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We've compiled a list of the 10 best "everyday" cars to modify. Yes, these are the most popular cars to trick out, but they're popular for a reason. Not only is each one of these cars a solid performer, they all enjoy a massive amount of aftermarket support as well. The nice thing about these top 10 cars to modify is that if speed isn't your thing, plenty of dress-up items are available for them as well.
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Top 10 - Cars To Modify
Just a few short years ago, sub 6‐second 0‐60 times
and 8‐minute Nürburgring laps were the exclusive
domain of hyper‐expensive supercars. Now you can
buy a sedan that can do those things for less than
$30K. If that kind of performance isn't enough for
you, all these affordable rides can be made to go
even faster.
We've compiled a list of the 10 best "everyday" cars to modify. Yes, these are the most popular
cars to trick out, but they're popular for a reason. Not only is each one of these cars a solid
performer, they all enjoy a massive amount of aftermarket support as well. The nice thing about
these top 10 cars to modify is that if speed isn't your thing, plenty of dress‐up items are available
for them as well.
No.10 Dodge Caliber SRT4
Dodge's Caliber‐based SRT‐4 may not set hearts
aflutter the way its Neon‐based predecessor did, but
with its 300 horsepower, turbocharged engine and
bargain‐basement price, it's definitely worth a look.
The Caliber SRT‐4 is a muscle car for Gen‐Y: a
budget‐minded chassis, obscenely powerful engine,
and it'll go like stink in a straight line. We wouldn't
want to take the SRT‐4 on a road course, but it is good
fun on a drag strip.
Recommended mod: The Dodge Caliber SRT‐4 really, really needs a limited slip differential. Those
300 ponies we mentioned earlier are all hitting the pavement via the front wheels, and they
determine which direction the car will turn ‐‐ even while driving in a straight line.
No.9 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
MSRP: $23,525
Like the Corvette, the Chevy Cobalt SS shows that
when GM lets its engineers loose, it really can
build some world‐class sporty rides. The Cobalt SS sports a 260‐horsepower direct‐injected
turbocharged engine, a suspension tuned on the Nürburgring, a cool no‐lift shift feature, and a
$500 LSD option that really should be mandatory. Chevy benchmarked the Lancer Evolution
when designing the Cobalt SS and created a FWD sports car that's easily as good as ‐‐ if not better
than ‐‐ the mighty Integra Type R. It even held the production FWD Nürburgring lap record before
a stripped, caged and Lexan‐windowed Renault came along
Recommended mod: Like the Corvette, the Chevy Cobalt SS shows that the cost‐cutting bean
counters still get their way when it comes to interior accoutrements. The Cobalt SS does get a
more aggressive seat, but the buckets still need more lateral support for track duty. We'd toss at
least the stock driver's seat for a proper racing bucket.
.
No.8 BMW 3 Series
MSRP: $42,200
If other manufacturers are always trying to
benchmark this car, you know it's gotta be good.
One could pick up any 3 Series and be happy, but for
our money, the best 3 (without an "M" before it) is
the latest 335i coupe. This Beemer combines
genuine luxury, genuine performance and a
twin‐turbo straight six that is said to be underrated
at 300 horsepower so as not to steal the old BMW
M3's thunder. The only downside to the 335? Its
cost. Expect to shell out $40,000 for one with decent
specs.
Recommended mod: We've used "ROM tune" a bit too much in this article, but the turbocharged
335i can see some significant power gains with a new ECU and exhaust. We'd enjoy the car as‐is,
only adding a set of lightweight racing wheels and sticky tires.
No.7 Ford Mustang GT
MSRP: $30,095 est.
No explanation necessary for this automotive icon.
Few cars can match the Mustang's combination of
good looks, performance and price. And if you
need more performance, the list of go‐fast goodies
made for the 'Stang is positively huge; you'd be
hard‐pressed to find a car with more aftermarket
support. The latest 2010 Mustang GT gets a new
look, hugely improved interior and 15 more ponies
than last year's model. This 315 horsepower V8
even gets a trick sound tube connecting the intake to the cabin. It sounds like a cheesy idea, but
once you hear that throaty growl in the cabin, you'll be thinking that this sound tube is the
greatest invention since toilet paper.
Recommended mod: We think that the 2010 Mustang GT is plenty powerful as‐is, so we'd leave
the engine alone for now. Though the '10 handles much better than the '09 car, we feel that
tightening up the handling with the Ford Racing Handling Pack (seen on the old Shelby GT) would
make this already stellar car that much better.
