The automobile market is saturated with cars. Every year, more cars roam the roads, and drivers strive to buy the latest models to stay ahead of the pack. Buyers have an abundance of vehicles to choose from, and the inexperienced make the wrong decision. Most vehicle buyers believe that the stronger the engine, the fewer vehicle problems they'll encounter. That logic makes sense, but car manufacturers aren't infallible and can produce a subpar engine. Manufacturers have fitted some of the best-performing vehicles on the road, such as the Ford Mustang GT, the Mercedes AMG C63 Coupe, and the Audi S7, with a V8 engine.
The other end of the spectrum is cars that should be embarrassed to have a V8 engine under the bonnet. The performance of those cars is so dismal that most drivers find it difficult to believe that the manufacturer installed such a powerful engine. We've compiled a list of 20 cars that have a V8 engine but are less reliable than a Fiat 500. Whether it's the engine that doesn't live up to its reputation or other parts that are defective, the cars on our list shouldn't have a V8 engine under the bonnet since these are unreliable vehicles that consumers should avoid. Choosing a Fiat 500 instead of the cars featured on our list would be a better choice for consumers.
20 Dodge Durango
If buyers want to avoid the wrong Dodge model, they should stay clear of the 2017 Durango.
Besides the hefty price tag of more than $42,000 for this mid-size SUV, the Durango hasn't proven to deliver better features than its competition, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk.
The U.S. manufacturer fitted the vehicle with Nappa leather, a power liftgate, a sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, and a Premium Alpine audio system. The car's performance doesn't match up to its competition, and consumers will pay too much to receive little if they opt for the Dodge Durango. Consumers can spend their money on better V8 engines.
19 Chevrolet Camaro
Consumers who are looking for a muscle car should rather choose a Ford Mustang GT instead of the Chevrolet Camaro. The manufacturer priced the 2017 model at $36,000, an exorbitant price for the headaches you'll experience.
Besides the poor visibility and a cramped interior, the Camaro has been on the Consumer Report's list of most unreliable vehicles.
Although the Camaro has a 6.2-liter engine that pumps out 455 horsepower, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio, consumers will experience numerous problems with the vehicle that'll make them forget the V8 engine.
18 Nissan Armada
The Armada is a body-on-frame SUV that has a V8 engine. The 2015 model has a five-speed automatic transmission and a 5.6-liter engine that pumps out 317 horsepower, as well as 385 lb-ft of torque. The Armada can tow up to 8,200 pounds and has standard features such as rear backup sensors, heated mirrors, fold-flat second and third rows, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Although this model is three years old, the Japanese manufacturer wasn't shy to attach a price tag of $40,000 for the vehicle. The SUV doesn't deliver great performance to justify the hefty price tag.
17 Buick Lacrosse Super
General Motors has produced the Lacrosse since 2005. In 2004, it decided to introduce a model called "Super." The only problem was that there was nothing super about the vehicle.
Buick struggled with the geriatric image of the Lacrosse and hoped for the Super to rejuvenate the brand.
However, the big chrome wheels didn't lure in consumers to buy the Super, and General Motors gave up on the vehicle. The vehicle had a 5.3-liter engine that pushed out 300 horsepower. The majority of the market didn't take the car seriously since it delivered lackluster performance.
16 Dodge Charger
The 2017 Dodge Charger looks similar to the Chevrolet Camaro and provides the same subpar performance. The manufacturer priced the 2017 model at $34,000. Maybe the U.S. manufacturer felt that the V8 was worth the price, but we disagree. The Charger has a 5.7-liter engine, and the interior has cloth upholstery, voice command, automatic climate control, and Bluetooth. Although the car can deliver good performance, the owners of the vehicle will have to tolerate the transmission problems. The car is unreliable and is known to leave its owners stranded on the side of the road. Don't be surprised to see smoke coming from under the bonnet.
15 Chevrolet Impala SS
The Impala SS lived a short life. The U.S. manufacturer produced the car from 1994 to 1996. Many regard the Impala SS as a re-badged copy of the police model Chevy Caprice. Is it any wonder that the car lasted only 3 years on the market?
