Oldest cars still common on the roads in your area?

[GranTurNismo]

Given that during the late 20th century, reliability of everyday cars seemed to have increased substantially, it's not uncommon to see daily-driven cars on the road that are 25 years old or even older. So I'm wondering, in your region, what are the most common old cars that haven't died yet?

Compact car: 1993-1997 Toyota Corolla, easily. These seem to be more reliable than Civics, and anything American of course,

Mid-size: Probably a tie between the 1991-1996 Camry and 1994-1997 Accord. These cars are simply indestructible and still everywhere. Even the wagon Camrys really aren't that rare near me.

In terms of American cars, though they have begun to thin out a lot in recent years, there's still a decent amount of '92-'96 Buick Centuries/Cutlass Cieras still driven. Clearly GM's mostly reliable car of the 1990s.



Full-size: '92-'97 Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/TownCar, easily.

Though, not sure if these are considered full-size or not, but the '92-00 Buick LeSabre/Olds 88 are still around in decent numbers. The Pontiac Bonneville however seems to be much less common.

Luxury Car: late-model Mercedes Benz W124's (1991-1996)

SUV: 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee

Minivan: 1995-1999 Honda Odyssey. Though the Caravan/Voyager may have outsold the Odyssey by a lot during this time, the Odyssey is the most reliable minivan.

Truck: Bricknose F150s (1987-1992). Still in use by a lot of landscaping companies and other commercial uses.

Sports car: 1983-1996 Corvette (C4). Mass-produced, not valuable, loved by Boomers, usually well cared for. Why wouldn't they be common?

I'm sure the most common car for each would definitely vary depending where you live in the United States, and of course, the rest of the world. Were there any obvious cars that I may have missed?

 

[wfooshee]

I was thinking about this the other day, in the opposite direction. It's been quite a while since I've seen a Neon!

 

[GranTurNismo]

I was thinking about this the other day, in the opposite direction. It's been quite a while since I've seen a Neon!

The second gens aren't too rare, but the first-gen is basically extinct by now.

 

[Dotini]

Given that during the late 20th century, reliability of everyday cars seemed to have increased substantially, it's not uncommon to see daily-driven cars on the road that are 25 years old or even older. So I'm wondering, in your region, what are the most common old cars that haven't died yet?

There were a tiny handful of cars made during the 1960's (before federal safety/emission regulations) that were unusually simple, reliable and very easy to maintain and fix every part on by yourself. Up until recently, these could be seen driven on Seattle streets.


1960 Ford Falcon sedan

 

[opelgt1969]

I would guess that the most common "old" car anywhere in USA would be the VW Bug.

 

[GranTurNismo]

I would guess that the most common "old" car anywhere in USA would be the VW Bug.

In California maybe, but that’s about it.

 

[Neddo]

still going strong

a bit less

 

[GranTurNismo]

still going strong

a bit less

Out of curiosity, in which country do you live in?

 

[opelgt1969]

In California maybe, but that’s about it.

I would say it's the most common car in all states except for Alaska and Hawaii, I did see a lot of them in Hawaii when I visited the Island way back in the 80's.

 

[Neddo]

Out of curiosity, in which country do you live in?

somewhere in Balkans.

 

[Volksauto]

Given that during the late 20th century, reliability of everyday cars seemed to have increased substantially, it's not uncommon to see daily-driven cars on the road that are 25 years old or even older. So I'm wondering, in your region, what are the most common old cars that haven't died yet?

Compact car: 1993-1997 Toyota Corolla, easily. These seem to be more reliable than Civics, and anything American of course,

View attachment 1013284

Mid-size: Probably a tie between the 1991-1996 Camry and 1994-1997 Accord. These cars are simply indestructible and still everywhere. Even the wagon Camrys really aren't that rare near me.

View attachment 1013298

View attachment 1013288

In terms of American cars, though they have begun to thin out a lot in recent years, there's still a decent amount of '92-'96 Buick Centuries/Cutlass Cieras still driven. Clearly GM's mostly reliable car of the 1990s.



Full-size: '92-'97 Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/TownCar, easily.

View attachment 1013291

Though, not sure if these are considered full-size or not, but the '92-00 Buick LeSabre/Olds 88 are still around in decent numbers. The Pontiac Bonneville however seems to be much less common.

