Expensive Sports Cars To Avoid Like The Plague

36: BMW Z4

The Z4 is a pretty unique car in the BMW product line and has been around for two decades now. In its current form, the Z4 is a tad bit aged but the car still has some unique aspects to it. For starters, there aren’t a lot of basic two-door roadsters that you can get your hands on anymore. Making the Z4 kind of the last of the Mohicans, in contrast, the Z4 is also quite dated when you compare it to the competition. The Z4 is lacking in the modern performance that a lot of the other BMWs have, which is why it is better off to avoid this sports car. For the high price, there are comparable sports cars that offer a better intrinsic value.

That’s not to say that the Z4 is a bad car all-around, but for what you are paying, the value just isn’t there. BMW has spent quite a bit of effort in redefining its passenger sedans but the Z4 has fallen by the wayside. This is after all a BMW and not a Miata, and you’d expect the quality to be a little bit better. You can’t go wrong with BMW engineering, but we were hoping that the Z4 would bring a little bit more to the table. The Luxury-minded roadsters are a thing of the past and the Z4 has some stiff competition for the little bit of market share that’s left. With the few different choices that you have the Z4 is just one worth avoiding.

35: Porsche 911

The upcoming Porsche 911 is a car that intends to build on an already stellar reputation. Nevertheless, there is a lot left to be desired. For starters, the 911 is still built on a dated design, which has not seen much improvement over the decade. Porsche has stuck to the same formula when it comes to this car so naturally, the 911 seems a bit long in the tooth. Porsche has stuck to a traditional frame of mind when it comes to the 911. The car undoubtedly is aged though. Cars are becoming more modern with every product cycle and the Porsche 911 is not immune to this. With 379 to 640 hp, the Porsche 911 packs a punch, but it’s nothing different from the previous generation of the car. Horsepower has increased but the overall car has remained mostly the same.

You’d think that Porsche would give the car a full upgrade after all these decades in service. 911 variants are quite limited when compared to other aspects of the Porsche lineup. You can’t get a lot of options with this car. Whereas other sports cars offer a plethora of different choices to pick from. Likewise, the Porsche 911 continues to defy the laws of car design with a look that seems like it came out of the ’90s. The Porsche nameplate does carry a lot of prestige, but clout is not always a good thing. Performance cars are a dime a dozen, and Porsche isn’t bringing anything unique to the table. If you are in the market for an expensive sports car the 911 is one that is worth avoiding.

34: Audi A5 Cabriolet

When you think of Audi models the A5 is a relatively new offering in the lineup. The A5 has a unique look to it as well as being one of the last convertibles on the road. Convertibles are not generally known for being the pinnacle of performance, but the A5 Cabriolet was designed to sort of cross that bridge. In addition to all that the A5 Cabriolet was largely a carryover from the previous generation of the A5. There are subtle improvements in the car but nothing that warrants the high price tag. The overall design of the Cabriolet builds on the popularity of convertibles but sells the buyer short at the performance. The Cabriolets that have hit the market over the years all varied in design and performance. Audi is one of the few automakers that has tried to stay in the game for as long as it has.

The interesting thing about the A5 Cabriolet is that it shares almost all of its components with the standard A5 with no unique design elements. Volvo was one of the first automakers to try and make the convertible sporty and luxurious. Other automakers have tried to copy that same formula to no avail, hence the A5. With smaller dimensions and a generally aged design, the A5 Cabriolet isn’t bringing anything spectacular to the table. Many of these convertibles have gone the way of extinction in the last decade, and the A5 is at the forefront. We’re not sure when Audi is going to cancel the A5 but we are sure that it is on the horizon for the lowly convertible. It just doesn’t offer enough in the way of performance and the contrast in price doesn’t help things out.

33: Audi S5 Cabriolet

Another convertible on the market is the S5 Cabriolet, a car that has gone over numerous changes in the last decade. Audi has been trying to market the car as an alternative to other expensive sports convertibles. But the S5 hasn’t managed to catch on with the crowd. First and foremost, the car has a design that mimics the rest of the already existing Audi line. With stiff new competition coming from Tesla and a bevy of other automakers the S5 is not likely to make it. Audi bolstered the S5 in recent years with a complete overhaul and higher-quality interior materials. When you think of a car like the S5 about performance you know there are very few like it on the road anymore.

