Hooniverse Asks- What Car are You Most Surprised is Still in Production?

Robert Emslie

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Comments

The other day I was leafing though the paper and came across an ad For one of the local Chevy dealers. In the corner of the ad was a listing for the HHR wagon, which was being offered at a pretty reasonable lease deal. I wasn’t so much amazed by the financial aspects of the ad as by the fact that they were still selling the HHR new. I thought that retro-wagon had followed its Cobalt platform mate to the great beyond with the introduction of Chevy’s latest small car savior, the OED-annoyingly spelled Cruze.
There’s a lot of cars that don’t really register on my radar due to their inherent lack of redeeming qualities or general craptitude. Hell, I couldn’t tell you if half a Chrysler dealer’s lot is filled with brand new cars or just ones left over from two years ago that they couldn’t sell. Still, seeing a brand new Impala with dealer plates is like coming across someone using a brick cell phone talking about how it’s ‘Hammer Time.’
And then there’s the cars that seem, zombie-like, never to roll into the light, damning them to roam the Earth forever unchanged. I’m looking at you, zombie Morgan. How about you? Is there a car that, like finding a Coelacanth in your fish pond, is remarkable in its discovery?
Image sources:[surfnlearn, thecarconnection]

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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  1. Feds_II Avatar
    Feds_II

    Did you know Kia makes a minivan? In the venn diagram of body styles I don't care about and manufacturers I don't care about, this is right in the centre of the overlapping portion.
    Also: Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator.

    Reply
    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      The Kia Sedona is pretty bulletproof, but not indestructible. A friend in the Corvair club had one, until he got t-boned last fall by a teenager. IIRC, the Sedona had over 150k on it. It was replaced by a GMC Yukon.
      Also, Hyundai offered a badge-engineered version of the Sedona, the Hyundai Entourage, for just three years (2007-2009).

      Reply
    2. Maymar Avatar
      Maymar

      Not only that, we still get the Rondo mini-minivan (or tall wagon, if you swing that way).

      Reply
    3. I<31990's Avatar
      I<31990's

      Both cars are getting redesigned for 2015.

      Reply
  2. muthalovin Avatar
    muthalovin

    Saab

    Reply
  3. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    <img src="http://www.autosavant.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/chinese-jetta.jpg"width=500&gt;
    <img src="http://newrsrty.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/wpid-mahindra-thar.jpg"width=500&gt;

    Reply
    1. Maxichamp Avatar
      Maxichamp

      My cousin had a black Santana 2000. Certainly not as pimpin' as a Buick or A6, but not bad for a young low- to mid-level bureaucrat.

      Reply
    2. Jim-Bob Avatar
      Jim-Bob

      Isn't it still made by Ssangyong as well?

      Reply
  4. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    <img src="http://www.novak-adapt.com/images/pics/engines/chevy_v6_2006.jpg&quot; width="500/">
    Not a car, but an engine. Until I bought my 2011 Silverado WT, I didn't realize that GM was still making the 4.3L V-6. The same one based off the Gen I small block V-8 architecture. The current version has 195HP and 260 lb. ft. torque. The I-5 from the Colorado has 242 HP and 242 lb. ft torque. The I-4 from the Colorado has almost as much HP, 185, but is down on torque ,190 lb. ft.
    The V-6 actually gets the same city gas mileage rating as the V-8, but 1 mpg LESS on the highway! The Gen 4 V-8s feature cylinder deactivation and a 6-speed automatic instead of a 4-speed automatic.
    The Atlas I-6 was putting out 291HP and 277 ft. lb. of torque on the latest revision. I can't understand why they didn't start putting those in Silverados when the Trailblazer died.
    Of course I kind of like the all iron engine old tech aspect of this old V-6 engine. It is dirt simple to work on and should last a long time.

    Reply
  5. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    <img src="http://www.japanesesportcars.com/photos/d/112536-2/2011-nissan-xterra-pro4x-7.JPG&quot; width="360">
    Xterra.
    Don't get me wrong, I really like the Xterra. It's a no-nonsense, common sense off-roader and the fact that it's still in production helps me hold out hope for Nissan's corporate soul. I just can't believe that Nissan still wants to sell them when they are otherwise so wrapped up with their current Juke/Murano orgy of strangely swoopy sheetmetal over car-duty mechanicals.

