We all have our favorite cars. We gravitate towards vehicles for various reasons, whether they are exceptional or because we have a soft spot for them.
Some of these, however, are no longer in production. Think of vehicles such as the Honda S2000 or Dodge Challenger, great cars that we may never see again.
This list contains 25 of the best cars that should never have been discontinued. Their performance and usability are factors in making this list, and we will include as wide a range of vehicles as possible.
Honda S2000
Honda produced the remarkable S2000 from 1999 to 2009, with the sports car taking two forms, the AP1 and the AP2. Under the hood, Honda placed its F20C and F22C1 inline0four engines, producing up to 239 hp.
These inline fours would become among the best engines in any modern sports car. VTEC would allow the engines to rev up to 9,000 rpm, where the sports car excelled. The six-speed manual transmission, however, is the highlight, providing some of the best shifting on any sports car. Many yearn for a return of the S2000.
Plymouth Prowler
There were reasons not to like the Plymouth Prowler. Designer Chip Foose hoped to put a V8 under the hood, yet Chrysler decided the car should have a 3.5-liter EGG V6 instead. Foose’s hopes of a manual transmission were also dashed thanks to the four-speed 42LE automatic.
However, the Prowler was still a hit thanks to its retro styling, which harked back to the glory days of the hot rod. It was and remains unlike any other car of the time, and its bold design is something few manufacturers dare to replicate. The automotive world needs bold and ambitious cars like the Prowler.
Dodge Viper
The discontinuation of the Dodge Viper is one of the saddest occasions in American automotive history. The fifth-generation Viper, with its aluminum V10 engine producing 640 hp, would undoubtedly go out with a bang.
The first Viper emerged in 1991 in the form of the SRI, and it was one of the rawest sports cars ever produced. It had few mod cons, no airbags, and no proper windows. However, it was a V10 masterpiece, and later versions saw the Viper become more practical yet never lost its exceptional performance. Seven years after its demise, the Viper is still greatly missed.
Dodge Magnum
The idea of a muscle station wagon sounds appealing in a world full of bland, boring, and large SUVs. However, Dodge has already produced the 2005-2008 Magnum. Based on the Chrysler LX platform used on the Dodge Charger, the Magnum could have either a V6 under the hood or the giant ESF Hemi V8.
That massive 6.1-liter V8 was under the hood of the Dodge Magnum SRT8, the ultimate version of the station wagon. Producing 425 hp turned the Magnum into the ultimate muscle wagon, but sadly, Dodge would discontinue the car before we could see a Magnum Hellcat variant. That would be the ultimate way for the Magnum to make a comeback.
BMW M1
BMW’s fabled M division still produces some exceptional cars and performance packages. However, few have created the same allure as the M1, the first-ever BMW M car. BMW tried to replicate it in the form of the i8, but that is the closest we have had in decades.
Thanks to the M1 Homage Concept 2008, we got close to a new M1, but the German manufacturer never put the car into production. The M division seems content with producing ugly SUVs, such as the new XM, yet a return of the M1 would surely be a better way to showcase how good the M division is.
Acura Integra Type R
Now, we do have a new Acura Integra. Honda’s luxury division relaunched the name in 2022 with the new Integra, a luxury sedan replacing the ILX. However, the new Integra is far from the nameplate’s peak in the 1990s. Plus, while we have an Integra Type S, we don’t have a Type R.
The Integra Type R of the mid-1990s is still one of the best front-wheel-drive coupes ever produced. It was fast and agile and easily one of the best-looking sports cars of the era. The new Integra is a weak revival of one of the most iconic names in Honda’s history, but a new Type R would go some way to fix that and inject excitement into the latest model.
Opel Manta
The Manta is easily one of Opel’s most famous and recognizable cars. It was back in the limelight when the German company launched the Manta GSe ElektroMOD in 2021. This was a retro EV, taking a genuine 1970s Manta and upgrading it into one of the best electric cars ever made.
Safety requirements mean it will never enter production. But the design was so good that it inevitably led to calls for a production version. If Opel could produce an electric Manta, however, with a design closely resembling the first generation of the 1970s, then we wouldn’t complain. The Manta ElektroMOD is still one of the best-looking EVs in recent years.
Porsche 928
While the Porsche 911 remains the core vehicle in the German manufacturer’s lineup, something is missing. A new version of the 928 would fix that. The original was the first clean-sheet Porsche sports car in years, and the company initially intended to replace the 911 with the 928.
Yet customers continued to buy the 911 in droves despite the range of 4.5—to 5.4-liter V8s and the comfort of the 928 offering a superb alternative. A revival would add an alternative to the Porsche range for those who don’t want just another 911. A big V8 under the hood would separate it further, and perhaps an electric version to sit next to the Taycan would be the way to go.
