Automobiles have truly evolved over the years and with the advancement of technology, driving just keeps getting easier. Many create new vehicles to make people's lives better but there has been a fair share of creations in the past that were just a waste.
When they don't do good sales-wise, the manufacturer eventually replaces it with a new variant. Let's take a look at the most worthless vehicles that were ever manufactured and let's take a look at what went wrong with them. We're sure many automobiles on this list are being sold for a crazy low price in different dealerships.
Lincoln Blackwood Is Worth $8K Today
Lincoln falls under the Ford Motor Company and back in the early 2000s, they released their first pick-up truck called the Lincoln Blackwood. Things didn't go as planned and the car had very poor sales. This is why the company only manufactured it for a year.
Of course, you will still be able to find the Blackwood in different dealerships and the used ones usually cost around $8K today. Lincoln later replaced the Blackwood with the Lincoln Mark LT but that variant was discontinued in the United States after two years.
Chevrolet Bel Air Is Worth $29K Today
Back in the '50s, having around $2,000 in your bank account can already get you a cool automobile. The Chevrolet Bel Air was a vehicle that was marketed by Chevrolet back in the '50s and it looks like it didn't become a hit because of its generic design.
The early variants of the Bel Air started at about $1.7K but as the years passed, its prices escalated up to $2.6K. By the '70s, production of the Bel Air was discontinued. Getting a used one today will set you back at least $29K but customized ones are being sold for over $100K.
Lamborghini LM002 Is Worth Around $300-500K Today
Lamborghini once assumed that their consumers would want an automobile for off-roading and this is why they came up with the Lamborghini LM002 off-road truck. They originally priced it at $158K and by the looks of it, it's design was way ahead of its time.
Production of the LM002 only lasted until the '90s and only about 328 were produced. A used model today apparently costs around $300-350K. A fun fact about the LM002 is that it was able to make appearances in movies like Fast and Furious and Toys.
AMC Pacer Is Worth $5.5K Today
During the '70s, compact automobiles were a thing and the AMC Pacer was one of the popular options people purchased. It retailed at about $3.2K but the American Motors Corporation also produced up-scale variants of the Pacer. After several years, it later became seen as a luxury car.
The Pacer stopped getting produced by 1979 and the company apparently sold all their Pacers by 1980. You can get a used one for as low as $2.5K or less but the average retail price today is estimated to be at $5.5K.
Maserati Biturbo Is Worth $10.5K Today
Maserati is a popular luxury car company and if you want to buy any of their vehicles, you often have to a lot of funds saved up. The company wanted to reach out to the average joe during the early '80s by coming up with a more affordable option.
The released the Maserati Biturbo and the original variant only had two doors. It was packed with a lavish interior and a v6 engine. The Biturbo was discontinued in the mid-'90s but you can find used ones on the market with a price estimating to $10.5K.
Cadillac Fleetwood Is Worth $15K Today
Many people weren't really happy to own a Cadillac Fleetwood because of its odd noises, jerking, and stalling. Cadillac started manufacturing the vehicle in 1976 and it lasted on the market until 1996. Sources say it was priced at $30K back when it was still new.
The Fleetwood would go through numerous design upgrades as the years passed and consumers had the option to go for the Fleetwood 60 Special which was a stretched version of the regular Fleetwood. Today, an affordable rate for a used model is about $15K but customized ones that have been modernized usually cost way more.
Ferrari Mondial 8 Is Worthless Today
During the early '80s, $64K would be able to get you a Ferrari Mondial 8. It sadly didn't get rave reviews because of its lack of power and speed. It's 214 horsepower V8 engine was basically responsible for these. It also wasn't a reliable option so spending that much money at that time for this wasn't reasonable.
The Mondial 8 was discontinued just after two years. You will barely find it on the market today so it's unclear how much it is worth today. There are way better options you can spend your savings on.
Chevrolet Chevette Is Worth Nothing Today
The Chevrolet Chevette was a popular small vehicle back in the late '70s. Its sales peaked at that time but it just struggled to remain consistent. It was originally priced at $2.9K but prices eventually went up to $5K. Production officially stopped back in 1986.
Many old vehicles appear in auctions these days but unfortunately, the Chevette isn't one of them. It looks like the demand for it was just not enough anymore. At this age and time, there are many other car companies that sell hatchbacks that promise good performance while still remaining affordable.
The Trabant Is Worth $3K Today
VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau was the vehicle manufacturer from East Germany who was responsible for the Trabant. The Volkswagen Beetle was what thrived in West Germany and the Trabant was basically what East Germany wanted to compete with it.
It was an odd vehicle because it had no fuel gauge, no tachometer, no external fuel door, and no rear seat belts. You won't see anyone driving a Trabant today since its lack of features might make you end up in an accident. In Europe, people can still get their hands on one for about $3K
Triumph TR7 Is Worth Less Than $10K Today
The fact that the release of the Triumph TR7 was delayed numerous times should have been a big red flag already. British Leyland was the one who manufactured this automobile and it was on the United States market from 1975 until 1981.
