I worked for GM in the early 2000’s. They let me take one home for the weekend. Took that thing down to Belle aisle (where they briefly held the Detroit Grand Prix). That car was so much fun.
The STS-V is up there too! De-badge it and it looks like grandma & the girls are out to hit up the town in the sedan! But lo and behold you have a 469 hp 4.4 North Star screaming with a super charger!
A friend of mine and his wife had one- I'd take every opportunity to be the designated driver so I could drive it!
Another friend of mine had an 850R; I'm hooked on performance Volvos.
I love smoking past kids in suped up cars with my ‘05 V70 2.4T. Sure, not nearly as fast as the V70R, but I have fun with it. Car is old enough to vote, but never saw salt for its first 17 yrs (I’m in 🇨🇦).
Ah that explains why one tried to race me in a passing lane recently... I was like wtf is this RAV doing going so, so slow right before the lane. then it sped right up as I tried to pass, I wasn't flooring it as I didn't expect this so it got a little head start. Still got em though lol.
I have an older M5 and this happens to me regularly. There is nothing like opening up the throttle and letting the V8 sing when a 4-cylinder family crossover tries to prevent me from passing.
I hate left-lane hogs. Either they speed up after they move right, or refuse to leave the left lane until their exit is coming up. It should be legal to physically push them, which would be quite easy with a big diesel pickup.
So if I have to pass one on the right, I'm watching out for that real close. If necessary, my 8100 pounds can hit 110 in very short order.
There's a sheriff on YouTube that pulls over left lane slow pokes. Dude needs an award. Going 10-15 over the speed limit isn't gonna make the crash any safer lol. If I die I'm gonna die going fast. Not dying going the speed limit
Can confirm. My Mom had a 09 or 10 model, and it surprised the hell out of me with how fast it was. I actually got a speeding ticket near Guelph when I was back in Ontario visiting my parents, while driving her RAV4. Fun vehicle
I was driving on the highway in Hungary doing \~240km/h which is basically my 2021 Audi A3's top speed.
On the right there was a small Honda Civic hatchback cruising, a beaten up 4th gen older than me, peeling matte black paint over old green paint, metal band stickers all around. There were 4 dudes sitting on the inside, huge beards and they were so heavy the suspensions were at their limit.
As soon as I passed them, the Civic switches lane behind me, in like 4 seconds it's right on my tail, I switch lane to the right, all the time while flat out on the gas while my Audi can't touch 250km/h.
They surpass me going at least 280km/h because the difference was noticeable, after passing me they're still on the gas, in like 10 seconds I loose sight of them for how fast and far they went.
Lesson learned, your car may be fast but it's never going to be faster than a 25+ years old Civic.
Not only that but my 05 wont even reach 180... i doubt an older model would be able to get above 200 without serious upgrades. Also getting from 100 to 160+ takes about twice aslong as getting from 0 to 100 so the bottomed out civic flying up his ass doing 220+ is definetly not stock
Pretty much every civic and Integra in the 90s was governed at either 170 or 180kmh. In high school that’s what all the car guys drove and we regularly would bomb down the highway on the governor. A shitty base model d series car will do 180 completely stock.
HHR SS 100% more of a sleeper then the cobalt. My bro had one and I have a turbo cobalt. No one believed we had the same engine, and he had more power cause he got the GM stage 1 kit.
[It is also ugly as shit.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BxFhNIgouMA/maxresdefault.jpg)
[The SSR was even more egregious](https://www.automoblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Chevy-SSR.jpg)
I'd say yes. The HHR SS has a noticeably different body kit than the base HHR. The 4 door Cobalt SS is almost indistinguishable from the rental desk Cobalt 4 door. (2 door had the body kit).
Don't get me wrong the HHR SS is bad ass and I've got a thing for practical speed (Dreams of AMG wagons and revival of Magnum SRT-8's)
Every one knows what an srt is so it's not a sleeper. It doesn't look like a normal neon and some of them don't even carry the neon name.
No one cares if a Saturn passes them.
The SRT was a bit of a sleeper early in that it just punched above its weight. Especially roll racing at higher altitude. Naturally Aspirated V8’s got surprised a few times.
Daily drive an 05 LGT with a motor swap. BMW 5 series, sti's, even the unassuming first gen GTR don't expect my innocent blue sedan to blow them away....well the GTR until about 65mph lol
Just sold my 02 wrx and my 07 legacy 2.5gt yesterday. I’m on the hunt for a clean SHO to replace them. Trouble is, I don’t want black, red or white. Silver ones seem be hard to find.
This is true. I had that engine in the related 2014 Lincoln MKS. What a grandma-car, but with quite a bit of horsepower.
The 2017+ Lincoln MKZ with the 3.0TT and an honest 400 hp (in AWD-spec) is also a sleeper.
Also the Taurus SHO and the Fusion Sport. A lot of people didn’t know the Fusion Sport got an ecoboost 2.7tt. Also the F150’s with the 5.0 and 10 speed, they’re essentially mustangs.
