Style Did the Heavy Lifting
The 1980s gave us some seriously memorable car design, and even if you weren’t from the era, you knew to expect pop-up headlights and leather-lined grand tourers. The problem is that a good-looking car doesn’t always feel good from behind the wheel, and plenty of ’80s stars proved that the hard way. These 20 vehicles had the poster appeal, but once you actually drove them, the fantasy lost its horsepower.
1. DeLorean DMC-12
You didn’t have to drive it—you just knew about the DeLorean DMC-12. Unfortunately, its Peugeot-Renault-Volvo V6 didn’t deliver the kind of performance its stainless-steel body promised, and the car felt heavier and slower than its shape suggested. You could still love the gullwing doors, but the experience was driving a far less thrilling sports car.
2. Ferrari Mondial 8
The Ferrari Mondial 8 had the badge. It had a mid-engine layout and enough Italian style to make people stare. Then you drove it. That’s all it took to realize the early 3.0-liter V8 was underwhelming, especially for something wearing a Ferrari emblem. It also had a reputation for fussy maintenance and awkward ergonomics, so the dream got expensive before it got exciting.
3. Maserati Biturbo
The Maserati Biturbo had so much cool stuff: crisp lines, a luxury cabin, and a name that meant business. Sadly, the twin-turbo V6 was wrapped in fragile electrics and an inconsistent build quality. When it was working well, it had charm, but when it wasn’t, you spent more time explaining it than enjoying it.
4. Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV
Few cars from the ’80s looked crazier than the Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV. Just look at it, with its scissor doors and bedroom-wall presence. Sure enough, it was brutal to drive in normal conditions, all thanks to heavy steering, poor rear visibility, and awkward pedal placement.
Charles from Port Chester, New York on Wikimedia
5. Aston Martin Lagonda
The Aston Martin Lagonda had a long, low shape that made it look like a luxury spaceship than anything else. Inside, though, the futuristic digital dashboard and touch-sensitive controls weren’t as impressive as they looked, instead behaving exactly like early electronics did.
Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands on Wikimedia
6. Cadillac Allanté
The Allanté looked like Cadillac wanted to fight Mercedes, and it drove like the obvious loser. Oh, sure, it had a sleek Pininfarina-designed body and just enough European flair to make it stand out from the rest of Cadillac’s lineup, but early versions were held back by front-wheel drive manners and a not-so-sporty V8.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
7. 1984 Chevrolet Corvette
What’s crazy about the 1984 Corvette is that it looked like a proper reset for America’s sports car. It had clean lines and a digital cockpit—serious showroom drama. The thing is, its Cross-Fire Injection V8 wasn’t smooth or powerful by later Corvette standards, and the stiff suspension could make rough roads a serious adventure.
8. Pontiac Fiero
The Pontiac Fiero had all the makings of a star, mainly a mid-engine layout and a wedge-shaped body that made it much more exotic than its price tag. Well, early cars were stuck with modest four-cylinder power and suspension pieces borrowed from less glamorous GM hardware, so the driving experience didn’t live up to the theatrics.
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada on Wikimedia
9. Chrysler TC By Maserati
Admittedly, the Chrysler TC wasn’t awful, but it drove with far less distinction than its badge suggested. It looked elegant in a soft, boulevard-cruiser sort of way, but the issue was that many buyers noticed it felt too close to Chrysler’s cheaper K-car relatives, despite the fancy name.
10. Renault Fuego
The Renault Fuego had smooth coupe styling that looked modern in an era full of hard angles. So, an easy win, right? Well, not so fast. Its ride could be comfortable, but the handling and long-term durability didn’t always make it feel like a true driver’s car.
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand on Wikimedia
11. Ford EXP
What’s so devastating about the Ford EXP is that it looked fun, but the engine didn’t exactly keep up with appearances. Overall, this bad boy had sporty two-seat styling that made it seem like a small, affordable coupe with some attitude. Underneath, though, it was closely related to the Escort, which meant the performance was modest and the handling wasn’t nearly as sharp as drivers hoped.
12. Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate
The Alfa Romeo Spider Graduate had a lovely Italian roadster profile, and by the ’80s, it carried plenty of old-school charm. How we wish that were enough! Its aging platform and notchy controls made it incredibly dated compared with newer sports cars, and you had to be very forgiving.
13. Jaguar XJ-S V12
Depending on what you wanted, the Jaguar XJ-S V12 could have been cool; its biggest issue was that it was better at covering distance in style. It had the sort of presence that made it look expensive even when parked, which sounded good until you hit the road. In reality, it was heavy, complicated, and not as crisp as buyers expected.
14. Dodge Daytona Turbo Z
The Dodge Daytona Turbo Z had the right ’80s ingredients: a sloped nose, pop-up headlights, bold graphics, and turbocharged confidence. It all sounded like a home run! Push it hard, however, and you’d run into a cabin that reminded you this was still a budget-minded Chrysler.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
15. Subaru XT
The Subaru XT looked wonderfully strange, with its funny little wedge profile and aircraft-inspired details. If only the driving were as good. The whole experience could feel oddly detached, especially with modest power and steering that didn’t always communicate much. It was a brave design, but that didn’t make it satisfying.
16. Lotus Esprit Turbo
When it came to the Lotus Esprit Turbo, you could admire it deeply—you just didn’t depend on it. It could be quick and balanced when everything was right, but between the cramped cabin, heavy controls, and the famous Lotus fragility, this car made everyday driving way too demanding.
17. Merkur XR4Ti
The Merkur XR4Ti had European Ford Sierra styling, and in the American market, it arrived with a confusing brand name. It also showed up with uneven refinement and a driving feel that didn’t always match the performance. It was interesting enough, but the full package was less polished.
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada on Wikimedia
18. Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
The Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z had the stance, stripes, and attitude that made it one of the decade’s most recognizable pony cars. Sadly, that didn’t save it. The ride could be rough, the cabin felt cheap in places, and some versions were quicker in looks than they were in real acceleration.
19. Ferrari Testarossa
The Ferrari Testarossa was one of the defining supercars of the ’80s, complete with enough visual drama to stop traffic. Actually driving one, however, was a different story; it was wide, heavy at low speeds, and not exactly friendly on the visibility side.
20. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo
Ah, the Pontiac Firebird. It was mean, it was low, and it was unmistakably ’80s. Turns out, that’s not always a good thing! The turbocharged V6 had some appeal, but less-than-seamless power delivery kept it from feeling as strong as the styling promised.
