Worst Ferraris Ever Made

Why We Picked It:

Although it shared a chassis with the 308, arguably one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever, the 208 GTB/GTS relied on a much smaller and less powerful 2.0-liter V8. The primary reason was the Italian tax law, which doubled the tax rate for vehicles with engines over 2.0 liters.

Therefore, the 208 GTB was remarkably underpowered for a sports car bearing the Ferrari badge, producing only about 155 horsepower. This Ferrari is probably the slowest one ever made.

The original 308 GTB featured a fiberglass body and a V8 engine producing 255 horsepower. However, the Italian-market-specific version of the 208 saw its power drop to 155 hp due to its larger steel body and shift to injection.

Other manufacturers of the era created more potent and entertaining sports vehicles. Competition from within Ferrari's lineup and from other manufacturers hampered sales of the 208 GTB.

The 208 GTB is one of the least desirable and least expensive Ferraris on the collector vehicle market due to its lackluster performance and limited appeal.

Why We Picked It:

In the late 1970s, Ferrari marketed the 400 model, a touring, daily-use, and comfortable coupe with a 4.8 V12 under the hood. Despite its GT designation, the 400 lagged below its contemporaries in power output and top speed. This vehicle replaced the older 365 GT4 2+2. The three-speed automatic transmission that General Motors supplied ruined what should have been a winning formula.

The 400 could only accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.1 seconds thanks to the V12's meager 340 horsepower. It's slow and unattractive because the design hasn't held up well over time.

True Ferrari fans never warmed up to four-seaters, and the 400 indeed didn't get away with it. When the V12 engine became fuel-injected, it lost 30 horsepower. Although there were 310 horses left in that V12, they were pretty useless thanks to that slow, ancient automatic transmission that took away from the vehicle's sporty feel.

Opinions on the Ferrari 400 vary. Some collectors and enthusiasts appreciate its role as a more comfortable long-distance cruiser.

Why We Picked It:

The Mondial was introduced in the 1980s as a successor to the Ferrari 308 GT4. However, its performance in versions didn't quite match up to other contemporary Ferrari models. The V8 engine it had was tuned down for practicality and emissions compliance resulting in an exhilarating driving experience compared to other sports cars from the Ferrari lineup.

One of the reasons for this was that the Mondial carried weight and had a heavy distribution due to its 2+2 seating arrangement. As a result, its handling and agility were negatively impacted. Some people criticized it for not delivering the responsive driving dynamics expected from a Ferrari.

Beauty is subjective. Opinions varied when it came to the design of the Mondial. Some enthusiasts found it less visually appealing than Ferraris because its 2+2 configuration required a wheelbase and different proportions that didn't resonate with everyone.

The Mondial received updates and improvements throughout its production lifespan as time passed. One notable improvement was the introduction of the Mondial T in the late 1980s. These later models offered performance and handling characteristics, which improved how enthusiasts perceived the Mondial.

Why We Picked It:

Although the Ferrari Dino is not universally reviled, certain people may hold bad opinions about it due to some factors.

In November 1973, Dino debuted the 308 GT4 at the Paris Auto Show. In May of 1976, the 308 GT4's bonnet, wheels, back panel, and steering wheel were all given the "Prancing Horse" logo instead of the previous Dino logos.

Rather than being marketed as a Ferrari, the car was initially sold under the "Dino" brand in honor of Enzo Ferrari's son, Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari. Some Ferrari enthusiasts may have been suspicious of the Dino since it looked different from other Ferraris.

Unlike the larger and more powerful V12 engines typically associated with Ferrari, the Dino's V6 engines were found in the earliest models. Although the Dino's engine was strong and made for an exciting ride, it lacked the raw power of contemporary Ferraris.

The Dino was introduced as Ferrari's more budget-friendly and approachable sports car. Despite its good performance and handling, this may have contributed to its being seen as a "lesser" Ferrari.

Why We Picked It:

The 348 has become a frequent target for criticism among enthusiasts. The 348 is frequently mentioned in conversations about Ferrari models that fell short of expectations. One of the main factors is that the Maranello automaker released the 348 shortly after the almighty F40.

The 348's modest acceleration and poor handling left much to be desired, especially compared to the performance of some of its peers at the time: The BMW E30 M3, the Porsche 911 Turbo, and the Z32 300ZX Turbo from Nissan. The 348 had serious competition and didn't meet the expectations.

It didn't help the comparison with its predecessor either. The 348 was the successor to the highly regarded Ferrari 328. Some enthusiasts felt that the 348 didn't live up to its predecessor's reputation in terms of driving dynamics and overall experience.

Another factor contributing to the 348's bad rep was its build quality. Early models of the 348 faced issues with reliability. Owners reported problems with electrical components, cooling systems, and other mechanical issues, which tarnished the car's reputation for dependability.