QotW: What car will go extinct in the next five years?

Stylish. Powerful. Affordable. These are attributes that typically make a very desirable car. Unfortunately, it also transforms them into dirtbag magnets. Once noble motorcars like the Infiniti G35 are now, at least in southern California, most often seen in various states of clappedness weaving through traffic like an Altima on a doughnut spare and steroids. At the current rate of attrition we think it’s unlikely there’ll be any garage-worthy examples left by 2028, but we hope we’re wrong.

What car will go extinct in the next five years?

The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What does your car cleaning regimen consist of?“.

The question returned the least responses in QotW history so the winner was an easy pick. Emerging victorious was Alan, who knows how to keep his shit nice, but his answer was so good that he probably would’ve won even in a tsunami of replies:

Every evening at dusk I rub my G50 Century with hand-brewed, small-batch sake under twilight.

My other cars wear a protective, semi-permanent layer of filth similar to that afforded by naturally-cultivated dreadlocks.

Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!

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18 Responses to QotW: What car will go extinct in the next five years?

  1. Land Ark says:

    Back in September I bought my friend’s 2006 Acura TL. He isn’t an enthusiast but he bought it new and maintained it well enough to keep it in good shape all these years despite moving across the country twice and living in NYC for a few years. After buying it I did a few regular and somewhat neglected maintenance to get it into shape to give to a family member.

    I spent the next 2 months looking for parts and visiting junkyards. Seeing the examples that turned up in the yards made me wonder if any TLs had intact seats left. Most were absolutely obliterated with only foam left on seat bottoms. Dashboards were cracked beyond what I thought was possible and arm rests looked more like medieval torture devices for elbows. A quick search through online ads confirmed that most were in similar condition even if a seller was asking actual money for one.

    And as you do when buying any car I started noticing more TLs on the road and I notice most are being piloted at Altima levels of speed and carelessness. They are pretty powerful cars and have drive trains that can take some abuse. And since many are now on their 7th or 8th owners and aren’t worth much since they also likely have 200k miles or more, the owners who probably have no insurance are yolo-ing to wherever they are going with no regard for their car, others, or ultimately themselves. It’s a recipe for automotive extinction.

  2. Jim Klein says:

    2003-2004 Infiniti M45, the apparent inspiration for the Chrysler 300C…

  3. fuel10922 says:

    For sure the Lexus GS models. They are already a rarity to see and when spotted are trashed! GS400 or 430…forget about it!

  4. Alan says:

    Thanks fellas.

    The Nissan Cube. I mean it’s trashy even for a modern Nissan, and they didn’t sell many. I’ve seen perhaps 5 in the past few years, and I spend most of my time in San Diego and L.A., where the variety and longevity of cars on the road is pretty much unparalleled anywhere else in America.

    • Christopher B. says:

      Really!?!? I’m in Tennessee, and can’t leave the driveway without seeing at least one! I must live where Cubes come to die, because I see several every week! Must have been way more popular here….

  5. speedie says:

    Station/Estate wagons. I’m talking traditional wagons here (Accords, Camrys, Maximas, Lexis IS 300, Acura TSX) not hatchbacks that call themselves wagons (Hello Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback), or SUVS that want you to think they are wagons (hello Honda Crosstour). They sold in very low volumes, were often handed down to kids who trashed them, and were driven to very high mileages. I started looking for one and after three months finally found a really well maintained, one owner, 205K mile, 2011 Acura TSX Sportwagon. These cars are a great value if you can find them even at this high mileage. Save the wagons!

  6. Fruity B. says:

    Oh my gosh I was just talking about this with my partner the other week. It’s not isolated to southern California I can assure you. Here in Michigan I see the most busted up g35’s ever. I know back when they came out they where a big deal. I’ve never been a big Infinity fan, but I certainly appreciate them. It’s so sad to see them getting beat out of existence.

    I’ve also noticed it on a bit with the Acuras of the same time period. Thankfully not as bad.

  7. Ben Slanciata says:

    I don’t know WHAT car will go extinct, but I can easily think of a score I hope WILL go extinct.

  8. Taylor C. says:

    I did not have to read your opening sentences, but I also echoed your sentiments on the G35. I even extend that extinction to the Infiniti brand, as a whole.

    I lusted Infiniti when they first came out in 1989. Although Lexus had all their fancy LS400 commercials, I absolutely loved that Q45. Big V8, a “t” as well as an “a” variant, 150MPH, nice front badge, looks like a rocket even standing still, they had a good thing going. Too bad they were too ahead of its time (today big badges are dime a dozen, active suspension all over the place), and therefore the timing was never in its favor.

