Meet the 2015 Nissan Tsuru, a car that I wasn’t aware existed. Why? Because the Tsusu looks like what I know better as a 1990 Nissan Sentra. Who cares? The Nissan Sentra wasn’t anything special, the Nissan B13 chassis isn’t anything special, and that generation Sentra was killed off here in 1994. But the Tsuru is a 2015 model…wait, what?
Much like the Volkswagen Beetle and Bus, the B13 chassis has far and away outlived it’s usefulness. Since the initial investment costs like design, tooling and marketing have all been amortized over such a long run, the cars are dirt-cheap to make, and there are plenty of markets where a tin can with 1990-spec safety gear can still be sold. If you get a Middle Eastern-market one, you don’t even have to get catalytic converters! They are popular in Mexico, and you can buy one for just under $9,000 dollars if you hurry…since Mexico has decided that anti-lock brakes and airbags are a good idea for a four-door sedan, the Tsuru is finally being killed off.
Our question to you: There has to be a better car than a Nissan Sentra that was introduced during Bush, Sr.’s administration that deserved to live to the ripe old age of twenty-six. The closest domestic product we can think of is the Dodge D-series/Ram that was born in 1974 and didn’t change all that much until the end of 1993. There is something to be said for cheap cost, durability, and living long enough to iron out every last problem. So what car deserves that fate? We’d suggest the 1977-91 era GM B-body, but since that chassis dates to the 1973 A-body, that might be a bad call. What say you, readers?
…by the way, “tsuru” means “crane” in Japanese.
Thankfully we were spared this boring lump of grey porridge here in the UK! As for a car that should have been made forever I would go for the original Leyland Mini and the Mk1 Ford Escort. With modern multi-valve motors and suspension they would have combined originality with performance to suit modern driving conditions and would have kept on winning the hearts of drivers for decades.
Actually this is the Nissan Sunny.
Harken back to the years when it was introduced here and the SE-R garnered high praise for it’s balance and composure. It was frequently compared to a BMW2002 by the wine and cheese books.
They could have picked a worse car … like the current Versa with a CVT. I’d take my chances with this and 90’s safety over the aforementioned steaming turd.
Then again, I didn’t wear a helmet on my x-box bicycle when I grew up.
Well, the original Mini almost was made forever. It should have continued. Early Beetles should have been made forever, and Beetle production only recently stopped in South America. A pity. First gen Celicas. Volvo Amazons.
I was raised on fast Mopars. My family raced for a long time. My dad had hemis back in the ’50’s, in the ’60’s my dad had letter series Chryslers, both he and my mom had ’67 GTX’s, my day’s a hemi four speed, my mom’s a 44 auto. I had a factory 383 GTS dart, etc, etc. But I can’t think of an American car that was worthy of building “forever”…
I think there are many that should\’ve lived on..
Lets face it for 90% of drivers a car is just a box to get to point a and b..
The Ford farmont , sure it didn\’t do anything above average, but it was basic, easy to work on, and did everything a basic set of wheels needed to do,
The el camino , with the size of the small trucks being bigger than most 70-80;s trucks, this would fit in nicely for those that don\’t need a rolling tank.
The g body and wagons.. that size and rear drive, maybe updated to unit body if to pass the safety Nazi\’s.. Think of a g body sized wagon today with either the 3.6 v6 or the turbo4 .. not a crossover, not an suv a wagon..
The b body.. if g.m. was smart. they\’d ship over all the holden tooling and build a basic caprice for the taxi world.. and now that the crown vic\’s are long in the tooth, they\’d move every one if they didn\’t over price them..
and speaking of the crown vic and clones.. never ever should have killed them off…
The Monza and clones.. today with the engines out now..
The hated k kar , say what you want but their is a need for a basic, no thrills cheap car..
The Toyota MR2 and the fiero.. as basic 4 banger rollerskates/gocarts..
Mazda rx7 the 80\’s one, dump the rotory,for a less fail prone 4cyl. and call it good..
The original v.w. beetle , like the 911 go watercooled.. but not much else..
The mustang II say what you will, it is the right size for a mustang.. and with the power todays 4\’s make,, it not be a turd..
the celica sport coupe..
and lastly, a basic 2 and 4 wd standard cab pick up with nothing more than a radio, a/c, and maybe tilt ,p/l,p/w cruise.. nothing more.. no nav, no abs, no other crap.. just a basic truck.. that you don\’t have to special order to get one.. I mean look at todays trucks they are mammoth..
I’m glad I have a “tissue” covering my good shirt . Hate coffee stains…don’t make me laugh BMT.
The 1990’s Thunderbird should have lasted longer than it did. And as far as I’m concerned, the design would still be attractive if it were being made today.
Sorry Lohnes… lol
Jeep XJ Cherokee. Unibody, indestructible I 6, What’s not to love?
I agree with Beagle. The SER version was a great little car. I’ve owned 5-raced them in SCCA Showroom Stock (racing one in the rain is a blast-back it into a corner like a sprint car). Driven them all over the place w/o ever having a mechanical issue. I wish I could find a nice one, reasonably priced.
Fox body mustangs. Easy to maintain, Lots of aftermarket support, best bang for buck, Turbo 4’s 30 years ahead of their prime, and of course the old 5.0 which could easily be updated to the new 5.0
I also liked the Volvo 240 just because it’s a boxy understated car. They are perfect candidate for engine swaps.
Where do you want me to start?! GM B body GM G body hell W body with 3.8 . Ford should have kept its T bird/ Cougar and Chrysler, real Dodge Darts/Valiants. Really have a lot of junk out there today.