What are some cars that are “true sleepers”?

danrunsfar@reddit

I test drove a sedan and still wish I would have gotten it. My biggest hangup was 2x the engine stuff to break and 1/2 the room to work on it in there.

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jackbarbelfisherman@reddit

There's also the later R36

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MOTRHEAD4LIFE@reddit

Though a lightly tuned 1.9tdi or 1.8 turbo will be as fast and available with 4mo(awd) and cheaper to run in the long term

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No_University4765@reddit

The w8 Passat was only a 4 motion car

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Cold_Specialist_3656@reddit

I'm convinced that if Honda didn't ship it with trash tires the 10AT would do 0-60 faster than Civic Type R. Quick shifting 10 speed beats 6 speed manuals easily.

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btone911@reddit

I finally put sticky tires on my ‘18 2.0t and my god, what were they thinking?

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jrileyy229@reddit

Faster around a track than all those cars? Source for that?

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Cold_Specialist_3656@reddit

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a23289554/2018-honda-accord-sport-turbo-manual-lightning-lap-2018/

Lightning lap faster than BRZ. Which itself is faster than the rest of those cars.

Brake fluid was boiling at the end. The thing is way overpowered. Honda rated it 254hp crank and Hondata dynoed it at 262 wheel.

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Careless-Trick-5117@reddit

I like the 2.0T, but the fact that it’s faster around a track than an old BRZ, while yes impressive, does not mean it will be faster than a WRX, GTI, EN, etc. Mainly because this is the OLD BRZ which is literally known for being slow as shit. You also say that the BRZ is faster than all those other cars, but that’s just not true in 2022 LL the Golf GTI lapped over 6 seconds faster, same for a newer GR/BRZ, and WRX. I agree that they’re definitely surprisingly quick, my friend had one and it rips. But you are totally overselling it, even an equivalent year Civic Si with roughly 80 less crank HP was a few seconds quicker at LL.

I think the main sleeper factor from these comes when you mod them, since yeah they do basically use a CTR engine with a smaller turbo.

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Cold_Specialist_3656@reddit

You need to look at the tires these cars were tested on.

Like the new Civic Si had Goodyear Eagle F1 . The Accord 2.0T was tested with much worse Eagle Touring.

The 2022 Golf GTI was tested on Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 which is a barely streetable Ultra High Performance tire.

Tires make a huge difference in track times. And anything sold as a "sports car" came with and was tested on much better tires than Accord 2.0T

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KMFDM781@reddit

barely streetable Ultra High Performance tire.

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ChingyBingyBongyBong@reddit

I mean, that’s VIR… it has 1.3 miles of straight aways. BRZ being a second behind it is actually closer than I would expect. It favors horsepower over anything else. Kind of why I dislike the Nurburgring, it is basically “how fast is your top speed and how does your car handle at 130+”

Ridiculous time to put down in a “sleeper” sedan regardless. Thing is quick as hell.

There’s so many tracks and so many different strengths where cars are worse or better, and any car with more power is going to be favored at VIR with the gigantic straights. Miata’s and s2ks have the fastest time at autocross by a lot, but would get smoked at VIR by a mustang.

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Cold_Specialist_3656@reddit

I agree. I just wanted to point out that it's fast around a track too.

Because the first thing people say when I mention 0-60 and quarter mile is "well it's still a grandma car so slow on the track".

It appears to have been tested on trash stock economy tyres too. If it had Ultra High Performance summer tires on it like most sports cars come with the numbers would have been even more shocking.

The reality is that all cars for 20+ years have computer designed suspension. Unless you've got some trash like torsion beam rears the majority of difference in track time is from tires.

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jrileyy229@reddit

Well, that is interesting... Although it does introduce a minor discrepancy... They didn't specifically say they used OEM tires and pads when they replaced them... But the underlying point is valid, as long as they didn't put on track tires and pads, for a few laps it can punch above its weight class.

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Cold_Specialist_3656@reddit

From the article:

Tires: Goodyear Eagle Touring, 235/40R-19

They tested on stock crappy all seasons.

One of the ways manufacturers game performance numbers is shipping their sports models on Ultra High Performance tires. Reviewers always test on stock ones.

For instance, the BRZ Sport trim comes with Michelin Pilot Sport 4. An Ultra High Performance Summer tyre.

So the Accord 2.0T is much faster than insinuated by 0-60 and track times. On equal tires it would destroy the BRZ and probably a dozen more sports cars.

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Look, you were right.

But the 2.0T Accord is also very sandbagged. Hondata measured more at the wheels than crank rating.

Is it a actually faster than BRZ on the track? Maybe not. But it's very close at the least which is still scandalous

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Apprehensive_Bit_176@reddit

No one who drives a Miata claims it’s faster than anything. The experience of driving a Miata is the joy of the drive itself, especially in corners, not straight line speed.