It would appear that Audi was going for the ultimate road car, but there are so many shortcomings that it just doesn’t deliver. Drivers can get the same amount of thrills for a much lower price tag. Likewise, the Audi S5 doesn’t firmly build on the automaker’s reputation for quality and innovation. For those who are looking for a car that makes a statement, the S5 Cabriolet isn’t it. The car just lacks that natural appeal that you’d expect from a car in this price range. Likewise, the S5 also doesn’t make use of the updated Audi characteristics on the track. Needless to say, you are going to find a lot more fun to drive convertibles elsewhere. Audi will keep trying to nail it out of the ballpark but the S5 isn’t the car to do that with.

32: Maserati Ghibli

Few car brands have managed to fade into obscurity as the Maserati brand has. It’s not that the cars are necessarily bad, but they just don’t offer that bang for the buck other alternatives do. When you’re competing with Ferrari and Lamborghini, you need to bring your A-Game and the Maserati brand just hasn’t done that. The Ghibli is a car that requires more out of you than a car in this price range should, whether you call it the high cost of maintenance or the limited appeal of the car. Unlike the Quattroporte, the Ghibli is a much different beast, with a greater emphasis on comfort. This improvement in the overall design has done wonders for the car in terms of being able to compete with other luxury models. Maserati was one of the first companies to try and market a performance sedan of this caliber.

The high price tag doesn’t translate to comfort, and that’s a problem for this oversized luxury sedan. You don’t get a comfortable ride and the overall demeanor of the car is not very groundbreaking. The interior dimensions of the Ghibli are much smaller than that of the larger Maserati, yet it commands an almost identical price tag. This doesn’t sit well with most potential buyers, and as such the Ghibli hasn’t been popular. The design of the Ghibli has remained largely the same for the past 10 years with subtle changes. While Maserati has a loyal following it’s not enough to help the automaker compete with the mainstays we’re used to seeing on the road.

31: Maserati MC20

Another Maserati on the chopping block? The MC20 is a valiant attempt at the brand to try and regain some relevance. The car hasn’t hit the market yet but it is slated to this year and there is already some buzz around it. The problem is that a lot of the MC20 is already based on existing Ferrari parts, which is also evident in the exterior styling. If you’ve ever had the chance to see this car, then you’ll know what we’re talking about. Naturally, there is a fair bit of excitement surrounding the MC20, but the performance is likely to be lackluster at best. Maserati is a company that has been in the exotic car market for decades, giving credence to the design advancements that have followed over the years.

With Ferrari engineering behind it, the MC20 would appear to have it all, but there is still a lot missing. Maserati has spent the better part of a decade trying to figure out what it will take to reinvigorate the brand. But with stiff competition from several other exotic automakers, there is no doubt that the MC20 is going to have its work cut out for it. Maserati will be greatly improving this car before the production model hits the streets, and there is still a lot that needs to be improved upon. The MC20 is a promising sports car in a lot of aspects but there are certain parts of the car that Maserati will need to excel at to present a satisfactory choice.

30: Mazda RX-7

The current automotive bubble just won’t last. The RX-7 is an inflated car that has ballooned in value. The RX-8 is an absolute beast on the race track, but that doesn’t mean that it warrants such a high price tag. The rotary engine is a definite plus but parts and repairs can be quite costly. This doesn’t mean that you should avoid the RX-7 all together.

But there are similar cars in this space that go for a lot less and offer a lot of the same performance. The RX-7 might just be on a pedestal right now, but the price bubble won’t last for a long time. The car is an easily accessible classic that you can find on the open market, yet the high price makes this one a sports car you should avoid.

