There is no question that the 1980s brought us some truly spectacular vehicles. In fact, some of these cars were easily among the best of all time, so it is a decade that many car enthusiasts will forever admire. However, even though this is the case, it is important to remember that this decade also released some of the worst cars ever.
There is no question that many of the top car manufacturers made a lot of mistakes that ultimately need to be looked at. Many cars of this decade also were prone to having short lifecycles because of how poorly they were built and their inability to handle tougher road conditions.
With all that has been stated thus far, we will be looking at twenty cars from the 1980s that crumbled and are now permanently found in junkyards. It is important to note that these vehicles will be coming from a wide variety of car manufacturers, so it will show just how difficult it could be to find a reliable vehicle during that time period. There is no question that we should admire what the 1980s gave us when looking at the amazing cars that came from that period, but at the same time, criticism is definitely warranted for the absolute lemons of this decade as well.
Now, let's look at these junkyard cars from the 80s!
20 1980 Chevy Corvette
The 1980 Chevy Corvette was a rarity from the series, as this vehicle was a complete and utter lemon. The primary issue that was brought forth with it was that it had an extremely weak engine, which resulted in it having a plethora of issues with it.
This is probably the only Corvette that one could find in junkyards. It is clear that this vehicle was just extremely poor when it came to its overall structure, so it makes a lot of sense as to why it would go on to lose all of its value at a very rapid pace.
19 1986 Buick Riviera
The 1986 Buick Riviera would go on to face an abundance of criticism when it first entered the primary market. This is largely because of the fact that it was far too weak when it came to its overall structure, which, naturally, would lead to it needing a lot of repairs.
Due to the fact that this vehicle was essentially a walking problem, it would go on to lose its value at a very quick rate. From here, people would end up ridding of them far earlier than thought they would and, of course, this is why most are found in the junkyard today.
18 1989 Eagle Premier
The 1989 Eagle Premier, as it names implies, was supposed to be a top-notch vehicle. However, as one could guess, this ended up not being the case because of the vast amount of problems that it would go on to possess from the very start of its release.
When seeing how this vehicle would go on to have an extremely faulty transmission, as well as a plethora of interior issues, it makes a lot of sense that it ended up losing a ton of its value rather quickly. At the end of the day, it just was a failed release that had a lot of potential.
17 1984 Alfa Romeo Arna
The 1984 Alfa Romeo Arna is a vehicle that definitely did not end up reaching the expectations that were handed to it when it first entered the primary market. Due to this, many of its buyers would quickly become outraged with the product that they were given.
This vehicle became rather notorious with its abundance of steering issues, so it would go on to lose all of its value rather quickly. With that being stated, it makes a lot of sense why most people would get rid of them earlier than expected, hence why they found their home in junkyards.
16 1980 Pontiac Phoenix
The 1980 Pontiac Phoenix was supposed to be a vehicle that was going to be remembered for its reliability. However, from the very start of its release, it became rather clear that this vehicle was rushed immensely when it came to its developmental stage.
Due to this clear fact, this vehicle would go on to have a very high amount of issues throughout its entire build. It definitely is most remembered for its serious engine flaws. This is what would go on to destroy the reputation of the vehicle and many people would eventually decide to give up on them.
15 1983 DeLorean DMC-12
The 1983 DeLorean DMC-12 definitely is remembered for its role in pop culture. However, in terms of its overall quality as a vehicle, it is definitely clear that this car was a complete lemon. In fact, it would go on to make the car manufacturer lose money rather than gain from it.
This vehicle simply failed because people were not drawn to its overall design. When also recognizing that it was horrible when it came to its overall structure, it makes a lot of sense as to why people would soon end up giving up on it. It lacked any amount of durability.
14 1988 Oldsmobile Toronado
The 1988 Oldsmobile Toronado may have come into the automobile world with high expectations to be something special but this, ultimately, would not end up being the case. In short, this vehicle simply was built in an unfit fashion so problems would quickly present themselves.
Due to this clear fact, it makes a lot of sense as to why so many people would go on to rid of this vehicle rather quickly. There is no question that this car was unlike the others from this manufacturer, as it lacked in durability. It just was a lemon that never should have been released.
13 1981 Maserati Biturbo
The 1981 Maserati Biturbo definitely had a nice look to it but that is the only compliment that can be given to it. At the end of the day, it is clear that this vehicle simply possessed far too many major problems to ever go on to reach the level of success it was supposed to.
There is no question that this vehicle would go on to actually possess far more negative traits than positive ones. This is why the car manufacturer would end up being hurt by the release. It truly is disappointing, as this vehicle had a lot of potential to be something truly special.
12 1987 Sterling 825
The 1987 Sterling 825 was a vehicle that definitely had a lot of expectations to be a solid one but, as one could guess, this would not end up being the case. Due to this clear fact, many people would soon give up on this vehicle, as it would go on to have far too many problems.
Engine and transmission issues would definitely become the most well-known issues for this vehicle. These would, naturally, result in this vehicle needing a lot of repairs, which would result in buyers growing quickly discouraged by it. At the end of the day, it clearly never should have been released.