View attachment 1013292

Luxury Car: late-model Mercedes Benz W124's (1991-1996)

View attachment 1013293

SUV: 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee

View attachment 1013294

Minivan: 1995-1999 Honda Odyssey. Though the Caravan/Voyager may have outsold the Odyssey by a lot during this time, the Odyssey is the most reliable minivan.

View attachment 1013295

Truck: Bricknose F150s (1987-1992). Still in use by a lot of landscaping companies and other commercial uses.

View attachment 1013296

Sports car: 1983-1996 Corvette (C4). Mass-produced, not valuable, loved by Boomers, usually well cared for. Why wouldn't they be common?

View attachment 1013297

I'm sure the most common car for each would definitely vary depending where you live in the United States, and of course, the rest of the world. Were there any obvious cars that I may have missed?

It’s basically the same cars I see in my area. But in terms of trucks, I see a decent amount of daily drivers from the 1960s and 70s.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Malaise-era (call it 1973-1994) American cars (excluding trucks and vans) are functionally extinct in the NorCal Bay Area. I don't think there were ever many here to begin with, and they've long since been scrapped I presume. The oldest cars that I most routinely see are these:

The Toyotas are the most numerous but the Mazdas, Nissans, and even a few Mitsubishis are still kicking around. Some are stock, but a lot of them seem to have been rebuilt in interesting ways several times. Other than those, I see a lot of 70s and 80s American vans and trucks. Being in San Francisco I feel pretty lucky - I routinely see all kinds of old Porsches, Alfa Romeos, Mercs BMWs etc and even the rare Citroen or two. In Texas, Maine, and Michigan (the other places I've lived) seeing anything older than 1990 that wasn't American was genuinely rare - in Maine and Michigan seeing anything at all older than 20 years is a proper event.

edit: I think my post was a little inaccurate - there are a lot of 70s 80s and 90s American cars in Oakland, especially the full size models.

 

[05XR8]

Australia is similar to California, Texas and Florida. Plenty of old common cars still driving around. Austin Minis to Mk I Celicas, Escorts, Holden Geminis, Holden HQ utes, 1980s Commodores, Falcons, Daily driven.

 

[VolkswagenX]

still going strong

a bit less

I remember seeing many Opel Kadetts in my teen years (almost 36 now). Seems like all of them just disapeared here in the Netherlands. I think they were known for rusting so that could have something to do with it. Happy to see that the mk2 golf is still around ( I own 2 myself) and going strong.

 

[Neddo]

I remember seeing many Opel Kadetts in my teen years (almost 36 now). Seems like all of them just disapeared here in the Netherlands. I think they were known for rusting so that could have something to do with it. Happy to see that the mk2 golf is still around ( I own 2 myself) and going strong.

mk2 Golf likes pain it gets better more you use it lol

 

[Tornado]

Malaise-era (call it 1973-1994) American cars (excluding trucks and vans) are functionally extinct in the NorCal Bay Area. I don't think there were ever many here to begin with, and they've long since been scrapped I presume.

I'd say the same is the case in any place that they salt, as well. Streets are still lousy here with the various jelly bean era US cars (maybe not Chryslers) and Camcords, but the square cars and the rounded off square cars are largely gone.

 

[Volksauto]

It’s basically the same cars I see in my area. But in terms of trucks, I see a decent amount of daily drivers from the 1960s and 70s.
View attachment 1013582 View attachment 1013580 View attachment 1013581 View attachment 1013583

To add, I just saw an early 60s rusty Ford F100 driving in town with it’s bed loaded up. I couldn’t take a photo.

 

[GranTurNismo]

I'd say the same is the case in any place that they salt, as well. Streets are still lousy here with the various jelly bean era US cars (maybe not Chryslers) and Camcords, but the square cars and the rounded off square cars are largely gone.

The only ones still around near me, not "common" per se but not extinct either, are these:

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I can't say that I noticed any that stand out really as too common. The roads are mainly filled with post 2000s crossovers. I'm guessing most of the older cars have rusted away.

91-96 Camry is a safe bet along with the same generation Sienna, and the Honda Civic.

I've seen a few E46 BMWs, but those are probably more noticeable since I have one.

90s GMC Yukon, Tahoe
There's always a 90s Buick out there somewhere.