29: Lamborghini Jalpa

The Jalpa is a sports car that you seldom hear about anymore, and there’s reason for that. The car has a style that just never caught on with the Lambo crowd, and part of this was due to its polarizing design. Another issue with the Jalpa is the fact that the car has a high sticker price on the used market. The rarity of the nameplate and the consumer interest in the car makes it a lot rarer than your average Lambo. To say the least, the car has a superiority complex with you put it up against other Lamborghinis from this period.

The Jalpa was a defining moment for the brand as it ventured into the 1980s with a new design that showcased the decade. The 3.5-liter Lamborghini V8 under the hood was chock full of reliability issues, and the cost to repair an obscure sports car is even worse. If you have been looking for a classic Lamborghini model to restore the Jalpa probably isn’t going to be the best bet.

28: Ferrari F355

The nineties were a great time for the economy and therefore sports cars. The Ferrari F355 was a defining car for the Ferrari brand with a brand-new design. The reliability of the car, on the other hand, was questionable and you can spend a great amount of money trying to fix one. Aside from that the Ferrari F355 also commands a pretty hefty price tag for a car that’s well over twenty-five years old. The color scheme for the F355 was the usual Ferrari fare for this period and there are some wild color schemes.

The Spyder variation of the car was also quite notable, with a lot of consumers opting for this model as well. The Ferrari F355 is among one of the more memorable Ferrari models, but time has not been pleasant for the car. If you’re going for an expensive sports car, it would probably be best to avoid this one altogether.

27: 1994 Ferrari F512 M

The 1994 Ferrari F512 M was a car that made you want a Ferrari until you owned one? The reliability of the F512 M was called into question many times over the years, and the new batch of owners was the first to complain. The driving characteristics of the 1994 Ferrari F512 M made it a blast to drive when it was running accordingly. Even without the reliability issues, the F512 was still vastly overpriced for what it was.

This was at the beginning of the nineties technology boom and a lot of what was found in the F512 M was not thoroughly tested. The 1994 Ferrari F512 M certainly isn’t the pinnacle of Ferrari vehicles in any aspect, and the high price tag would suggest that. The 1994 Ferrari F512 M is probably best left avoided if you are looking for an expensive sports car.

26: De Tomaso Pantera

Italians are responsible for creating some of the most beautiful cars on earth, and the De Tomaso Pantera is one of them. The De Tomaso Pantera stands out from the crowd for its unique design and its one-of-a-kind performance. Again, the price tag is so vastly inflated that finding one of these cards for a reasonable price is almost impossible. What makes the De Tomaso Pantera unique is the fact that the car has a stylistic personality all its own.

But its reliability is often the worst feature of the car and finding someone who can service one of these cars is even more difficult. That is the main problem with elite Italian automobiles, repairs can often be almost impossible. There probably is not a more beautiful looking car then the De Tomaso Pantera, but reliability is just questionable.

25. Ferrari Mondial

The Ferrari Mondial was a great idea executed by a company that makes fast cars. But when the final product hit the road, it was far from a viable attempt. The car was vastly underpowered, which wouldn’t be a bad thing if there was something behind it. But the Mondial had a strange shape. It looked like a Testarossa Ferrari squashed to look too small.

The Mondial could have been a legendary Ferrari, but the brand had just started designing modern sports cars. Because the economy was so good, the Mondial was the perfect car for Ferrari to release at the time. Unfortunately, the final product was a major letdown to hardcore Ferrari enthusiasts when they presented it.

24. 1969 Porsche 914

The Porsche 914 is one of the most unknown Porsche models on the market. Its distinct look and roadster styling was different than most Porches for sale. The 914 was underpowered and the air-cooled engine was among one of the original Porsche engines. The design of the car could have been unique, which is what Porsche was going for.

Porsche offered the 914 for several years and they sold well, but other Porsche models were becoming far more popular. The distinct styling of the 914 made it a Porsche most people don’t remember, making this a sports car that’s worth avoiding altogether.

23. Toyota GT86

Toyota has been out of the sports car limelight for some time now, but they have been getting back into the fray. The company exited the sports car market with the death of the Scion, but the Toyota GT86 has made its way into the current lineup. What was thought to be the next-generation Supra was just another low-end sports car. Coupled with an expensive price tag, the GT86 offers only a decent amount of power.