11 1982 Cadillac Cimarron
The 1982 Cadillac Cimarron is definitely seen as one of the biggest lemons of all time, so it makes a lot of sense that they are solely found in junkyards today. This "luxury car" simply did not fit the expectations of one, so it would go on to be heavily disliked throughout the automobile world.
At the end of the day, it is clear that Cadillac should have spent far more time when it came to the development of this car. It simply had far too many problems to ever be special and they easily could have avoided them if they were more careful and attentive when building it.
10 1985 Yugo
The 1985 Yugo was one of the most hyped-up vehicles to ever enter the automobile world. However, as one could clearly see, this vehicle turned out to be a complete lemon because of how poorly it was built. Engine issues became quite the norm for it, so repairs were constantly needed.
The one positive aspect of this vehicle was that it came at a cheap price, so buyers, thankfully, did not lose too much on it. However, the excitement that was put around this car definitely would end up making people disappointed in it, as it truly failed to do much good.
9 1989 Chrysler TC
The 1989 Chrysler TC came into the automobile world with the expectation of it being a good vehicle. This would end up not happening because of the fact that it was extremely poor when it came to its overall structure. This would end up sinking its value in its entirety.
When seeing how this vehicle had a very high amount of problems with its interior accessories, it makes sense that it would end up lacking in any real amount of durability. Its short lifecycle would result in it being primarily found in junkyards in very quick fashion.
8 1981 Cadillac DeVille
The 1981 Cadillac DeVille is widely considered to be one of the worst vehicles to ever come from the car manufacturer. This makes a lot of sense because of the fact that this car simply was built in an extremely poor fashion. This would result in it needing a lot of repairs.
At the end of the day, the car manufacturer should have been able to do a far better job with this vehicle. However, their mistakes in building it resulted in this vehicle being prone to a plethora of issues. This would result in it having a short life cycle and it is why it is solely found in junkyards today.
7 1984 Renault Fuego
The 1984 Renault Fuego definitely turned out to be a complete disaster from the very start of its time on the primary market. The car manufacturer simply made this car possess far too many major issues and as a result of this, they would lose money with its release.
The 1984 Fuego had a lot of its problems when it came to its fuel system. This would, naturally, lead to its buyers needing to constantly take it to the mechanics, which, of course, would lower their patience with it. At the end of the day, this would lead to this model being found in the junkyard very quickly.
6 1981 Buick Skylark
The 1981 Buick Skylark definitely did not reach the level of success that many people believed it would. This is largely because of the fact that it simply was far too weak when it came to its overall structure. This would definitely make it lose its value at a very quick rate, as well.
At the end of the day, it, ultimately, makes sense why this car is now primarily found in junkyards. It is clear that it simply was not built well in the slightest, which is why it would go on to have a very short lifecycle. It simply was a bad release from the car manufacturer.
5 1980 Ford Pinto
In a last attempt to save the Ford Pinto series, the 1980 model was released. The car manufacturer had stated that they fixed the immense amount of issues that were found in past vehicles, but this ended up not being the case—not in the slightest.
At the end of the day, this vehicle simply was built far too poorly and this would result in more of the same. The smallest of collisions would end up destroying this vehicle, as it had a tendency to catch on fire in these situations. At the end of the day, it definitely was an underwhelming release from Ford and it would result in the ending of the series.
4 1986 Pontiac Fiero
The 1986 Pontiac Fiero is easily one of the biggest lemons in the history of the automobile world. This is largely because of the fact that this car simply possessed far too many major problems to ever reach the level of expectations that were originally given to it.
When seeing how it was extremely expensive yet was below average in terms of overall quality, it makes a lot of sense as to why they quickly found themselves in the junkyard. They simply were underwhelming at the end of the day and likely should have never been released to the public.
3 1980 Oldsmobile Omega
The 1980 Oldsmobile Omega was another car on this list that came into the automobile world with very high expectations to be something special. General Motors advertised this vehicle immensely, as it was supposed to be a game-changing vehicle for the public.
Of course, this did not end up being the case, as this car simply was built far too poorly. As a result of this clear fact, many people began to avoid in its entirety. This would then lead to the end of it having any real value and, at the end of the day, this is why it will forever be slated to the junkyard.
2 1987 Cadillac Allante
The 1987 Cadillac Allante is widely considered to be one of the worst cars of this decade, as it would go on to have a plethora of issues when it came to its engine, as well as its transmission. This would be unfortunate, as people would go on to spend a lot of money on it.
These issues would result in the vehicle possessing a very short lifecycle. Due to this clear fact, it is quite understandable as to why this vehicle would find a home in the junkyard very shortly after its release. There truly was no excuse for this release and it absolutely warrants the criticism it still receives.
1 1983 Chevy Citation
The 1983 Chevy Citation is easily one of the worst cars to ever have been released and it should not come as a surprise that they are a junkyard regular. This definitely makes a lot of sense because this car was an absolute waste of a project by General Motors and never should have been greenlighted.
When seeing how there was an abundance of individuals who would go on to purchase this vehicle, it is clear that this was disappointing. Chevy, of course, had a reputation for delivering reliable cars and they still do, but this car, clearly, did not follow in that direction.
Sources: Edmunds, Car and Driver, and Jalopnik.
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