luxury liner on wheels. Although it was not competitive, the performance was just barely adequate.
Chrysler Cordoba
The Cordoba's "soft Corinthian leather" became its defining feature, which gives it an upmarket, exotic appearance. On the inside, however, it was a typical personal luxury coupe. It handled and drove similarly to a comfy sofa.
Datsun 280ZX
The 280ZX added luxury and weight to the Z formula, losing some of the raw edge that made the 240Z iconic. It looked sleek and modern, but felt more cruiser than bruiser. A stylish evolution that softened the thrill. Still cool - but not quite the Z car purists wanted.
Triumph TR7
Although the TR7's wedge shape was daring, its poor performance and reliability problems made it difficult to sell. Although you’d get a headache driving it today, it had the appearance of a sports car from tomorrow.
Citroen SM
The SM was, on paper, a fantasy, combining a Maserati V6 with Citroën's hydropneumatic suspension. However, it was a mechanic's nightmare due to its intricacy and maintenance issues.
Ford Capri (Mk2)
The Capri Mk2 reduced its edges while maintaining the fastback's flare. It had a sporty, European-cool appearance, but unless you upgraded to a higher specification, the performance was, well, disappointing to say the least.
