In the world of sports cars, what’s hot today can easily become a flop tomorrow. We have a list of 24 sports cars that used to turn heads but don’t quite get the same attention anymore. Whether it’s because of old designs or being outshined by newer models, this is why these cars went from cool to “meh.”
Cadillac Cimarron
Cadillac tried to shake things up with the Cimarron, aiming to snag some younger, well-off buyers. What they rolled out was pretty much a Chevy Cavalier in a tux. From 1982 to 1988, they pushed nearly 133,000 of these onto the streets, hoping the Cadillac badge would do the trick.
But let’s be honest: dressing up a budget ride with a luxury logo didn’t fool anyone. Sure, it was a brave move, but it ended up a clear miss in Cadillac’s history.
Lincoln Mark V
The Lincoln Mark V hit the scene from 1977 to 1979 as the king of coupes, complete with a V8 and enough metal to make it Ford’s largest two-door cruiser. This beast was all about excess, stretching out longer than any parking space would like.
Despite its “bold” presence, it got flak for being more of a land yacht than a sleek ride. It’s a classic case of “they don’t make ’em like they used to” — probably for good reason.
Ford Mustang (Fourth Gen)
The fourth-gen Mustang, rolling out from ’94 to ’04, had big shoes to fill following the Fox body era. It brought us the incredible SVT Cobra but also stumbled with a facelift in ’99 that didn’t quite hit the mark.
The New Edge design sharpened its looks but left the interior stuck in the ’90s. Base models packed a 3.8-liter V6, pushing 145 horsepower, while the V8 option upped the game to 215 horsepower.
Hyundai Tiburon
The Hyundai Tiburon was the go-to for anyone wanting a sporty ride without breaking the bank. Back in the day, dropping about 18 grand got you a pretty sweet deal: sport seats, a solid stereo, and some nifty wheels, all powered by a 138-horsepower engine.
Splurge a bit more, and you’re looking at leather and a beefier V6. But, let’s face it, the Tiburon’s design hasn’t aged gracefully.
Dodge Charger (1st Gen)
The first-gen Dodge Charger, from ’66 to ’67, was a bit of a miss. Dodge took a basic Coronet, threw on a fastback roof, and called it a day. The result? A car that tried too hard to be something it wasn’t. With its base 318 V8 and styling that could generously be called “unique,” it didn’t exactly set the sales charts on fire.
Pontiac Grand Am GT
The Pontiac Grand Am GT was a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, you had a midsize sedan that could make your commute fun, thanks to its Ram-Air V6 pushing 170 horsepower. But on the other hand, it was plagued by a plasticky interior and safety scores that left much to be desired. Sold from ’99 to ’05, the Grand Am GT had its moment in the sun, but as time went on, its flaws became more apparent.
Ford Thunderbird
The last hurrah for the Ford Thunderbird was a nod to the retro craze, sporting a look that reminds us of the ’50s, and not in a good way. On paper, it had the makings of a hit: a cool convertible with a decently powerful 4.0-liter V8 under the hood.
But let’s not sugarcoat it; the Thunderbird’s charm wore off quickly once you got up close and personal. The interior felt cheap, and practicality was thrown out the convertible top.
Chevrolet Camaro
Before it took a breather and came back revamped in 2010, the Chevrolet Camaro was stuck in a time warp. It was the quintessential American muscle car that forgot to evolve, clinging to ’90s design cues like a safety blanket. Sure, it had the muscle, but it was like watching your favorite action hero refuse to retire gracefully.
When it returned, it was clear how much the old model was showing its age. The new Camaro made the old one look like a relic, proving that sometimes, a little time off is exactly what you need to get back in the game.
Toyota Celica
The Toyota Celica’s final bow fully embraced the Y2K vibe with a look that screamed “future!” But as the years rolled by, that future started to look more and more like a dated snapshot. It wasn’t just the looks; the Celica was a performer with engines that could pump out up to 180 horsepower.
Yet, driving one now feels a bit like showing up to a party in full ’00s gear—fun for a throwback moment, but maybe not your daily driver.
Stutz Blackhawk
The Stutz Blackhawk was like the wild child of the ’70s luxury car scene. Picture this: an ultra-lux car that’s a cocktail of design excess, sporting angles that could give you a paper cut, side pipes for days, and a V8 that was more about guzzling gas than tearing up the asphalt.
And yet, it was the go-to ride for the who’s who of that era. Elvis kicked off the trend, and from there, it was a veritable who’s who of celebrities lining up to get their hands on this… let’s call it an “acquired taste.”
Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar took a hard left from its Thunderbird roots, diving into the front-wheel-drive world and leaving some fans scratching their heads. It tried to don the New Edge design with some flair, but it was a bit of a letdown beneath the skin. The materials felt cheap, and reliability was more a hope than an expectation.
The engines, peaking at 170 horsepower, didn’t exactly scream “sports coupe,” and driving it felt like you were always asking for a bit more than it could give.
Acura 3.2 CL
Following the legendary Acura Legend Coupe, the Acura 3.2 CL had some big shoes to fill. It aimed high with luxury and speed, especially in the Type S trim, but stumbled with a reputation for unreliability that was hard to ignore.
