What car would you like to see re-introduced to the market?

BrianD3 · 12-12-2020 02:59PM

Old diesel wrote: »

A modern version of the Saab 9000 would be fantastic too imo.

The Saab idea before GM influence came along was to produce a very well engineered car that was very safe and very well built for the era.

The Saab may well share a platform with the same era (late 80s/early 90s) Fiat Croma but Saab actually build stuff properly.

The Croma performed very poorly when crash tested by Auto Motor und Sport but the 9000 CS wasn't great either - worse than the Merc W124, BMW E34, Audi 100 (1991) Volvo 740 and 850 and Nissan Maxima.

Also performed worse than the 1991 Opel Astra and 1993 Corsa and the GM influenced NG 900. Newer designs of course.

12-12-2020 03:36PM

gammygils wrote: »

90's beauts - Mitubishi 3000GT & Nissan 200SX

No arguments about the 3000GT and the 200SX was a good car too but what about Nissans' contemporary rival to the 3000GT? The 300ZX.

Even more so as a convertible...

Das Reich · 12-12-2020 03:41PM

Fiat Panda the old one.

XLR 8 · 12-12-2020 03:44PM

Iodine1 wrote: »

Not a sporty car but a lovely small car: Renault 5.

There was a GT version and a mental one with a weird name that I drove back in the 80s. Both were quick and sporty.

John_Rambo · 13-12-2020 12:23AM

XLR 8 wrote: »

There was a GT version and a mental one with a weird name that I drove back in the 80s. Both were quick and sporty.

The Gordini?

FGR · 13-12-2020 12:29AM

GM had an awful influence on cars here imo. That said US brands in general really showed their true longevity considering you rarely see a Chrysler or a Dodge around anymore.

I spotted an Avenger on UK plates recently but used to see far more back when they were first introduced.

Not to mention the Daewoos/Chevrolets. I got to admit I was tempted by their low prices..

EDIT: I like Fords. Especially the Mondeo and the Focus. Just needed to note that. :pac:

Rrrrrr2 · 13-12-2020 12:41AM

BonnieSituation wrote: »

I think Fiat have clearly missed a beat with the obvious gems in their back catalogue they could bring back like the Sopder and 500.

Love this concept 127.

http://www.davidobendorfer.com/projectF127.html

Imagine a modern day Ritmo or X19. Oof...

Really wanted Fiat to do that one- absolutely stunning supermini and Europe loved the 127- if it was a hoot to drive as well as being modern and safe it would sell in shedloads.
Would have slotted in nicely above the 500.

Rrrrrr2 · 13-12-2020 12:45AM

FGR wrote: »

GM had an awful influence on cars here imo. That said US brands in general really showed their true longevity considering you rarely see a Chrysler or a Dodge around anymore.

I spotted an Avenger on UK plates recently but used to see far more back when they were first introduced.

Not to mention the Daewoos/Chevrolets. I got to admit I was tempted by their low prices..

There was the odd Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Journeys about from the late 2000s. Quickly disappeared now though.
Everyday American cars are simply dreadful, I despise them. I like the likes of the Ford Mustang and some of their SUV stuff. But their every day cars are like cold McDonald’s food

Rrrrrr2 · 13-12-2020 12:48AM

FGR wrote: »

And to spice things up on this thread

I miss exotic, performance cars like the Fiesta Mk 5.5 :pac:

I admit I'm all nostalgic about this car. Bullet proof and this was before the designers went crazy with the design of the Fiesta. :pac:

Much prefer the recent gen Fiestas- much more stylish than the MPV blob thing that was in fashion early 2000s

Rrrrrr2 · 13-12-2020 12:51AM

John_Rambo wrote: »

This^^ Fiat need to revamp or reinvent the Ritmo with all the styling and without the problems. I can see them going electric with the model. It's perfect, sure all the electric car makers are basing their wheels on the original Ritmo rims.

Their Tipo is a actually a pretty decent car for the price. I’m sure they could make a modern Ritmo out of it

storker · 13-12-2020 12:58AM

Citroen BX 19 GTi

or

Citroen 2CV (my first car)

storker · 13-12-2020 01:01AM

Wibbs wrote: »

Problem being with all the safety requirements and other legislation and people being used to more gadgets and stuff in cars the revamped versions of those would struggle to look or feel anything like the originals.