No.6 Scion xB
MSRP: $16,420
With all the other performance‐minded rides on
this list, it seems odd to put the xB on here. But
then, who would have guessed that a diminutive,
underpowered box would take the tuning world by
storm? The newest xB grows in size and power, and
its steady stream of aftermarket support seems to
be turning into a raging river. As it stands, the Scion
xB has more dress‐up accessories than Barbie.
Recommended mod: A "bB" badge. Just kidding;
this newest xB is actually called the Corolla Rumion
in Japan. Add a bB badge at your own risk. We'd choose to add a TRD supercharger: 200
horsepower and a factory warranty ‐‐ sounds perfect to us.
No.5 Subaru WRX
MSRP: $24,995
What isn't there to like about a rally‐bred
turbocharged sedan (or wagon) with a sub
6‐second 0‐60 mph time and room for five?
Subaru's WRX hit the scene in 2000, with a face
that only its mother could love, but it quickly
established itself as the go‐to ride for rallyists,
road racers and guys who just like to go fast. The
newest WRX is still just as ugly, but as it now packs
a 265 horsepower wallop, is better than
Recommended mod: The 2009 Subaru WRX has 41 more ponies than its identical '08 predecessor.
For those with the older car, the general "first step" everyone agrees on is a ROM tune and
turbo‐back exhaust. This latest WRX is a bit softer than the GD‐chassis car, so those with the
newer, more powerful car may want to stiffen things up with a good set of coilovers.
ever.
No.4 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
MSRP: $25,685
Mitsubishi's latest Lancer Evolution has grown in
power, capability, size, refinement, and price.
While we'd love to save some cash and buy the
more pure Evo IX MR, the thought of paying to
repair any and all honing damage frightens us.
Instead, we'd pick up Mitsubishi's latest Lancer
Ralliart. It shares the Evo X's drivetrain (minus a
differential), engine (minus 54 horsepower) and
paddle‐shifted dual clutch transmission (minus the S‐Sport mode). While there's no doubt that
the Evo X would shame the Ralliart on a racetrack, on the street the two vehicles feel almost
identical. The Ralliart is an awesome car at an awesome price. And as Evo X owners start
modifying their cars so that they can brag about their rolling parts lists, smart Ralliart owners will
be able to buy the lighter (and still great) Evo X parts for a song.
Recommended mod: The Lancer Ralliart is a very balanced car, and we'd be hesitant to perform
any mods that might upset this balance. That said, renowned tuners like AMS and GST are seeing
gains of more than 30 horsepower to the wheels with nothing more than a ROM tune, so we'd
start there.
No.3 Nissan 370Z
MSRP: $29,930
Rather than rack our brains trying to figure out a
clever way to describe why this iconic Japanese
sports car is so good, we'll just say this: Nissan's Z
is great because it's pure. It's a pure sports car and
doesn't try to be anything else. It has a potent
332‐horsepower motor, spins the correct wheels
(the rear ones) and is perfectly balanced. The fact
that it looks good is just an added bonus.
Recommended mod: The Nissan 370Z is a car that
is so perfect, so well designed, that we can't help
but think that performing any ill‐conceived mod
would ruin the car. And official NISMO parts still
don't have a set release date. That said; a few body‐lightening, carbon‐fiber pieces would be a
nice start to a 370Z build.
No.2 Volkswagen GTI
MSRP: $23,230
The original hot hatch is still one of the best.
Volkswagen's sport‐tuned Golf has enjoyed a
rabidly loyal following around the world for
decades now, and the car's popularity shows no
signs of waning. North America still doesn't have
the newest GTI, but the car we do get still sports
VW's venerable 200‐horsepower, 2.0‐liter
turbocharged four, and the available DSG
transmission is every bit as good as everyone says
it is.
Recommended mod: Just like the turbo Volkswagens of old (well, a few years ago), the current
2.0‐liter mill responds very well to an ECU tune. The ECU tune is a cheap and simple mod, and
dyno charts show that this upgrade gives massive horsepower and torque gains all through the
rev band.
No.1 Honda Civic Si
MSRP: $21,905
The car that launched the import tuning scene as we
know it today still soldiers on. With its
197‐horsepower, 2.0‐liter motor, the new Civic Si is
the most powerful Civic ever sold in the U.S. This
new car also has one of the best 6‐speed manuals in
existence, an LSD option and an extremely balanced
chassis.
Recommended mod: Honda is good about
squeezing every last drop of power it can out of its motors, so it would be costly to squeeze any
significant amount of power out of the Honda Civic Si's naturally‐aspirated K20. Instead, ditch the
horrendously ugly stock wheels and replace them with lightweight racing wheels. Then wrap
those rims in stickier tires and enjoy the improved performance and looks.
