These Are The 80s Cars In Desperate Need Of Revival

“The thing America needs right now is a revival of the mini-truck.

“I’m not talking about the Maverick. Too many seats, too car based, too much money.

“I’m talking a true, bare bones, economical personal pickup, for a dirt cheap price.

“Body on frame, four cylinders, manual transmission, hand crank windows, rubber floor, vinyl seats. No screens. Analog gauges. Steel wheels. Simple simple simple. No fluff, and no pretenses of being an aspirational vehicle. The target is to gain market share, build brand loyalty, and lower fleet emissions. Shoot for a sub 4,000 lb weight, a 1,200 lb payload, and 5,000 lbs of towing capacity, priced at $19,999.

“It would be a phenomenon.”

We all know the Maverick isn’t really a small truck, so maybe it’s time to give a super small pickup a spin.

Suggested by: r4ndyd4ndy

“I’m looking not for the coolest cars of the 80s. But the combination of a cool car that sold well and would sell well today.

“And this leads to this mega hit that was impossible to get from the dealer for years before they were selling off the truck.

“If Consumer Reports hadn’t assassinated them, they would have been one of the biggest sellers of the 80s and you might see Suzuki dealerships still today.

“And if we did have Suzuki dealerships, I think Suzuki would be selling these things quick enough that they wouldn’t have time to put them in the lot off the truck again.”

The Samurai lives on as the Jimny, which is still sold all around the world today. So I wonder what it would take for Suzuki to bring it back to these fair shores?

Suggested by: yeardley68

“Everything is too expensive, late stage capitalism sucks, and I am sick of being punished for wanting own some kind of asset. We don’t need subscription access to EVs or four wheel steering. We need a basic, affordable, economical option that’s reliable, easy to maintain, and can still manage to put a smile on our faces when we get behind the wheel. CRX HF is the only answer.”

A hot Honda with killer styling and a price that didn’t break the bank would go down a storm in 2024. Especially if it was an economical little cutie like the CRX HF.

Suggested by: sunshinesupercars

“VW Rabbit, Dasher, Scirocco. The world needs basic cheap, good cars.”

Volkswagen, give the people what they want!

Suggested by: smithings6

“Without a question the Toyota MR-2. Please someone make a small, light mid-engine RWD manual car that looks like a modern mini Ferrari. Lotus Emira is close, but it would be better being significantly cheaper and more reliable with Toyota making it. There are so many 300+hp small turbo motors out there, that’s all it needs. And keep it light and small.”

Small and light, with 300hp and rear-wheel-drive, that sounds like a winning combination.

Suggested by: boneheadotto

“Any of the Group B homologation specials would be good. How about the Peugeot 205?”

Finally, a reader after my own heart.

Suggested by: bonacontention

“I’m biased because I have a 968, but it would be amazing to see a modern take on the Porsche 944. With the next Boxster/Cayman going full electric, I often daydream about a new entry-level ICE Porsche sports car.”

This is a great shout, but I’d also love to see an electric reimagining of the 944.

Suggested by: Aldairion

“The Nissan MID4, it was this close to be Nissan’s first mid-engine sports car instead of crazy rare and expensive R390 GT1, and also much more earlier than NSX NA1 / NA2.”

A revival of the Nissan MID4 concept feels like the kind of flagship electric vehicle that Nissan should be pedaling at the top of its range.

Suggested by: hayase

“I would like at least one of the two DeLorean companies revive the DMC DeLorean. EV versions would be fine (and probably fast), but I’d really be impressed if they could pull some BTTF 2 and find a way to have them run on banana peels and Tab soda backwash.”

With two companies already hoping to revive the iconic motor, is this the most likely entry on this list?

Suggested by: regnis78

“While I like and applaud the idea of a revived Alfa Romeo I’d prefer the GTV 6 get reimagined. And that would be easier to do if they used the Giulia platform coupled with the Quadrifoglio’s V6.”

Really, Alfa Romeo should just offer more than about two cars. Then we’d all be happy, right?

Suggested by: ajr666

“The Shelby GLH-S.

Or, really any hot hatch CAR, from an American company would be nice, right about now.”

More American hot hatches now, please!

Suggested by: knyte

“I’m going to say the Mighty Max.

“This was the 90s model, but they were made from 1978 - 96 I believe. I don’t know why I have such an affinity to these. Maybe it’s the name and maybe I just love small trucks. But if they brought it back with similar proportions with decent payload and off-road capabilities, I would totally buy one right now! Put an Evo engine in it”

As well as being one of the best-named trucks out there, the Mighty Max could inject some fun back into Mitsubishi’s range.

Suggested by: darthspartan117

“The Fiero. We need a cheap mid-engine car.

“For so many reasons, not the least of which is a safari version to compete with the 911 Dakar and the Huracán Sterrato.”

Another vote in favor of more small, mid-engined cars that won’t break the bank. Are you reading this, America’s automakers?

Suggested by: emilminty

“The Volvo 240/740 wagons. Such great simple cars.”

A boxy new 740 would be the natural successor to the V90, which Volvo killed off just three years ago.

Suggested by: motodroid23

“Why? If you want the experience and look of an old car - just go buy a nice example of the original. The modern remakes are inevitably terrible, with the sole exception of the Miata. Which really did capture the essence of the classic roadster perfectly but bring it into the modern era. Though at a price, literally and figuratively. At the time I bought my very nice Spitfire, a decent used Miata was 3X the price, and I don’t fit in one comfortably.”

It’s because either we like imagining what new versions of old cars could look like, or because we like hearing about the cars you all like. But hey, you’re right and this might be a big ol’ waste of everyone’s time.

Suggested by: krhodes1