The Triumph TR7 isn't a rare option if you're looking for a classic luxury car but you can expect it to have many problems. The only good thing about it today is that you can get one for less than $10K. But are you really willing to risk your funds on something that might not be able to do much for you?
Ford Pinto Is Worth $5K Today
The Ford Pinto was known for its "okay" fuel economy and performance. The base variant retailed at about $1.85K during the early '70s, then the company released a hatchback variant referred to as the Runabout that was retailed at about $2K.
The bad thing about the Pinto was the fact that it could explode when hit by other vehicles. Ford probably never saw the Pinto as a good investment because they never really found a solution to this exploding problem. The Pinto was discontinued in 1980 but if you want to add one to your collection, you can find one with a $5K price tag on Hemmings.com.
Morgan Plus 8 Is Worth $50K Today
The Morgan Motor Company struggled with their sales at one point but they were able to avoid bankruptcy thanks to the Morgan Plus 8. The vehicle was a hit and many people loved its unique vintage design. It originally started out as a 4-speed manual drive but upgrades later made it a 5-speed manual drive.
The Plus 8's production stopped in 2004 but in 2012, the company released a revised version of it. It is actually still possible to buy a used variant from the '90s and the prices usually range from $50K until $70K. This looks like a good choice for classic automobile collectors!
Smart Fortwo Is Worth $15.5K Today
People fell in love with smart vehicles over the years because of its fuel efficiency and its small size made it easy to park anywhere. The Smart Fortwo is a good example of such a vehicle and it first hit the market in the late '90s. Base variants were sold at about $12K during the late 2000s.
There were Passion and Passion Cabriolet variants that were sold for about $14K and $17K respectively. Today, the Smart Fortwo is known for being an electric vehicle equipped with modern technology. The average price of one on the market today is about $15.5K.
Peel Trident Is Worth $100K Today
One of the strangest automobiles you will see on this list is the Peel Trident. The clear bubble top it had made it look like you were driving your own flying saucer or vehicle from the future. The Peel Engineering Company actually marketing as something you use when you go shopping.
The Trident was originally worth around $2.2K but today, its value is estimated to be worth around $100K. The problem with owning one today is that you would barely get to rely on this for your daily travels. The Trident is a playable vehicle in the Forza Horizon 4 video game.
Chrysler PT Cruiser Is Worth $2.2K Today
When you have a family, you often invest in a minivan since this is the most practical option. During the 2000s, Chrysler had this vision of families driving a unique '30s-style vehicle. They came up with the Chrysler PT Cruiser and released hatchback and convertible variants.
Unfortunately, consumers didn't really want a retro vehicle and they still favored the modern ones on the market. The Cruiser's production ended up coming to an end in 2010. Buying a used one today will set you back at least $2.2K but you won't really see much of this on the road anymore.
1998 Fiat Multipla Is Worth $2.6K Today
The Fiat Multipla was able to do well in the Italian market but it struggled everywhere else. It was originally manufactured back in the late '90s and it was even named the Top Gear Car of the Year at one point. In 2004, Fiat gave the Multipla a face lift but this didn't really generate more sales.
In recent years, many publications have included the Multipla in their list of ugliest vehicles in the world. Dealerships continue to sell used ones today and the average price is somewhere around $2.6K.
Davis Divan Is Worthless Today
For those who wanted an aircraft-like vehicle, the Davis Divan looked like the best option. The Davis Motorcar Company built it during the late '40s but despite all the hype it got, the company apparently didn't get to pay its employees and deliver the vehicle to dealerships.
The company's unpaid taxes were later settled after their assets were liquidated. Sources say that there are only 13 Divans that were successfully built. You won't really be able to buy this today so it's safe to assume that this is already worthless today.
Zündapp Janus Is Worth $48.9K
It's hard to tell what was on the mind of the Zündapp Janus' designer because the vehicle's exterior is just way too confusing. It's hard to tell which is the front and which is the back. Sources say that Zündapp built it this way in order to stand out on the market.
Unfortunately, their attempt failed and the Janus suffered from poor sales. Aside from its design, people probably didn't like the fact that it could only reach as much as 50 miles per hour. You will rarely see anyone selling this today but back in December 2017, somebody listed their fully-restored 1958 Janus for about $48.9K.
Ford Edsel Is Worth $39K Today
The Ford Motor Company generates a ton of earnings regularly today but they had their fair share of failures in the past. An example was their Ford Edsel automobile that was released in the late '50s. They were able to promote it well but people later believed it to be overhyped.
Consumers basically hated its design and its $2.5-3.8K price tag was just too much at that time. It is believed that being launched during the economic recession also contributed to its downfall. Sources say Ford lost a whopping $250 million because of this flop.
Suzuki Samurai Is Worth $6K Today
You guys can consider the Suzuki Samurai as the old ancestor of the Suzuki Jimny. It was originally released back in the mid-'80s and had an original asking price of $6.2K. During its first year on the market, about 47K Samurais were sold.
Despite the popularity it had during the late '80s, its reputation was later ruined when Consumer Reports said the automobile was unsafe and could roll over anytime. Suzuki took their publisher (Consumers Union) to court and despite reaching a settlement, people never saw the Sumarai's the same way again.
