I had read at one point that in the mid-90s, Chrysler was putting out cars that were designed to have a 5-7 year life. Basically just long enough to get it paid off. Then you go buy a new one.
F_O_Satchy
Plymouth Laser/Eagle Talon/Mitsubishi Eclipse
Anteater_Reasonable
Pontiac Montana/Chevrolet Venture minivans were *everywhere* until they weren’t. I can’t remember the last time I saw one.
thomasvista
The plastic Saturns. They didn’t rust…..what happened to them?
THellings18
Anything Scion made. Yesterday was the first time I saw a TC in about 7 years.
TraditionalTackle1
Ford focus
sjgilly
The Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable.
SteelerNation587543
New Beetles and PT Cruisers. My friends and I used to make each other black and blue calling Punchbugs and Cruiser Bruisers, now it’s rare that we even get to pop each other anymore.
FaZeLuckyBoy
Jeep Liberties and Chrysler 200s.
knuckles_n_chuckles
Late 80s early 90s cutlass supreme. One day there. Next GONE.
machater05
Those Malibus are still semi common where I am.
Of course, I live near Lansing Michigan, so it makes sense. General Motors had (and still has, to a degree) Lansing by the balls.
Joe_Metaphor
Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde and all the derivatives thereof. Have not seen any in years, and I think they still made them through the early 2000s. Always thought they were nice looking cars.
Yummy_Crayons91
VW MK-5 Golfs and GTIs seemed to be everywhere in the late 2000s and early 2010s. I can’t think of the last time I saw a normal Golf from that gen, I still see the GTIs every once in a while.
Shame it’s a nice looking car IMHO.
Same for similar generation Jettas.
Also the 2nd gen Scion XB – I still see the 1st gen XBs around, but haven’t seen a 2nd gen in years.
MotoMeow217
The 2-door Chevy S10 Blazers and Ford Explorers. I used to see them all the time. Then in like 2017-2018 they all like, simultaneously grenaded their engines and got junked or something.
Key_Budget9267
Ford Econoline vans. They were absolutely everywhere until a few years ago. I hardly ever see them now, probably because most fleets have switched to using Ford Transits.
Other honorable mentions: mid-2000s Ford and Dodge trucks, Acura TSXs and RSXs, mk5 and mk6 VW Golfs and GTIs, Chevy Cavaliers.
Rollin_Soul_O
Volkswagen New Beetle, Volkswagen Routan, Ford Tempo, Mercury Topaz, Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet Caprice, Ford Gran Marquis, Buick Roadmaster, Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Bravada, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am all come to mind. I can’t remember the last time I saw any of these on the roads.
Valcic
Nissan Cubes
PracticableSolution
I saw a Hummer H2 on the road this week and it shocked me that the entire brand has all been but wiped from the earth. They left the public consciousness more completely than Quiznos.
Leftover_Twinkie
I no longer see any Honda Elements or Accord Wagons… there was alot of them and then right when I wanted to buy one… no luck. 1st and 2nd BMW Z4s as well. Mercedes Benz r129 series as well.
Has anyone here on reddit seen them?
5degBTDC
Cobalt
ToledoRX
Chevy Corsica were ubiquitous in the 1990-2000s and then they suddenly vanished as if without a trace. They don’t even show up on any TV or movies set in that period.
ConstantReader70
Oldsmobile Silhouette
ribrooks13
I was just thinking this about the Chrysler 200, and then I saw one this morning
t_horns
1st gen chevy trax and Buick encore will have this fate soon enough. As of now, though, they’re still all over the place…
robbycough
Ford Taurus.
Headstar24
I used to see tons of first gen Trackers and blobbish Taurus’s and I haven’t seen either in a decade or more now.
SpicyCaram3l
Plymouth
-AspiringWhatever-
Ford Freestar / Saturn Relay
NightOfTheLivingHam
Ford Focus STs.
I used to see them all the time up until 2 years ago. I don’t even see them at car meets.
ChasedByHoundz
Any Américan car pre-2005.
Meanwhile 80’s and 90’s Hondas and Toyotas are going strong.