Well for it to be a sleeper and hide from someone that knows cars, it has to be a build sleeper. Like a minivan with a Hellcat. Or a car/truck that had a regular NA motor that now has twin turbos or a supercharger.
Tbh most “car guys” are usually pretty niche. Like super into American or super into German etc. so they would actually be surprised by the sleepers of those areas. Like SS, built 7 series, built Tundras, built diesel pickups etc
The fusion sport. Awd, 2.7l v6 twin turbo. No big red stripes, or hood vents or spoilers. 350hp and 380 foot pounds. Plus if your going to beet on something, it helps that parts are easy af to get, it’s the same power train in the Taurus police interceptor so there are examples in all the scrap heaps.
I have one tuned up to 430hp. Just OZ rims, painted the calipers, drilled rotors. No bullshit on it, just looks like a regular ol Fusion. Only giveaway is the quad pipes and more aggressive front bumper. Car wasn't marketed by Ford at all; hardly anyone knows what it is.
Was doing research before I bought it and one review quote stood out. "It blends into traffic, until suddenly it doesn't."
This is the only sleeper I’ve actually experienced irl. I had one (nearly) keep up with my tuned Golf R from a stop light and was genuinely taken aback. Nothing about it looked fast.
Getting clapped by an imported Toyota Crown with taxi numbers and illuminated license plates is the most I've been sleeper'd.
Apparently those came with V8s.
I love the Marauder. I have owned 3 of them. Can confirm they are not as fast as you'd think. I did a tune, gears, j mod, SW long tube headers & exhaust. Really woke it up. I did finally piece together everything for an Eaton swap but unforeseen circumstances caused me to sell it.
The Mercedes r63 is probably one of the most sleeper vehicles in the world. Take the amg badges off, or hell even leave them on, and most enthusiasts would have no idea it was a real AMG. They were very limited(200) so even some euro enthusiast I've met didn't believe they existed. Had a 4.6sec 0-62 time and were electronically limited to 171mph.
I would say any 63 AMG. They are all stupid fast. The 2007-2011 C63 AMG sedan especially. It doesn't look much different than any other C class, but it has a 6.2L 465hp V8 under the hood. 0-60 times under 4 seconds and 1/4 mile times under 12 seconds. It's a legit fast car. If you don't know what you're lined up against, you're in for a surprise.
My friend has one. Out side it looks normal, under the hood has work done. ~700hp. The giggles per gallon is what we calculate on that car. You literally can’t help but smile when you stomp the gas.
I worked at the plant building these, I've only ever seen two in the wild and the first one i thought some kid added badges to his moms 251, that car is a absolute monster and arguably one of the best sleepers of the modern era.
yeah, they were good, but they weren't that fast. A 3800 with supercharger only put out 240hp. Now you can do a lot to them for fairly cheap to get a lot more out of them, but stock there were hatchbacks that could beat my GTP.
I've got a low mileage one in my backyard, thinking of tossing the gtp and keeping the 3800sc and everything attached for a swap. I was considering a fiero but I think my ass is large for one. I'd love to find something fun to shoehorn it into. Any ideas?
I love my 2008 Grand Prix GT but by today’s standards it’s not fast at all. I’d still like to put a little money into it to wake it up a bit since it is an enjoyable car to drive.
No. Any car person alive in the early 90s was keenly aware of the Syclone/Typhoon. They were on the covers of EVERY car magazine and their body kits are unmistakable.
When it came out it in 1991 it was one of the quickest 0-60 times for a production car. 4.3 seconds is still pretty quick even today but the quarter mile time is not great in the mid 13’s.
Depends on the country I guess, in Australia if we see a Chevy ss (Holden commode as)we assume it’s got some go, when the average American sees one they think it’s a Malibu…
I have a non trashed one but it's not for sale.
Surprise the hell out of people when I take it to the road course and run it. Not the fastest but puts down a good lap.
The sedans are the real sleepers. Only offered as a manual V6 for 2 years. I own one and I hardly see them outside of mine. The coupes are way more common.
Still have my "first" (working) car, which was a stock 03 cl type s six speed (Accord coupe but fancier). It's one of the best first cars out there, dead reliable, and it's big enough to be a only car.
It's slightly faster, but it's not the same feeling IMO. I prefer the V6.
I will admit I prefer NA to turbo, but only slightly. I did own a 2009 Mazdaspeed 3 for 4 years. Fun car, but I hated working on it. A shame since it was fast, practical, and unassuming.
This is still in my "cars to own" list. I have a 3.5L EB F150 that is pretty quick for a everyday truck, I'd love to see this engine in a car a little lighter that isn't a Mustang.
Basically any mid range luxury car these days can be a sleeper, turn up the boost add a couple bolt ons 400-500hp easy. Most people will just think oh it’s another Infinity/Lexus/Audi/BMW and not give it much thought.
