Classic Cars With Awful Handling
There is no denying that there have been some automotive marvels released throughout the years. On the other hand, however, there has also been a fair share of flops, some even designed by the most renowned brands in the world. One undeniably important characteristic of every good car is its handling, as it ensures a smooth and comfortable ride. Let’s take a closer look at some of the worst-handling classic cars ever made.
Ford Pinto (1970-1980)
The Ford Pinto has become infamous for its poor handling abilities. Automotive experts agree that this fault comes down to the car's lightweight build and narrow track width, making it difficult to navigate sharp corners. Unpredictable steering is one of the main drawbacks of this vehicle, making it one of Ford’s biggest flops.
Chevrolet Corvair (1960-1964)
Even though the Chevrolet Corvair might look great, it definitely didn’t impress in the handling department. In fact, it struggled with rather severe handling issues, mainly due to its rear-engine layout and swing-axle suspension.
AMC Pacer (1975-1980)
The AMC Pacer is just one of AMCs many flops... and that's putting it nicely. With a distinctive wide-body design, the car suffered from poor weight distribution, making sharp bends quite a challenge.
Ford Mustang II (1974-1978)
Even though Ford Mustangs are some of the most iconic cars out there, the II model definitely wasn’t quite as successful. Downsized due to the oil crisis, this car lacked performance and suffered from very poor handling abilities.
Pontiac Fiero (1984-1988)
The Pontiac Fiero was intended to be a sporty mid-engine vehicle, but it fell terribly short. With a poor design, the car struggled with understeering and a lack of balance, making it unpleasant to drive.
Triumph TR7 (1975-1981)
The Triumph TR7 was undoubtedly a distinctive-looking car, but its performance and handling capabilities were anything but groundbreaking. Drivers often criticized the vehicle for its vague and unresponsive steering abilities. Such a shame with how it looked, right?
Cadillac Cimarron (1982-1988)
While the Cadillac Cimarron was designed to be a luxury compact car, it suffered from handling deficiencies and a lack of precision in steering. The Cimarron was light and unresponsive, making it a total flop for Cadillac.
Chevrolet Chevette (1976-1987)
While Chevrolet has released some iconic vehicles over the years, the Chevette missed the mark for a number of reasons. This mostly came down to the band trying to cut costs, which resulted in poor handling and an unresponsive drive.
Yugo GV (1985-1992)
The Yugo GV was designed to be a budget-friendly sports car. However, in reality, it struggled with appalling handling abilities and an outdated suspension that led to a bouncy and unstable ride. Also, it's looks were not exactly what a sportscar enthusiast wanted.
Lincoln Versailles (1977-1980)
The Lincoln Versailles was a luxury sedan that fell short of expectations. While it may have looked fancy, the car offered nothing revolutionary and struggled to keep pace with the advanced handling capabilities of its competitors.
Renault Dauphine (1956-1967)
There is no denying that the Renault Dauphine appeared to be a luxury vehicle. It has the looks and the style, alright. Unfortunately, it struggled with downright dangerous handling abilities, which led to a lot of frustration from buyers.
Fiat 126 (1972-2000)
While the Fiat 126 may have been designed for practicality in the urban setting, it was actually one of the brand's most disappointing releases. Not only did it feature a short wheelbase and narrow track, leading to instability around corners, but it also had an ancient suspension system that made for a rather uncomfortable ride.
Chrysler TC by Maserati (1989-1991)
Even though the Chrysler TC was of Maserati pedigree, the car was a failure for numerous reasons. Most drivers complained about its lackluster handling abilities, which resulted in severe body roll in turns. The light and unresponsive steering also detracted from what was supposed to be an unforgettable driving experience.
Jaguar XJ-S (1975-1996)
The Jaguar XJ-S was undeniably elegant and classy (like most Jags). However, with poor handling abilities, the car left many buyers unsatisfied. It was also a very heavy car and featured a soft suspension, which made driving on bumpy roads more than uncomfortable. Overall, drivers felt as though the unresponsive driving experience simply didn’t warrant the hefty price tag.
Subaru XT (1985-1991)
The Subaru XT was a futuristic-looking car that offered nothing in terms of advanced features. Buyers expected more, especially when it came to the car's handling abilities. Featuring an extremely soft suspension, the car didn’t provide enough grip and stability for the open roads, leading to a rather disappointing driving experience.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (1982-1996)
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera was a popular midsize car. However, while it might have looked great, it definitely didn’t go down in history for its great handling abilities. In fact, the car's soft suspension led to a pronounced body roll and detached driving feel. Steering was also overly light and imprecise, diminishing the Ciera’s reputation in terms of driving dynamics.
Peugeot 504 (1968-1983)
The Peugeot 504 is still known for its comfort and durability. With that being said, the vehicle definitely didn’t excel in terms of handling and performance, making it more of a family car than anything else. With a high ride height and soft suspension, the 504 simply didn’t have enough grip to handle sharp corners. The steering was also vague and slow, making for a forgettable driving experience.
Cadillac Seville (1980-1985)
The Cadillac Seville is yet another flop by this iconic automotive brand. Hampered by poor handling abilities, the overall drive experience of the car detracted from its stunning looks. More so, the suspension was too soft, resulting in significant body roll around the sharper corners. Drivers often complained that they felt disconnected from the road.
Austin Allegro (1973-1982)
The Austin Allegro was a compact car that struggled in terms of performance. Not only was the car criticized for its poor handling abilities, but buyers also complained that it had no unique design features to warrant the ridiculously high price tag. With unpredictable steering, the car struggled with excessive body roll and offered an incredibly rough ride.
Chevrolet Vega (1971-1977)
While the Chevrolet Vega was initially popular, buyers soon realized that there was something amiss about it. Over time, its poor handling abilities came to light. The vehicle's lightweight construction and rudimentary suspension design led to excessive body roll and instability in the corners. On top of this, drivers complained about delayed steering, making the Vega difficult to control at top speeds.
