Reliability. It's one of the top priority considerations when you are picking which car you want to buy. Obviously, it is less of a concern when buying a brand new car from the factory because it usually comes with a manufacturer's warranty. However, once the warranty runs out, and you pick the wrong model, you could end up at serious financial risk.
Since most supercars have insanely expensive price tags, car enthusiasts will wait until supercars fall to an affordable range. Regrettably, manufacturers of cheap sports cars have been known to pay too much attention to aesthetics and horsepower while undermining build quality and reliability. Thus, it helps to know which cars weighed down with any of these issues to avoid.
We went digging and found ten supercars that are below $30,000 but are also extremely unreliable.
10 DeLorean DMC-12 - Doomed From The Beginning
Calling the DeLorean DMC-12 a supercar might be a bit of a stretch, but everything from its gullwing design to its marketing pointed towards it back in the '80s when it was new. The first entry on our list was doomed from the beginning. Many of us here first encountered the DeLorean DMC-12 in Back to The Future, a show we all loved. It was presumably a timeless car and left a long-lasting impression in our minds.
While the body design was spectacular, the car itself was a spectacular failure. The engines fitted in the car were overly underpowered, despite experimenting with various options. The company was doomed from the onset; thus, the resultant unavailability of parts will make this car a nightmare for anyone to drive around.
9 Cadillac XLR-V – Caddy Snapped
We understand it's frustrating for fans to hear that you shouldn't want to own one of Cadillac's most wonderful GT cars. This car perhaps doesn't wear Cadillac's "Art and Science" brand as much as it should.
The build isn't as solid as Cadillacs are reputed to be. You will find resounding shakiness in the cabin due to the engine, so much so that the window switches will vibrate and jerk independently. It has poor power delivery, and you can't feel that quickness of a true supercar while its handling leaves more to be desired, and with a teeny tiny trunk, it's barely practical.
8 Alfa Romeo GTV - Beautiful Failure
The GTV could perhaps be one of the most beautiful failures. The car has superior performance and has perfect weight balance for nice, accurate steering in true supercar fashion. But why would we advise you to stay away from this fun-to-drive?
Well, the GTV has reported cases of engine misfires, loss of power, and timing cam belt failures. Even in a decent mileage car, you could encounter regular oil leaks and rear suspension problems. In the end, it would cost you a fortune to keep this car up and running, and that's why you'd want to steer clear of it.
7 Ferrari 348 - The Widow Maker
Many collectors would disagree with our findings to include a Ferrari on this list. First of all, how is it possible to have a Ferrari under $30,000? Well, maybe not that low because it still bears the Ferrari brand, but several auctions have closed for less than $40,000. Why would we include it in this list?
When it first came out in 1989, journalists and enthusiasts were instantly in love with it. However, it gained a bad reputation for its widow-making behavior. When driven close to its limits, it turned into a vicious beast that scares everyone. It became the most controversial Ferrari ever and was even labeled the worst Ferrari product of all time.
6 Lotus Esprit - Keep Your Car Close And Your Mechanic Closer
If you saw a Lotus Esprit, you would wonder why it is in this price category for what it represents. It has impressive performance, doing 0-60 in just a touch over 4 sec, and hitting a top speed of 175 mph. Impressive, right? But we still advise you to keep off this masterpiece. Why?
It was reported to have poor build quality, and numerous reliability issues haunt owners now and then. Another common problem is overheating engines and failing timing belts. Don't be surprised if the cabin is filled with fumes because the oil tends to leak from the valve covers and causes this hazard.
5 BMW 850i - Message Of Doom
The BMW 850i is a close rival of the Porsche 911 but does go the extra mile to be lower and wider in supercar fashion in a way that the 911 can't. Back when they went into production, you could get it in either a V-12 or a V-8, which means enormous power as they can do 0-60 in less than 4 seconds.
However, it has common problems, such as the dreaded shimmy, cooling system problems in the radiator and fan, and vacuum leaks. But perhaps the most sweaty failure you are likely to encounter is the Trans Prog Error, where the OBC gives you the message of doom, and the gearbox locks itself. You might end up buying a new transmission; that's probably worth more than the car itself.
4 Jaguar F-Type V6 - Not Quite To Standards
Jaguar has been at the forefront of performance innovations over the years and has become a household name for everything speed and luxury. Nonetheless, this F-Type made it on our list because it can go below $30,000 with good negotiation but expect to face various reliability issues.
Over time, there have been many reports of decreasing performance and decreasing handling. The wear and tear on the cars are pretty significant, and parts will cost you a fortune. If you consider getting one of these bad boys, check out the most common problems you will likely face with a Jaguar F-Type.
3 1993 Dodge Viper RT - Beastly Danger
This roadster could generate 449 hp in its naturally aspirated V-10 engine to go 0-60 in just 4 seconds and to a top speed of 180 mph. As a true American workhorse, it might not be a very costly option to maintain. It needs an oil change and refilling of your coolant, and you are good to go.
However, we included it in our list because of its limited safety features. A viper is a dangerous animal, and this machinery embodies that. We wouldn't recommend it to an inexperienced driver because things can go awry in just a few seconds.
2 2008 Maserati GranTurismo Coupe - Flawed Beauty
You wouldn't expect this car in a list among other nasty-looking, dim-witted, and badly built vehicles. It's got a sleek design and a 4.2L engine producing 390hp and does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 177 mph.
From experience, we all know being with a sexy Italian can be quite hurtful to your pockets. The looks are exquisite, but looks can be deceiving. The car isn't dependable at all. Due to its exclusivity, parts are as rare and expensive as collector items.
1 2015-2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - Too Good To Be True
This racing-inspired Corvette comes with a supercharged V-8 capable of a whopping 650 hp that can take you to a scintillating 195 mph. Luckily, this monster can go to prices lower than $30,000 with some good negotiation skills. Unluckily, they suffer from issues ranging from body integrity to engine and transmission problems.
If you get a used model, keep some funds aside, ready for further issues down the line with the fuel system, exhaust, suspension, and even the electric system. Consumer Reports gives statistics on this car whose parts for the mentioned problems are not cheap either.