24 Classic Cars That Will Drain Your Wallet
Many of us gearheads are passionate about classic cars. Even restoring or modifying them can be therapeutic.
Not all classic cars are created equal, though. Some models are a complete waste of time and money.
Whether it’s because they’re too complex, terribly built, the parts are rare and expensive, or infinite amounts of rust, or something else entirely, the following 24 cars have earned a spot on this list.
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Shadow in 1965, and it remained in production until 1980. Back then, cars didn’t have all the fancy electronics and gadgets we’re used to today, so luxury meant premium materials, an abundance of space, and a plush ride.
The hand-built Silver Shadow is packed with complex solutions that require expertise and usually a stack of cash to fix. Parts are also expensive and hard to come by, and finding someone willing to work on it can be challenging. Silver Shadows may be cheap to purchase, but it costs a fortune to keep them running.
Jaguar XJS
Jaguar has built some of the most breathtaking sports cars, but it’s fair to say that they messed up when it was time to replace the gorgeous E-Type. Compared to its predecessor, the XJS wasn’t a beauty, but it did have a 5.3-liter V12 producing 285-hp.
The engine itself isn’t a major cause for concern, but the electronics and vacuum lines are the stuff of nightmares. Good luck keeping it running for long periods of time. In addition, the XJS suffers from corrosion and leaks, and some have been known to catch fire.
Honda CRX Del Sol
Having personally owned one, I can testify that the Del Sol can be tons of fun with the right modifications. However, it’s also riddled with problems, some of which are nigh on impossible to fix.
The main issue is the leaky roof. You can replace all the rubbers and seals with brand-new (and expensive) ones from Honda, but water will dribble back into the cabin before long. Speaking of the interior, it has a cheap feel and is noisy, even for its time. Other issues, such as warped brake discs, can be fixed with aftermarket parts. Still, don’t buy one unless you have a garage or it never rains where you live.
Mitsubishi 3000GT
Mitsubishi built the 3000GT to be its flagship model. It was extremely technologically advanced, packing features that didn’t become standard until many years later. That tech is also its downfall now that it’s getting old.
Due to wear and tear, parts will eventually fail with time. Unless you can fix it yourself, things can get very expensive very fast. Parts aren’t cheap, the engine bay is cramped, and shops will charge you a fortune. As much as we love Japanese cars, the models from this era can be a nightmare to work on when things break.
1974 Pontiac GTO
In 1964, Pontiac popularized the muscle car segment with its now-legendary GTO. Ten years later, the GTO was a mere shadow of its former self, thanks to the oil crisis and emissions standards of the Malaise Era.
Looks-wise, the 1974 Pontiac GTO is nowhere near as attractive as the earlier models. Under the hood, there’s a 350ci V8 with 200-hp, so it’s not exactly powerful either. Of course, swapping in a modern LS engine is possible, but it’s just a waste of time and money, as you’ll likely never see a return when you sell it.
Camaro Iron Duke
Towards the end of the Malaise Era, V8 engines had been neutered to such an extent that they were now wholly lethargic. In 1982, the Z8 Camaro, the most powerful version with a 5.0-liter V8, only had 145hp. You’d think that was bad enough, but Chevy took things a step further.
Fitted with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder Iron Duke engine, the Camaro only mustered 90-hp and had a 3-speed slushbox. Zero to 60 mph took 20 seconds, which is laughably slow in what’s supposed to be a performance car.
Ford Mustang II
Ford’s Mustang practically invented the pony car segment, but the second-gen Mustang was nowhere near as good as its predecessor. Granted, it arrived during the Malaise Era, and in its defense, it was very popular at the time.
Buying one today is a total waste of money, though. Even if you swap its underpowered engine for something more palatable, it’s like putting lipstick on a pig. It’s hideous, poorly built, and will never be worth the money you put into it.
Toyota Sera
Toyota produces millions of cars every year, but few are as quirky as the Sera, which debuted in 1990. Interestingly, its butterfly doors inspired the ones fitted to the McLaren F1.