    Inifiniti had the M30 and G20 as well, both were eh. G20t was cool, but just didn’t have much power. The J30, again, was a radical change from other cars of that time; people just weren’t warming up to those swooping shapes back then. Finally, in 2002, Inifiniti must’ve found some funding, as the Q45 came out with a bang, and 2003 saw the G35 coupe / sedan. M35 and M45s started appearing as well. Inifiniti FX basically invented the luxury performance SUV. The G started winning comparisons, and things were looking optimistic. I had hopes of buying a 2005/6 Midnight Blue G35 Sedan 6MT, but my wallet didn’t let me at the time.

    However, it seemed that somewhere along the way, Inifiniti tainted the recipe. Even though Nissan historically has lower resale values, that shouldn’t have damaged the company to the point where it’s currently at. Today, their lineup is old, the branding sucks, there’s no manual-equipped cars, and I honestly don’t know why all their cars are confusingly “Q” or “QX.” While Hellcats emit the “badass” image while doing their donuts, all the YouTube sydeshow videos show clapped-out G35’s with different-colored body panels and dangling rear bumpers; what a way to sell the company image. The G37 coupe IPL was supposed to be compete with the M3 at that time, that sure didn’t happen.

    The only thing Infiniti has, technologically, is the variable compression ratio engine; I read that the concept was great, but the interface with the rest of the car was lousy. Everything else is just CarPlay or Android connectivity, backup sensors, and lane departure warning. I remember Infiniti had moved its offices to Hong Kong years back, but that the company is moving yet again due to finance issues. Their recent Monterey Pebble Beach propaganda was pretty weak as well, with B-rated celebrities who probably couldn’t care less about the cars.

    I would still like my 2005/6 G35 6MT, or maybe the 2006/7 M45. But besides that, their current crop of vehicles are so behind on the times. You’ve had a decent run, Infiniti, and although I’ve tried hard to mentally support you, you’ve lost your focus and have lost yourselves into the world of mundane.

  9. Alan says:

    LOL whoooole lotta Nissans nominated here.

  10. danny says:

    Based on what I’ve seen while browsing craigslist and marketplace, both generations of the Mazda 929 sold in America are not long for this world. I’ve found 2 or 3 of the HC generation for sale across the entire country, and they usually have ragged interiors, and/or the V6 they shared with the 1st gen MPV is non-running. The HD generation seems to be even harder to find, which is a shame considering it’s Mazda’s last rwd sedan unless you count the RX-8’s clamshell doors as a 4 door.
    I’ve been trying to find an HC 929 to 13b swap, thereby creating a left hand drive Luce, and pickings are really slim compared to other Japanese 4 doors like the Cressida. Here’s to hoping the last few remaining examples end up in enthusiast hands, instead of the junkyard.

  11. MikeRL411 says:

    All Infiniti models. They are good cars but lack even the slightest marketing support! Good cars do not sell themselves, they need some marketing support.

    • speedie says:

      I totally agree. Once Nissan realized it had lost the battle for market share in the luxury segment to Honda and Toyota, they stopped giving Infiniti any love. A parallel is what Ford has done with Lincoln, which trails Cadillac miserably in image.

  12. f31roger says:

    hmm.

    If enthusiasts didn’t get some of these cars to keep as good cars instead of drift cars, I would think the AE86 and S13. I am wondering how the numbers are being held up for Chasers/Crestas and Mark IIs.

    I definitely think Mazda 929s are gone. I would love to get an HC 929 (saved a digi cluster a few years back).

    Even my beloved M30 is going that way, but honestly, there is always a small group for many cars that make sure their legacy continues.

  13. Cobaltfire says:

    First and second generation Isuzu Impulse.

    They are already so rare that I haven’t seen one in the wild in almost 20 years, and the few that are left (they are likely extinct in most states already) are barely hanging on with fanatical owners who have noone left to sell them to.

  14. ExO says:

    Already extinct: Acura Legend and Vigor. And I do miss them.

    Bought a ‘93 Vigor GS with 37K miles, Cassis Red/grey leather/zebrano paneling. Most exquisite car I’ve ever owned. Managed to miss a red light in downtown San Diego and get it t-boned.

    Next one was a ‘91 Legend. Commuted almost 100 miles a day up the 5 for 4 1/2 years. 160,000 miles. Maintained her mechanically but not cosmetically. She looked like hell and was starting to smoke (probably the BHG) when someone broke into her, siphoned fuel f***ing up the fuel line, and it was time to say goodbye.

    Magnificent machines. Haven’t seen either on the road in years.

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