    Reply
    1. CJinSD Avatar
      CJinSD

      Nissan still makes the Sentra too, but I can't think when the last time was I saw one from the current generation. I see the previoius generation ones all the time. I guess that Altimas are discounted to where Sentras used to sell and the Versas are practically free, so there is no room in dealer fleets for a car that isn't any better than either and isn't value priced.

      Reply
  6. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Technically the Cizeta-Morodor V16T is still in production.
    <img src="http://www.autosea.by.ru/Zagigalka/AUTOmost/most_dear/ase_lamb_cizeta_moroder_v16t.jpg"width=500&gt;
    Designed in 1988 and available for sale: http://www.cizetav16t.com/Welcome.html
    Order one and they will build it for you, maybe.

    Reply
    1. topdeadcentre Avatar
      topdeadcentre

      Well, Moroder dropped out, so they're just "Cizeta" now.
      And yes, the "Moroder" is Giorgio Moroder. The man who brought synths into EVERYTHING musical in the 70's and 80's.

      Reply
    2. alcology Avatar
      alcology

      The car so cool, it's pop-ups have pop-ups to see beyond the cool.

      Reply
      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        "Yo dawg, we know you like pop-ups so—
        Ah hell no, I can't do it. Just can't.

        Reply
      2. NotJustDucky Avatar
        NotJustDucky

        Couldn't get much more rad.

        Reply
  7. SSurfer321 Avatar
    SSurfer321

    Yes its limited production. Yes it's with new parts, NOS, and refurbished parts but it is STILL in production in Houston, TX.
    <img src="http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dmc10.jpg&quot;, width=500>
    img from Hooniverse.com

    Reply
  8. Maxichamp Avatar
    Maxichamp

    Sort of related. I was looking at a newspaper last week (what's that?), and the local dealer still had four 2010 Porsche 911s for sale. The base model Carrera was $15k below MSRP.

    Reply
    1. SSurfer321 Avatar
      SSurfer321

      There's a dealer near Toledo, OH that up until last year had new 2008 Chrysler Crossfires on the lot. They were listed weekly in the paper for 50% of MSRP.

      Reply
      1. IronBallsMcG Avatar
        IronBallsMcG

        In SRT-6 guise, I would be tempted.

        Reply
      2. GTXEliminator Avatar
        GTXEliminator

        There is a dealer here that has a 2008 Versa and a 2009 370Z

        Reply
        1. CJinSD Avatar
          CJinSD

          The 370Z doesn't surprise me. Cars like that all need to be sold the first day they go on the market. I am surprised about the Versa though. You'd think the dealer would have taken a loss on it by now and sold it to one of the cheapskates that make up the Versa market. They seem to sell well in most of the country, even though they're not standouts relative to competitors small cars.

          Reply
  9. smokyburnout Avatar
    smokyburnout

    The Kia Rondo is one of those cars I forgot existed.
    I actually saw multiple Borregos this weekend, but that'd be on my list too.
    Also, pretty much every Mitsubishi.

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      http://hooniverse.info/2010/12/06/requiem-for-a-ro…

      Reply
    2. smokyburnout Avatar
      smokyburnout

      Can you &gt;poof&lt; someone else's comment?
      Yes!
      Seems like the Borrego was discontinued too. Shows me for trusting the FuelEconomy.gov list of 2011 cars!

