Function should always go over form... ALWAYS. And when function is performed into the design of a sports car extremely thoroughly you get very good looking/performing cars... hint Ferrari's. Well, except some sports cars like the porsche 911, I can make an exception to that one because they are truly ugly... except for the new ones.
Anyways... The majority of the population do not understand performance, therefore they tend go towards looks instead, because they are ignorant of the facts. Thats also why the majority of car manufacturers produce not so well performing cars for the simple minded folk... which is also the failure of this country.