The automatic transmission in these cars was famously fragile, turning what should have been a solid luxury coupe into a gamble. It’s a shame because when it was working, it was pretty fun to drive. Fast forward to today, and finding one that’s not a ticking time bomb for a reasonable price is like striking gold.
Mitsubishi Eclipse (Third Gen)
The third-gen Mitsubishi Eclipse rolled out in 2000, swapping the sleek curves of its predecessors for a look that, well, didn’t quite know what it was aiming for.
Based on the Galant sedan, this Eclipse tried to blend in but ended up standing out for the wrong reasons. It had a 2.4-liter engine with 155 horsepower. It sounds okay until you realize the interior felt like it was picked out of a bargain bin at Chrysler.
Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor
The Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor was a gutsy move to win over the youth with something a bit more wallet-friendly. It packed a 2.3-liter supercharged engine that was good for 190 horsepower, but let’s not kid ourselves — it wasn’t setting any land-speed records.
The real kicker was its hatchback design and the fact that, despite being a Benz, you could end up with a cloth interior.
Ferrari F40
The Ferrari F40 is like the rock star of the car world: legendary and iconic, but not without its drawbacks. This beast screamed minimalism, with Ferrari taking the “less is more” approach to the extreme.
Sure, it had a turbocharged V8 pushing out 478 horsepower, which was mind-blowing at the time. But step inside, and you’re met with an interior that’s more garage project than Gran Turismo. Nowadays, even mid-tier sedans can match its power without sacrificing comfort.
Aston Martin Vanquish
The Aston Martin Vanquish burst onto the scene as a real head-turner, the kind of car that could make James Bond do a double-take. With its jaw-dropping looks and a 6-liter V12 engine pumping out 465 horsepower, it promised to be the epitome of a luxury GT cruiser. However, its beauty and power were let down by an old-fashioned paddle-shift transmission that made every gear change feel like an eternity.
Mazda Miata NA
The Mazda Miata NA took the sports car world by storm, channeling the spirit of the Lotus Élan into a package that was all about pure driving fun. Its 116 horsepower 1.6-liter engine wouldn’t break any speed records, but it could deliver some fun.
Fast forward, and the lack of modern comforts that once defined its minimalist charm now leaves it feeling a bit behind the times.
DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean DMC-12, with its iconic stainless steel body and gullwing doors, is more famous for its movie roles than its performance as a sports car. Despite its futuristic looks, the DMC-12 struggled with poor build quality and an engine that seemed more at home in a slow dance than a sprint.
Subaru XT
When Subaru rolled out the XT in ’85, it was like they threw the design rulebook out the window. This car had more angles than a high school math quiz, making it stand out, but not necessarily in a good way.
With its cockpit that borrowed more from an ’80s sci-fi flick than anything on the road, complete with a steering wheel that looked like it was designed on a dare, the XT was different, to say the least. Under the hood, the 2-liter turbo engine was promising on paper but didn’t quite deliver, churning out a modest 115 horsepower.
Nissan GT-R
The Nissan GT-R, also known as “Godzilla,” burst onto the scene in 2007, setting the standard for what a sports car could be with its cutting-edge tech and a turbocharged V6 engine that left competitors in the dust. But fast forward, and the GT-R’s age is starting to show.
Despite numerous tweaks and performance boosts over the years, it’s still rocking the same look and feel inside. Now pushing 600 horsepower in its NISMO variant, it’s an impressive machine that sadly feels like it’s stuck in the past.
MG Midget
The MG Midget is a classic case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” taken a bit too literally. This pint-sized roadster chugged along with minimal updates until 1980, clinging to technology and design that was already considered old school when it first hit the market.
With its tiny engine that barely squeezed out 50 horsepower in later models, the Midget was never going to set the world on fire with its performance.
Lotus Esprit Turbo S3
The Lotus Esprit Turbo S3 is like that one friend who refuses to upgrade their flip phone. It’s a marvel on the track—a lightweight speedster proving you don’t need a monster engine to fly. But take a closer look, and you’ll see a car that’s been hitting the parts bin harder than a kid in a candy store.
Rover tail lights? Check. Morris Marina door handles? Got ’em. And let’s not even start on the Renault gearbox that’s about as smooth as a gravel road.
Mitsubishi FTO GR
The Mitsubishi FTO GR was supposed to be the cool, new version of the 3000GT and the Lancer Evo, but it ended up feeling more awkward than anything. With a front-wheel-drive setup and a 2-liter V6 pushing out 168 horsepower, it wasn’t exactly the adrenaline pump Mitsubishi fans were hoping for.
Chevrolet Corvette C4
The Corvette C4 rolled out as the cool new kid of the ’80s, flaunting a look that broke away from the past. With its use of aluminum and a fresh V8, it was set to conquer the world. Then you sit inside, and bam, you’re hit with a dashboard that’s more like a calculator watch than a luxury sports car. The digital displays and square designs scream the ’80s in a way that not even nostalgia can make cool again.
Josh Clark
