In an ideal world, the perfect body combines with the perfect engine to create the perfect sports car. For consumer vehicles, a lot of thought goes into platform, profitability and consumer tastes. Sports cars are often passion projects. This means there is more room for failure.
The engine is the most important part of a vehicle. A dull suspension is manageable. However, if your engine breaks down every two weeks, or is underpowered for the car, the car will not get any love from you.
Sports cars are meant to push the limits of engineering. Manufacturers use them as test platforms to improve their consumer vehicles. Sometimes, it just doesn’t work. The manufacturers get the design, but not so much the engine. In this list, we look at the best-looking and best-driving sports cars with terrible engines.
10 Ferrari Testarossa (Ferrari Tipo 180 degree V12)
Ferrari’s flagship at the time, many fans were disappointed by the Testarossa. It was critically acclaimed as the most beautiful car of the 80s and is a certified icon. However, most people who drive and own it will tell you that it drives terribly.
The engine plays an important role in this. The V12 is heavier than previous Ferraris and forced Ferrari to squish the transmission under the engine. A higher center of gravity means more body roll and bad cornering, everything we know about the Testarossa.
9 BMW M1 (3.5 liter M88/1 Straight-6)
The first M car. Designed by Giugetto Guigiaro, the elegant appearance of the M1 is more reminiscent of the Lamborghini Countach than a BMW. When it comes to the engine, it is underpowered and unreliable. Powered by a BMW inline-six, the engine produces 273bhp and gives the M1 a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds. In today’s money, it would have retailed for $450,000.
It was manufactured for 3 years between 1978 and 1981 before being discontinued. Today, the M1 is a classic car, mainly because it is the first BMW M car.
8 Pontiac Fiero (LR8 2.5 liter straight-4)
92 hp. That’s all the Pontiac Fiero LR8 got out of it. Although it looks like a Ferrari, it is the furthest thing from a Ferrari. GM opted for this block of iron instead of developing a new engine. Old school carburetor fuel injection and overhead valve design kept the power down.
The Fiero would start Pontiac’s decline. Regardless, the Fiero’s body remains highly regarded among car enthusiasts, with many opting to swap out the underpowered Pontiac engine for an LS3.
7 Porsche 924 (2.0 liter VW Straight-4)
The oil crisis of the 1970s left consumers in need of budget cars. When Porsche launched the 924, consumers, critics, were disappointed. A 2.0-liter inline-four produces 95 hp and gives the 924 a 0-60 mph time of 8.2 seconds.
Of course, the 924 Turbo would revive the platform and produce 177 hp, relegating the base 924 to history. However, the fuel economy and sleek body shape made the car quite popular among sports car enthusiasts.
6 Aston Martin Vantage Le Mans (5.3 liter V8)
The Le Mans version of the Virage Vantage from the 1990s. It increased power from 500 hp to 600 hp with twin turbochargers and added a wide body profile. Sure, it was quick with a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds.
Reliability is the main issue with this engine. The increase in power made these engines notoriously reliable. The car is quite rare with 60 models produced. So parts availability makes it a nightmare to own.
5 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA (5.7 liter LT1 V8)
Sold between 1992 and 2002, this was the fourth and final generation of the Trans Am. The flat body and hood made it look modern, while it was one of the last cars to retain the pop-up headlights. However, early models retained an LT1 V8, the C5 Corvette engine, with 305 hp.
The engine was underpowered for a 3500 pound car. It was upgraded later in the car’s life cycle, but only with 30 hp.
4 Ford Mustang (255 Windsor V8)
1979 brought a second oil crisis for American automakers. The larger 5.0-liter V8 was discontinued in favor of a smaller 4.2-liter V8. This engine only produces 120 hp.
Given its 0-60 mph time of under 10 seconds, Ford only used the platform for 2 more years. They took the muscle out of a muscle car. Of course, it’s still loved by the car community for its low and strong looks.
3 BMW i8 (BMW 1.5 liter 3 cylinders)
The spiritual successor to the BMW M1. BMW produced the i8 to bring dynamism to its new line of electric products. The scissor doors, sharp lines and aggressive looks make it stand out.
However, instead of opting for an all-electric powertrain, the i8 uses a 369-hp 1.5-liter 3-cylinder and an electric range extender. With a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds, it’s relatively slow when combined with its supercar looks.
2 Koenigsegg CCR (Ford Modular V8)
Koenigsegg makes some of the fastest hypercars on the market. However, every car company has to start somewhere. Designed by Christian Von Koenigsegg, the CCR uses an 800 hp Ford Modular V8.
Dihedral doors and slim profile improve aerodynamics. Although the engine was modified compared to the CC8S, it is quite unreliable due to the high power it produces. Twin superchargers increase the internal pressure of the engine.
1 Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86 (D-4S Boxer-4)
After a 10-year hiatus, Toyota returned to the sports car scene with the GT86. Critics praised the look. Toyota took some styling cues for the sharp headlights from its Lexus brand. However, the engine was a Subaru boxer-4.
Tuning was done by Toyota, but it doesn’t help the engine much. With a 0-60mph time of 6.4 seconds and just 200bhp, the car is underpowered. Sure, the tuning potential is there since the engine is naturally aspirated, but the stock experience just isn’t good enough.
Sources: Manufacturer Pages, Consumer Reports, Owner Forums, Top Gear.
