Most of the time, when a model is killed-off a similar vehicle replaces it. But sometimes we're left with a vast emptiness. Here are my top three cars that wandered off into the void that I wished would come back.
Toyota Supra - Nowadays, we give Toyota quite a bit of grief for creating lifeless cars that are as exciting as a dial tone. They used to have a mid-engined two-seater and rear-drive sporty cars. The Supra used to be the Toyota's flagship. The vehicle they were proud to pit against contemporary rivals like the Nissan Z and Mazda RX-7. It's been eight years since the Supra last saw production, leaving us with a wheezy front-drive Celica and MR2 Spyder. So whaddya say, Toyota, how about giving us something that'll inspire us again? And no, the $350,000 Lexus LF-A doesn't count.
Mazda RX-7 - Exit the twin-rotor powerhouse that was the RX-7 and we get the RX-8. How is that fair? For a company that touts itself as a fun, performance brand, it's simply unforgiveable that Mazda doesn't produce a high-performance car. My sister had one of the last RX-7s and it was a riot to drive -- a little too fragile for my tastes and probably too wild for most, though.
Nissan 240SX - Nissan needs an affordable sports car that is relatively simple. A new SX would compete against the Hyundai Genesis Coupe or V6 Mustang, and like those cars, it should have the engine up front and drive the
rear wheels. Balance its weight 50/50 front to rear, offer a manual transmission. Let's get the younger generation out of their ridiculous hipster boxmobiles and into something that makes them feel alive. I had an '89 fastback. It was fast enough to make me smile, but not fast enough to get me into too much trouble. I beat it mercilessly for six years and it never broke. I hope Nissan makes something like that again, and I also hope they don't base it off some other platform.
What cars would you like to see return?
By dougtheeng
on May 14, 2010
06:21 AM
I agree with all these comments. In particular, I'd love to see the Supra return.
As a general comment though, I would just like to see some cheaper fun vehicles return. Cars like the 370Z, RX-8, etc have all become too expensive for what they are. I'll gladly sacrifice some performance and features to have a basic, fun, GOOD LOOKING vehicle.
I think the base model MINI Cooper represents this well, but even so its expensive and its a hatch, rather then a proper sports car. Maybe the Genesis Coupe 4-cyl is what I'm looking for, but it would be nice to see more competition out there.
By vwblues
on May 14, 2010
06:22 AM
I always liked the RX-7, we used to call them pocket rockets. Unfortunately none of these are probably going to come back, at least not in any meaningful form. Platform sharing is king now and these types of cars aren't built for sharing.
By ahightower
on May 14, 2010
06:30 AM
Agree on the Supra, and the MR2 which you referred to but wasn't on the list.
I haven't known many to complain about the RX-8. Remember, "zoom-zoom" isn't about raw numbers, it's about the "sporty" feeling in everyday cars for everyday roads. It's Mazda3 vs Cobalt, not 911 Turbo vs ZR1. But yeah, sure, I wouldn't complain about a high performance RX.
As for the 240SX, doesn't the new Z fill the role of reasonably priced RWD pretty well? I suppose an even cheaper 4-cylinder option would be nice, but I don't see room for another coupe between the Z and Altima.
As for my own list, just one to add. I'd like to see a small pickup again, from anyone. Something the size of the old Toyota and Nissan pickups, before "small" trucks became "mid-sized" and grew to the size of the "full-sized" trucks of 20 years ago. Ford could own this market again, maybe use that small diesel from the TransitConnect. But I'm afraid that if they ever do redesign it, they'll ruin it by making it too large like the Dakota, Tacoma, etc.
By chrome58
on May 14, 2010
06:39 AM
I think GM ought to bring back a '50s-inspired Bel-Air: Stylish, V8, RWD, big, and relatively affordable. They're missing a good number of customers by offering two flavors of mid-size FWD Chevrolets.
By 06scooby
on May 14, 2010
07:08 AM
I totally agree on the 240SX. It was very affordable, bullet proof and could be "modded" beyond recognition if you wanted. I wanted one so bad in high school. Even though they weren't crazy fast I think they best captured the spirit of the old 240/260/280Z's of back in the day.
By estreka
on May 14, 2010
07:34 AM
I agree with all of those.
I'd also like to see the return of the cheap Italian roadster. I'd love to see a competitor to the Miata.
By sabastian
on May 14, 2010
08:21 AM
I'd like to see Honda bring back the fun. The CR-Z needs to be made into a true CRX Si successor, and they need to bring back the S2000. Also, would it kill them to build another Prelude-esqu car? No. It wouldn't.
