Worst Car Values of All Time

While sifting through the possibilities for our recent look at some of the all-time best value cars, it became clear that there's far more dirt than diamonds; so why not slum it at the other end of the spectrum?

"Value" in this context is defined by the aggregate of each car's weakest points: desirability, performance, reliability, and style.

Another point of consideration is how they stack up in today's dollars. To that end, we've again relied on the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index calculations, fed with original MSRPs as reported by NADA (the National Automobile Dealers Association) as well as AutoTrader.com. That's when you really begin to understand how, compared with whatÔøΩs available for the money today, these are the value cellar dwellers, the all-time worst value cars.

Original base MSRP: $33,000
MSRP in today's dollars: $57,170

Remember on Seinfeld when George was crushed that his Chrysler LeBaron wasn't previously owned by Jon Voight after all? It's probably like the letdown experienced by owners who realized their luxury coupes were more K-Car than Maserati. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

Original base MSRP: $26,874
MSRP in today's dollars: $50,820

The idea of a bi-Italian model makes the mind race with hot thoughts. Too bad the fieriness of this one was literal. When Maserati Biturbos weren't spontaneously combusting, they were frustrating owners by occupying auto techs' garages more than their own. It's unfortunate, really. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

Original base MSRP: $42,000
MSRP in today's dollars: $47,763

If you're old enough to remember the El Camino and how useless it was, you probably weren't swayed by the retro-styled SSR either. Even with the sweet-sounding Corvette LS-2 V8 as an option, the convertible-sorta-truck couldn't hope to carry its weight in the acceleration, handling or practicality departments. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

Original base MSRP: $7,900
MSRP in today's dollars: $34,423

Malcolm Bricklin may have helped bring Subaru to the U.S., it's true. However, he's also used his powers for evil. We'll get to his ultimate misdeed in a few, but first, there's the car that wore his name, the Bricklin SV-1. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

Original base MSRP: $33,655 (2WD)
MSRP in today's dollars: $41,985

Remember just a few years ago when Chevy and Ford were in a size-matters contest with their flagship SUVs? Ford won the battle, but ultimately lost the war with its Excursion. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

Original base MSRP: $63,939
MSRP in today's dollars: $142,337

Lest you thought every car wearing the Cavallino Rampante was worth its weight in gold, think again. How this car ever got Enzo's blessing is a mystery, but it's clear the Mondial 8 was born to lose. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

Original base MSRP: $101,300 (W12)
MSRP in today's dollars: $107,944

At the time of its release, we commented that the VW Phaeton should really have been named the Icarus. The American market seems to have felt the same, even if Europeans showed it more love. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

Original base MSRP: $51,785
MSRP in today's dollars: $61,837

So how does this sound: Instead of buying a Cadillac Escalade EXT, take your $50,000 and get a warmed-over, two-wheel drive Ford F-150 crew cab without a useful pickup box. Sound like a plan? Yeah, didn't think so. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

Original base MSRP: $3,801
MSRP in today's dollars: $28,254

Edsel. That one word says it all: bad timing, bad marketing, bad design, and above all, a bad car. 1959 wasnÔøΩt exactly the best time to launch a new, semi-premium automotive brand. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

Original base MSRP: $3,990
MSRP in today's dollars: $7,820

Some cars need no introduction; though in the case of the Yugo, perhaps an apology to drivers is in order instead. In all fairness, Malcolm Bricklin did mean well by bringing this putrid, outdated, rebadged Fiat to our shores. See the full sideshow at Askmen.com.

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Slide 4: Maserati Biturbo photo credit to SeriousWheels.com