Chevrolet derived Impala's engine for the Corvette, fitting a 5.7-liter that pumps out 280 horsepower.
Although the car lasted on the market for only a few years, its design gave the impression that only bad boys drive the vehicle. You can purchase the Impala SS for under $15,000 these days since its popularity has diminished.
14 Hyundai Genesis Sedan
Most Japanese manufacturers are successful in the North American market since the companies have a reputation for building reliable vehicles. Hyundai has seen its share of success in the U.S. and in Canada but has also built the Genesis sedan. Hyundai fitted the Genesis with a moonroof, lane-departure alert, HID headlights, and an engine that it dubbed "Tau V8." The positive characteristic of the vehicle is that the ride is comfortable, but the sedan is almost $10,000 more expansive than the coupe. Although Hyundai has an original design for most of its models, it used the design of Mercedes-Benz and Lexus while constructing the shape of the Genesis.
13 Chrysler 300C
The 300C has been in production since 2004. If you want a cheap model, you should scour the market for 2004 to 2007 models. The car is a big sedan, but bigger isn't always better. The U.S. manufacturer may have fitted the interior with a plush design to make it look like a luxury vehicle, but the rear-wheel-drive car doesn't live up to the standard that a car with a V8 should. The 2004 to 2007 models have a 5.7-liter engine that'll burn off the rear tires since the car has 375 lb-ft of torque. You can find a 300C for under $15,000.
12 Nissan NV 2500
Not only is the NV 2500 an atrocious-looking vehicle, but it also doesn't live up to the performance of the V8 engine. The van has a 5.6-liter engine that pumps out 317 horsepower. The car has a five-speed automatic transmission and has enough space to store big loads. The vehicle has space for 12 occupants. The problem with the vehicle, besides the price tag of $35,000 for an older model, is the performance and the reliability of the vehicle. The car has proven to be a letdown in terms of the transmission and the electronics. The price tag doesn't match the offerings.
11 Chevrolet Express 2500
The van segment is only popular amongst courier companies. That's for a good reason, as the average civilian doesn't see a use for the vehicle. The Express is especially egregious.
The car has a 4.8-liter that can spurt out 285 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.
Considering the price of an older model is around $33,000, the Express should be reserved for deliveries. One of the major problems with the vehicle is the transmission. Since the vehicle has a bulky frame, don't expect it to cruise the streets at blistering speeds.
10 Ford Mustang
The U.S. manufacturer has built the bestselling vehicle in the country for the last three decades. The F-150 is an incredible vehicle, but Ford didn't do a good job in the '80s with the Fox-body Mustang. The manufacturer fit the vehicle with a 4.2-liter engine that had owners cussing. Drivers of the vehicle reported numerous problems with the engine such as emissions equipment choking the engine to spurt out a ridiculously low 120 horsepower. Ford offered a turbocharged inline-4, which should've produced more power but couldn't since it had half the cylinders of a V8 engine.
9 Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet wants to convince the market that the Corvette is worth the exorbitant price that the U.S. manufacturer is charging. The positive attribute of the Corvette's engine is that the engine can pump out 430 horsepower, and the car can reach 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
The Corvette has power, but the hefty price tag of $50,000 is unjustifiable.
If you pay that much for the Corvette, you should be prepared to deal with the electrical problems of the vehicle and the transmission hassles. It seems that the U.S. manufacturer feels the speed of the vehicle is sufficient to justify the exorbitant price.
8 Mercury Marauder
The Marauder has had so many production runs that we've lost count. With several hiatus periods, the Marauder has been away for a good reason. A division of the Ford Motoring Company decided to manufacturer the Maurauder. The company thought that fitting the vehicle with a V8 engine would amass customers. However, the venture didn't pan out as planned. The car has chrome dual exhausts and a personalized dashboard. The engine can pump out 300 horsepower and emits a roar. The car is similar to the P71 Crown Victoria but has some unique features.