Volvo’s Station Wagons/Estates
This isn’t one car in particular but a collective group of vehicles. In the summer of 2023, Volvo announced it would discontinue its superb run of estates/station wagons, as the dreaded uprising of SUVs meant the Swedish manufacturer saw no reason to produce them.
Yet, doing so removes the body style that made Volvo the company it is today. Volvo was THE estate/wagon manufacturer, producing stylish, robust, and safe vehicles such as the Volvo 145 and, more recently, the Volvo V90. As SUVs dominate the landscape, it is a terrifying sign of where the automotive industry is heading. A world without those large, boxy, practical Swedish vehicles feels wrong.
Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon
Sticking with the station wagon theme, we have the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon. Rumors of a wagon variant of the formidable CTS-V first surfaced in 2009, but it wasn’t until the following year that we finally got a glimpse at the new CTS-V Wagon.
Under the hood, the CTS-V had the same 446 hp supercharged V8 engine and six-speed transmissions as the CTS-V sedan and coupe. Ther performance was just as mighty as expected, with 0-60 mph reached in just 4.0 seconds. The CTS-V wagon became one of the most coveted sports vehicles of the 2010s, but sadly, it is no longer in production.
Audi A2
Audi’s remarkable A2 was way ahead of its time, perhaps contributing to its downfall. Yet now, it’s developed its own cult following. Audi aimed to create a lightweight, efficient car that was also practical for family ownership. They succeeded in developing a vehicle that weighed less than 2,000 lbs and had a 74 hp 1.4-liter engine under the hood.
Audi even used the same Space Frame technology in the D2-generation A8. Despite its prowess, the A2 failed to resonate with consumers, yet in 2024, it’s a car that makes more sense than ever. A good-sized, practical, clever, and economical vehicle with great looks is just what the automotive world needs right now.
Toyota MR2
It has been some time since Toyota last produced an MR2. The first generation became famous for its short, boxy design and the supercharged inline-four under the hood of the AW11. The final one left the production line in 2007. Yet despite the Supra’s popularity since its return, the Japanese manufacturer has yet to bring the MR2 back into its range.
Rumors have surfaced over the last few years that potentially signal a comeback for the MR2. Purists might not be happy to hear that its revival could be an electric sports car.
Fiat Multipla
The only reason the Fiat Multipla didn’t sell well was because of its highly unique design. Yet beneath that unusual exterior was a car that offered unrivaled practicality. It had two rows of three seats, a lot of space inside, and large windows that allowed plenty of daylight.
Yet even with all that space and practicality, the Multipla is still smaller than many of the massive SUVs flooding the market—SUVs with less space than the Fiat. The argument for a Multipla grows stronger every year, and Fiat should make a new one that looks as weird as the original.
Volkswagen XL1
In a world where efficiency and economy matter more than ever, the hybrid Volkswagen XL1 is the vehicle we all need. Volkswagen produced just 250 XL1s, but they quickly made their mark.
The XL1 had a 47-hp 800cc mid-mounted two-cylinder diesel and a 25-hp electric motor under the hood. This is a small amount of power, but it gave the XL1 a fuel economy figure of 260 MPG. The XL1’s sleek, streamlined shape also makes it one of the most aerodynamic vehicles on the planet, with an unbelievable drag coefficient of 0.186, similar to the General Motors EV1.
Peugeot 205 GTi
Peugoet is only just regaining the credibility that it had in the 1980s and 1990s when it produced some of the finest vehicles in the world. One of its standouts is the little 205 GTi, undoubtedly one of the best hot hatchbacks in history.
Peugeot first launched the 205 GTi in 1984. It had a 1.6-liter 105-hp engine under the hood before Peugeot added a 130-hp 1.9-liter unit to the lineup. The 205 GTi’s finest hour would be in the form of the 205 Turbo 16 Evo 2, the Group B rally car that took 16 wins in the WRC. It also won the 1985 and 1986 Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles with Timo Salonen and Juha Kankkunen.
Renault Avantine
It is remarkable that a car as practical and good-looking as the Renault Avantine lasted only a short time in production. Renault sprung upon the world a large coupe with almost unrivaled practicality and one of the best-lit cabins of any vehicle.
The Avantine had hinged doors that allowed for easier entry and exit. The one-box design eliminated the need for B-pillars without compromising safety, and the Avanatine also had a full sunroof. Only now are we beginning to appreciate just how good the Avantine is. Renault should bring it back to give it a second chance.
General Motors EV1
The General Motors EV1 was a trailblazer for electric vehicles, and only politics and large corporate bickering killed it. The EV1 resulted from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandate in 1990, which said that the seven leading automotive manufacturers in the US must produce and sell zero-emission vehicles to stay in the Californian market.
The production of the EV1 began in 1996. However, despite a very positive reception by consumers, the manufacturers revolted against the mandate. GM even crushed most of the EV1s, and the program was suddenly terminated in 2001 despite customer protests. Had this not happened, EV design could be much more advanced than it is today.
