Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today
Produced from the year 2000 and after, these alluring European sports cars will wreck your savings with constant repairs.
Gorgeous looks, stunning engines and chassis, these European sports cars should have stood head and shoulders above all other carmakers in the reliability stakes. Sadly, humanity has a way of throwing the proverbial spanner in the works.
In 2000, sophisticated electronics in both manufacturing and finished products should have eliminated those annoying gremlins. And we're not just talking about endless warning tones and beeps. It's the more serious engine-busting design errors, weak bodywork and substandard build that we're most worried about.
The car industry's biggest names are just as guilty here. As an example, BMW famously needed a staggering 14-years and numerous updates to get on top of the N63s near endless reliability concerns. And in case you're wondering, the N63 can be found in dozens of BMW cars, most notably the M5/M6 from 2011 to 2017.
Reliability concerns will never fully disappear, but gearheads can lessen the potential impact by avoiding these poor European examples.
Related: 10 European Sports Cars That Are Virtually Indestructible
Stunning looks and a racing pedigree alone aren't enough to salvage Maseratis reputation. The GranTusirmo ranks as one of Maseratis most troublesome cars since 2000. Given that Maserati has never enjoyed the best reputation for build or reliability, we'd have hoped the Italian carmaker had gone to extra lengths to improve things.
Introduced in 2007 using Maseratis M139 platform pared with a Maserati/Ferrari 4.2-liter V8 engine upfront, the GranTusirmo cranked out 400 hp with a top speed of 183 mph. Like all things Italian, the Gran Turismo has its flaws. Owners are regularly blighted by electrical gremlins, suspension issues, and, naturally, a temperamental V8 whose cam variators seemingly have a mind of their own.
Another generation of BMW Zs that, although gorgeous to gaze upon, should be handled with care. The inspiration for BMWs Z8 two-seater is claimed to be a modern day take on the 507 coupes of the 1950s. Unfortunately for BMW, the Z8 didn't inherit the same level of over-engineering.
Undeniably a desirable piece of automotive art, the Z8 should have been BMWs halo model if not for some minor gremlins. The S62 4.9-liter V8 suffers from cam sensor failures resulting in decreased performance; illuminated engine warning lights are an early indicator. However, the biggest Z8 complaint centers on the front aluminum suspension mounts where even the smallest potholes can cause warping.
RELATED: What Everyone Should Remember About The BMW Z8
The Alfa Romeo Brera relied too heavily on its Giorgetto Giugiaro styling, ignoring reliability. Unveiled at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show in concept form, with production beginning three years later. We'd have hoped it was long enough for Alfa Romeo to iron out the Brera's issues.
In the early concept stages, Maserati-sourced V8s were the unit of choice, but production cars would use a range of four and six-cylinder engines. And here begins the problems, rattling engines, excessive smoke and a drop-off in performance are all warning signs; all is not well under the hood.
As part of McLaren's customer car program, buyers can tour the Woking-based production facility. Unlike most factories, MPC (McLaren Production Facility) is a shining example of clinical perfection, with white floors, and walls hinting at surgical precision. The 12C surely then should be perfect.
However, remembering much of the 12Cs design and engineering took place off site, engines and bodywork coming together for final assembly left plenty of room for human error. Under the hood McLarens M838T 3.8-liter turbocharged engine reliably cranked out 592 hp. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of McLaren's auxiliary systems. Anything hard-wired is a source of concern.
The Boxster is one of the best sports cars on sale today, delivering scintillating performance at affordable prices. The Boxster, though, isn't without its problems. First generation cars are known for their cooling problems and subsequent cracked engine blocks.
The problems arose from a new manufacturing process that blighted the 2.5-liter flat-sixes separately cast block and cylinder sleeves. One directly affecting the others and vice versa, leaving Porsche to chase improved build and reliability. In 2000, the Boxster gained a revised and larger 2.7-liter M96 engine that suffered the same issues to a lesser extent.
RELATED: Porsche Boxster 986: Costs, Facts, And Figures
Eight years in production and the Audi TT Mk.1 still ranks highly on models to avoid. Audi perfected their small two-door sports car formula of good looks, value for money and performance; with the Type 8N it was far from perfect. In the years 2000-5, Audi was forced to recall the TT a staggering 13 times.
Ignoring minor annoyances relating to faulty electrics, the TT's biggest issues lay under the hood. Normally a strong point for Audi, the TT's 1.8-liter turbocharged engine suffered high numbers of failures attributed in part to faulty water pump assemblies, timing belt failure, and ultimately a trashed engine.
Under Ford's ownership Aston Martin flourished. Continuing the brands' revival, in 2004, the DB9 launched to world-wide acclaim as one of the most beautiful Astons ever built. Underpinned by Fords VH platform clad in hand-crafted aluminum bodywork, the DB9s construction was a labor-intensive process. Up-front, the DB9 featured the Vanquishes 5.9-liter V12 cranking out 450 hp.
Hand-crafted should be enough to warn any would-be DB9 owners to beware. Owners gripes, include, from suspension and steering issues, faulty parking brakes, throttle pedal failure and a myriad of niggles that would have most gearheads concerned over their investment.
Barely clinging on to production in 2000, the Coupe Turbo was Fiats last attempt at a mass-produced sports car. And for good reason, despite a svelte two-door coupe body, the Coupe shared its chassis and drivetrain with Fiats aging Tipo platform. Recycled underpinnings included a front-drive layout.
In spite of the Coupes glaring drawbacks, the range topping 220 hp 2-liter turbocharged models were pretty nimble, posting a top speed of 155 mph. However, neither engine option was particularly reliable. In fact, most of the Fiat Coupes issues are engine-related, plumes of smoke, often the only early indicator.
RELATED: Here's What Everyone Forgot About The Fiat Coupe
The VX220 is how you build a sports car without actually building one. In 2000, under GM's ownership Lotus assembled the VX220 alongside, its popular Elise using more than a handful of shared components. The Elise aluminum chassis, tub, and suspension all made it to the VX220, only the body and engine differed.
The choice of engine would make a huge difference to the VX220s performance. Vauxhall's bigwigs opted for a 2.2-liter Ecotec motor turbocharged to deliver 197 hp. Problems begin with premature timing chain failures. Later cars suffered a similar fate with their timing belts requiring another expensive engine rebuild. Official servicing states belts or chains required changing at 60k miles. In reality, it was a lot sooner.
It's hard to imagine Mercedes featuring among the least reliable cars, but it does happen. In 2008, Mercedes-Benz scored a huge own goal with the launch of the C63 powered by AMG's own M156 engine design.
On paper enough to tempt any gearhead with a 6.2-liter displacement kicking out 450 hp. In what can only be described as a titanic failure, the ME156 was plagued by faults. At the top end, cam adjusters, lifters and cylinder head bolts fell way short of Mercedes standards, made worse by oil leaks, crankcase breather valves. Any gearhead tempted by a C63 should think long and hard before walking away.
Raised in a car-obsessed environment from an early age ensured a keen interest in anything car-related. first and foremost an F1 fan, but also an avid follower of other motorsports. Professional background working closely with a well established UK based Supercar manufacturer in recent years.