Saturn ION Is Worth $4K Today
From 2003 until 2007, Saturn was selling a compact automobile named the Saturn Ion. The ION didn't really have a good reputation because it had a faulty transmission, ignition switch, and its shift pattern was also disorienting. These are serious issues that could lead to a fatal accident.
It's been more than a decade since the company ended the ION's production but dealerships are still selling them for about $4K. The Saturn Astra was basically Saturn's replacement for the ION during the late 2000s. They only offered it in 3-door and 5-door variants with a single base engine.
Chevrolet Vega Is Worth $16K Today
The vehicle you see above is a 2-door hatchback variant of the Chevrolet Vega but the company also released sedan, notchback, and wagon variants. A year after its release in 1970, it won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award. Unfortunately, they weren't able to maintain their good reputation.
It was later discovered that the car had safety, engine, and reliability issues. It would also rust easily. They discontinued its production in 1977 despite several attempts of upgrading its design. A used Vega today has an average retail price of $16K.
Chevrolet Citation Is Worth $7.9K Today
The Chevrolet Citation was what replaced the Chevrolet Nova back in the early '80s. Its sales were impressive in 1980 and it even got named as 1980's Motor Trend Car of the Year. Unfortunately, its glory days didn't last and sales went crashing down disappointingly.
Out of the 6 years, it spent on the market, the company only had impressive earnings during its first year. A factor that might have contributed to this was its poor reviews. Some people mentioned how its build quality was poor and that it wasn't really mechanically reliable. Hemmings.com has 1 Citation being sold for $7.9K.
Plymouth Prowler Is Worth $55K Today
The Plymouth Prowler was known for its retro design that would make anyone driving it look cool on the road. Even if it doesn't look like it, the Prowler was actually intended for people to use for their daily drives. It had dual airbags, power locks, keyless entry, a good sound system, and air conditioning.
The 1997 model was originally priced at $38.3K and by 2002, they were selling it for $44.6K. You will have to look really hard if you want to get your hands on a used one today. Back in 2018, a Prowler was sold at an auction for $55K.
Reliant Robin Is Worth Nothing Today
We have gotten used to seeing automobiles make use of four wheels but there was a time wherein the Reliant Motor Company was trying to make three-wheelers happen. They launched the Reliant Robin and it had an estimated price of £9K or $11.7K at one point.
It wasn't really smart to use the Robin for your daily drives even if you had a good car insurance due to the fact that it can easily tip over. Most people knew that it was prone to tipping because of its appearances on Mr. Bean. In 2019, the Robin was featured in Good Omens.
Dodge Omni Is Worth $3K Today
When Chrysler was on its way to becoming bankrupt during the late '70s, one way they were able to bounce back was through releasing the Dodge Omni. It was known for being the pioneer in front-wheel-drive economy vehicles that were built in the United States.
People could buy one for $2.5K back then and it won awards like European Car of the Year and Motor Trend Car of the Year. The production of the Omni officially came to an end in 1990. You can purchase a used one on CarGurus for about $3K.
AMC Ambassador Is Worth $2.5-22K Today
The American Motors Corporation released the AMC Ambassador during the late '50s and its production lasted until 1974. It became popular for being the first automobile that was equipped with air conditioning. Buying a vehicle with air conditioning was a good investment most especially in places where it would get really hot.
Due to poor reviews, the Ambassador's reputation declined. Consumers had to spend around $2.5K for an Ambassador during the mid-'60s and that was actually quite pricey at that time. Today, purchasing a used Ambassador will set you back around $2.5-22K today.
Zagato Elcar Is Worth $6-13K Today
Zagato was able to design many nice vehicles over the years but they weren't always perfect. They once confused people with an oddly-designed known as the Zagato Elcar. It was an electric automobile that had a disappointing top speed. It also took about eight years to charge it.
It left the market because of poor sales and sources say around 500 Elcars were made during its 2 years of production. If you want to spend your money on a used Elcar, you can find rare ones being auctioned off. Its value is estimated to be somewhere around $6-13K.
Aston Martin Lagonda Is Worth Over $90K Today
When someone owns an Aston Martin luxury car, you just know they are going to turn head on the road. Things were different during the '70s because the company released a vehicle that received criticism for its "ugly" design. We're talking about the Aston Martin Lagonda that was produced from 1976 until 1990.
If you do your research, you would see that the Lagonda was included in the list of 50 Worst Cars of All Time of Time Magazine. The vehicle could have been great if only the electronic features of it really worked.
Yugo GV Is Worthless Today
If you want to impress a date, the Yugo GV is one of the last vehicles you want to be driving. During the mid-'80s, the GV was priced at about $4K and it featured a 4-speed manual transmission and a 1,100 cc engine. Unfortunately, people noticed how its reliability and build quality were poor.
Its reputation was ruined, even more, during the late '80s when a woman in Michigan was involved in a fatal accident while driving her Yugo. Many respectable publications over the years included the GV in their worst vehicles list.