Here's A Bunch of 10+ Year Old Stuff You Can Still Buy New in the USA

"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass) 09/12/2017 at 08:43 • Filed to: USELESS LISTS, OLD STUFF

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I spent way too much time making this ridiculous graphic.

Good morning, Oppo! The following is a list of cars that have been in production in their current generation, perhaps with some facelifting along the way, since 2007. In other words if you buy one of these new, someone out there has a 10 year old car that is basically the same as yours. Yes, a couple of these have had pretty big power bumps and added features along the way, but they all ride the same platform and have at least some of the same sheet metal that they did a decade ago. I haven’t checked this for completeness, so I may have missed something. But without further ado, here they are from newest to oldest...

2007

Dodge Journey - Although it began as a 2009 model, it actually went on sale in late 2007.

Dodge Grand Caravan - It has been heavily facelift and is supposedly going out of production soon, the current generation has been on sale since 2007 when the 4th generation debuted as a 2008 model.

Fiat 500. Although it didn’t come to the USA until 2010, it has been on sale in the current form since 2007 in other markets.

Infiniti QX50. This is actually a picture of an Infiniti EX37. Infiniti renamed it at some point ant stretched it 2 inches, but it’s basically the same thing as it was 10 years ago.

Lexus LX. It’s been facelifted three times, but it is still a J200.

Maserati GranTurismo. Still looks fresh to me.

Mitsubishi Lancer. It actually went out of production last month, but 2017 models should be available new for a while.

Nissan GT-R. It’s been significantly upgraded in looks, power, and price, but it is the same R35 that went on sale in Japan at the end of 2007.

2006

Ford Expedition. The new model starts production in September. Until then you can get the same one that’s been kicking around since 2006 with only minor styling changes and an EcoBoost V6 replacing the V8 a few years ago.

Hard to believe, but the JK Wrangler has been in production since the 2006. The new one gets here soon, but new JK’s will be on lots for quite some time yet.

Jeep Patriot. Production has apparently ended, but there are still new Patriots on dealer lots.

Lexus LS. The big grille added in 2013 makes this look different at first glance, but the side profile makes it clear this is the same XF40 that has been around since 2006. The new XF50 should be on sale in Japan by the end of the year and the USA in early 2018.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. It’s been facelifted, but the second-generation NCV3 Sprinter has been around since 2006.

Toyota Tundra. It got a big facelift in 2014 with new sheetmetal (except for the cab) and a new interior, but it’s the same truck underneath.

2005

Aston Martin Vangage.

2004

Nissan Frontier. The most amazing thing about this is just how little it has been updated in 13 years.

2003

Chevrolet Express - you all knew this would be here. The 1500 was discontinued back in 2012, but you can still buy a new 2500 or 3500. I’m not really sure how much different this “second generation” is under the sheetmetal from the first that debuted in 1995, but I’ll be generous and call say the current one has been with us since 2003. In any case, it’s the second oldest on the list. You can also still get a GMC Savanna version too.

1990

I have nothing to say that hasn’t been said about the 463 G-Class

A few observations... I thought about adding the Chrylser 300 and Dodge Charger to the list, but I think the 2011 redesign is significant enough that that even though they are on the same platform, they are nearly unrecognizable as the cars that debuted in 2005. Yes, we could argue that means the GT-R shouldn’t be on the list, but despite all the upgrades, even Nissan still refers to the GT-R as the same generation that came out in late 2007. There is a fair amount of FCA stuff in here as expected, but other than that there isn’t any one manufacturer that stands out as having an excessive amount of 10+ year old models still on sale. Most of these aren’t bad cars despite their age - they are either unique models that fill a niche or vehicles that we very good when they were new that just haven’t needed a redesign yet. There are a few things that I expected to find on the list that feel like they’ve been around forever, but aren’t a decade old just yet (370Z, Ram 1500) and there are a few that have been replaced recently that you might still see a few of lingering on lots alongside the new ones (VW Tiguan). As a final thought, it sure will be weird when G-Class gets replaced/retired.

Sweet Trav > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 08:49

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Interesting note. The 2003 GMT610 vans are just a refresh on the GMT600 vans which started production in 1995. The rumor around the industry is that GM is planning on producing GMT610 until 2021, at least.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Sweet Trav 09/12/2017 at 08:54

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And why not? There’s really no reason to mess with that formula. Pretty bulletproof machines.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Sweet Trav 09/12/2017 at 08:56

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Thanks! I was pretty sure the GMT610 was pretty close to the 600 even though I’ve never actually crawled around underneath 600.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 08:57

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You are quite generous in stating the G Wagon is only 27 years old. It’s been in production since 1979.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/12/2017 at 08:57

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Nissan tried to make a dent with the full-sized NV vans and it hasn’t seemed be all that successful. As long as the GMT610 meets regulations they may as well keep it around at least as long as Nissan is selling the NV.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/12/2017 at 08:58

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Not much you can do to update a box on wheels.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 08:59

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Maserati GranTurismo. Still looks fresh to me.

My exact thoughts too.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/12/2017 at 09:01

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I don’t know what exactly changed but multiple things I read said that MB “revised the chassis” in 1990 and internally renamed it from 460/461 to 463 which was enough for me to say the current form dates to 1990. You’re right, though, it wasn’t exactly a complete overhaul.

Sweet Trav > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 09:03

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as long as it says above 8600 GVWR it doesn’t really have to pass any regulations lol.

