Few cars are perfect; in fact, most have several irritating issues and problems that we just learn to live with. Noisy brakes, poor performance, a hard ride, or a cramped interior are things most of us have had to deal with in our daily drivers, but sometimes you get a car that has such a major issue that you can't imagine anyone wanting to own one. And yet, not only does it succeed, but it eventually becomes a desirable vehicle to own.In some cases, its popularity is down to the fact that it can do one thing exceptionally well, or it is an enthusiast car that becomes a rarely used classic, and that major flaw is less of a problem than when it was new. But run-of-the-mill cars like the old Nissan Maxima sold very well despite being saddled with a whiny CVT transmission. The original Volkswagen Beetle had a tendency to tuck in its rear wheels around corners, resulting in scary handling characteristics — something the earliest Porsches were also known for. So, to cover all the bases, we chose some popular vehicles from a broad range of segments that thrived despite having one major flaw. Acura Integra 2023 - present Acura Integra A-Spec Front DrivingWe've picked on the current generation Acura Integra, but all model years suffer from the same flaw: being available only with a front-wheel-drive layout. In the world of sports cars, that is a massive failing, yet the Integra hasn't just done well; older versions have become legendary JDM icons.The reason is simple, despite the understeery FWD layout, they can teach many RWD sports cars a thing or two in the handling department. The latest versions are great, can still be had with a manual transmission, and if you want to save a few dollars, the Honda Civic Si offers much the same formula. You won't be doing any lurid tailslides out of a Cars and Coffee meet, but that's probably a good thing.Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop Now BMW M5 V10 2005-2010 bmw m5 v10The E60-generation BMW M5 has not one but two major flaws, yet it is fast becoming a valuable collector car, and it sold well when it was new. The first issue was obvious from the moment you pulled off the dealer's lot, and it was the clunky and rough single-clutch SMG transmission. With 11 gearshift modes, it was too complicated for its own good, and it only ever felt right when you were hammering the living daylights out of the car. In those moments, the rapid and fierce shifts matched perfectly with that howling 5.0-liter V10. The US market also had the option of a six-speed manual, although these are extremely rare.The second issue became apparent some years later, and that was the fragility of that impressive V10 engine, more specifically, its tendency to prematurely wear out its rod bearings. Failure resulted in an engine rebuild, so preventative maintenance is a must with these cars. Despite this issue, and a few other mechanical frailties, the V10 M5 remains one of the most intense and impressive super sedans ever built. Ford Pinto 1971-1980 1974 Ford Pinto (5)Some cars have irritating flaws, others have issues that can be very expensive to rectify. The 1971 Ford Pinto took things to a new level; if you got rear-ended, it could go up in a ball of flames. This was due to a fuel tank that was initially placed behind the rear axle due to the design being rushed into production. Despite the obvious risks involved, the Pinto sold well, and massive pressure to rectify the issue finally resulted in the NHTSA ordering a recall in 1978. The Pinto became a case study in corporate greed over consumer safety, but despite that, over 3 million Pintos were eventually sold. Jeep Wrangler JL 2017-present 2024 Jeep Wrangler frontThe Jeep Wrangler is a cultural icon, an instantly recognizable automotive symbol that has been the go-to off-roading fashion accessory for 40 years. Thanks to numerous factory options and extensive aftermarket support, a Wrangler can be modified and upgraded to tackle just about any obstacle.Unless, of course, that obstacle is a smooth stretch of road. That's because the Wrangler handles like a broken shopping trolley packed with a month's worth of groceries. It will weave and swerve about, trying to dive into the nearest bush where it can make the most of its off-roading prowess. The bumpy ride, vague steering, and horrendous cornering have done little to deter customers; the Wrangler remains as popular as ever.Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop Now Mazda RX-8 2003-2012 MAzda RX-8, front quarter viewSuperb handling, an innovative design, and decent performance are the hallmarks of the Mazda RX-8. It was popular when new, with almost 200,000 finding homes globally. It should be a priceless modern JDM classic, yet you can find them for as little as $5,000. The very best cars can be found for $12,000 to $15,000. Sounds like a bargain, right?Well, the reason for the lucrative price point is that the RX-8's rotary motor has several serious issues. Like any rotary motor, it is smooth and loves to rev, but it also uses tons of oil, and the apex seals on the rotors wear out with depressing regularity. Even well-cared-for cars may eventually need a rebuild, and values reflect this. There are several upgrades and fixes that some owners have implemented, and this can make a difference, but you'll need to be a real enthusiast to buy one.Find [[default_name]] and more cars for sale on our MarketplaceShop Now Porsche 911 996 1997-2004 porsche 911 996 frontNo, the fried egg headlights weren't the biggest flaw of the first water-cooled Porsche 911, but they were the first thing people commented on when it was launched. The major issue with these cars was that the intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing could fail without much warning, resulting in a wrecked motor.Porsche implemented certain upgrades during production, but only really solved the issue in 2009 when it removed the IMS bearing completely. By then, the next generation Porsche 911 was halfway through its production cycle, so owners of the older cars had to hope that their engine was one of the good ones.In truth, failure rates were low, and chatting with Porsche specialists in recent months revealed that IMS bearing issues are almost non-existent these days. Either way, the 996 generation 911 sold over 175,000 units globally, more than 2.5 times as many as its predecessor. It helped save Porsche from bankruptcy, and good-condition 996 models are now starting to go up in value. Quickly. Subaru WRX 2014–2021 2011-2014 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan Front 3/4Vrooom, whoosh, paaaarp, vroooom. Whoosh. In case it wasn't clear, those are the sounds of a Subaru WRX being driven enthusiastically along a twisty stretch of road. If you are lucky enough to have piloted one of these cars in anger, you'll be aware that they are superb fun. The responsive chassis, all-wheel-drive layout, and torquey turbocharged engine also make them quick enough to hassle much more powerful cars when the weather deteriorates.However, as with so many things, this car's biggest strength is also its biggest weakness, and that is the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four motor. The turbo EJ25 engine has been used in various WRX and STI models between 2004 and 2021, and while it sounds great and produces plenty of power, it's also known for head gasket failures, excessive oil consumption, and piston ringland issues. Yet despite all this, these cars have an avid following, and there are several mods and updates designed to minimize these issues, thanks to the Subaru enthusiast community. Toyota 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ 2013-2020 2012 Toyota 86 GTS front, three-quarterIt is pretty obvious that the enthusiast car community is willing to overlook some major flaws in their vehicles as long as they excel in at least one area. The Toyota 86 (Scion FR-S in the States until 2016) was a superb little sports car that offered rear-wheel drive, a manual transmission, and the sort of handling balance that enthusiasts dream about. It had everything except torque. This was a common lament throughout production, and while a turbocharger or larger engine would have turned it into the perfect budget-friendly sports car, Toyota kept it as is throughout production.It wasn't exactly slow though, especially if you were happy to bounce off the rev limiter everywhere you went, and it sold very well. Toyota didn't turn its successor into a rocket, but the GR86's larger 2.4-liter motor added just enough power and torque to make it a near-perfect package.Sources: Acura, BMW, Ford, Jeep, Mazda, Porsche, Subaru