7 Lincoln Blackwood
Lincoln decided to create a pickup version of the Lincoln Navigator SUV and miserably failed. The Blackwood was such a flop that the U.S. manufacturer had to take the vehicle off the market after one year of production. The manufacturer needed two additional years to sell off the remaining inventory. Owners of the vehicle panned its utility and off-road capability. Consumer Reports featured the vehicle on its 20 Dumbest Cars Of All Time list. The Ford CEO, Jacques Nasser, thought it would be a great idea to produce a pickup that had a trunk instead of a flatbed. He was wrong.
6 Ford Crown Victoria
The codename for the vehicle is "P71." The police speak in code and dubbed the Ford Crown Victoria "P71." The Police Interceptor has been in production since 1992 to 2011. The 1998 models and younger have a V8 engine that's supposed to chase after criminals at blistering speeds.
The engine is a 4.6-liter that pumps out 250 horsepower.
The U.S. manufacturer also included some heavy equipment such as the heavy-duty transmission, alternator, and radiator. The only good thing about the P71 is the price. You can pick it up for under $2,000. Remember, though, you get what you pay for.
5 Cadillac V8
Unfortunate drivers who owned the 1981 Cadillac will know all about the hassles with this engine. Cadillac offered a feature on the V8 engine called the "V8-6-4." Drivers could deactivate up to 4 cylinders on the engine while cruising to save fuel. The problem was that the system suffered several driveability issues, as the technology in the vehicle couldn't deactivate or reactivate the cylinders at an adequate pace. Numerous owners were fed up with the poor performance of the engine and instructed mechanics to disable the feature. Time magazine featured the car in its list of 50 Worst Cars Of All Time.
4 Nissan Titan
The North American market has seen a surge in the sales of pickup trucks. Many drivers are buying pickups as a lifestyle choice and not only for work purposes. With numerous pickup-truck brands on the market, the Titan is the one that should be last on a purchase list. Considering the base price is just under $30,000, the Titan offers a meager interior. The car has standard features and an engine that pumps out 390 horsepower. The car has a seven-speed automatic transmission. Buyers will experience problems with the rear axle, the brakes, and the acceleration.
3 Dodge Challenger
When Dodge designed the Challenger, it used the Charger as the basis. The vehicles have a similar exterior design, and Dodge equipped the interior of the vehicles with the same features. The Challenger also has cloth upholstery and a 5-inch touchscreen, but consumers can opt for an upgraded leather interior and an infotainment system.
The Challenger is $2,000 cheaper than the Charger but delivers the same poor performance.
The Challenger, in its R/T configuration, will cost consumers $32,000. Owners of the vehicle will find that they'll experience frequent problems with the alternator and harsh gear shifting.
2 Hummer H2
Time magazine featured the Hummer H2 on its list of 50 Worst Cars Of All Time. The car was in production from 2002 to 2009, and unfortunate owners of the vehicle experienced countless problems. Apart from the high fuel consumption that drivers have to tolerate, finding parking was a nightmare, and breakdowns were frequent. The manufacturer designed the vehicle for military use but chose to target the civilian market, thereby damaging the General Motors brand. Consumer Reports featured the H2 on its 20 Dumbest Cars Of All Time list. Although the car had a V8 engine, it didn't deliver a powerful performance.
1 Infiniti Q45
The Q45 was also known as the "Nissan Cima." Production lasted from 1989 to 2006, but car dealerships in Japan sold the vehicle until 2010. The Japanese manufacturer released the vehicle because it was hoping it would compete with luxury sedans at the time such as the BMW 7-series, the Lexus LS, and the Mercedes S-Class, but the vehicle was a commercial flop. Car pundits panned the vehicle for its high price tag and boxy semblance. The car had a 4.5-liter engine that took 6.7 seconds to reach 0 to 60 mph. Buyers can purchase the vehicle for around $5,000 if they conduct a rigorous search.
Sources: cars.usnews.com; motortrend.com