Chuckles > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 09:04

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This ends up creating some interesting effects on perception. Occasionally, it makes your brand new car look immediately dated. But on the other hand, it can make your used car look newer than it actually is, since new versions still look like the older ones. Case in point: a few weeks ago, I bought a 2012 Fiat 500 Sport. It’s 5 years old (more likely closer to 6 based on production date). It’s in very good condition, at least until you get up close. I’ve been approached by at least 5 coworkers who all thought that I bought a brand new car. The fact that new Fiats look like 5 year old Fiats helps it to look contemporary. I’m happy to drive a 5 year old car if it means paying less than half of the price of a similar new model.

Chinny Raccoon > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 09:05

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Can you buy the Morgan 4/4 in the USA?

Also, the Ducato/Promaster started in 2006, usually european vans have an approximate 10-12 year model run with one or two facelifts thrown in. The replacement should be coming in 2019 and it will have to be a lot better than the current one. The Sprinter is being replaced next year- VW have already launched their replacement.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Chinny Raccoon 09/12/2017 at 09:10

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As far as I know the on-again, off-again Morgan sales in the USA are currently off. I forgot about the Promaster - I thought it had been discontinued, thanks. I see so few I assume it is the worst selling work van here behind the Express, Sprinter, Nissan NV, and Transit. I need to be getting to work now, but may add it in later.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/12/2017 at 09:10

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You can get them with the 2.8 Duramax now, but no longer can get the 6.6.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 09:12

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Luxurification by means of cushy seats and suspension. I will never understand how the G wagon became the pinnacle of Mercedes’ lineup.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/12/2017 at 09:16

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Not really any reason to. It would just be a slightly different looking box. That’s basically it’s job description anyway.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/12/2017 at 09:19

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On the one hand, too bad they dropped the 6.6 option. On the other, the 6.0 has plenty of pulling power and it’s not like it has competition from other big diesels anymore.

Not sure how I feel about the 2.8 though... before they updated the 4.3 it would have made a great base engine replacement. Now it just seems kinda redundant.

bhtooefr > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 09:20

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While I don’t see many ProMaster cargo vans, I do see a fair amount of ProMaster RVs - it helps that it’s the widest of the Euro vans (making a class B easier), and it’s FWD (making the underbody layout of a class B easier, and making a class C much easier).

RT > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 09:27

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Here’s a weird addition to this list.

If we’re going by the ‘it’s basically an X underneath’ rule, then the big Ram van has been around since 2006 as the Fiat Ducato. Only the badges changed.

yamahog > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 09:33

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Next year you can add the Challenger to the list!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > RT 09/12/2017 at 09:53

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It might be because we only recently got them here in the US but the Promaster doesn’t look that old. Ugly, but not old.

duurtlang > Chuckles 09/12/2017 at 09:58

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The Fiat 500 was facelifted in 2016, although I doubt the US got the facelifted version.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/12/2017 at 10:01

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It still has a bit more torque, especially on the low end, and it gets better fuel economy. It has more power than the 6.2/6.5NA that originally would have been in one of these 20 years ago.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 09/12/2017 at 10:08

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It just feels like a tossup at first glance. One has more power, one has more torque, one gets better mileage, the other (admittedly depending on where you live) uses a cheaper fuel...

That being said, the 2.8 is probably the engine to have in most situations. It can be tuned to deliver more power if that’s what you need, and the 6.6 was detuned pretty substantially in these vans anyway. I’d imagine you can close the gap between them pretty well.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > RT 09/12/2017 at 10:09

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Thanks. I had totally forgotten that it was for sale more than it’s age. Another commenter suggested it as well. Good catch!

Chuckles > duurtlang 09/12/2017 at 10:10

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I don’t think we received a facelift here in the US, although in my area these cars are rare enough that it’s possible that I just haven’t encountered one yet.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/12/2017 at 10:12

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People are strange. I sort of got it back in the late 90's when the civilian H1 was popular as a sort of rugged in-your-face way of showing off wealth. I guess it’s just kind of hung around since then.

duurtlang > Chuckles 09/12/2017 at 10:14

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I see them everywhere, but I live in Europe. Around Munich I saw 3 different dealers withing a few hundred meters of each other offering half a dozen+ each brand new and used 500s. For some reason they’re very popular in more affluent areas in Germany.

Chuckles > duurtlang 09/12/2017 at 10:28

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I think at least here in the US they are seen as decent city cars. Something that is easy to parallel park on a tight street. But outside of big cities, people consider it to be too small. Sure it has a backseat, but it’s pretty cramped and something like a Honda Fit will give you much more usable space. Many Americans are also convinced that they need big oversize vehicles with 4wd for the snowy winters. The Fiat is too small for what many people think that they need.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 10:44

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The Nissan Frontier is the modern-day equivalent of the old, ubiquitous, Ford Ranger. It was only barely updated for nearly 30 continuous years of production...

ranwhenparked > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/12/2017 at 23:20

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The Express (and Savanna) redesign in 2003 was mostly just the plastic parts, the sheet metal is still basically the same from 1995.

Chariotoflove > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/13/2017 at 13:10

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The Aston and Maserati especially will have low miles used. This is where pre-owned is really attractive.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove 09/13/2017 at 13:37

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The Maserati is seriously tempting. $150k new and there are used ones with under 30k miles for less than $40k all over Autotrader right now.

Chariotoflove > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 09/13/2017 at 13:44

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And I saw some in person when I was convertible shopping. The only difference between used and new is you can’t specify your options with pre-owned, which I suspect is much of the attraction of these cars if you’re rich. I could blow a whole afternoon on the Maserati configurator. I can’t fathom for the life of me why so many of these fabulous GT cars are put out in gray and black with monochrome black interiors. Bleh.