Unlike the F1, the Sera wasn’t packing a serious powerplant. Instead, it had to make do with a 1.5-liter that sent a paltry 108 ponies to the front wheels. Its weak engine isn’t the only reason you should avoid it, as it tends to have severe rust issues. While its bubble-like glass canopy may look cool, it’s the opposite of cool — the cabin gets excruciatingly hot during the day, and there’s nowhere to hide from the sun.
Suzuki X-90
We have no idea what Suzuki’s designers and executives were thinking when they created the X-90, and we’re pretty sure they don’t know, either. Is it an SUV? A sports car? Who knows what this style of car might be called?
What we do know is that the X-90 had a penchant for flipping over when pushed too hard. Perhaps it was a good thing that it only had 95-hp? Luckily, it’s mostly forgotten today, and the only time it should be remembered is when it’s used as an example in a cautionary tale.
AMC Pacer
In its heyday, AMC built some fantastic vehicles and set multiple speed records. Most people seem to forget that, and instead, they only remember the brand for weird models such as the AMC Gremlin and Pacer.
Unless you’re a massive Wayne’s World enthusiast and want to build a Mirthmobile replica, steer clear of the Pacer. Apart from its questionable design, it also suffers from several reliability issues, including mechanical failures.
Fiat X1/9
Even today, Fiats are known for their questionable build quality, and the modern cars are way better than the brand’s classic models. The Fiat X1/9 could’ve been great, as it was an affordable mid-engined sports car styled by Bertone.
Unfortunately, it had a weak 1.3-liter engine that suffered frequent breakdowns due to overheating. Later, it was replaced by a marginally more powerful 1.5-liter. It also came with severe rust problems, so at least it made itself lighter to compensate for the lack of power.
Maserati Biturbo
Another Italian car! We won’t deny that the Maserati Biturbo looks stylish. It also has a plush and luxurious leather interior most gearheads would love to spend some time in. Pop the hood, and you’ll find an exquisite 2.5-liter V6 with a pair of turbos, producing 185-hp — very respectable at the time. So why is it a waste of money?
This is one of the least reliable Italian cars ever made! Maserati decided to use a Weber carburetor to feed the biturbo machine, even though fuel injection had been around for years. The Maserati Biturbo also suffers from severe corrosion, electrical issues, and poor interior quality. If you buy one, get one in black, so you can refer to it as the black hole that sucks the money out of your wallet.
Ford Pinto
In the 1970s, consumers wanted small cars that offered excellent fuel economy, and Ford decided to give the people what they wanted. From 1971 to 1980, when the Pinto was discontinued, Ford sold over 3 million Pintos.
However, the Pinto wasn’t as successful as it sounds. Ford decided to sell the car knowing it had a fuel tank flaw that could cause it to catch fire if it was involved in an accident. It cost Ford millions, and most gearheads won’t touch one today.
Triumph Stag
These days, the Triumph name is attached to some exquisite motorcycles, but the British brand used to build sports cars, too. As cool and stylish as the open-top Triumph Stag looks, it’s best left alone unless you have some mechanical knowledge.
The Stag suffered from overheating and mechanical issues, which led to its discontinuation after just seven years on the market. Many enthusiasts still defend it, but that’s often the case with cars people are passionate about.
Aston Martin Lagonda
You need a very particular taste in cars in order to be attracted to the Aston Martin Lagonda. Surprisingly, the British carmaker built this wedge-shaped monstrosity from 1976 until 1989, but only 645 cars were made during that period.
It’s a flagship model, and opulence is the name of the game here, as the Lagonda is jam-packed with all the ‘70s and ‘80s tech owners could dream of. All this technology was fragile when it was new, and time hasn’t done it any favors. At least your mechanic will be happy when you keep lining his pockets with crispy dollar bills.
Cadillac Eldorado
Cadillacs are perhaps the epitome of American automotive luxury, and the Eldorado is one of the brand’s most famous models. Luckily, the world has changed a lot, and a massive land yacht with an underpowered engine and wallowy suspension is no longer considered luxurious.