Very true. Still, Fiat seem to have done a good job there with the Bambino, which although not a replica of the original has a very pleasingly retro interior. The did a much better job than the Beetle or Mini in this regard, IMO.

Rrrrrr2 · 13-12-2020 05:23AM

storker wrote: »

Very true. Still, Fiat seem to have done a good job there with the Bambino, which although not a replica of the original has a very pleasingly retro interior. The did a much better job than the Beetle or Mini in this regard, IMO.

Was more true to the original than the other two I think but modernised into a chic little car. The beetle was never more than half arsed.
Pity their attempts to make a 500 family are so crap- 500L thingy is an awful idea

Bricriu · 13-12-2020 07:28AM

I'd like a robust version of some cars to be available - same engine, gearbox, etc. as the shiny version, but the body to be armoured, especially sides, front and back, and bumpers, so that the slightest tip or bump when reversing, or stone flung from the road by the wheels, wouldn't entail a very expensive trip to the panel-beater.
The purchaser would then have a choice between the shiny version and a robust version.
I think modern cars are made delicately so as to be money-spinners for the manufacturers in terms of new parts. Bodies and paintwork are damaged by the slightest tip.
Modern bumpers are useless and crumple easily and cost a small fortune to replace or panel-beat.
Yes, I know it's said that bumpers are built to take the shock of impact so it doesn't transfer to the occupants of the car, but surely they could be more robust for small impacts.
Also modern wheels are not suitable for bad roads, and we have a lot of those, especially in rural areas.
I'm thinking of the old Land-Rovers, Morris Minors, etc. Their bodies were robust and well made, whatever about the engines not being very reliable, especially in the Land-Rover.
Give us a choice.

Old diesel · 13-12-2020 06:14PM

selectamatic wrote: »

They were a great yoke. Lovely proportions and just about the perfect size. neither too big nor too small.

Handy enough on diesel too. Still 2 of them on the go locally to me both owned for years and well cared for.

We had a short wheel base non turbo.

Did the job, lots of character Vs most things I've experienced since. Miss it.

At the time we bought (1998) it was very competitively priced option Vs the Pajero, Trooper and pick up* options.

We had been doing the ruin the family car doing too much farm stuff thing before that.

Part of the reason the Daihatsu was cheaper was thar the Trooper and Pajero were typically nicer to drive.

But we just wanted it for dirty farm related stuff.

As my father said at the time - we weren't going to be up and down to Dublin in it.

*Hilux at the time

BonnieSituation · 13-12-2020 10:40PM

Bricriu wrote: »

I'd like a robust version of some cars to be available - same engine, gearbox, etc. as the shiny version, but the body to be armoured, especially sides, front and back, and bumpers, so that the slightest tip or bump when reversing, or stone flung from the road by the wheels, wouldn't entail a very expensive trip to the panel-beater.
The purchaser would then have a choice between the shiny version and a robust version.
I think modern cars are made delicately so as to be money-spinners for the manufacturers in terms of new parts. Bodies and paintwork are damaged by the slightest tip.
Modern bumpers are useless and crumple easily and cost a small fortune to replace or panel-beat.
Yes, I know it's said that bumpers are built to take the shock of impact so it doesn't transfer to the occupants of the car, but surely they could be more robust for small impacts.
Also modern wheels are not suitable for bad roads, and we have a lot of those, especially in rural areas.
I'm thinking of the old Land-Rovers, Morris Minors, etc. Their bodies were robust and well made, whatever about the engines not being very reliable, especially in the Land-Rover.
Give us a choice.

You've literally answered it there yourself.

saabsaab · 13-12-2020 10:49PM

Matra Bagheera. Great bang for the buck.

John_Rambo · 13-12-2020 11:30PM

Rrrrrr2 wrote: »

Their Tipo is a actually a pretty decent car for the price. I’m sure they could make a modern Ritmo out of it

It is actually. From what I can remember the old 2 litre Tipo was an absolute hoot. I know someone that managed to drive one up on to one of those old steel cables that used to support telephone poles.

khalessi · 14-12-2020 12:08AM

love to see the 2CV, Morris Minor, VW Eos and the proper VW Bus not camper

Wibbs · 14-12-2020 11:27AM

khalessi wrote: »

love to see the 2CV,

While it doesn't look like one the new leccy Citroen Ami is pretty close to the concept of the 2CV.

