Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe ends its run after failing to recapture the sporty flair of its original model. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

Mitsubishi Eclipse: Let’s pause for a moment of silence here, shall we? If you’re a sport-compact enthusiast, you know that Mitsubishi Eclipse actually died with the second generation. Since then, the car has shuffled through various iterations, all of which took it farther away from its original turbocharged, all-wheel-drive, take-no-prisoners-on-the-racetrack mission. It’s worth pointing out that the Eclipse GSX paved the way for cars like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Evo, but let’s be honest here: the real Eclipse was killed off in 1999.

Mitsubishi Galant: Who knew that Mitsubishi still built and sold a mid-size sedan in the United States? Aside from rental-car agencies, the answer appeared to be “not many buyers,” leading to the Galant's demise in the U.S after 2012.

Mitsubishi Endeavor: Designed specifically for the United States market, the Endeavor was Mitsubishi’s attempt to build a mid-size crossover that catered to American tastes. The automaker boldly forecast annual sales of around 80,000 units but never managed to hit half that amount. By 2010, sales had fallen to just over 4,400 units, making the Endeavor unprofitable to build. Like the Galant, it won’t be missed by many.

Tesla Roadster: Proving that the wealthy can have an environmentally sensitive side, too, Tesla managed to sell every $100k-plus Roadster it built. Impractical as anything other than a sunny-day toy, the demise of the Lotus Elise in the U.S. signaled the end of Tesla Roadster production.

Volve restyled the C70 hardtop convertible for 2011 with a bolder look up front. (Photo: Volvo)

Volvo C70: Proof that there is such a thing as too much compromise, the Volvo C70 was neither a good convertible nor a good coupe. Its power retractable hard top took up virtually all trunk space, requiring use of the rear seats for cargo hauling. Underpowered and ill-handling, the car delivered little entertainment value with the top up; top down, the C70 exhibited more flex than a yoga studio and possessed more squeaks and rattles than a day-care center.

Saab (all): Oh, what could have been had Saab not been purchased by GM. The once proud, quirky-but-stout brand from Trollhattan became too integrated with GM over the course of its ownership, ultimately deciding Saab’s fate even before the sale to Spyker. While the Saab 9-5 was a fine car, it felt more like a Buick than a traditional Saab. There’s little hope for a brand revival, but the marque will live on for decades in the hands of faithful and determined owners.

Chevy Aveo: There’s one reason and one reason only to buy a Chevy Aveo: it’s inexpensive. A prime example of why domestic automakers have been losing ground to import brands, the Aveo should have been killed off years ago. Its replacement, the Sonic (which is built on the same platform), is a superior car in every way.

Chevy Avalanche / Cadillac Escalade EXT: Part truck, part SUV, the Chevy Avalanche helped to create the market for crew-cab pickup trucks. Ironically, the growth in crew-cab sales came at the expense of the Avalanche, which has seen declining sales in recent years. Whether or not the Cadillac Escalade EXT (a badge-engineered Avalanche) was a success depends upon your perspective: it never sold in large quantities, but it did outlive the Lincoln Blackwood luxury pickup. Both GM models are going away in the 2013 model year.

This story originally appeared at The Car Connection.