Technically, one could argue that its flaws would make it the perfect candidate for a resto-mod overhaul, but if you’re going down that route, you may as well make it properly ridiculous and go full SLAB-style. A huge set of horns on top of the grille, air suspension, and spiked chariot-style rims. A waste of money, you say? Exactly!
DeLorean DMC-12
John DeLorean should’ve quit while he was ahead. During his years at GM, he managed the development of some of the most iconic vehicles, including the Pontiac GTO and Firebird.
On paper, the DeLorean DMC-12 was fantastic! It had a stainless steel body, gullwing doors, a rear-mounted engine, and a stylish wedge design. Unfortunately, it was shoddily built, horrible to drive, the PRV V6 engine was lethargic, and if the car flipped in an accident, the occupants were trapped inside due to the door design.
The only reason why anyone still wants a DeLorean is because of its appearance in the “Back to the Future” movie franchise.
Triumph TR7
With the TR7, Triumph strayed too far from what made its predecessor, the TR6 so popular. Whereas the TR6 looked like a traditional British sports car, the TR7 had a poorly executed wedge design.
While some people love its looks, it’s harder to accept that it suffers from poor build quality. The underpowered engine is known to develop oil leaks, the body has severe rust issues, and the brakes and suspension aren’t up to the job. Some of these issues can be quickly sorted, but at the end of the day, you’ll still own a mostly undesired car.
Saab 900 Turbo
Saab introduced the turbocharged 900 in the late 1970s, but it wasn’t until the mid-80s that its true potential was revealed. That’s when it received electronic boost control, an intercooler, and eight valves rather than four.
To be fair, it’s generally a very reliable car, but Saab is infamous for its complex engineering, and when something does break, it can be a headache to fix. In addition, the Swedish carmaker went bankrupt in 2011, and parts can be hard to find.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible
In 1988, the Indy 500 pace car was a convertible Oldsmobile Cutlass. Oldsmobile only built 50 of these before they were recalled and destroyed due to “certification issues.”
Two years later, the Cutlass Supreme Convertible re-emerged on the market, this time with a huge hoop in the middle. Apparently, the hoop was needed to provide anchor points for the door latches and the passive seat belts. GM claimed the hoop was only temporary, as the car would soon get an airbag. That never happened. Instead, they kept selling a vehicle with dubious structural integrity and lacking essential safety equipment.
Chrysler TC by Maserati
After practically saving Chrysler by himself, Lee Iacocca went too far when he thought a high-end luxury convertible using recycled parts was a good idea. He reached out to his friends at Maserati, a company that, at the time, was in severe trouble and known for its unreliable cars, to build this “wonderful” creation.
Based on the mass-produced K-car platform, it looked like an overpriced Chrysler LeBaron and was available with a handful of underpowered engines. Buying one essentially gets you a basic Chrysler with added Italian complexity.
NA Mazda Miata
This one may get us in trouble, but hear us out. First-gen Miata prices are currently rising, and finding a solid one without corrosion issues is getting harder.
Buying a rusty Miata can potentially be more work than its worth, and even if you sell it for top dollar, you won’t make a profit if you count the hours of labor you’ve put into it. That’s if you did the work yourself. If you hired someone, prepare to take a massive loss. If you find one in mint condition, or you just want a project, it may be worth it; otherwise, just get a later model.
Alfa Romeo GTV
Owners tend to have something of a love-hate relationship with Alfa Romeos. Being Italian, they’re temperamental, and things can suddenly stop working without warning. Then again, when everything works as it should, they’re the most rewarding cars on the planet.
Even if you find a GTV in great shape, it’ll require more TLC and maintenance than most cars from this era. If previous owners weren’t meticulous, you’ll likely need a Rogaine subscription, as you’ll pull your hair out frequently.
Alfa Romeo Spider
The last car on our list is also an Alfa Romeo, this time in the form of the iconic Spider. This two-seater roadster had a lengthy production run from 1966 to 1994. Early cars are plagued by typical Italian reliability issues, such as rust and poor electrics.
Later cars may or may not be better, but with the large plastic bumpers and other modern styling touches, they don’t look as good as the vintage models.
