5 Classic Cars That Aren’t Worth the Money, According to Car Experts
Written by
Brooke Barley
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Classic cars might seem like a sound investment, but some are just not worth the high price. Even if owners kept the cars in great condition, some may never sell for more than the owner paid.
Here’s a look at what car experts said are the classic cars that are not worth the cash.
Also see seven things to know if you want to buy a classic car.
Ford Pinto (1971-1980)
What use is a car if it’s too scary to drive? Erin Kemp, a consumer advocate for Bumper, said that the Ford Pinto’s safety concerns far outweigh any financial benefit owners would get.
“The Pinto is well-known for its unsafe design — the uncovered fuel tank was prone to bursting in rear-end crashes, making it a risky choice for collectors. Despite Ford’s later adjustments, most Pintos rusted or were discarded, leaving just a few around today,” Kemper said.
Ford Mustang II Cobra II (1977)
This model was trying to capitalize on the excitement of the earlier Shelby Mustangs, but Kemp commented that it simply does not measure up.
“With poor performance and style that falls short of rivals such as Pontiac or Dodge, you should explore elsewhere for a vintage muscle car investment,” Kemp said, adding that it’s not fast and its build is unattractively bulky.
DeLorean DMC-12 (1980-1981)
The DeLorean will always be associated with the popularity of “Back to the Future,” but that doesn’t necessarily make the 1980-1981 models solid investments. Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing at CFR Classic, said its build quality and performance drag down its worth.
“The underwhelming PRV V6 engine makes just 130 horsepower, and early production models were plagued with reliability issues. The hefty price of this model is due to nostalgia, but mechanically, it’s a headache that rarely matches its inflated price tag,” he said.
Chevrolet Vega (1971-1977)
“The 1971 to 1977 Chevrolet Vega is, in most circles, considered a disaster waiting to happen,” Giranda said. He explained that the aluminum engine is notorious for overheating and failing prematurely.
“Add in rust problems and the low resale price, and it’s an even less appealing classic with expensive maintenance costs,” he said.
1968 Dodge Charger R/T
Hagerty Insurance reported that a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T in good condition can be worth $98,000, but does it deliver? Evaldas Zabitis, automotive expert at carVertical, said no.
“They look and run great but aren’t four times better than, let’s say, the 1971 Dodge Demon, which costs four times less. Right now, these Chargers are overpriced, making them a risky asset for collectors and out of reach for regular car enthusiasts,” he said.
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