However, for the features you get, the GT86 is worth avoiding. Other sports cars in this price range would be a far better choice. The Toyota GT86 could have been an excellent sports car, but for the most part, it is a former picture of what Toyota could have offered.

22. 1979 MG Midget

The MG brand has been making sports cars for a long time. The MG Midget is one of the most noticeable little roadsters on the market. It was a well-known sportscar for its ability to take turns at high speeds while still maintaining control. The MG Midget is a fun car to drive. But the mechanics of the Midget are low-quality, making the car expensive to fix.

Unfortunately, the MG Midget is also one of the most forgettable roadsters to come out of this era. The prices on these little cars have remained steady because it is more of a novelty than anything else. But the MG Midget would have been a hit if they had given it a bit more work and design.

21. 1994 Ford Mustang

The 1994 Mustang was the quintessential example of ’90s car design at its best. Its rounded corners and bright paint scheme made the car stand out as a modern sports car that appealed to everyone. The problem was underneath the hood. There was nothing different about it. Most consumers were aware of this, so the car suffered. Ford eventually removed the fox body Mustang from the lineup, offering few special editions to replace it.

Ford altered the 1994 Mustang a lot over the years. There were various enhancements to the rear end and there was also a Cobra version. However, the 1994 Ford Mustang will go down as one of the most failed sports cars of the ’90s. Fortunately, Ford built the next generation of the Mustang much better.

20. 1976 Porsche 924

Believe it or not, the 924 was on the market for a long time. The car didn’t change much over the generations but it did get some enhancements. The Porsche lineup was evolving, created a one-of-a-kind situation in the sports car market. When they presented the 924, it was a departure from the usual Porsche design scheme, making the 924 an intimidating car to work on.

Throughout the years, the 924 was a piece of Porsche engineering that was in tune with the ’80s. However, the final years of the car were rough since the Porsche 944 was experiencing a resurgence. If the Porsche 924 had a more fluid design, the car probably would have been better for drivers.

19. Ferrari Testarossa

The Ferrari Testarossa is an iconic sports car and one of the vehicles synonymous with the ’90s. But what made the nostalgia so cool besides those signature four taillights was the design. The Testarossa looked unlike any other Ferrari on the market. The performance was questionable, which raised a lot of red flags for Ferrari.

The Testarossa is still one of the most iconic sports cars on the market. But as far as owning one, the mechanics are problematic, making other Ferrari models a better choice.

18. Ferrari LaFerrari

When it comes to those expensive Ferrari models, there have been quite a few that were questionable. It seems when Ferrari made its way to the modern era, the brand seemed to have lost a little bit of itself. The Ferrari LaFerrari was a modern incarnation of a supercar. The car wasn’t all that unique, but with over 900 HP, it was extremely powerful.

The Ferrari LaFerrari is one of the shining points of the Ferrari lineup, but it isn’t a car the everyday owner would want to own. The Ferrari LaFerrari had a lot of issues, and the reliability and drivability make the car way too extreme.

17. Pagani Huayra

Another extreme car was the Pagani Huayra, a supercar that needs no introduction. What made the Pagani Huayra so unique was the fiberglass enclosure and radical design. When you think of a supercar that’s this expensive, the Huayra might just be at the top of the food chain.

However, there were also issues with the design and implementation of the Huayra. To pack an engine that powerful into a fiberglass sports car created problems. Other aspects of this car made it unusable in the long run, so the Huayra is just another piece of expensive sports car history.

16. Mercedes SLK-AMG

During the early 2000s, a renaissance of different sports cars was hitting the market. The Mercedes SLK-AMG was one of these interesting cars that made consumers pause. That was, in the first rendition, but toward the middle of the decade, the car became an unimaginative piece of metal. Although there was a glimpse of the Mercedes SLK-AMG with the powerful V12 in earlier forms, the car was quickly overshadowed by other models on the market.

For a short time, Mercedes lost its luster and appeal for consumers by creating a sports car that was far from viable. The SLK-AMG did manage to garner a good deal of attention with its celebrity clientele, but that was it.

