You there. Yes, you. I’ve heard you. “I’ve got time.” But do you really? Mr. Trump has issued a stay of execution for ICE-powered cars. That’s the good news. The bad news: the rest of the world has not, and last I checked, ‘Murica isn’t the only market (just the most important). So here are five cars to buy before they die.
And no, I’m not including things like the Supra or Z, which are going to stick around (haha daddy’s got jokes) for awhile. Or the Z4 – nobody wants one anyway.
Sure, you’ll be able to buy these used in the future, but there’s nothing like ordering your spec.
Will the 2025 Audi RS 6 be its last year?
Wagons seem to be making a comeback, but like most sporty Audis these days, the RS 6 isn’t a big seller. Audi’s sold just 3,100 since the car’s debut in 2021 (not including MY 2024).
This year there’s a special edition GT, and just 85 will be made. But the future points to what BMW is doing with its hybrid M5. Audi has decided not to convert models like the RS 6 into all-electric cars, so there will most likely be another generation with dual motors.
But hybrids are heavy, and I can’t see an Audi ever outperforming a BMW M car. If you’ve always wanted a sports wagon, this V-8-powered monster is the one to get. Audi’s not confirmed when this car will go away, but they haven’t confirmed it’s staying beyond 2025. Still beautiful too – timeless design.
How long will the BMW M2 be made with a stick?
I’ve shown you that BMW manuals aren’t very good – average at best. And they don’t hold their value any more or less than BMWs with automatics. The take rate remains around 20% on new purchases of the M2, M3 and M4.
But lets say you do want one. With BMW taunting us with its all-electric M3, it’s hard to see them making a stick beyond the G87 M2. The G80 M3 is set to be discontinued in 2027, and the entire M4 name is on the chopping block, making the teeny wittle M2 the sole stick torch-carrier in the lineup.
Good news – you still have time. BMW will make this M2 until 2029, and it might be the best G-chassis cars around.
Still, four years can go quickly. And who knows – BMW may kill it early once the M3 and M4 are replaced.
Is the 2025 Porsche Cayman really going to be discontinued?
The Taycan is an excellent electric car that nobody wants. Porsche isn’t moving them at all. The all-electric Macan (which I have not yet driven) also promises to be excellent, and Porsche is so confident that they are continuing to sell the old gas-powered model alongside it.
Next up for them is to kill the current Cayman and Boxster, and replace them with all-electric models. They’ve already been discontinued in Europe due to some emissions regulations, so Porsche is eager to get rid of them. That’s happening by the middle of this year. So like, order one now if you still can.
Porsche had hoped to be all-electric by 2030 (aside from the 911), but if no one wants a sedan or SUV that makes no vroom sounds, what are the chances they want a sports car? I wouldn’t be surprised if they either extend production of the current Cayman, or quickly devise a new generation for 2026.
Still, the Cayman is delightfully old-school. You won’t regret grabbing one now.
Will Caddy go all electric, and ditch cars like the 2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing?
Think about this for a moment – a supercharged V-8, six-speed manual, real-wheel drive sedan on sale in 2025. Look at the competitors to the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (along with what’s parked next to it in its own showroom), and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out the CT-5 won’t be around much longer.
But what about its little bro, the CT4-V, which is excellent in its own right? Caddy sells less than 2,000 a year, which for a mainstream car makes it…not mainstream. GM has said that this and the 5 will be the last gas-powered cars they make, but like Porsche, I’m not sure that’s a feasible option.
And while the CT5 was refreshed this year, the 4 soldiers on with what its mommy gave it when it was born, never a good sign. If you’re on the fence, get off it by 2026.
The 2025 Lexus IS 500 isn’t discontinued, but…
The RC-F is, and they share an engine. Another car that has a murky future, the IS itself is due for a makeover. What you see has pretty much been around since 2013 (even if it is really good-looking from its 2020 refresh).
This year, Lexus has released a special edition with Flair Yellow paint – it will literally sear your eyeballs off. Beyond that, the IS 500 lives on for 2025. After that is anyone’s guess – remember that Lexus sells the Camry-based ES sedan as well, and people aren’t exactly knocking down the doors for smaller cars.
In a perfect world, Lexus would already be working on a new and even more soulful V-8, but all I know is that this IS is here, now.
Don’t let 2025 be the year you sing your shoulda, coulda, wouldas.