StonerMetalhead710
Isuzu Axiom. I saw one in good shape yesterday for the first time in several years
LightningFerret04
Reading this thread is making me realize that the answer to this question is entirely regional
because lot of the cars in the top comments are everywhere around here, or seen around enough that I don’t consider them “disappeared”. We got Dodge Neons, Ford Tauruses, New Beetles, PT Cruisers, Scions, a whole ton of New Darts
So my answer might not be true for everyone, but at least for here it would be anything with a Suzuki badge, Grand Vitaras, Aerios, SX4s, Kizashis, etc
More often than not, whenever I see a Sidekick it’s got that little green globe where the S would have been
SafeRecordKeeping
It’s funny how the “green movement” is fundamentally ruining sustainability. Would you rather have everyone drive a reliable old car that lasts decades or buy a new one every 5-7 years if their life ?
therehasbeen_amurder
Any Toyota under the year 2022 except the Camrys
GabagoolAndGasoline
I own one of these Malibu‘s, specifically a 99 LS. I, and about 10 or so people on Facebook are doing everything in our power to contribute as much information about these vehicles for future preservation. These cars are actually a lot better than people give them credit for, they are shockingly reliable, and super low maintenance maintenance, yes people will bring up the 3100 lower intake gaskets failure, but that isn’t a guarantee for every single engine, and if you get it replaced, which is fairly cheap you are good to go. These are actually really nice feeling cars to be in, they aren’t luxury but they do feel really comfortable and really nice
I swear if GM made an SS model with the supercharged 3800, these cars would be considered collector vehicles, even the non-SS models would have a following sort of the same same way the V6 Camaros do
Words cannot describe how much I love the 1997 to 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, I know so much about this car. It’s not even funny if anything it’s kind of concerning.
OverallManagement824
I saw a PT Cruiser today and can’t recall the last time I saw one. I was surprised that I was surprised.
BarnTart
The Dodge Dart. Seen a lot when when they were new, and for several years after Dodge discontinued the car, now I’ll be lucky to see one. I’ve seen more 7th gen Civics (2001-05) on the road in comparison still.
LoneWitie
Buicks. LeSabres used to be EVERYWHERE. Once they moved to the Lucerne and LaCrosse they just didn’t sell and you never see them
MakesYouSeemRacist
I see every single car listed here at least once a month, convinced people either aren’t looking or forget when they do see them
xxxtanacon
Dodge Darts disappeared in my area around 2019 and returned in 2023 and I see them every day I have no fucking clue what caused that? Maybe all the articles shitting on them got buried over time and ppl started buying them again???
Landmark520
I used to see Smart Fortwos everywhere but I kinda forgot about them until recently seeing one and thinking “what happened to these cars?”
JetSpeed205
11th Generation (04-08) Ford F-150/250/350 trucks.
A1sauce100
I had this exact piece of crap car as a rental. But it had it had a 6 cylinder. The powertrain was surprisingly robust.
AchokingVictim
2000s Ford Taurus wagons.
I still see a good bit of these Impalas scooting around but almost all of them now are terribly abused and either rocking a donut, plastic bag window, or scotch tape tail light.. or a combination of the three.
44 Comments
Neons. I almost never see them anymore.
Darts are going the same route.
I had read at one point that in the mid-90s, Chrysler was putting out cars that were designed to have a 5-7 year life. Basically just long enough to get it paid off. Then you go buy a new one.
Plymouth Laser/Eagle Talon/Mitsubishi Eclipse
Pontiac Montana/Chevrolet Venture minivans were *everywhere* until they weren’t. I can’t remember the last time I saw one.
The plastic Saturns. They didn’t rust…..what happened to them?
Anything Scion made. Yesterday was the first time I saw a TC in about 7 years.
Ford focus
The Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable.
New Beetles and PT Cruisers. My friends and I used to make each other black and blue calling Punchbugs and Cruiser Bruisers, now it’s rare that we even get to pop each other anymore.
Jeep Liberties and Chrysler 200s.
Late 80s early 90s cutlass supreme. One day there. Next GONE.
Those Malibus are still semi common where I am.
Of course, I live near Lansing Michigan, so it makes sense. General Motors had (and still has, to a degree) Lansing by the balls.
Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler Concorde and all the derivatives thereof. Have not seen any in years, and I think they still made them through the early 2000s. Always thought they were nice looking cars.
VW MK-5 Golfs and GTIs seemed to be everywhere in the late 2000s and early 2010s. I can’t think of the last time I saw a normal Golf from that gen, I still see the GTIs every once in a while.
Shame it’s a nice looking car IMHO.
Same for similar generation Jettas.
Also the 2nd gen Scion XB – I still see the 1st gen XBs around, but haven’t seen a 2nd gen in years.
The 2-door Chevy S10 Blazers and Ford Explorers. I used to see them all the time. Then in like 2017-2018 they all like, simultaneously grenaded their engines and got junked or something.
Ford Econoline vans. They were absolutely everywhere until a few years ago. I hardly ever see them now, probably because most fleets have switched to using Ford Transits.