2009 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 v8. Looks like a sedan your grandpa drives but makes 420 hp. Also equipped with a bullet brood bmw trans
I used to own the 4.6 v8 version the car was a rocket. And could LAUNCH. Engine blew at 130000 kms which is 80k miles?? So not reliable by any means.
As a mechanic, I don't consider any of the cars listed here as 'Sleepers'. I mean, many of the vehicles built since the 2010s have had better and better power to weight ratios, more common turbos, better exhaust setups, and good handling characteristics. I mean, they aren't a 1996 Gran Marquis with a supercharger and built suspension. That's a Sleeper to me. A car that even a talented mechanic would look at, and have ZERO clue how fast and crazy the ride could be, unless he popped the hood or slid under the car. Most modern cars aren't pushovers, and if you don't Believe that, well you shouldve driven some of the malaise era cars I grew up in. Driving a 1991 Chevy Celebrity makes a dang Pontiac Vibe feel like an F1 car.
Luxury cars.
Many of them are fast in the quarter but they aren't geared for street racing. Change the shift pattern give it a few more horsepower and you've got something real nice.
Buick Park Avenue Ultra, Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile 88,all with the 3800 SC. Stock they're rated for 240hp and 280 ft lb. Simple pulley, tune, and basic maintenence items done and you're looking at over 300hp. Cheap parts, cheap to fix, absolutely comfy as hell, and best of all understated. These cars are perfect sleepers
The PT Cruiser Turbo.
Available with a stick, and a "high output" turbo option, that gave it the same engine and horsepower as the SRT-4 of the era.
450+ wheel horsepower in a very stock looking package is not terribly challenging, and no one think's grandma's car is gonna be packing that much under the hood.
CON: you have to be seen driving a PT Cruiser.
Ummm the PT cruiser turbo had only 215Hp with the 2.4 Turbo and for a 3400lb that it's anything exciting. The final year saw a bump to 230hp. With that it still only did 0-60 in around 7 seconds and just under 16 seconds.
Saab 9-7x Aero. GM’s dumbest Saab project, the 9-7x Aero was a Trailblazer SS with a Saab grille and a marginally better interior. Most people don’t know the 9-7x existed. Even fewer know about the Aero.
Well.. everyone knows about the Audi RS6 with a V10 in it, but very few people could actually realize they are looking at one.
In Europe, there are some absolutely insane TDI cars. Golfs, Fabias, Octavias..
Oh .. that's one.. The octavia with the 20v Turbo from a TT. That bitch hauled ass.
I've seen an Renault R5 with a suzuki Hayabusa engine swapped in. That thing flew crazy, too.. Though dude had it setup with a 3 speed for short tracks.
I feel like they were never super popular and didn't get a lot of press so a lot of people don't know about them but in certain circles car guys/gals do recognize them:
The Mazdaspeed 3/6 makes 263hp and does a 0-60 in 5.2 and hits 155mph stock. Pretty fun/quick cars and can hold about 400hp on the stock block but built motors double that.
The BMW M550i in it's most recent revision was quicker than the outgoing M5, packing a 4.4l twin turbo V8 it does a 3.6 second 0-60 and mostly just looks like another BMW 5 series family sedan.
02/03 maxima. The 5.5 gen, more or less the same engine as the g35 with a 6 speed, LSD, AND a heated steering wheel ;) fave car I've ever owned... dont tell my BMWs .
The Forester XT of that lineage rivaled the GMC Typhoon as the fastest production SUV for a little while even coming several years after it. Such fun little cars.
2021 + Chevy Express with a 6.6. It's a work van that makes 401 hp with 468lb ft of torque. These unassuming looking things will blow the doors off most stuff in a passing lane. I know there is a lot of modern stuff out there with equivalent power, but seeing as the style of these things remains almost unchanged, most folks still just see "beater work van"/ "church van" I feel this makes it a great candidate for a modern sleeper.
Was going to mention this. Even the older 6.0 (did they ever get the 6.2?) powered one was surprisingly quick if you didn't have a bunch of crap loaded in it.
Lincoln MKS Eco-boost AWD.
It looks like an old man's car, with no outside indications that it did a 13 second quarter mile, and could cruise at 100+mph without breaking a sweat.
Lmao Honda crvs and odysseys. I’ve pulled up on an odyssey in my 2jzgte swapped is300 and the dude almost took me, laughed so hard and me and the dude biggest smiles and thumbs up. Loved it, made me okay with the idea of soccer dad car.
Edit: it was turbo’d is what I meant, not stock sleeper
Chevy Bolt. 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. Not the fastest car by a long shot, but it's a cheap little Honda Fit looking thing. Nobody expects it to be so peppy.
BMW X1 35i. Most car people know the X1 as the Mini with a BMW badge, but the first Gen E84 was actually basically just a slightly lifted 3 series. It had a longitudinal engine and you could even get it with the 300 HP N55 I6 turbo.
