Here Are The Great Cars You'd Never Own

A car can be great, or excellent or even the ultimate driving machine, and still not be the right one for you. Many so-called enthusiast cars won't always the right choice for every single person, and there's a bunch of beloved machines that will just never work out for certain car lovers.

Car people love to say that the Mazda Miata is always the answer. But in reality, the Miata doesn't quite belong in every enthusiasts' driveway, even if the car gets near-universal praise.

We asked our readers what were the great cars they'd never own, despite knowing that these machines are great, and these were their answers:

Miata.

I know it's a great car. The handling, the balance. But I'll never own one. Sorry.

Submitted by: Unacceptable Dry Scones

Any post 2000 Mercedes with the twin turbo V12. Freakin awesome cars, but I would never be able to get the fear of financial ruin out of the back of my head.

Submitted by: WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAthenGTInowA4

Hellcat/Trackhawk. Prior to the pandemic, I actually looked curiously at the former, then seriously at the latter. After some soul-searching, I realized that I had no business owning a vehicle with that kind of power. The fact of the matter is that my fast-driving days are behind me, and I had a strong feeling that when I did end up using the power, I'd end up in some kind of trouble or peril.

Submitted by: rockympls

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

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I think just paranoia about Alfa reliability, and a horrendous depreciation curve. That said, with the right deal and full warranty, it's probably an amazing car to lease.

Submitted by: ExBrit

This thing. I'm sure it'll be great like most WRXs are in their own way and I really want a new WRX but as long as there's no hatch I'm sticking with my 09

Submitted by: WayDude

Kia Stinger

I have one requirement and that is a Manual. I am a Dad of two that would desperately take an inexpensive RWD sport sedan and I would rather take 5 minutes getting kids into the carseats of a 2+2 of my Genesis Coupe than have to deal with a slushbox for however many hours/years of actually driving the thing.

Submitted by: FutureDoc

I'll go off key just a bit here and state Class A diesel motor home.

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It was an option I was exploring for an early semi-retirement. To get one, I'd have to sell my house and possibly buy a small condo to keep near my kids. However, the idea of selling something that keeps appreciating in value to buy something that quickly drops in value and costs a ton in upkeep (fuel, brakes, etc.) could be the worst financial decision ever.

Submitted by: Autojunkie

TVR Tuscan

A dream car of mine. I know the horror stories of TVRs and I don't want to own one that will break my heart and the bank.

Submitted by: TheDriveress

Assuming, of course, I have the money to purchase such vehicles, I'd still avoid virtually all exotics. Fabulous vehicles. I'm glad people buy them and make the world a more interesting place, but I'd never be caught dead owning something that requires so much delicate maintenance at a specialist mechanic's. Plus if I roll the thing at the next Cars and Coffee and it catches fire, I won't be able to squeeze my ass through any of those tiny windows to get out. I am Maha, not the Chef's fricassee special.

Submitted by: Maha

The way its going with my BMW 850 I am never going to get to this...

Submitted by: Bob

This guy here.

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It's been my favorite car for a long, long, time. But even considering the high cost of entry (to a less desirable model – 2+2 / auto / later year, etc.) I know that I'm simply not cut out for ownership. That isn't to say I wouldn't buy a classic car – but my 'home mechanic' skills place me firmly in the VW Beetle / MBG camp. As I understand it, the E-type is a whole other beast, and I lack the necessary skill in the mechanical, druidic and meditative arts and sciences to make this a wise purchase for me. It'd be at a specialist who can do those things well (usually) a lot of the time, and I'd be bleeding money.

Still – just stunningly gorgeous.

Submitted by: TheWalrus

Third Gen RX7

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Or an RX8

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I have driven both and loved driving them, but they all seem to be on their second or third motors in the case of the 8, or re-engineered (single turbo etc.) on the part of the 7. Not exactly confidence inspiring.

I had a first generation RX-7 and it was a very reliable daily driver, but Mazda's reach seemed to exceed their grasp with the later cars.

Submitted by: glemon

2006 Volkswagen Phaeton W12. Handmade in the glass factory in Dresden, Germany, 420hp built like a tank, flies like a Citation X.

I'm a grown ass man but I am terrified of owning a Phaeton because eventually it will have to be serviced.

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Submitted by: 900turbo