      Reply
  10. Black Steelies Avatar
    Black Steelies

    Time to hit "refresh":
    <img src="http://www.bestusedcarspa.com/2007-chevy-impala.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. Lotte Avatar
      Lotte

      It's about time, but I'm quite fond of these. Yeah, see them everyday operated by a number of taxi companies, but they're quite nice looking. And if they weren't good enough mechanically it wouldn't be the default choice of these cab companies, right? I actually want to see this version stay as is for the fleet sector with upgrades to make it more reliable, and have a brand-new one for the public. Like the Toyota Crown Comfort overseas; there are new Crowns and there is a separate evolutionary model for taxis carrying the same name.
      You know what they say, "Drive what the cabbies and the police drive". (Or not; I could be totally making that up…)

      Reply
      1. Maymar Avatar
        Maymar

        On one hand, I've seen enough of these as taxis and security cars with transmission problems (used to work at a Chev service department). On the other, they absolutely see more abuse than civilian models, and did have higher mileage.
        I really do prefer the Malibu, but I sort of get the Impala's appeal – the SS, for all its torque steering, sounds good and works well on the highway.

        Reply
        1. Black Steelies Avatar
          Black Steelies

          It seems every single SS I see out on the road is right in front of me, driving just barely the speed limit.
          I'd like to applaud GM's notion of a factory sleeper, but it is only a notion, though aptly a 'sleeper'.

          Reply
          1. Alff Avatar
            Alff

            You've just described the driving habit of my personal nemeses – drivers of the all-too-common Corolla "S".

          2. Black Steelies Avatar
            Black Steelies

            Good choice, I've adopted the CR-V / Rav4 as my personal nemesis. They're too similar looking to the fleeting eye to distinguish and so it seems I am screwed over equally by the two.
            Why just this morning I was cut off by a CR-V that waited just long enough to leave me at the stop light. Bastards.

  11. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Mitsubishi seems to sell only two types of cars, EVOs and cars to people that would be shopping at a "buy here pay here" used car lot, but decided they MUST have anew car. Mitsu seems to have replaced Kia and Hyundai as the bottom feeders.

    Reply
  12. Jim-Bob Avatar
    Jim-Bob

    Now normally this would be an easy choice for me. I would answer the anachronistic Bristol Blenheim and be done with it. Sadly though the company is now out of production and so I have to make another choice. So I will have to say the Suzuki Cultus, AKA 1989 Geo Metro as it is still built in Pakistan for their home market. don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing. I only wish I could buy it in this country as none of the "small" cars sold in the US are really all that small or fuel efficient.

    Reply
  13. Deartháir Avatar
    Deartháir

    <img src="http://media.commercialappeal.com/media/cars/suzuki_logo_t180.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. Talon Lardner Avatar
      Talon Lardner

      I have a '09 Grand Vitara sitting in the garage right now. Great car to be honest, but whomever is doing marketing for Suzuki USA is doing a HORRIBLE job of reminding people that they are still around.

      Reply
  14. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
    Rust-MyEnemy

    2011 seems like the last hurrah for;
    <img src="http://static.carvenom.com/images/Land_Rover/Defender/2011_Land_Rover_Defender_X-Tech_Limited_Edition/2011_Land_Rover_Defender_X-Tech_Limited_Edition_10_1600x1200.jpg&quot; width=450>
    And as much as I admire it, love it, want one, It still amazes me that it's lasted as long as it has. I mean, I can understand its continuing popularity as a specialist vehicle with military, agricultural and government applications, it can do things that few other 4x4s can.
    But as a pretty expensive car for normal people, it's absolutely hopeless. And so's this:-

    Reply
    1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
      Rust-MyEnemy

      <img src="http://www.lincah.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2010-Mercedes-Benz-G-Class-UK-Version-Rear-Angle-View-588×441.jpg&quot; width="450/">
      THIS WOULD MAKE MUCH MORE SENSE IF THE G-WAGEN IMAGE HADN'T BEEN NIBBLICATED
      These have just been re-introduced to the UK market, officially, through the Benz network. I drove a 2011 last week. It's bloody horrible. The 224hp 3.0 Diesel engine is state-of-the-art, but struggles to give any performance on a big jeep with a completely flat windscreen and zero aerodynamic considerations; you can virtually sense the fuel being burned in vain. It's cramped, too, there's nowhere to put your feet. Or your legs. Or shoulders. Or elbows.
      The inside is old-fashioned, with sit-up-and-beg seats and a dash-top only 6 inches from the glass; if not properly strapped in a tall chap could easily headbutt the windshield. I did. Repeatedly. And in common with the Defender, the ride quality is akin to a wheels-up landing in a Tupolev. The Germans favour a stiff ride, and so do I, but the G-Wagen feels as if they forgot to install any suspension at all.
      But here's the thing. A well equipped LR Defender Diesel costs somewhere around £30k. The G-Wagen, admittedly groaning with leather, massage seats and a totally pointless HI-FI upgrade that you can't hear due to the road noise, is the thick end of £80k.
      Next time you see one bouncing along the ploughed London streets, you have my blessing to point and laugh.

