It seems automakers are constantly redesigning cars now and days. I was pulling into work and someone was leaving with a 2003 CR-V so 10 years old and Honda is on the 3rd re-design since then.
So What car/truck available new today is been available essentialy unchanged (facelifts excluded) for the longest?
With the big 3 ditching all of their large vans and ford quiting production of the Ranger/Crown Victoria I'm not sure what it is now.
The Current WRX is getting up there. Esentially the same body/inteior from 2007-2013 so 6 years.
The Tacoma/Nissan frontier are a bit older being the same from 2004 till today with 2014 looking to be the same so 10 years a piece.
Any older ones in current production?
Chassis on the current Mustang is the same as 05 but body/interior has changed. more than a facelift, but less than a redesign....
What about the Honda ridgeline? was that considered a redesign?
The F-150, despite getting a new nose, taillights, and motors, is still the same basic bones since 2004. The current Mustang is also basically a 2005. Mazda3 is still on the 2003 platform. Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger are from 2005 on the LX platform, which is essentially a W220 S-Class front half (1999) welded to a W211 E-Class back half (2002).
The winner though, as far as I can figure out, is the Ford Transit Connect, which is still on the 1998 C170 platform.
I wasn't really thinking platforms or chassis I mean the car is esentially unchanged. For a Truck I think since it's Body on frame it has to basically be the same to count. The F150 redesign a few years back basically retooled the entire body but left the chassis the same. Not sure it counts but some comparison pictures may prove it to be the same.
I would say the Ridgeline is still the same vehicle.
So The Taco/Frontier are the oldest still in continuous production? Anything in the "Car" field as old as the WRX?
Ford Econoline Van. This is the last year of what pretty much started in 1975.
EDIT: Fact checking I find that the exact answer is since 1992 for the current body style but the source does contain this quote:
(For 1992) "A far more aerodynamic exterior was used over the same platform architecture." (of 1975.)
2014 - 1992 = 22 years
2014 - 1975 = 39 years
Pretty good for a vehicle that still is the largest seller in its category.
Mercedes G-wagen.
haven't these been basically the same since like '79?
SCARR
Reader
6/26/13 1:50 p.m.
Nissan Tsuru (Mexico) has remained unchanged since 1992. Still can be bought new, and IS new, but is exactly the same as a 1992 sentra.
so, it has been for sale without changes for 21 years down there.
You didn't specify what country we are talking about
Volvo XC90. It looks nothing like the rest of their lineup. Though I believe it's due for a redesign or the axe. Still like them though.
SCARR wrote:
Nissan Tsuru (Mexico) has remained unchanged since 1992. Still can be bought new, and IS new, but is exactly the same as a 1992 sentra.
so, it has been for sale without changes for 21 years down there.
You didn't specify what country we are talking about
Lada? production ended in 2011/2012 though.
Internationally I suppose the Hindustan Ambassador dating back the 1958 Morris Oxford could take it.
didn't they just stop building early type rabbit/golf in south africa?
For something domestic and still being built, I'll go with the Fullsize Chevy van. 1996 to current year. Previous one went from 1971 to 1995
mndsm
PowerDork
6/26/13 3:20 p.m.
Gearheadotaku wrote:
didn't they just stop building early type rabbit/golf in south africa?
For something domestic and still being built, I'll go with the Fullsize Chevy van. 1996 to current year.
Mk1 Rabbit to be exact. I believe the Chinese are still building the XJ Cherokee.
mtn
UltimaDork
6/26/13 3:26 p.m.
Depending on what your requirements are for redesigns/facelifts as well as available domestically, you could argue the Lotus Elise. Original was 1996, mild redesign in 2001.
Production of the Nissan Titan began in 2003 for the 2004 model year. So technically there's a 10th anniversary edition due.
The Volvo XC90 is virtually identical from 2003 to 2013.
I don't really think their are rules as the international cars are interesting.. Lets just say for US market was my origional inent.
I thought the TSX got bigger and moved to the Accord chassis with the last redesign. The Fullsize Big 3 vans win/lose this battle then.
LOL, we're thinking too plebeian. Rolls Royce Phantom - unchanged since 2003! Lamborghini Gallardo, too. And the Aston DB/Vantage/Vanquish, too. And the Audi A4. And the Porsche Cayenne/VW Toureg.
Popular year!
Nissan X-Terra - just a nose job since 2000. The 370Z is still pretty much the same as the 2003 250Z. Actually, it looks like a lot of Nissan's models are "old"...
Ford E-Series - 1992
Ford Expedition - 1998
Ford Super Duty - 1999
MINI Cooper - 2001.
Jeep Liberty - 2002.
Infiniti FX - 2003.
Lots of 2004 starts.
yamaha
UberDork
6/26/13 3:44 p.m.
Jesus, my post whoring only goes so far.......
I have a 2005 Tacoma and it's starting to feel old. I'll probably swap it for something newer in another 200,000 miles or so...
IT's finaly out of production, but the venerable VW Bug has to get a shout here. 1938 to 2003 virtualy unchanged!!
mndsm
PowerDork
6/26/13 3:50 p.m.
Javelin wrote:
MINI Cooper - 2001.
Extensive redesign in 2007. 3 heads and two handles of the same axe kinda thing.
Caterham is still making Lotus 7's that are pretty close to what you could buy back in the 60's.
I know not mass produced, but that's a hell of a long run.
Mass-produced, I'd have to go with G-Wagen--- it's been around forever.
In reply to mndsm:
But how much is still the same? Wheelbase is identical and every other exterior measurement is within 2/10ths of an inch. I'd assume a lot of the sheetmetal (roof, quarter panel skins, doors, etc) are the same, as is the glass.