15. Dodge Viper

The Viper has been around since 1992, but in 2017, Dodge decided to discontinue it. To produce the Viper, Dodge crammed a massive V12 engine into a sports car, creating a legend. The latter years of the Viper were increasingly hard because the car failed to capture the market. Less-expensive models offering a comfortable amount of horsepower quickly outdid the Viper.

Also, the V12 engine was so powerful, it wasn’t a practical choice for most consumers. However, the Dodge Viper will go down in history for Dodge. But to improve the ownership aspects of the Viper, they could have designed the car better.

14. Alfa Romeo 4C

When they reintroduced the Alfa Romeo brand to the American market, there was a good deal of hype. Alfa Romeo presented the 4C, which was a powerful addition to the roadster market at the time. But as the years went on, the 4C failed to keep up with its competition. Even though the 4C is attractive in terms of performance, its price point far outweighs its fun factor.

Alfa Romeo is a company that’s famous for creating fun-to-drive roadsters, but in the long run, the 4C was a lackluster choice. The 4C could have been a great roadster. However, its uninspiring design and performance made it the laughingstock of the performance car world.

13. Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class

All Mercedes roadsters that have come out in recent years are lacking something. Whether it be the performance aspects or just the idea, they fail to offer the best driving experience anymore. It would appear that the SLC-Class is trying to build on some of the road-worthiness of other Mercedes models on the market. The problem is, when you compare the power and features to other cars, they don’t compare.

The SLC-Class comes in a variety of cool exterior colors and the styling is attractive. However, the SLC-Class doesn’t stand up to other exotic sports cars on the market because of the lack of design features.

12. Audi S3

Believe it or not, the S3 is more than just a compact sports sedan. It also has some unique features, such as a powerful engine. The Quattro drivetrain makes the car exhilarating drive, but when you compare it to other German cars, the S3 falls short. In fact, Audi has been working to redo the S3 to make it a more competitive offering. But with sports cars from brands such as Volvo hitting the light, the S3 is just another drop in the bucket.

The S3 Quattro could benefit from some upgraded features. Also, with better design aspects, the S3 could be a highly-desirable offering and another piece of the Audi puzzle.

11. Cadillac CTS-V

When you drop a Corvette V8 engine into a Cadillac, you make every gear head’s dream come true. The CTS-V has been a sales success for the GM brand because of its sheer power and presence. But after all this time, the sedan has become a bit aged compared to other sports cars on the market. Today, most automakers are moving away from big-block V8s to the more supercharged and turbocharged options. Sadly, the CTS-V is lacking most of the design aspects that could have made the car more appealing.

Even the current CTS-V is a dated sports sedan when you compare it to other models. Cramming an expensive V8 engine into a luxury car isn’t the norm anymore. However, for its price on the used car market, the CTS-V is still an affordable sedan.

10. Nissan GT-R

When you think of legendary sports cars, the Nissan GT-R is at the top. For years, car enthusiasts have imported them across the ocean. But the time has come for a refresh since the GTR in its current form is almost a decade old. For Nissan fans, it’s fun to wonder what will be in store for the next generation.

The Nissan GT-R could be one of the top sports cars on the market, but the brand needs to re-do things. The car has become dated, and for the high price tag, there are better offerings on the table.

9. Nissan 370Z

The 370Z is stale and lackluster when it comes to the design. Nissan has held off on updating this current model, which currently dates back to 2009. The world is a whole different place now, so the 370Z is in rapid need of a facelift.

The sad thing is that the Z car used to be a titan in the sports car world. When Nissan presented the 370Z during the 2003 model year, there was a huge amount of fanfare. But when it comes to an expensive sports car, the 370Z is rapidly becoming outdated.

8. Acura NSX

The Acura brand was one of the original Japanese luxury carmakers to hit the American market. Over time, the other brands like Lexus and Infiniti have been competing with the automaker on a higher level. The NSX has always been an exotic car, although it was never fully realized like other models.

The current NSX is a physically-attractive car with a beautiful exterior. But the overall mechanics of the car could still use a boost in power and performance.

