Chevrolet Optra
Introduced in 2004 as a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback, these cute little compacts shared showroom space with the Cavalier, which was in its final year of production. A wagon version appeared in 2005, and the sedan disappeared in 2006.
Priced from $14K to $20K, the Optra was affordable but not very powerful; all versions were equipped with a underwhelming 119-hp, 2.0-liter engine. What really sunk the car was its lackluster build quality, as the Optra was built by Korean manufacturer Daewoo.
Ford Five Hundred
Okay, it's not really dead, as this full-size sedan has been lightly redesigned and rebadged as a Taurus. But the name Five Hundred never really caught on.
Powered by a sufficient 203-hp, 3.0-liter V6, this big sedan didn't really set hearts afire with its looks. The new Taurus still has the same shape but is more noticeable, and has a 263-hp V6, which makes it a more interesting vehicle.
Ford Focus ZX3, ZX5 and ZXW
We've always liked hatchbacks in Canada, but in the USA, buyers tend to stray away from them because they supposedly don't look classy enough. And let's not forget the wagon version, which was a very spacious and practical car.
It's a shame that the 2008 Focus is only available in coupe and sedan configurations, but it's an improved car all-around.
Ford Freestar
Another segment that's losing sales fast is the minivan class. The Freestar wasn't competitive enough, and sales slowed down to a point where the company decided to invest further in crossovers and SUVs.
Priced from $23K to $31K and up, the last Freestars were powered by a 4.2-liter V6 that produced 201 horsepower. There even was a cargo version available.
Introduced in 2004 as a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback, these cute little compacts shared showroom space with the Cavalier, which was in its final year of production. A wagon version appeared in 2005, and the sedan disappeared in 2006.
Priced from $14K to $20K, the Optra was affordable but not very powerful; all versions were equipped with a underwhelming 119-hp, 2.0-liter engine. What really sunk the car was its lackluster build quality, as the Optra was built by Korean manufacturer Daewoo.
 |
| Ford Five Hundred |
Ford Five Hundred
Okay, it's not really dead, as this full-size sedan has been lightly redesigned and rebadged as a Taurus. But the name Five Hundred never really caught on.
Powered by a sufficient 203-hp, 3.0-liter V6, this big sedan didn't really set hearts afire with its looks. The new Taurus still has the same shape but is more noticeable, and has a 263-hp V6, which makes it a more interesting vehicle.
Ford Focus ZX3, ZX5 and ZXW
We've always liked hatchbacks in Canada, but in the USA, buyers tend to stray away from them because they supposedly don't look classy enough. And let's not forget the wagon version, which was a very spacious and practical car.
It's a shame that the 2008 Focus is only available in coupe and sedan configurations, but it's an improved car all-around.
Ford Freestar
Another segment that's losing sales fast is the minivan class. The Freestar wasn't competitive enough, and sales slowed down to a point where the company decided to invest further in crossovers and SUVs.
Priced from $23K to $31K and up, the last Freestars were powered by a 4.2-liter V6 that produced 201 horsepower. There even was a cargo version available.
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| Ford Freestar |