      Reply
  15. ZomBee Racer Avatar
    ZomBee Racer

    <img src="http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Images-V15-2/BMH-Intro-M-340.jpg&quot; />

    Reply
    1. JeepyJayhawk Avatar
      JeepyJayhawk

      That looks awfully familiar…

      Reply
  16. ZomBee Racer Avatar
    ZomBee Racer

    Also,
    Hindustan Ambassador, which dates all the way back to the 1948 Morris Oxford.
    <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Ambassador_in_UK.jpg&quot; width="500" />

    Reply
  17. fhrblig Avatar
    fhrblig

    The new US rental-car/fleet market Chevrolet Captiva, also known as the Saturn Vue.
    <img src="http://i.imgur.com/0R2jL.jpg&quot; alt="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

    Reply
  18. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    Fiat Uno, still being build in Brazil
    <img src="http://carplace.virgula.uol.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/fiat-uno-mille-economy-2010.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  19. Mad_Hungarian Avatar
    Mad_Hungarian

    There isn't some place they are still building those Gen I Falcons? Like Nigeria or Indonesia or something?

    Reply
  20. Stephen Hood Avatar
    Stephen Hood

    /Users/stephenhood/Desktop/stage_kombi2.jpg
    VW Combi still sold in Brazil.

    Reply
    1. west_coaster Avatar
      west_coaster

      I don't know if countries like Brazil should count to the original question. Heck, they were stil selling air-cooled Beetles there until late in the 1990s, or maybe even beyond.

      Reply
  21. west_coaster Avatar
    west_coaster

    I think they were still cranking out Mercury Grand Marquis until pretty late into last year. I see them with fairly recent series plates on rental lots, so I guess Ford was milking the tooling until the very end to sell them to fleet customers.
    And the other day I saw a new Cadillac EXT with paper plates. Why they even make that, I have no idea. There can't be that many rappers who need a not-very-good pickup truck, can there?

    Reply
    1. kenwood Avatar
      kenwood

      I recently got a 2011(!) Grand Marquis as a loaner while my car was in the shop and I kinda liked it. It was a guilty pleasure with a broad, cushy front bench seat, column shifter, V8 up front, and the rear wheels doing the propelling. The ride was quite nice and it actually had great brakes. Sad to see them go. It made me start looking at used Town Cars.

      Reply
  22. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Anything General Motors.

    Reply
  23. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    The Dodge (sorry, Ram) Dakota – I like them, but economy's no better than the Ram 1500, and you can usually get the bigger truck for the same or cheaper.

    Reply
  24. Seanster Avatar
    Seanster

    Mitsbishi Galant, for obvious reasons. But, to address Hooniverses' nomination of the HHR:
    I work as a medical courier as my second job, and I often drive the HHR's we lease from a rental company. They are crude, yes, but my biggest complaint is the fat, wretched A-pillar and dinky windshield that so horribly obstruct my vision. But that, and the craptastic retro-garbage styling aside, it isn't terrible. Here's my comparison: when we first got them, I sat inside and noticed that the steering wheel wasn't enormous, that its turning radius was less than that of my pickup truck, and that it had decent cargo capacity. Compared to the PT Cruisers we'd been driving before that, it was a luxury car (especially the interior… and engine…. and transmission, handling, braking…).
    It's still a pile of junk, but my point is, it could be worse.
    As for the Mitsu, like its godforsaken Chrysler brethren, kill it with fire.

    Reply
    1. I<31990's Avatar
      I<31990's

      it's discontinued now

      Reply
  25. I<31990's Avatar
    I<31990's

    Nissan Juke

    Reply