The Acura NSX needs an update because the car has already become outdated by far better options on the road. The NSX is fun to drive, but there are less expensive models that are better to drive and look more modern as well.

7. BMW Z4

BMW has hit a lot of roadblocks in the last few years with some models that weren’t well-received. The Z4 is the evolution of the compact roadsters BMW has been selling for years. The roadster is a great driver’s car, but over the years it has become aged and lacks new, modern features. A roadster in this price range should have a lot more power to compete with other cars in its class.

The Z4 has come a long way, but the roadster hasn’t changed much over the last few decades. When it comes to a capable roadster, the BMW Z4 could use a makeover. That’s why the brand is trying to innovate other cars in its lineup.

6. Audi TT

Audi has undergone many changes during the last few decades, however, one car that has remained constant is the TT. When Audi released the TT at the dawn of the decade, there were a lot of positives to the coupe. But the Audi TT has retained the same look and design for almost 20 years, so it’s time for an upgrade. The TT offers a lot of benefits. But to remain viable, the Audi TT needs to modernize, and rumor has it that the next generation might be electric.

Audi will probably present a new generation TT in the next few years, but right now, the car remains the same. The Audi TT could use a boost in performance, too. Otherwise, this is just an expensive sports car that needs a makeover to remain in Audi’s product line.

5. Mercedes-Benz GT

When the Mercedes-Benz GT entered the car market, it offered a good deal of performance that consumers didn’t expect from a Mercedes. In fact, the GT has come a long way in a few short years, and with minimal updates. The gullwing design is still new on Mercedes vehicles. Performance-wise, the GT is a great sports car, but for the price, you could find a sports car that provides much more driving exhilaration.

Although Mercedes engineering is precision-based, the car has become obsolete in the world of expensive sports cars. So Mercedes plans to do some upgrades to the GT to keep it competitive. Most Mercedes GT fans can’t wait to see what they will offer in the near future.

4. Jaguar F-Type

The Jaguar brand was on a downward spiral at the start of the new millennium. However, with a few additions to the lineup, the design and performance returned to Jaguar. The F-Type is a unique car in a lot of aspects, so it has taken over for the previous Jaguar sports coupes. The current generation F-Type retains the sportiness and sophistication of a Jaguar.

The current F-Type is lacking a modern feel when you compare it to other models. The supercharged V8 engine could use an upgrade as well as new exterior styling to keep it competitive.

3. BMW 8-Series

The BMW brand has come a long way in terms of design and quality. Although a good deal of design elements went into the 8-series to make it a performance sedan, it’s become stale. There are so many powerful sedans on the market now that the 8-series pales in comparison. The 8-Series is a powerful performer when you look at the specs, so an upgrade would be worth BMW’s time and effort.

There have been many 8-series models to enter the market in the past, but they designed the current model for the tracks. The four-door design makes the sedan modern, so there has never been a better time for an update.

2. Hyundai Veloster

The Veloster is on this list because it’s not some budget run-of-the-mill sports car. Hyundai has been pushing the Veloster for almost 10 years now, but the car has become quite dated because it retained its signature design. The Veloster is a tough car to upgrade because it’s a four-door sedan Hyundai designed to look like a coupe.

The current Veloster also needs some mechanical tweaking. The turbocharged engine has had many reliability issues over the years. In addition to other Hyundai cars on the market, the Veloster is among one of the most problematic.

1. Dodge Challenger

The new Dodge Challenger debuted in 2010 to much fanfare as the first V8-powered Dodge sports car in a long time. At first, drivers complained that the car was heavy and lacked many features. Currently, the Challenger has become outdated among other cars on the market. There are special-edition models that have come and gone, but the base Challenger needs a design facelift. The Challenger will be getting one in the future, which hopefully, will make it competitive again.

For the price of the Challenger, there are other more performance-oriented sports cars on the market. The Challenger also needs an upgrade to the platform, which has made it a dated model. These are 40 expensive sports cars drivers should avoid like the plague. Have you ever owned one of these? Many people know someone who has endured the disappointment of driving one of these sports cars.