Over the years, some countries have built a reputation for themselves in the automobile industry. For instance, America makes some of the most powerful and affordable cars in the world. The UK makes some of the most sought-after classic vehicles, while Germany is well-known for its luxurious vehicles. But when it comes to supercars, no nation does it better than Italy.
A sports car with an Italian manufacturer’s logo is often a solid indication that you will get a good driving experience. However, while some Italian carmakers know the tricks of making practical and reliable sports cars, others do not. This is why we have compiled a list of the 5 most reliable Italian sports cars you should consider getting and 5 you need to steer clear of.
10 Buy: 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo
The 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo is an exotic supercar that makes for a great addition to your garage if you don't just want something that is performance-minded, but also durable. The Gallardo LP 560-4 model gets its power from a 5.2-liter V10 engine with an output of 552 hp and 398 lb-ft.
According to an Edmunds reviewer, the 2011 Gallardo is a beautiful car with a trouble-free ownership experience. The vehicle hits 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds and gives Aston Martin V12 Vantage a run for its money.
9 Stay Away From: 2005 Fiat Barchetta
The Fiat Barchetta was introduced about the same time as the Fiat Coupe, but only the latter could win the hearts of the market and media due to its powerful engine. The 2005 Fiat Barchetta could only make 129 hp with its 4-cylinder engine. The engine of the Fiat Barchetta tends to make a loud noise like a diesel engine. This problem has to do with the Valve Timing (VVIT) variator.
Another issue you may have to grapple with is the frequent front tire wear. If the tread depth is anywhere near 1.6mm, the tire is due for replacement.
8 Buy: 2012 Maserati GranTurismo
The 2012 Maserati GranTurismo is an embodiment of world-class styling, lightning-fast speed, and comfort. Unlike the four-door Maserati Quattroporte, the GranTurismo is available in a two-door coupe or convertible form with fluid lines that accentuate its appeal.
The standard 4.7-liter V8 engine pumps out 433 hp and 361 lb-ft. According to this driver, the 2012 Maserati GranTurismo is a perfect blend of both the Porsche 911 and Mercedes-Benz SL 550 in terms of reliability, comfort, and design.
7 Stay Away From: Lancia Fulvia Coupe HF
The Lancia Fulvia Coupe HF is almost completely forgotten, and that's because of the many problems owners had to deal with. For one, the 1584cc 4-cylinder OHV engine is plagued with head gasket trouble and weak water pumps.
There's also the issue of excessive corrosion, which all Fulvias suffer from. And the sad thing is that many of the parts prone to corrosion are quite inaccessible. Although the front suspension does not usually fail, components wear out easily and that affects the handling of the Fulvia Coupe.
6 Buy: 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
With the release of the 700-hp Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari knew it had to up its game to remain relevant in the supercar supremacy battle. This led to the introduction of the F12berlinetta, which is one of the most powerful and fastest supercars from Italy. Under the hood of the 2013 F12berlinetta, there's a 262 cc, 65-degree V12 engine that cranks out 729 hp and 508 lb-ft of torque.
The styling of the 2013 F12berlinetta may seem like a work of art, but there's a great deal of science and engineering that went into it. The hood flanks are not just designed to be eye-catching, but also to catch the wind and make a down-force to improve aerodynamic drag
5 Stay Away From: 2005 Alfa Romeo Brera
The 2005 Alfa Romeo Brera is sure to turn heads wherever it goes, thanks to its stunning look. However, there's more to it than meets the eye. The incessant rattling of the engine is one big problem that plagues the Alfa Romeo Brera. This issue is due to a faulty timing chain that needs to be replaced.
Besides the engine rattling, you may also have to grapple with a clogged exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR). If the car experiences a power shortage or the smoke from the exhaust is more than normal, then that's a sign that the EGR valve is clogged. You may also experience paint chips on the Brera, especially around the hood, and rear-wheel arch edges.
4 Buy: 2013 Ferrari 458 Italia
The 2013 Ferrari 458 Italia is one of the least expensive Ferrari sports cars out there, but Ferrari did not compromise on reliability and performance. The 458 Italia comes with a 4.5-liter V8 engine that pumps out 570 hp and 398 lb-ft. When it comes to acceleration, the 458 Italia is quite close to the F12berlinetta having a zero-to-62-mph of 3.5 seconds.
Since the engine of the 458 Italia is mounted behind the seats, the supercar is well-balanced and quite fun to ride on the track. Unlike most convertibles that struggle with limited cargo space, the 458 Italia has an ample amount of space that can accommodate a suitcase and a golf bag.
3 Stay Away From: 2007 Maserati Quattroporte
There are a few features that will draw your attention to the 2007 Maserati Quattroporte. For one, it's one of the cheapest Maseratis, going for roughly $8,000 in the used car market. You may also find the 4.2-liter V8 engine that produces 396 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, quite powerful.
However, we are almost certain you have a troublesome ownership experience with the 2007 Quattroporte. Don't just take our word for it. According to this 2007 Quattroporte owner, the car spent over two months at the dealership in the first year of ownership due to recalls and complaints. This driver also expressed worries over the steering wheel design, and performance of the 2007 Quattroporte.
2 Buy: 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C
Alfa Romeo unveiled the 4C at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013, and it has a 1.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with an output of 240 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The combined fuel economy of the 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C is 42 mpg, which is not bad at all.
The mid-mounted engine sports car accelerates to 62 mph in less than 4.5 seconds, thanks to the rapid shifts from the paddle-shifted dual-clutch automated transmission. The 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C weighs only 895 kg, which means all the power produced will be put to good use.
1 Stay Away From: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Not only is the 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio expensive, but it also comes with a lot of problems, as reported by many owners. In this test drive, Tim Healey refers to the 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio as an unstable beauty. While the sports car is quite attractive, there's little more going for it. Tim reports that the Giulia Quadrifoglio makes all sorts of weird mechanical noises on the road.
A 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio owner also reports that the car has been taken to the mechanic 6 times in a space of three months. There were issues with the sunroof, battery, ignition computer, all of which costs good money to fix.