28 Discontinued Cars That Need to Make a Comeback

In a lot of ways, the S2000 is better than a Miata. It has more power and can get around a track quicker than a stock Miata ever could. That VTEC engine can rev to the moon, reliably, for hundreds of thousands of miles. The only downside, unsurprisingly, is the price. S2000s are historically more expensive than Miatas of the same vintage.

The XJ220 didn't exactly live up to its initial expectations when new, but it's still one of the coolest Jaguars ever. We'd love to see another halo supercar like this from Jaguar—one that actually makes production, unlike the stillborn C-X75.

Volkswagen sold the Scirocco for two generations in the US, but today's model is not imported to the US. Still, in a world of copy-paste crossovers, we'd love to see the hatchback coupe from VW make a return.

The only Lotus you can buy in America is the Evora, and it's only available as a coupe. The Elise had a targa top, but it wasn't really a true roadster like the Elan. If Lotus wants to expand its lineup, this is where it should start.

These used performance cars may not be legends of zero-maintenance reliability, but they're far more engaging than any economy commuter. Also, buying one won't break the bank.

The normal version of Cadillac's sedan wasn't the most interesting car in the world. But then Cadillac introduced the high-performance CTS-V, complete with a 556-horsepower supercharged V-8, an available manual transmission, and an optional wagon bodystyle. This wagon version can be yours today.

Ford has said in the past that the current F-150 got too fat to build a Lightning version, but honestly, we don't buy it. Fast SUVs are some of the hottest new vehicles right now, so why doesn't Ford make a fast F-150 that isn't a Raptor? Aftermarket companies have done well in its absence, after all.

The CRX may not be as rare or special as some of the other cars on this list, but there's a reason so many people love it. The fun-to-dollar ratio is off the charts. Here's a Japan-market Si model for sale on eBay now.

The Magnum is based on the Charger, and received the same Hemi V-8 in its SRT version. If it was still around today, it probably would've gotten the Hellcat treatment. Too bad.

The modern 911 is a wonderful GT car, but we can't help but wonder what the world would be like with a new 928. It doesn't have to be a bespoke model—a two-door Panamera would do just fine. That massively powerful turbo V-8 hybrid drivetrain would be pretty spectacular in a smaller front-engined GT car.

If luxury is what you look for in an off-roader, consider the Wagoneer. It pioneered the style of the modern SUV, with standard comfort features and some seriously cool wood panelling. This one's in good condition, and it's for sale.

Thanks to its popularity as a drift car, it's getting harder and harder to locate a nice 240SX for less than $5000. They're still out there, though—you just have to put a bit more effort into find them. Here's one with some mods listed for just $3500.

Even if you didn't know the Z8 takes design cues from the legendary 507 Roadster, it's easy to see why it's become such a valuable collector car. It's a stunner. Here's one you can own right now.

Some cars deserve to fail, but others failed for reasons beyond automaker control. Each one of these cars is great, but some failed for economic reasons, where others failed for being misunderstood by customers. Here are some cars that should've had a better chance.

The Viper is easily one of the coolest cars to ever come out of Detroit. With cartoonish looks, a massive V-10 engine, and a reputation for being difficult to handle, it's truly a legend.

The GTV-6 had big shoes to fill following the lovely Alfetta and before that, the wonderful GTV. Equipped with that magnificent-sounding V-6 and a rear-mounted transaxle, it's a joy to drive.

Chevrolet shut down the Holden assembly plant that produced the rear-drive Commodore (the car the Chevy SS was based on), meaning we probably won't see a new SS for a very long time. That's a real shame.

The Integra Type R is one of the holiest performance front-wheel-drive cars. It made 195 horsepower from its little four-cylinder engine and the handling was perfectly neutral, most unlike a front-wheel-drive car. We found one recently in good condition for $45,000. With the Civic Type R in the U.S., we're waiting for Acura to come back to the affordable performance realm.

Subaru's little 4x4 ute was unique in more ways than one. In addition to the cool decals and pickup bodystyle, it had rear-facing seats mounted on the exterior inside the bed. Here's one in fair condition that can be yours for just under $10,000.

If a mid-sized, turbocharged V-6 "mini muscle car" sounds good to you, then the Buick Grand National GNX shouldn't be an unfamiliar name. GM only made 500 of these cars, notable their use of a turbo V-6 engine over the traditional V-8. But what if we resurrected the Grand National, built it on GM's Alpha platform and gave it the twin-turbo V-6 from the ATS-V?

People have wanted the RX-7 to return for years. Mazda has confirmed that the rotary engine is back and could make it into a production sports car. That would be a joyous day for us, because we have always loved the RX-7. It was easily modded and great to drive. Today's technology could yield an equally fun car and bring a revolutionary engine back to a market where it's been missed.

Despite the truckish looks, the El Camino drove more like a car. That made it awesome, especially if you got the SS model, which had a 454 cubic-inch V-8 under the hood. What muscle car today can store as much as a pickup while doing a burnout? Australia has had sedan-based pickup trucks for years, including rip-snorting performance models. Why not bring one over here?

The Mitsubishi Eclipse is so closely tied to the Fast & Furious movies, folks seem to forget it's a legitimate performance car even in stock form. Especially the rare, all-wheel-drive GSX version, which came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder good for 210 horsepower. This one's up for bidding right now.

Of course, we'd be perfectly happy if Mitsubishi just brought back the Evo instead. It was the STI's only real competition, sporting a big wing and a rally-minded philosophy.

If you're looking for real power from a 944, you could spend the money and get a Turbo model. Another choice is finding a cheap broken example and dropping in a V-8. Honestly, the V-8 option sounds more fun (and more reliable).

With the new Supra out, it's time for Toyota to bring back another beloved sports car—the MR2. Really, though, we'd love to see the return of the affordable mid-engine sports car in general. Fiat revived the 124 Spider, but what about the X1/9? And even though Pontiac's gone, GM could still totally bring back the Fiero.

Though it might not be as popular as some of the other rally homologation cars on this list, the Celica GT-Four is still serious business. It makes 250 horsepower through a turbo inline-four, and gets power to all four corners via a permanent all-wheel drive system.

Volvo's done a great job of revitalizing its lineup in recent years. The XC90 and S90 are both stellar cars with great interiors. But we'd love to see the Swedish automaker take a chance and build a P1800 sports coupe again. Imagine a Polestar One with P1800-inspired bodywork. We'd love that.

The S2000 is one of the greatest roadsters on Earth. It's reliable, good-looking, and fantastic to drive. Why wouldn't Honda want to build on that reputation with a new model? We can't think of a reason.