Sports car would probably be NA Miata and 350Z, though I'm sure 90s Mustangs/Camaros/Firebirds are out there in bigger numbers and I probably don't notice as much.

 

[GranTurNismo]

91-96 Camry is a safe bet along with the same generation Sienna,

There was no Sienna until 1998. Only Toyota minivan available at that time in the US was the Previa.

On a different note, I feel like the amount of 1993-1997 Camaros/FBs on the road have seriously dropped over the last few years. 1994-1998 Mustangs are still going strong though. 350Z's and E46s are still too new for a meaningful amount of them to be off the roads.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

There was no Sienna until 1998. Only Toyota minivan available at that time in the US was the Previa.

Yeah it would be the 1998 one. I took a stab at that since the design looked just as aged.

There's still a decent amount of the preface-lift E46s around, which are 20+ years now. There does seem to have been a drop in FBodys from that generation.

 

[RVDNuT374]

There are a fair amount of 80's and 90's Fords/Chevys still being daily driven around my area:

Sadly most of them are beat 32 ways to hell and back.

 

[Tornado]

Though regardless there certainly seems like there are a lot more Previas around than there are any of the minivans that actually sold in numbers in that era, Astros excepting.

 

[NekoPufferPPP]

Does a 20 year old car count? My family owns a '01 Clio, they're still very common on the roads in my area. Ours has 350k+ km clocked, about to reach the Moon.

 

[GranTurNismo]

Though regardless there certainly seems like there are a lot more Previas around than there are any of the minivans that actually sold in numbers in that era, Astros excepting.

Says everything Toyota build quality.

I haven’t seen a DustBuster in at least 5 years.

EDIT: though, the Aerostars aren't all gone though. There's 3-4 in my area that are still kicking.

 

[ScottPuss20]

Lots of old Commodores (VX, VT, VY, VZ) and Falcons (AU, BA, BF) are still kicking around on Australian roads.

 

[conic]

I would say that here the 65-60% of the cars are from before 1999.
I already posted some of these cars in the boring car appreciation thread, but there are still a lot more.
Fiat Uno

VW Polo Classic

Ford Sierra

Renault 9

Renault 18

Renault 12, still very common here.

Renault 21. Still used as some kind of taxi called "remis". It's basically a taxi that doesn't pay taxes.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Though regardless there certainly seems like there are a lot more Previas around than there are any of the minivans that actually sold in numbers in that era, Astros excepting.

Speaking of Toyota Vans, I actually see quite a few 80s Vans (R20 Generation) still kicking around San Francisco - maybe as often as Previas. I don't think I remember seeing any of these weird looking things in the south, midwest, or east coast...they must not have ever sold well in those places. I miss the weird Toyota....I even miss Scion....

 

[GranTurNismo]

Speaking of Toyota Vans, I actually see quite a few 80s Vans (R20 Generation) still kicking around San Francisco - maybe as often as Previas. I don't think I remember seeing any of these weird looking things in the south, midwest, or east coast...they must not have ever sold well in those places. I miss the weird Toyota....I even miss Scion....

I never see those. California seems to have a much more varied and interesting selection of older cars still on the road than the rest of the US.

 

[ToyGTone]

I wouldn't say they are super common but they still exists far more than most other cars from the era. Naturally, majority of them are Japanese with some American cars here and there. This is in Bahrain mind you so this won't really reflect cars in the rest of the GCC (Emirate...etc).

90's Toyota's are still pretty common like the XV10 & XV20 Camry along with other cars like the Cressida, Corolla, Tercel, Hilux and Hiace to name a few.

Nissan go even further with the likes of 240L/Laurel C32's as such shown here. This might be the oldest "common" cars you could find. Other examples include the A32 Maxima and A31 Laurel Altima, both of which are still common.

Most common old luxury car would be no doubt the Lexus LS400, these things are still everywhere somehow. unlike most other Japanese, European and American upmarket/luxury cars.

Late 90's Honda Civics, CR-Vs and Accords are still on the road.


GMT400s i.e Tahoe, Yukon and Suburban, Pajero or Land Cruiser takes the spot when talking about most common old SUVs.

I still see some Caprice's and Panther Bodies on the road from time to time. First Gen Panther Bodies are getting pretty rare but second gen are everywhere.

The most "common" 90's sports car (it's a pony car i know) would be the 4th gen F-Body's. Either that or New Edge Mustang's.