By ne1butu2
on May 14, 2010
08:37 AM
I know it was just yesterday, but I do wish that GM would offer a successor to the Solstice/Sky roadsters. They were great little cars that would have continued to sell as a Chevy or perhaps Buick. Especially if they added some trunk space an a more practical convertible top.
The Acura Integra. Acura doesn't have anything appealing in this pricepoint anymore. And it's a shame, because there was a point where it seemed everyone had one as their first "nice car."
The Honda S2k. Are they nuts? I can't believe that Honda killed this. I had an 02 S2000 and it was an amazing little car. Better than anything Honda has in the showroom today.
Buick Grand National. I don't mean the exact same redneck wet dream from the 80s. But Buick really does need to offer a sportier version of the Regal.
By cruiserhead1
on May 14, 2010
09:05 AM
I think it's looking into the past with rose colored glasses.
At the time, the last Supra was considered overstyled, bloated and expensive. Reviewers panned the heavy car's handling.
Now, the 2JZ's potential in the aftermarket fully realized, it's a unicorn for the Fast n' Furious.
And make no mistake, that movie singlehandedly revived this Supra's resale value.
Still, I would love to see a Supra successor. I don't blame Toyota for not making one though.
The RX7 was gorgeous and hit all the right buttons but the build quality was horrid. Those doors felt like they were made of paper mache. They caught fire and the rotary is just not a durable motor.
Fun toy to mod but not an attractive street car with that motor.
Can you imagine the RX7 with a flat 4 twin turbo? Bulletproof rocketship...
The car I wish they brought back was the Honda CRX Si. I loved mine. Seems they are with the CRZ, hopefully it will revive some of Honda's old lustre.
By vvk
on May 14, 2010
11:14 AM
I am not so sure about Supra and RX-7, as they were very expensive back in the day. However, the 240SX was an absolute gem, especially in the later years. Very affordable, too.
By iskch
on May 14, 2010
11:33 AM
Agree.
- The Supra was a car that went under the radar when it was available. After a few years the popularity exploded. Now Toyota needs a Supra or halo Sport car if they want to bring their prestige back with the gear heads.
- The RX-7 got replaced with a RX-8 in order to make it a 4 door sport car!!! Didn't work quite well. Don't get me wrong the RX-8 handles a whole lot better than many sport cars but it needs a 3 rotor (20B engine)engine. Will see what Mazda will do in the future for this car.
- Nissan. I doubt they will create a SX-240 again. They will have to find a space to fit above the Altima Coupe and leave it as a 4 cyl. engine in order not to kill sales for the Z370.
By jlaszlo
on May 14, 2010
12:41 PM
Honda Prelude, Ford Probe GT, Pontiac (or whatever it would be now) Fiero V6, Impala SS RWD, Subaru SVX, T-bird.
By blueguydotcom
on May 14, 2010
02:44 PM
Last gen RX-7 - still one of the best looking, most entertaining cars made in decades. Light, gorgeous, fast, sharp handling. I am still mad at a friend's husband for selling his for only 11k in 2004. I would have gladly bought it.
240SX - another car that's in many ways loads better than what we have today. The US engine was weak but otherwise that car had potential.
Supra - shrug. Big, heavy, and um...big and heavy. Some people love em. Some people like Pepsi over Coke. To each his own.
By katbrain
on May 14, 2010
04:37 PM
It was my 3rd gen RX-7 that Mark refers to and my heart still aches for it. Bought it 1 year used for $25k. The interior cockpit and exterior design were inspired. Just didn't have the heart to keep the thoroughbred locked in the stable for weeks, seals drying and whinnying sadly whilst I attended to diapers. I drove a respectably mod'd RX-8 by Mazdatrix but it didn't deliver the twin turbo oomph of its predecessor, nor the sexy styling. Nothing like the sound of the twin turbo jets spooling up…
Bring it back and let's track it!
By epbrown
on May 16, 2010
01:58 PM
The Buddhists say a dying man needs to die in the way a sleeping man needs to sleep, and interfering with either is to disrupt the harmony of the universe. I tend not to wish for a car to come back after it has had it run; I am more inclined to get a nice example of the best model (which is why I often dream of getting a 944S2 or 968).
Some, though, don't get their fair run at a development cycle. I wish the NSX and Pontiac Solstice had got a second generation.
By carlisimo
on May 16, 2010
09:59 PM
I think a 50-50 weight distribution is too much to ask for a simple and affordable Nissan Silvia-like car. I'm not even convinced it's all that important.