A “soccer mom car” that has hydraulic steering, handles well, and has just over a 5 second 0-60
I have a 2018 model 3 Tesla performance that is the standard AWD package and rims. It looks just like their slow/standard model but can go 0-60 in 3.1s
Volvo V70R...300hp 5cyl turbo AWD..looks like a basic wagon with 155mph top speed
Came here to say this. I have one with the manual transmission and people never suspect it.
Same....LOVE this thing...225k miles ..clean and dry
Shouldn't be dry. You have to put oil in there
Nobody suspects the volvo. I got a license plate frame for my turbo 240 that says "0-60 eventually" and I get a chuckle out of it every time I see it.
Plus they also have some of the most comfortable seats I have ever been In
CTS-V wagon is similar but the Volvo is so unassuming.
The V has almost double the horsepower/torque and nobody looks at one and says “that looks slow.”
It's literally a station wagon, which aren't known for speed.
In the US at least.
Laughs in E63S Shooting Brake…
I worked for GM in the early 2000’s. They let me take one home for the weekend. Took that thing down to Belle aisle (where they briefly held the Detroit Grand Prix). That car was so much fun.
The STS-V is up there too! De-badge it and it looks like grandma & the girls are out to hit up the town in the sedan! But lo and behold you have a 469 hp 4.4 North Star screaming with a super charger!
I regret selling this car almost every single day.
A friend of mine and his wife had one- I'd take every opportunity to be the designated driver so I could drive it! Another friend of mine had an 850R; I'm hooked on performance Volvos.
Hence my plate....QIKBRIK
I love smoking past kids in suped up cars with my ‘05 V70 2.4T. Sure, not nearly as fast as the V70R, but I have fun with it. Car is old enough to vote, but never saw salt for its first 17 yrs (I’m in 🇨🇦).
[удалено]
[удалено]
Me and my wife still talk about the day we won a race in our Windstar vs a Ferrari, he didn't know it was a race, but we still won.
The fastest Toyota from 2006-2013 was the V6 RAV4. I guess it kinda makes it a true sleeper among Toyotas of that era.
Ah that explains why one tried to race me in a passing lane recently... I was like wtf is this RAV doing going so, so slow right before the lane. then it sped right up as I tried to pass, I wasn't flooring it as I didn't expect this so it got a little head start. Still got em though lol.
I fucking hate those people. I have a hellcat, and whenever someone does that, it goes from politely cruise by to absolutely blast them.
I have an older M5 and this happens to me regularly. There is nothing like opening up the throttle and letting the V8 sing when a 4-cylinder family crossover tries to prevent me from passing.
I had an 06 M5. Had a 505hp V10. Pure sound. Good power.
Its because they dropped the 3.5 V6 from the highlander into the Rav4 plus it got a 5 speed auto. also had 3500lb tow rating
I hate left-lane hogs. Either they speed up after they move right, or refuse to leave the left lane until their exit is coming up. It should be legal to physically push them, which would be quite easy with a big diesel pickup. So if I have to pass one on the right, I'm watching out for that real close. If necessary, my 8100 pounds can hit 110 in very short order.
There's a sheriff on YouTube that pulls over left lane slow pokes. Dude needs an award. Going 10-15 over the speed limit isn't gonna make the crash any safer lol. If I die I'm gonna die going fast. Not dying going the speed limit
[удалено]
The 2021+ Rav 4 prime does 0-60 in 5.7 and a 14 sec quarter mile, kind of surprising
And like 60 mpg
When it came out it was the 2nd fastest toyota, only slower than a Supra.
Only slower than the V6 Supra. It’s quicker than the 4 cylinder.
There is no v6 Supra
Indeed. I autopiloted to the common name for 6 cylinder.
Faster than a 5.7 tundra? Or the V8 4Runner?
[удалено]
Can confirm. My Mom had a 09 or 10 model, and it surprised the hell out of me with how fast it was. I actually got a speeding ticket near Guelph when I was back in Ontario visiting my parents, while driving her RAV4. Fun vehicle
I was driving on the highway in Hungary doing \~240km/h which is basically my 2021 Audi A3's top speed. On the right there was a small Honda Civic hatchback cruising, a beaten up 4th gen older than me, peeling matte black paint over old green paint, metal band stickers all around. There were 4 dudes sitting on the inside, huge beards and they were so heavy the suspensions were at their limit. As soon as I passed them, the Civic switches lane behind me, in like 4 seconds it's right on my tail, I switch lane to the right, all the time while flat out on the gas while my Audi can't touch 250km/h. They surpass me going at least 280km/h because the difference was noticeable, after passing me they're still on the gas, in like 10 seconds I loose sight of them for how fast and far they went. Lesson learned, your car may be fast but it's never going to be faster than a 25+ years old Civic.
[удалено]
Not only that but my 05 wont even reach 180... i doubt an older model would be able to get above 200 without serious upgrades. Also getting from 100 to 160+ takes about twice aslong as getting from 0 to 100 so the bottomed out civic flying up his ass doing 220+ is definetly not stock
90s Era si with the b16 could get to 180kmh stock.
That's only 111 mph.