Honda CRX
Think of the Honda CRX as a baby version of the Civic, which is precisely what it was. Arguably one of the manufacturer’s finest products of the 1980s, Honda shortened the Civic and then created an aerodynamic hatchback body with coupe styling.
A variety of engines were under the CRX’s hood. These ranged from 1.5 to 1.6-liter engines, while there was also the option of the 1.3-liter with 76 hp. The CRX was also light, weighing 819 lbs, making it highly agile. Honda doesn’t produce a small, sporty hatchback, as the new Civic Type R has ballooned in size. It may be time for the tiny CRX to make the comeback we all know it deserves.
Renault Alpine GTA
It’s been some time since Renault produced a sports car of its own. We have the Alpine A110, but Alpine is largely left to do its own thing. However, a revival of the iconic Renault Alpine GTA could be just what the sports car world needs.
Renault produced just 7,400 examples of the original GTA, making it one of Europe’s rarest sports cars. Initially, a 2.9-liter V6 with 160 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque was under the hood. Renault would also add a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 200 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque to the GTA. Thanks to its fiberglass body, it was incredibly light at just 2,646 lbs, and its sleek, streamlined styling still holds up well in 2024.
Lancia Thema 8.32
Lancia, as a whole, needs to make a comeback. The iconic Italian brand is a shadow of its former self. If they do go through the revival we all hope for, the Thema 8.32 should be the first car on Stellantis list to bring back.
The Thema 8.32 was Lancia’s answer to the BMW M5. While it was officially classed as a sports sedan, its performance put it on par with some sports cars of the 1980s. Under the hood was a 3.0-liter Ferrari F105L V8, modified with a cross-plane to change the firing order of the smaller valves. This ensured the Thema 8.32 was better suited to longer drives. Thanks to its $40,000 asking price, slow sales curtailed the Thema 8.32, yet it is now seen as one of Lancia’s best cars.
Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
While the F-150 Lightning name has returned, it has done so as an electric pickup truck. However, the Ford F-150 Lightning, which we all know and love, is the SVT Lightning of the early 2000s.
This was the second-generation SVT Lightning from Ford’s Special Vehicles Team, the first appearing in the 1990s. But the 2004 SVT Lightning was the truck’s ultimate form thanks to its SOHC supercharged5.4-liter Triton V8 with 380 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. In its final year of production, it was the best-selling and longest-running sport truck nameplate of all time. Despite being six years old at that point, the 2004 SVT Lightning was still the only factory-built truck on the market that could go from 0-60 mph in just over five seconds.
BMW Z8
For many, the BMW Z8 is a confusing sports car. The Z8 was a retro-inspired tribute to the iconic BMW 507. The German manufacturer had previously pursued the idea of a tribute with the exceptional Z07 concept.
The Z8 sports car was closer to a fully-fledged GT car thanks to its 4.9-liter V8 under the hood from the E34 M5. While perhaps not beautiful, the Z8 was a striking-looking car that would gain more fame thanks to its starring role as a Bond car. The BMW design language is questionable in 2024, so a return of a car like the Z8 would be most welcome.
TVR
We want more than just a single TVR model to return. We want TVR as a whole to make a comeback. The British manufacturer was famous for producing wild and whacky cars with little regard for safety but much thought into needless features. Think of the wild digital dashboards or the rear indicators in the rear window. The TVR Tuscan Speed Six is a perfect example of this craziness.
The British manufacturer is allegedly making a return thanks to the new Griffith V8. A Griffith EV is also supposedly on the way. But things have gone quiet over the last couple of years on this revival, leading many to wonder if we will ever see the iconic sports car manufacturer return.
Subaru SVX
While still a fantastic manufacturer, it has been some time since Subaru produced a groundbreaking, sensational-looking vehicle. However, a return of the incredible SVX from the late 1980s would undoubtedly change that.
The SVX was born from Subaru’s need to compete with its European rivals. Subaru enlisted the services of Giorgetto Giugiaro to create an eye-catching coupe with a fighter-jet-style canopy and one of the best interiors of any JDM car. The SVX had a 3.3-liter DOHC flat-six under the hood with 231 hp, and it marked Subaru’s first foray into the luxury/performance market.
Mazda’s Rotary Sports Cars
Mazda’s rotary-powered sports cars ended with a whimper with the RX-8. Even if its reputation for unreliability was unfair, it wasn’t the way for Mazda’s rotary power to bow out.
Since the early 2010s calls for a revival of the rotary Mazda, particularly a new RX-7, have come and gone. The Japanese manufacturer is experimenting with its revival thanks to a rotary generator, and rumors of a new RX model are growing louder and louder. We may get lucky, and a new Mazda RX-9 will bring Mazda rotary power back with a bang and give the Wankel rotary the swansong it deserves.
