Product cycles, they can be long and they can be short. Some cars we hope will never die while others trip and fall right at the starting gate. The following is a list of cars that have been around for far too long and need to go goodbye.
Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon
When these GM mid-size pickups came along in 2004, the largest engine offered was a 3.5-liter inline-five. Four years later, that powerplant received a bump to 3.7-liters but it still needs more torque. Add in an old-school GM interior and this is a perfect example of a vehicle that should die or be fully redesigned as soon as possible.
The future of GM's mid-size pickup depends on how strong of a market there is for smaller trucks. With fuel prices continuing to rise, maybe there is a need for this type of utility vehicle, only better executed.
Ford Ranger/Mazda B-series
The Ford Ranger and the Mazda B-series make the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon look fresh as a daisy. The present generation Ranger hit the road over a decade ago but the same basic chassis has been used since the introduction of the pickup in 1983. Presently, you can choose between three engines. The largest V-6 can trace its roots back farther than the Ranger itself, to the 1960s.
Unlike all other less than full-size trucks, the Ranger is technically a compact pickup. Rumors continue to float about the death of the Ranger but it will return for at least the 2009 model year. Time will tell if Ford builds another small pickup and, if they do, let's hope they start from scratch. ...next page >>