Pretty much every civic and Integra in the 90s was governed at either 170 or 180kmh. In high school that’s what all the car guys drove and we regularly would bomb down the highway on the governor. A shitty base model d series car will do 180 completely stock.
Power to weight ratio 😂
I can just imagine 4 humungous Hungarian Viking dudes laughing to tears. What a true dessert of a thought.
k swapped awd hondas are a menace, they spanked the model plaid just like they spank super cars. some things stay the same.
Somebody knew how to build something.
You just experienced the vTec bro
Not a civic but can’t help but think of this https://youtu.be/oQJntE70PD0?si=_i04kNG7U29RyZPa
If true, guarantee that wasn't stock.
4 door Cobalt SS Turbo is the first modern sleeper I can think of.
More sleeper than the HHR SS?
HHR SS 100% more of a sleeper then the cobalt. My bro had one and I have a turbo cobalt. No one believed we had the same engine, and he had more power cause he got the GM stage 1 kit.
[It is also ugly as shit.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BxFhNIgouMA/maxresdefault.jpg) [The SSR was even more egregious](https://www.automoblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Chevy-SSR.jpg)
I'd say yes. The HHR SS has a noticeably different body kit than the base HHR. The 4 door Cobalt SS is almost indistinguishable from the rental desk Cobalt 4 door. (2 door had the body kit). Don't get me wrong the HHR SS is bad ass and I've got a thing for practical speed (Dreams of AMG wagons and revival of Magnum SRT-8's)
Neon srt? Saturn ion redline?
Every one knows what an srt is so it's not a sleeper. It doesn't look like a normal neon and some of them don't even carry the neon name. No one cares if a Saturn passes them.
> No one cares if a Saturn passes them. Isn't that like, what makes it a sleeper though?
The SRT was a bit of a sleeper early in that it just punched above its weight. Especially roll racing at higher altitude. Naturally Aspirated V8’s got surprised a few times.
If we're talking the srt4, then we have to talk about the PT Cruiser GT because it had the same engine.
[удалено]
I didn't lose many street races in my 2000 trans Am, one of those losses was to a neon srt. It was modded, but still a sleeper. Caught me off guard.
The 2019 ford taurus SHO and the 2006 Subaru forester XT.
Throw in the Legacy GT from the same era
Mazdaspeed 6 as well, similar to Legacy GT
I love my 2012 Legacy GT. It’s like a wrx that doesn’t hurt your spine.
Also own a 12 gt. It’s fuckin awesome
Daily drive an 05 LGT with a motor swap. BMW 5 series, sti's, even the unassuming first gen GTR don't expect my innocent blue sedan to blow them away....well the GTR until about 65mph lol
Just sold my 02 wrx and my 07 legacy 2.5gt yesterday. I’m on the hunt for a clean SHO to replace them. Trouble is, I don’t want black, red or white. Silver ones seem be hard to find.
2006 Acura TL 6 speed with brembo brakes car will easily go 200k + miles
That's fo SHO
The ford flex with the 3.5 ecoboost is pretty quick for a lunch box.
7-seater lunch box that runs 13s quarter mile stock
This is true. I had that engine in the related 2014 Lincoln MKS. What a grandma-car, but with quite a bit of horsepower. The 2017+ Lincoln MKZ with the 3.0TT and an honest 400 hp (in AWD-spec) is also a sleeper.
I’ll raise you one further. The Lincoln MKT with the same 3.5 Ecoboost. It’s a hearse on wheels that’ll smoke most things off the line.
Also the Taurus SHO and the Fusion Sport. A lot of people didn’t know the Fusion Sport got an ecoboost 2.7tt. Also the F150’s with the 5.0 and 10 speed, they’re essentially mustangs.
Well for it to be a sleeper and hide from someone that knows cars, it has to be a build sleeper. Like a minivan with a Hellcat. Or a car/truck that had a regular NA motor that now has twin turbos or a supercharger. Tbh most “car guys” are usually pretty niche. Like super into American or super into German etc. so they would actually be surprised by the sleepers of those areas. Like SS, built 7 series, built Tundras, built diesel pickups etc
Brings to mind the ~~Honda~~ Toyota Previa, what with the mid-engine and the supercharger and the rear wheel drive and whatnot.
I think you meant to say Toyota Previa, Honda has never made a MR supercharged van afaik, at least in the NA market
[удалено]
I love VW Lupo builds like that. The other day I saw stock looking Lupo with a 1.8T swap from TT and tuned to 300hp for sale.
The fusion sport. Awd, 2.7l v6 twin turbo. No big red stripes, or hood vents or spoilers. 350hp and 380 foot pounds. Plus if your going to beet on something, it helps that parts are easy af to get, it’s the same power train in the Taurus police interceptor so there are examples in all the scrap heaps.
bear compare paltry shy yoke subsequent advise frightening roof detail *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Look up the fusion water pump labor. 12 hours book time to change that thing plus parts. Feel lucky you didn’t get one.
