Have you ever had nostalgia for a vehicle only to realize it’s gone? Car manufacturers often rework their lineups based on finances and manufacturing. Unfortunately, their decisions also cancel popular vehicles. A few of these vehicles are truly unique and are considered classics now.
Let’s take a look at 15 cars we wish were still made.
Chevrolet SSR
The Chevrolet SSR is unusual but useful. It combines a pickup truck bed with sedan styling and transforms into a convertible. Though its 4’ bed was smaller than most mid or full-size trucks, the ability to haul gear without taking over most of your driveway sounds cool. Although Chevrolet didn’t produce many SSRs, with only about 25,000 sold, we would love to see a modernized version on dealer lots.
Dodge Viper
The infamous Dodge Viper ended production in 2017. The Viper was effectively a race car with a dynamic and aggressive look and two motor options—a V8 or a larger V10.
So, why was the Viper discontinued? The easy answer is safety issues. The government began to require curtain airbags, but the relatively small Viper couldn’t fit them without expensive modifications. As a result, Dodge axed it.
Honda Fit
The Honda Fit was a great small-budget vehicle. Unlike many other compact vehicles, it had good handling and decent cargo space, stemming from a thoughtful layout that put the gas tank under the front seats. It was also cute. More importantly, for many price-conscious vehicle shoppers, the attractive price tag of about $17,000 made it a good choice.
Oh, and don’t worry about the gas tank location—it’s pretty safe.
Honda S2000
Honda made vehicles that satisfied enthusiasts in the 1990s and 2000s, and the S2000 was among the best. A tight suspension made the S2000 fun to drive, whether on city streets, a country highway, or even a track. The engine became a marvel, as Honda became known for the VTEC motor with only a 2–2-liter capacity that could make 240 horsepower and climb to 8300 RPM.
Pontiak Aztek
The Aztek could make a return as it’s practical and looks retro. The original Aztek was widely criticized for its boxy, angled look and engine, which was just a bit too weak to be a true off-roader. The Aztek might do well against today’s SUV competition with minor modifications and a modern infotainment system.
Although some consider the Aztek one of the worst vehicles of all time, we disagree.
Toyota MR2
Toyota already produces some excellent sports cars, but the MR2 is just different. It was a mid-engine vehicle in the spirit of the modern Corvette. It only sold for four years, but then Toyota made the MR2 available with two engine options, one with up to 135 horsepower and the other turbocharged to 200 horsepower. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s all you really need.
Subaru Baja
This one is a lot like the Chevrolet SSR but even cooler. Subaru made the Outback into a truck and sold it from 2003 to 2006. It had a usable 41’ truck bed that could be made more prominent by opening the rear door. It also featured Subaru’s renowned all-wheel drive system.
Nissan Xterra
While Nissan is not doing too well today, it used to produce an off-road SUV that today’s buyers would still go for. The Xterra was known for having a solid rear axle, independent front suspension, upgraded skid plates, and space in the tailgate for a first aid kit. Yep, they assumed drivers were off-roading and included a first aid kit.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota sold the FJ Cruiser for just a few years, between 2007 and 2014. The FJ Cruiser is meant for off-roading like a Jeep, though the FJ Cruiser looked better with a white roof and had a comfortable interior. It also drove better than a Jeep. You could say that Toyota canceled the FJ Cruiser in favor of improving the 4Runner, but we could say the 4Runner doesn’t have the look or capability of the FJ Cruiser.
MazdaSpeed3
The MazdaSpeed 3 looked a lot like the standard Mazda 3. The key differences were bigger wheels, a spoiler, a better-looking front end, a hood scoop, and a different engine. The speed edition peaked at 263 horsepower compared to 167 in the original. Unfortunately, this one is long gone.
Dodge Magnum
Americans need more wagon choices, so we’d love to see the Dodge Magnum make a comeback. This vehicle was based on the Dodge Charger. It looked cool for a wagon and offered an STR8 option with a HEMI V8 engine.
Nissan 240SX
Nissan made some cool cars in the late 1990s. The Nissan 240SX made waves in the compact sports segment with a solid exterior design, excellent handling, and a smooth, powerful engine. Back in the day, it was also reasonably priced compared to other sports cars, with sticker prices under $15,000.
Mazda RX-7
We want this back, though it’s a bit impractical. The RX-7 was one of the last Mazdas to feature a rotary engine that produced very high RPMs. It just sounded really cool, like roasting popcorn in a pan. The problem? They are expensive to make and aren’t very reliable.
Chevrolet El Camino
The El Camino was produced before the Chevrolet SSR with some of the same thoughts in mind. Chevrolet put a 454-cubic-inch V8 into what looked like a sedan with a pickup bed. It was like driving a muscle car with hauling capacity, and we want one.
Honda Element
The Honda Element was one of the company’s earlier SUVs. Its popularity was driven by its boxy design and flexible interior seating that could be folded to make room for a bed. The rear openings were also wide, making loading easier than modern SUVs with curved rear roofs.
The Above Are 15 Cars We Wish Were Still Made
Our research into automotive history uncovered some vehicles that were canceled too early. We hope our favorite vehicles in modern lineups stick around long enough for you the next time you’re in a buying mood.
More From Driver’s Drift
16 Used Cars That Will Outlast Most New Cars on the Dealership Lot
12 Affordable Sports Cars That Can Go Head-to-head With the Porsche 911
14 Cars That Consistently Fail Crash Tests
16 Used Cars Known to Last Over 500,000 Miles