Wacky and as French as only Citroen can be, cheap as chips to buy and run and as simple as a rock. Both doors are the same part number as are the back and front panels. No carpet or any such fripperies, you could valet the interior with a mop and bucket. Even the windows are simple and exactly like the 2CV. Loads of colour options. And stickers. Who doesn't love stickers.

raw-accept?hash=56939a90e14e29f6af99b34b945253d0605f5339

raw-accept?hash=56939a90e14e29f6af99b34b945253d0605f5339

OK top whack is 50 kph and range is entirely aimed at urban driving, but for 6000 of your finest yoyos you can't really go wrong. I doubt it could cross a ploughed field carrying a basket of eggs without breaking them, but still.

storker · 14-12-2020 11:29AM

Wibbs wrote: »

While it doesn't look like one the new leccy Citroen Ami is pretty close to the concept of the 2CV.

Go into your kitchen, turn on the tap, and wash your mouth out with soap.

Wibbs · 14-12-2020 11:46AM

storker wrote: »

Go into your kitchen, turn on the tap, and wash your mouth out with soap.

It is though S. Both the 2CV and Fiat 500 were built to be cheap no frills cars to get the masses off bicycles and scooters. This Ami is designed to appeal to urban dwellers and the tiktok generation(in France you can drive one at 14) who aren't particularly into cars and get them invested. It even uses your smart phone for things like ECU data and satnav. Very clever. It should help the uptake of electric cars too.

Casati · 14-12-2020 12:34PM

Skoda Yeti. One of the most complete cars out there especially in 4WD and it had a bit of personality that is totally missing with the Karoq.

Ford Ka (i.e. 1996 - 2008). Brilliant small car that made up for basic trim and poor engine choices by being great to drive and practically indestructible. Has Ford not ever wondered why the current model doesn't sell?

TheBoyConor · 14-12-2020 12:45PM

1992-1998 Toyota Carina E 1.9 turbo diesel with a hitch.

Very comfortable, smooth to drive, miser on diesel. Rattly old mechanical diesel engine and slugish acceleration, but will pull all creation behind it and tolerate many years of abuse and neglect without complaint.

With steel wheels with missmatched hubcaps, the boot tied down with baling twine, it would really look the part pulling a cow box into the yard of any mart in the country.

khalessi · 14-12-2020 12:51PM

Wibbs wrote: »

While it doesn't look like one the new leccy Citroen Ami is pretty close to the concept of the 2CV.

Wacky and as French as only Citroen can be, cheap as chips to buy and run and as simple as a rock. Both doors are the same part number as are the back and front panels. No carpet or any such fripperies, you could valet the interior with a mop and bucket. Even the windows are simple and exactly like the 2CV. Loads of colour options. And stickers. Who doesn't love stickers.

OK top whack is 50 kph and range is entirely aimed at urban driving, but for 6000 of your finest yoyos you can't really go wrong. I doubt it could cross a ploughed field carrying a basket of eggs without breaking them, but still.

My first thought also seeing these was of the 2CV, would love to get my hands on one, could be a cult classic in years to come.

AMKC · 14-12-2020 12:52PM

Mk1 Renault Laguna and Renault Megane and Megane Classic. All great cars in there time, stylish unlike a boring VW and good to drive too. Although I will admit the Passat from 97 to 2003 and next one with the big chrome grill were good looking cars and the MK5 Golf was good looking but all other VWs are just so dull and boring.

MK 1 Fiat Bravo and Brava.

Citroen CX, XM and Xantia.

HBC08 · 14-12-2020 01:20PM

khalessi wrote: »

love to see the 2CV, Morris Minor, VW Eos and the proper VW Bus not camper

If there was a newer version of the VW Eos I would have it.Im looking to get a hard top convertible in the new year and there isn't much choice. There seemed to be more choice 10 years ago with the Eos,Megane,Peugeot etc

ELM327 · 14-12-2020 01:22PM

Multipla

Carina E

galwaytt · 14-12-2020 04:00PM

Saab 900 with modern Tech.

For Forks Sake · 14-12-2020 07:29PM

Casati wrote: »

Skoda Yeti. One of the most complete cars out there especially in 4WD and it had a bit of personality that is totally missing with the Karoq.

Ford Ka (i.e. 1996 - 2008). Brilliant small car that made up for basic trim and poor engine choices by being great to drive and practically indestructible. Has Ford not ever wondered why the current model doesn't sell?

..apart from the rust

What car would you like to see re-introduced to the market?

Comments