Discontinued Cars That Need To Return To America – CarBuzz

Not every car is going to be a smash hit. Sometimes, automakers come out with a model that, for a variety of reasons, doesn’t resonate with the masses. On the other hand, icons like the Volkswagen Golf hit a wall of disinterest after decades of production, resulting in the big ugly ax. But every so often, an oldie-but-a-goodie, like the Honda Prelude, is reborn. Here are 10 cars deserving of the same second-chance treatment.

1 BMW Z3 M Coupe

2001 BMW Z3 M Coupe Specifications

Dubbed the “Clown Shoe” for its unique shape, otherwise known as a shooting brake or hatchback, BMW’s Z3-based M Coupe from the early aughts is a hidden treasure. Arriving in 1998 with the S52 straight-six out of the E36 M3, by 2001, the Z3 M Coupe was running the high-revving 315-horse inline-six featured in the E46 M3. Along with a revered powertrain, these M Coupes were designed with high levels of structural rigidity versus the Roadster variant, not to mention plenty of usable cargo space.

2 Ford Transit Connect

2023 Ford Transit Connect Specifications

Discontinued after the 2023 model year, the Ford Transit Connect never took off the way larger minivans like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna have. Pity, these sleek, smaller Ford minivans were an under-the-radar gem for families. Though a 2.5L four-pot was offered, the 2.0L mill returned 26 mpg combined versus 22 for the bigger engine. But the best parts of these Euro-style vans were the incredible interior flexibility and arguably cleaner lines versus its bloated segment leaders.

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3 Volkswagen Golf

2021 Volkswagen Golf Specifications

Volkswagen sold the Golf on American shores from 1974 until 2021, just shy of 50 years. Unfortunately, the wee Golf could not withstand the onslaught of Americans’ most favorite thing – the crossover. Though the more potent GTI and Golf R variants remain – for now – the outgoing base 2021 VW Golf was a solid little hatchback. For a base price of just $23,195, it came with a six-speed stick, a brake-based rear differential system, tidy alloy wheels, and a 33-mpg combined rating. Golf, you are missed.

4 Ford Taurus SHO

1994 Ford Taurus SHO Specifications

The Taurus SHO became a bloat-fest by gen four and was a bit dowdy for gen three. But, go back to the early 1990s for the second-gen Ford Taurus SHO, and you’ll find a car that would be wonderful to see on American roads today. Dropping the 80s-tastic ribbed body panels of the first-gen Taurus SHO, these SHOs sported a clean design, handsome “Slicer” wheels, and that fabled Yamaha 3.0L V6. Naturally aspirated and paired with a five-speed manual, it could sing up to 7,000 rpm.

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5 Volvo V90

2021 Volvo V90 T6 Specifications

The oh-so-elegant Volvo V90 was doomed from the get-go thanks to the American perception of station wagons as dork-mobiles, even if it was anything but. Only available via special order, unlike the Cross Country variant that is still kicking, the V90 made it through the 2021 model year. With low-slung sleek lines and a 316-hp double-boosted inline-four for T6 models, these V90s carried the Swedish longroof mantle proudly. Those who knew about the Polestar Optimization option could enjoy 330 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque.

6 Kia Stinger

2023 Kia Stinger GT2 Specifications

For those interested in a BMW sports sedan without the BMW price tag, there was once the Kia Stinger. Recently canned, the Stinger made 368 hp from its twin-turbo V6 in GT2 spec. Sold with rear- or all-wheel drive (AWD), these Stingers were known for sharp handling and straight-line speed. Not to mention Brembo brakes, Harman Kardon audio, 36 inches of rear legroom, and hatchback-like practicality. How it is the crossover became more popular than a car like the Stinger remains a mystery.

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7 Merkur XR4Ti

1987 Merkur XR4Ti Specifications

One could argue that the wacky Merkur XR4Ti has been reborn. Take a look at the all-new Hyundai Ioniq 6 for proof. That hunchback shape, that double-decked spoiler. Ok, maybe not, but we wish it was the case. These forgotten rebadged European Ford Sierras didn’t make it far, running from 1987 to just 1989, thanks in part to the strange-to-Americans name. Mer-ker? But they were undeniably cool and certainly missed. If for nothing more than that classic 80s 1-2 punch of turbo lag followed by a blast of boost.

8 Ford Crown Victoria

2007 Ford Crown Victoria Specifications

The Ford Crown Vic. A car that remains etched in driver’s brains for… those headlights. Nothing like cruising along only to see those front lamps illuminating your mirrors. Seemingly the car of choice for every single police department in America throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the Crown Victoria was discontinued after 2012. With a 4.6L V8, seating for up to six, and durable body-on-frame construction, the Crown Vic made for the perfect family cruiser.

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9 Honda Element

2009 Honda Element Specifications

Measuring 12.1 inches shorter and 4.2 inches taller than the CR-V with which it shared a platform, the Honda Element had seriously gawky proportions. But it was super practical with rear seats that could flip up out of the way and easy to maintain with urethane flooring and water-resistant upholstery. With the back seats out of the way, the Element could handle 75 cubic feet of cargo. It came with a manual transmission and offered AWD for a bit of light off-roading fun. The Honda Element needs to come back.

10 Dodge Magnum

2008 Dodge Magnum R/T Specifications

The short-lived Dodge Magnum – 2005 through 2008 – came in four flavors of power. A 178- or 250-hp V6, the R/T with a 5.7L V8 making 340 hp, and a fire-breathing SRT8 boasting 425 hp from its 6.1L V8. Of them all, the R/T is the one that most needs to make a comeback. Yes, the SRT8 is faster and more exciting, but it’s an absolute pig at the pumps with a 15 mpg combined rating. Not that the R/T and its rating of 18 mpg was much better, but it was still a potent muscle car in a station wagon suit.

Sources:
Dodge, Honda, Ford, Kia, Volvo, Volkswagen, BMW