10 Automobiles That Just Missed the Mark to Become Legendary

Cars That Almost Became Legends: Sometimes a car might come this close to excellence but fail because of a single small flaw. They possessed the pedigree the performance, and the style, but something prevented them from becoming true legends.

From timeless classics to modern sports cars, these 10 vehicles each had that “wow” factor… and that one deal-breaking quirk. Here is why they almost made it… but didn’t quite cross the finish line.

1. BMW E30 M3 (1986–1991)

• 2.3L Inline 4 engine
• HP: 192 
• 0-60: 6.7–6.9s

The original E30 M3 is the poster child of pure driving joy loved for its razor-sharp handling and motorsport heritage. That S14 four-cylinder motor was revolutionary… but it could have been epic with a six-cylinder engine. Later Evo II models got a bit more power, but the “peaky” nature of the engine left enthusiasts craving more. Not quite perfect but almost.

2. BMW Z8 (1999–2003)

• 4.9L V8 engine
• 395 horsepower
• 4.5 seconds from 0 to 60

The Z8’s handling was more grand tourer than sports car but BMW incorporated the best features of the M5 into a retro-styled roadster. Fast corners were hampered by understeer, and it never reached its full potential without a limited-slip differential. Not exactly iconic but elegant, swift and lavish.

3. Ferrari F355 (1994–1999)

• 3.5L V8 engine
• HP: 374 
• 0-60: 4.5s

The F355 is a mid-engine masterpiece with jaw dropping looks and that legendary Ferrari exhaust note. But timing belt replacements are a nightmare, requiring engine removal every 3–5 years. A dream to drive, but a wallet-breaking maintenance reality.

4. Honda S2000 (1999–2009)

• 2.0L Inline-4 engine 
• HP: 237 
• 0–60: 5.5–6.0 second

The S2000 had a classic design, rear-wheel drive a faultless manual transmission, and an engine that loved to rev to the moon. Unfortunately, the 2.0-liter high-strung motor only started up at speeds higher than 6,000 rpm. It was almost legendary but it needed more mistreatment than most drivers could tolerate.

5. Jaguar F-Type Convertible (2014–2024)

• 5.0L Supercharged V8 Engine
• HP: 488 
• 0-60: 4s

Beautiful, fast and luxurious but cramped. The convertible trunk is practically symbolic of what you’ll need to leave behind luggage, golf bags, even groceries. Manual lovers also lamented the lack of a stick. Gorgeous but a small unsuitable for a road trip.

6. Mazda RX-8 (2003–2012)

• 1.3L Twin Rotor Engine
• HP: 238 
• 0-60: 6s

The RX-8 brought rotary engine excitement to a fun, practical sports car. It handled like a dream and had a unique 4-door coupe layout. But the rotary’s unreliability and oil consumption kept it from being a true legend. Buy one only if you have a trusted rotary specialist on speed dial.

7. Mercedes-AMG W204 C63 (2007–2011)

• 6.2L V8 engine
• 451 horsepower
• 0–60 seconds

The neighbors could be awakened by the C63’s roar and enormous torque. Although it was nearly unbeatable, purists preferred a manual gearbox to properly appreciate that incredible V8. It sound unlike anything else in the region though.

8. Porsche 911 (930) (1974–1989)

• 3.0L Turbo Flat-Six engine 
• HP: 245 
• 5.2 seconds from 0 to 60

A preview of the future of sports vehicles was provided by Porsche’s first turbocharged 911. However, low-end driving was challenging due to the lack of an intercooler and turbo lag, and power came in sudden bursts that could surprise you.  Amazing when it spooled but difficult for the average driver.

9. Toyota 86 (2013–2020)

• 2.0L Flat-Four Engine 
• HP: 200
• 0-60: 6.4s

Rear-wheel drive? Check. Manual transmission? Check. Balanced chassis? Check. What went wrong? The engine. Underpowered compared to turbo rivals, the GT86’s performance was limited. Toyota fixed most issues with the GR86—but the 86 still lives in the almost-legendary hall of fame.

10. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8 (2022–Present)

• 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 engine
• HP: 241 
• 0-60: 6s

The Golf GTI remains the hot hatch benchmark, but the Mk8 stumbled with touchscreen controls and removed tactile buttons. Convenience replaced feel, and even with the 8.5 update, purists missed the manual transmission option. Almost iconic—but tech got in the way.

Final Thoughts

One thing these cars demonstrate is that perfection is difficult.  With just one modification a better engine, a manual gearbox or a few more cubic inches under the hood—each of these cars could have become a true legend. Perfection is always just out of reach but they’re getting near.

FAQs

Q1: Which of these car is easiest to maintain today?

A: The BMW E30 M3 and Toyota 86 are generally easier to maintain compare to exotic car like the F355 or RX-8.

Q2: Why didn’t these cars reach full legend status?

A: Each had a “deal-breaking” flaw—like underpowered engines, tricky maintenance, or impractical designs—that kept them from becoming perfect.

Q3: Can modern updates fix the flaws?

A: Sometimes. The GR86 addresses the 86’s power issue, and aftermarket mods can help RX-8 reliability. But classics like the 930 Turbo and F355 are stuck in their original form.

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