The Best Discontinued Vehicles of 2009

December 31, 2009 by cdow

As 2009 comes to an end, so do a few of our favorite popular vehicle models. With the economy still in the trough and many consumer segments feeling shy about purchasing new metal, quite a few models will be discontinued. Some will be gone and some will be taking a brief hiatus while new models launch. Here is the list of the best discontinued cars of 2009…
	When GM went through its government-organized bankruptcy, the company announced it would shut the brand down along with Hummer, Saturn and Saab. Although many Pontiac followers were excited to hear the new G8 sedan may set the brand in a direction that made sense and live on, the shoes were too big to fill for the new model and in April our fears became a reality. The entire Pontiac lineup when the way of GM’s recycling bin. While rumors continued that the G8 would return as the Chevy Caprice; that never happened. Goodbye, G8.
	Even one of the most successful car companies has vehicle making this lineup. One we are saying goodbye to will be the Honda S2000, one of the most underrated sports cars ever sold in America. This small roadster is about half the size of a Mazda Miata but has the speed of a BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster. Honda will be left without a real sports car in 2010 until its planned CR-Z makes its debut in America. Goodbye S2000.
	Volkswagen fans, the GLI is leaving us temporally. While most will agree the GTI garners more awards, the Jetta GLI high-performance is something some vocal owners swear by. For those owners, don’t get too upset yet. The GLI is taking a brief hiatus for 2010 and is expected to return when the new 2011 Jetta goes on sale.
	From our German friends at Audi, next on our list is the Audi S8. This super high-performance sedan with its beastly 5.2-liter V-10 puts out 450 horsepower to all four wheels, managed by the vehicle’s six speed transmission. This vhicle is on every $100,000 sports sedan buyer’s list, normally as either number one or two. This loss will launch a new A8 sedan model for 2010.
	At the New York Auto Show in 2009 the company announced that the Land Rover LR3 would go away in favor of a new model that looked very similar… the LR4. Other than the name and a few other small differences like its direct-injection 5.0-liter V-8 and some styling, the new model is practically the same as the LR3. So, now all your LR3 lovers can upgrade to the LR4 model in 2010.
	A truly grand old car, the Bentley Arnage was created back when Bentley was joined at the hip with Rolls-Royce in 1998. The final Arnage models, aptly named “final series” consisted of 150 specially badged cars that rolled out of England in 2009. The Arnage is replaced by the new Mulsanne, which goes on sale next year.
	Another Pontiac we are sad to see go. The Pontiac Vibe was never a car that set the world on fire, but the stories from owners prove that it was a much beloved little crossover. The Vibe will die with the Brand itself officially in 2010.
	In the value minivan segment, the Hyundai Entourage is ending. The minivan market offers many alternatives for this car like the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Minivan who have a stronger hold on the market. Hyundai’s version of the van was shut down in 2009.
Like every New Year, we say goodbye to those things lost we loved, but look forward to what the New Year will bring us. So let’s all bid these cars a farewell, but get vamped up for the newer and better models to come in 2010.