Home Cars Popular Sports Cars That Were Built For The Junkyard
Cars

Popular Sports Cars That Were Built For The Junkyard

Cameron Eittreim November 3, 2021

Kia Forte Koup
Photo Credit: Kia

2: Kia Forte Koup

Kia is not shy when it comes to testing the waters with a new model. The company launched the Borego SUV in the middle of a recession. The Kia Forte Koup was the same concept, releasing a sports car when no one wants them. The naming of the car was bad enough, but the reliability of the car was even worse (via Cheers and Gears).

Kia Forte Koup
Photo Credit: Kia

There were numerous transmission failures that affected this car when it was brand new. The warranty Kia offers was a big help, but not enough. Buyers were not convinced to get the Forte Koup and Kia quietly discontinued the model. Kia still sells a two-door model, but it isn’t called the Koup anymore.

Photo Credit: Car Domain

1: Mercury Cougar

The final Mercury two-door was a failed endeavor for the brand. With the Ford executives seeking to appeal to female buyers, the Mercury Cougar was radically different. The car had all the lines you’d expect a Cougar to have. But there was no longer a V8 engine choice, and the car was no longer a luxury coupe (via ARFC).

Mercury Cougar
Photo Credit: Car Domain

Instead, Ford had hoped the redesigned Cougar would entice young professional women to go with the Mercury brand. Needless to say, the Cougar didn’t sell well. The final years for the car had some of the lowest production numbers to date. The Mercury brand was ultimately phased out a decade after this car was released.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Please wait 5 sec.