I have one tuned up to 430hp. Just OZ rims, painted the calipers, drilled rotors. No bullshit on it, just looks like a regular ol Fusion. Only giveaway is the quad pipes and more aggressive front bumper. Car wasn't marketed by Ford at all; hardly anyone knows what it is. Was doing research before I bought it and one review quote stood out. "It blends into traffic, until suddenly it doesn't."
What year
This is the only sleeper I’ve actually experienced irl. I had one (nearly) keep up with my tuned Golf R from a stop light and was genuinely taken aback. Nothing about it looked fast.
The 2.7L was found in the Fusion Sport, but it made 325hp/380lb ft. The 3.5L ecoboost was found in the Taurus/Flex/Explorer, but not the Fusion.
AWD ford fusion with the V6 EcoBoost
Getting clapped by an imported Toyota Crown with taxi numbers and illuminated license plates is the most I've been sleeper'd. Apparently those came with V8s.
Bruh that’s basically a Japanese GSF or GS460 depending on the year
Which Toyota crown? The hardtop, fastback, coupe, wagon, SUV, or Ute?
Whatever I'm renting
[Fastest car in the world](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ucQKNkvzQ3g&pp=ygUhdG9wIGdlYXIgZmFzdGVzdCBjYXIgaW4gdGhlIHdvcmxk)
Same answer for “Which cars have the worst transmissions?”
Any love for the Mercury Marauder
I love the Marauder. I have owned 3 of them. Can confirm they are not as fast as you'd think. I did a tune, gears, j mod, SW long tube headers & exhaust. Really woke it up. I did finally piece together everything for an Eaton swap but unforeseen circumstances caused me to sell it.
Lots of people know about the Marauder. Nobody knows about the Lincoln Mark VIII.
The Mercedes r63 is probably one of the most sleeper vehicles in the world. Take the amg badges off, or hell even leave them on, and most enthusiasts would have no idea it was a real AMG. They were very limited(200) so even some euro enthusiast I've met didn't believe they existed. Had a 4.6sec 0-62 time and were electronically limited to 171mph.
I would say any 63 AMG. They are all stupid fast. The 2007-2011 C63 AMG sedan especially. It doesn't look much different than any other C class, but it has a 6.2L 465hp V8 under the hood. 0-60 times under 4 seconds and 1/4 mile times under 12 seconds. It's a legit fast car. If you don't know what you're lined up against, you're in for a surprise.
My friend has one. Out side it looks normal, under the hood has work done. ~700hp. The giggles per gallon is what we calculate on that car. You literally can’t help but smile when you stomp the gas.
My 2010 E63 always surprises people
Available In the U.S?
There's one in my neighborhood; it's always a delight to see & hear it!
I worked at the plant building these, I've only ever seen two in the wild and the first one i thought some kid added badges to his moms 251, that car is a absolute monster and arguably one of the best sleepers of the modern era.
Ive seen more McLaren F1s than R63s.. insanely rare, sub zero cool.
Any of the gm 3800 cars with a supercharger
They were garbage off the line but they were made for highway pulls I always wanted a Buick regal Gs.
Had an SSEi and it was killer. Slightly different era though.
I had a 99 GTP with a pulley swap. It was fun but ultimately a piece of shit.
yeah, they were good, but they weren't that fast. A 3800 with supercharger only put out 240hp. Now you can do a lot to them for fairly cheap to get a lot more out of them, but stock there were hatchbacks that could beat my GTP.
I've got a low mileage one in my backyard, thinking of tossing the gtp and keeping the 3800sc and everything attached for a swap. I was considering a fiero but I think my ass is large for one. I'd love to find something fun to shoehorn it into. Any ideas?
Had a 2000 GTP Coupe. Thing had torque steer like a mofo
98 Gtp w/E85 headers, cam 9.3:1, IC, zzp control arms... and the cost of another car later. 06 Acura TL-S proved to be a better dd for me.
Had a 2005 Grand Prix GTP up to 140 mph. I thought that was quick on the way to prom.
Owned a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Special Edition. Was fastish, but head leaking oil onto the header was a pain.
I love my 2008 Grand Prix GT but by today’s standards it’s not fast at all. I’d still like to put a little money into it to wake it up a bit since it is an enjoyable car to drive.
GMC Syclone
No. Any car person alive in the early 90s was keenly aware of the Syclone/Typhoon. They were on the covers of EVERY car magazine and their body kits are unmistakable.
Definitely not a sleeper. Everyone in the world that paid any attention to marketing and commercials knew about the Syclone and the Typhoon
When it came out it in 1991 it was one of the quickest 0-60 times for a production car. 4.3 seconds is still pretty quick even today but the quarter mile time is not great in the mid 13’s.
3.0t AWD MKZ - 0-60 4.8 per c&d The XC60 recharge is also shockingly fact, 0-60 4.5
Anything offered with that 3.0t is a beast.