Other honorable mentions: mid-2000s Ford and Dodge trucks, Acura TSXs and RSXs, mk5 and mk6 VW Golfs and GTIs, Chevy Cavaliers.
Volkswagen New Beetle, Volkswagen Routan, Ford Tempo, Mercury Topaz, Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet Caprice, Ford Gran Marquis, Buick Roadmaster, Buick Regal, Oldsmobile Bravada, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am all come to mind. I can’t remember the last time I saw any of these on the roads.
Nissan Cubes
I saw a Hummer H2 on the road this week and it shocked me that the entire brand has all been but wiped from the earth. They left the public consciousness more completely than Quiznos.
I no longer see any Honda Elements or Accord Wagons… there was alot of them and then right when I wanted to buy one… no luck. 1st and 2nd BMW Z4s as well. Mercedes Benz r129 series as well.
Has anyone here on reddit seen them?
Cobalt
Chevy Corsica were ubiquitous in the 1990-2000s and then they suddenly vanished as if without a trace. They don’t even show up on any TV or movies set in that period.
Oldsmobile Silhouette
I was just thinking this about the Chrysler 200, and then I saw one this morning
1st gen chevy trax and Buick encore will have this fate soon enough. As of now, though, they’re still all over the place…
Ford Taurus.
I used to see tons of first gen Trackers and blobbish Taurus’s and I haven’t seen either in a decade or more now.
Plymouth
Ford Freestar / Saturn Relay
Ford Focus STs.
I used to see them all the time up until 2 years ago. I don’t even see them at car meets.
Any Américan car pre-2005.
Meanwhile 80’s and 90’s Hondas and Toyotas are going strong.
Isuzu Axiom. I saw one in good shape yesterday for the first time in several years
Reading this thread is making me realize that the answer to this question is entirely regional
because lot of the cars in the top comments are everywhere around here, or seen around enough that I don’t consider them “disappeared”. We got Dodge Neons, Ford Tauruses, New Beetles, PT Cruisers, Scions, a whole ton of New Darts
So my answer might not be true for everyone, but at least for here it would be anything with a Suzuki badge, Grand Vitaras, Aerios, SX4s, Kizashis, etc
More often than not, whenever I see a Sidekick it’s got that little green globe where the S would have been
It’s funny how the “green movement” is fundamentally ruining sustainability. Would you rather have everyone drive a reliable old car that lasts decades or buy a new one every 5-7 years if their life ?
Any Toyota under the year 2022 except the Camrys
I own one of these Malibu‘s, specifically a 99 LS. I, and about 10 or so people on Facebook are doing everything in our power to contribute as much information about these vehicles for future preservation. These cars are actually a lot better than people give them credit for, they are shockingly reliable, and super low maintenance maintenance, yes people will bring up the 3100 lower intake gaskets failure, but that isn’t a guarantee for every single engine, and if you get it replaced, which is fairly cheap you are good to go. These are actually really nice feeling cars to be in, they aren’t luxury but they do feel really comfortable and really nice
I swear if GM made an SS model with the supercharged 3800, these cars would be considered collector vehicles, even the non-SS models would have a following sort of the same same way the V6 Camaros do
Words cannot describe how much I love the 1997 to 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, I know so much about this car. It’s not even funny if anything it’s kind of concerning.
I saw a PT Cruiser today and can’t recall the last time I saw one. I was surprised that I was surprised.
The Dodge Dart. Seen a lot when when they were new, and for several years after Dodge discontinued the car, now I’ll be lucky to see one. I’ve seen more 7th gen Civics (2001-05) on the road in comparison still.
Buicks. LeSabres used to be EVERYWHERE. Once they moved to the Lucerne and LaCrosse they just didn’t sell and you never see them
I see every single car listed here at least once a month, convinced people either aren’t looking or forget when they do see them
Dodge Darts disappeared in my area around 2019 and returned in 2023 and I see them every day I have no fucking clue what caused that? Maybe all the articles shitting on them got buried over time and ppl started buying them again???
I used to see Smart Fortwos everywhere but I kinda forgot about them until recently seeing one and thinking “what happened to these cars?”
11th Generation (04-08) Ford F-150/250/350 trucks.
I had this exact piece of crap car as a rental. But it had it had a 6 cylinder. The powertrain was surprisingly robust.
2000s Ford Taurus wagons.
I still see a good bit of these Impalas scooting around but almost all of them now are terribly abused and either rocking a donut, plastic bag window, or scotch tape tail light.. or a combination of the three.