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Just because these cars are fast doesn't guarantee they are also fun to drive.

Sometimes, even the most famous carmakers have been known to ruin their best efforts with a few oversights in their quest to build the most potent and fun sports cars. Size and weight is a common criticism that leads to a less than glowing review. Remember the iconic Ferrari Testarossa complete with its flat 12-cylinder engine? Gorgeous to look at and fast too, providing you're not planning on navigating anything less than a two lane street where its flanks are sure to cause some headaches. At the other end of the scale, lightweight specials with bone-jarring suspension that will have gearheads looking for the quickest exit are not fun either.

Flaws also come in other forms. Chasing perfection relying on sophisticated electronics to keep all four wheels planted no matter what speeds you're traveling afflicts two of the cars listed here.

The good news is, Porsches 911 have been walking the fine line between fun and safe since the early '90s. No wonder so many gearheads aspire to own a Porsche, among several other equally fun sports cars.

Related: 10 Race Cars You Can Legally Drive On The Road

A dream ride of the seventies, eighties and nineties, the Lamborghini Countach captured gearheads' attention on several levels. An outrageously styled space-age wedge crammed with an equally flamboyant powertrain. Styled by Gandini, the Countach looks fast and furious even when it's stationary.

On entry the dream quickly becomes a nightmare. Rearward Visibility was always going to be an issue that made maneuvering a tricky prospect at best. The experience momentarily gets better on firing up the V12 engine just inches behind your head. However, the promise evaporates just as quickly once you've grappled with the clutch, gearshift and steering all leaving you with aching limbs.

McLaren adopted a technological approach to building the perfect supercar. Unveiled in 2011, the MP4-12C crammed all of McLaren's F1 expertise in to their first in-house mass-produced supercar. In-house construction is a more accurate analogy. Much of the engineering side including the 3.8-liter turbocharged engine, happens off-site.

The extensive use of carbon fiber and race-proven technology is admirable. However, the Frank Stephenson-designed 12C takes the process a few steps too far, eliminating the buzz you get from other supercars.

RELATED: Auction Dilemma: Ferrari 458 Italia Vs McLaren MP4-12C

Jaguar's XJR-15, despite its appearance, isn't really a Jaguar. Developed and manufactured by TWR-owned JaguarSport the XJR-15 is the V12-powered supercar XJ220 owners hoped for. In reality, the XJR-15 is not a road-legal race car, but rather a fully fledged race car closely related to the Le Mans-winning XJR-9.

Raw and raucous to the core. The XJR-15 is a stripped-back, carbon fiber-shelled race car guaranteed to shatter the eardrums of anyone foolish enough to ignore the standard fit ear-defenders. On the move, things get worse. With minimal warning, the XJR-15 will spin up its rear tires before catapulting unawares drivers towards the scenery.

The XLR-V was Cadillac's response to the growing number of German sports car imports. Despite the sharper boxier bodywork, and Cadillac branding the XLR-V is a badge engineered Corvette. Assembled alongside one another, the two both use General Motors front-rear drive Y-platform.

Cadillac isn't a name we'd usually associate with sports cars. However, this didn't deter Cadillac shoehorning a 443hp 4.4-liter V8 Northstar motor under the hood. The most significant differences take place out of sight and impact the XLR's driving experience. On less than mirror-smooth surfaces, the XLR's magneto-rheological suspension lacks cohesion as a genuine sports car.

The Dodge Viper is one of the most polarizing sports cars ever to see the light of day. Gearheads fell in love with the V10-engined '60s-era style muscle car-slash-modern sports coupe. However, it was more old school than modern, with a distinct lack of safety features. Only the seriously brave would push the Viper anywhere near its limits.

The alluring promise of 400+ hp under your right foot was meant to be fun. But lacking traction control, anti-lock brakes, and airbags, should the inevitable happen makes the Viper more of a horror ride than a thrill ride.

RELATED: 1992-1955 Dodge Viper: Costs, Facts, And Figures

We've all seen a Tesla blow away supercars in a drag race thank to high-torque electric motors. In 2021, the popular Model S gained a long-overdue Plaid model boasting 1020 hp. In all three electric motors fed by a 100 kWh battery pack deliver a supercar shaming 0-60 mph time of 1.99-seconds.

As awe-inspiring as these figures are, the Tesla, or any electric car for that matter, is missing a huge chunk of what makes cars fun, the noise. Storming to 60 mph in near silence is a novelty that soon wears off. The Supercar owner, we suspect, will never tire of the sound of a highly tuned combustion engine.

The 3000GT showcased Mitsubishi's engineering and development prowess in one car. From the outset, this JDM star would pack every driver-aid on the market, plus some more the Japanese carmaker dreamt up. Lifting the hood reveals a potent 3.0-liter turbocharged engine cranking out 300 hp in U.S. trim with ample tuning potential for more

Unfortunately, Mitsubishi didn't stop there, adding layer upon layer of weight busting tech. Adding all-wheel-drive, four-wheel steering, and enough electronics to put a shuttle launch to shame, upping the 3000GT's curb weight to 4100 lbs. As bloated as the Mitsubishi ended up it was still a quick car, just not as engaging to drive.

Unless in the near future, Lexus surprises gearheads with a follow-on from the LFA, the LC500 is the sportiest model on offer. On the face of it, the two-seater coupe promises blistering performance thanks to a front mounted 3.5-liter V6 putting down 354 hp.

Unfortunately, the added bulk of electric motors and battery packs blunts the LC500h driving experience. However, it's not the LC500hs top speed or 0-60 mph time that suffers, but its agility. Without question, hybrid technology in cleaning up the car industry, but not at the expense of driving thrills.

RELATED: 8 Reasons Why The Lexus LC500 Is An Underrated Sports Car Flop

How long is too long? In the 370Z's case, maybe production should have ended five years sooner. We're not suggesting the Z was a terrible car, rather Nissan barely updated the Z. Towards the end, both inside and out, the 370Z was dated.

On the move Nissan's VQ37 3.7-liter V6 borders on the average with 332 hp on tap. While the ride is way too firm for daily use, making the 370Z experience all too forgettable.

Fast and affordable, the Escort RS Cosworth was every gearhead's dream during the '90s. It might have been a compact mid-sized family hauler adorned with a huge rear wing and an even larger turbocharger, but that didn't matter; every gearhead wanted one. So high was demand for the fast Ford, many went missing.

The trade-off for performance came at the expense of huge turbo lag. Ford working with Cosworth, bolted a Garret T25 turbo to the four-cylinder engine with little concern for refinement. Keep the engine in its power band, and you'll be fine. Otherwise, be prepared for a repetitive and less than fun constant need to downshift.

Raised in a car-obsessed environment from an early age ensured a keen interest in anything car-related. first and foremost an F1 fan, but also an avid follower of other motorsports. Professional background working closely with a well established UK based Supercar manufacturer in recent years.