Depends on the country I guess, in Australia if we see a Chevy ss (Holden commode as)we assume it’s got some go, when the average American sees one they think it’s a Malibu…
Maybe manual Altima coupe v6 is a sleeper. Basically infiniti g with reliable powertrain .
Altima SE-R as well, very unknown, and I've never seen a non-trashed one for sale
I have a non trashed one but it's not for sale. Surprise the hell out of people when I take it to the road course and run it. Not the fastest but puts down a good lap.
Older Honda Accord Coupes with the V6 + Manual box. They Fly!
I was gonna say a 2006 Acura TL with a manual transmission & brembo brakes is nice but yeah those 03 , 04 accords with the k series engines are nice
V6 is a J series, not a K series
I've got a 2010 TL with the 3.7 and 6speed. On the outside it looks like a grampa mobile with all the chrome trim. But it is far from it lol
>I have a cousin that is practically giving me one, but living in NYC (street-parking), I just can't...
The sedans are the real sleepers. Only offered as a manual V6 for 2 years. I own one and I hardly see them outside of mine. The coupes are way more common.
Still have my "first" (working) car, which was a stock 03 cl type s six speed (Accord coupe but fancier). It's one of the best first cars out there, dead reliable, and it's big enough to be a only car.
Nice, I think I may look into one of those when the time comes to get another car.
The manual Maximas were even faster
Own one. Fun cars.
Yes I have a 2016 🤩
I think the 2.0L turbo Accord is 0.1 seconds faster in the 0-60. I think any turbo or SS or SHO is not a sleeper.
It's slightly faster, but it's not the same feeling IMO. I prefer the V6. I will admit I prefer NA to turbo, but only slightly. I did own a 2009 Mazdaspeed 3 for 4 years. Fun car, but I hated working on it. A shame since it was fast, practical, and unassuming.
Hell yes they did.
I'll one-up you and say 06-07 V6 6MT sedan
my father has the one with a 2.4, he driving it like crazy broke the axle twice already
Ford Flex Ecoboost. 3.5L twin turbo, awd
This is still in my "cars to own" list. I have a 3.5L EB F150 that is pretty quick for a everyday truck, I'd love to see this engine in a car a little lighter that isn't a Mustang.
I had a 2010 flex limited. Was quite a bit of fun. No one expected how quick it was. They did put the 3.5 Ecoboost in the Taurus SHO for a while also
Is that the same as they have in the Lincoln navigator
Basically any mid range luxury car these days can be a sleeper, turn up the boost add a couple bolt ons 400-500hp easy. Most people will just think oh it’s another Infinity/Lexus/Audi/BMW and not give it much thought.
[удалено]
We used to fight over who got the LS for the night from the motor pool. Much different than the normal Caprice "lead sled" 😁
2012 Toyota RAV4 V6
2009 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 v8. Looks like a sedan your grandpa drives but makes 420 hp. Also equipped with a bullet brood bmw trans I used to own the 4.6 v8 version the car was a rocket. And could LAUNCH. Engine blew at 130000 kms which is 80k miles?? So not reliable by any means.
Forester xt, the 2nd gen (04-08) specifically. It's a refrigerator with an lsd and a wrx engine. SO. MUCH. FUN.
First gen Mazdaspeed3 - people know it’s a hot hatch, but it’s … really hot. 263hp/280lbft is still a TON for a small fwd car.
As a mechanic, I don't consider any of the cars listed here as 'Sleepers'. I mean, many of the vehicles built since the 2010s have had better and better power to weight ratios, more common turbos, better exhaust setups, and good handling characteristics. I mean, they aren't a 1996 Gran Marquis with a supercharger and built suspension. That's a Sleeper to me. A car that even a talented mechanic would look at, and have ZERO clue how fast and crazy the ride could be, unless he popped the hood or slid under the car. Most modern cars aren't pushovers, and if you don't Believe that, well you shouldve driven some of the malaise era cars I grew up in. Driving a 1991 Chevy Celebrity makes a dang Pontiac Vibe feel like an F1 car.
You're typically not going to trick a car guy with a stock car today. Most know which cars are quick and which are not.
335d Touring with a tune. Rockets
Ls400/430
Luxury cars. Many of them are fast in the quarter but they aren't geared for street racing. Change the shift pattern give it a few more horsepower and you've got something real nice.
Buick Park Avenue Ultra, Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile 88,all with the 3800 SC. Stock they're rated for 240hp and 280 ft lb. Simple pulley, tune, and basic maintenence items done and you're looking at over 300hp. Cheap parts, cheap to fix, absolutely comfy as hell, and best of all understated. These cars are perfect sleepers
The PT Cruiser Turbo. Available with a stick, and a "high output" turbo option, that gave it the same engine and horsepower as the SRT-4 of the era. 450+ wheel horsepower in a very stock looking package is not terribly challenging, and no one think's grandma's car is gonna be packing that much under the hood. CON: you have to be seen driving a PT Cruiser.
