QOTD: Next Date? Outta Date!

What’s the matter with the car I’m driving? / Can’t you tell that it’s out of style? / -Billy Joel

William Martin Joel might’ve been on to something here. Late last week, while behind the wheel of a new 4Runner, I was reminded of just how much I like the thing, despite its prehistoric infotainment system and Ralph Kramden driving position. Plenty of others seem to agree, as Toyota has no trouble moving them off dealer lots.

Then I realized something mildly startling — this isn’t the first slightly-outta-date new vehicle that I thought was the bee’s knees.

Take the old Montero Sport, for example. Still sold new at Mitsubishi in Canada well into the 21st century, it was a throwback to upright and trucky SUVs in an age when most customers were scrambling towards machines such as the car-like Toyota Highlander. Parked next to an early-90s Pathfinder, the 2003 Montero Sport compared well. I loved it.

That’s hardly the only example of yesterday’s style and tech being sold as brand new on which I periodically check the build-and-price tool. The Nissan 370Z, for instance, captures my attention despite being on sale in its current form since the late Jurassic period.

But it was spending time in the 4Runner that cemented today’s QOTD. If a tree fell on the Charger tomorrow, I’d be taking a hard look at Toyota’s SUV — while investigating aftermarket options for the infotainment system. My next date might be outta date, then.

How about you? Are there any vehicles on sale today that are at or near the end of their product cycle yet you still find desirable?

[Images: Toyota, Mitsubishi]