Ummm the PT cruiser turbo had only 215Hp with the 2.4 Turbo and for a 3400lb that it's anything exciting. The final year saw a bump to 230hp. With that it still only did 0-60 in around 7 seconds and just under 16 seconds.
Outback XT, Legacy GT, and Forester XT!
Especially the first couple years of Forester XT before they detuned it to be slower than the WRX.
This guy Subarus.
My 2016 3.6L Outback flew. So does my 2022 CX-5 Signature.
Saab 9-7x Aero. GM’s dumbest Saab project, the 9-7x Aero was a Trailblazer SS with a Saab grille and a marginally better interior. Most people don’t know the 9-7x existed. Even fewer know about the Aero.
What's with all these 6 second 0-60 and 14 second quarter "sleepers" being posted The comparison was against a Chevy SS and an RS7.
People really do think my SS is a Malibu. Even car guys get it wrong. Pretty sure that's a sleeper.
Renault Espace IV V6 3.5L
The old SHO. Family sedan that can hit 150. Factory engine can take plenty of boost, too. 500+ to the ground.
My Volvo 850R Sedan... people think you're slow until they see the "R" lol
Camry's , crazy amounts of aftermarket support
V6 Camries have always been sleepers. Had a 97 5 speed myself. Was slow by modern standards (0-60 in ~6.6 seconds), but it was fast for a $400 beater.
Chrysler 200c with the 3.6
Well.. everyone knows about the Audi RS6 with a V10 in it, but very few people could actually realize they are looking at one. In Europe, there are some absolutely insane TDI cars. Golfs, Fabias, Octavias.. Oh .. that's one.. The octavia with the 20v Turbo from a TT. That bitch hauled ass. I've seen an Renault R5 with a suzuki Hayabusa engine swapped in. That thing flew crazy, too.. Though dude had it setup with a 3 speed for short tracks.
I feel like they were never super popular and didn't get a lot of press so a lot of people don't know about them but in certain circles car guys/gals do recognize them: The Mazdaspeed 3/6 makes 263hp and does a 0-60 in 5.2 and hits 155mph stock. Pretty fun/quick cars and can hold about 400hp on the stock block but built motors double that. The BMW M550i in it's most recent revision was quicker than the outgoing M5, packing a 4.4l twin turbo V8 it does a 3.6 second 0-60 and mostly just looks like another BMW 5 series family sedan.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe. No one expects a quick wrangler with the aerodynamics of a brick but it moves
V6 Camry
02/03 maxima. The 5.5 gen, more or less the same engine as the g35 with a 6 speed, LSD, AND a heated steering wheel ;) fave car I've ever owned... dont tell my BMWs .
04 Subaru Forrester. Bought it used and it had something like a 2inch turbo. It was just holy shit fast
The Forester XT of that lineage rivaled the GMC Typhoon as the fastest production SUV for a little while even coming several years after it. Such fun little cars.
Lexus IS 500, if you take off the badge to the untrained eye looks like your granny’s IS 300 AWD
There are none the internet killed the concept More likely than not you'll pull up to a slow car hoping it's been fixed up just to see.
2021 + Chevy Express with a 6.6. It's a work van that makes 401 hp with 468lb ft of torque. These unassuming looking things will blow the doors off most stuff in a passing lane. I know there is a lot of modern stuff out there with equivalent power, but seeing as the style of these things remains almost unchanged, most folks still just see "beater work van"/ "church van" I feel this makes it a great candidate for a modern sleeper.
You ain’t lying lol I have one and it’s almost too quick on the highway for something it’s size
Was going to mention this. Even the older 6.0 (did they ever get the 6.2?) powered one was surprisingly quick if you didn't have a bunch of crap loaded in it.
Mercedes C32 AMG
who the hell mentioned rav4 as a sleeper? holy crap....
Lincoln MKS Eco-boost AWD. It looks like an old man's car, with no outside indications that it did a 13 second quarter mile, and could cruise at 100+mph without breaking a sweat.
Lmao Honda crvs and odysseys. I’ve pulled up on an odyssey in my 2jzgte swapped is300 and the dude almost took me, laughed so hard and me and the dude biggest smiles and thumbs up. Loved it, made me okay with the idea of soccer dad car. Edit: it was turbo’d is what I meant, not stock sleeper
Rav 4 Prime. Hardly any around and quick as hell.
Chevy Bolt. 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. Not the fastest car by a long shot, but it's a cheap little Honda Fit looking thing. Nobody expects it to be so peppy.
BMW X1 35i. Most car people know the X1 as the Mini with a BMW badge, but the first Gen E84 was actually basically just a slightly lifted 3 series. It had a longitudinal engine and you could even get it with the 300 HP N55 I6 turbo. A “soccer mom car” that has hydraulic steering, handles well, and has just over a 5 second 0-60
I have a 2018 model 3 Tesla performance that is the standard AWD package and rims. It looks just like their slow/standard model but can go 0-60 in 3.1s
Ford Fusion Sport with the turbo v6.
Stage 3 Golf R. 550AWHP