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Cold_Specialist_3656@reddit

The buzzing of the tiny shitbox mill and crunchy interior is intoxicating

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Top-Dimensi0n@reddit

Whoa, now I'm skeptical faster than those cars at a track? Maybe to 60 but an actual road course? If so, I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone recommend them for track use.

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Cold_Specialist_3656@reddit

The brake fluid boiled after a few laps. Car wasn't designed for it but smoked entry level sports cars anyways.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a23289554/2018-honda-accord-sport-turbo-manual-lightning-lap-2018/

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Top-Dimensi0n@reddit

Agreed on the sleeper part. I had no idea they put down those numbers stock.

I can imagine a set of decent wheels/tires with upgraded fluid and pads would wake up the car in the handling department.

For fun I did a 500 mile radius search and only found a handful with the 2.0. This car is essentially a unicorn.

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Cold_Specialist_3656@reddit

Agree. The rarity makes it even more of a sleeper. Less than 15% of Accords were ordered with the 2.0T motor. And it was only available for 5 years. Supposedly less than 1000 of the manual transmission version with Civic Type R trans were sold a year, and it only existed 2018-2020.

The Touring trim comes with adaptive suspension and paddle shifters too. Firms up in sport mode. Those were less than 5% of Accords sold AFAIK.

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I'm going to have to take your word for that

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dudebronahbrah@reddit

Dude yes a few years back I traded my daily, ‘16 ATS-V for a ‘18 2.0t with the 6MT. Definitely doesn’t feel like a downgrade and I absolutely love blending in with regular traffic (not the case with a blacked out Caddy lol).

Nope. Very commonly known sleeper.

Andyman1973@reddit

First Gen Saturn Vue Redline came with a Honda 3.5l V6, rated at 250hp. The refresh came with the GM 3.6l V6.

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Sudden_Brush7494@reddit

Awesome trivia, I didn’t realize that. Thank you!

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Andyman1973@reddit

One of my coworkers bought the first one offered at a local dealer, and was super proud of that Honda power.

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TormentDubz_EDM@reddit

The newest 3.6 has 300-310 hp, seen in the Lacrosse and Regal GS

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SniperAssassin123@reddit

Back in the day the 3.8 equipped mini vans were quick off the line too.

Love this. For a budget car they were surprisingly well equipped in the XR trims.

The engine feels weird at first. They’re lacking up to about 2,000 rpm and then they rip and keep on ripping.

I’ve rescued an XR (had to repair the transmission) and I just picked up an immaculate Chevy Malibu LTZ with the same transmission issue, which I’m going to repair. Not bad for $500 and a but if time.

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Final-Possession-814@reddit

You want to watch someone else really get laughed out of the room? Chrysler 200S with the 3.6L V6 Pentastar. Maintain that shit and you'll be flying faster than you think.

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Sudden_Brush7494@reddit

Hah I love that. Remember, I’m the guy buying $500 Malibu’s so I’m not in a position to judge anyone. I also love the idea of keeping old vehicles going.

A 3.6 in the 200S must absolutely fly. What sort of 0-60s are we talking?

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Final-Possession-814@reddit

Haven't really timed it off the line, I just know ive caught myself hitting 85 on the highway without realizing it. Just had the trans lines done, it runs like it just came off the assembly line in 2011.

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DetectiveNarrow@reddit

I’ve always liked those G6s. They move with a V6

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DarkRyuujin@reddit

You like a G6?

If you google or Youtube the GM 3.6 the results aren’t flattering because of the timing chain stretch and the transmission issue.

I’ve never done a timing chain so it’s still daunting to me, but from what I’ve seen/heard it’s a pain, particularly as it’s a transverse mounted engine and access is tight.

If I remember correctly GM’s warranty hours for a GM technician were 12 hours, which means its going to take the average Joe a lot longer.

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TormentDubz_EDM@reddit

I miss my G6 GXP

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jvd0928@reddit

Is that the Honda V6? Great engine.

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Sudden_Brush7494@reddit

No, it’s the GM High Feature 3.6L V6. There were a number of variants. This one, the LY7 made up to 275hp and some of the later variants made over 300hp.

It has a bad reputation because GM recommended oil changes every 10,000 miles and if you did that, there were oil clogging issues which could lead to a stretched timing chain and a 12 hour repair or potentially a grenaded engine. Generally speaking, if you did you oil changes at more sensible intervals (3,000 - 5,000 miles) using synthetic, you wouldn’t have the issue. It made good power for an N/A V6 of its time.

The Honda V6 is in a league of its own though!

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Wittness21021@reddit

I had the g6 gxp. I loved that car and yes. Very fast.

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elementarydeardata@reddit

This is a weird one, but Kia EV6 GT. Car guys don't know it's fast because a lot of them are either very dismissive of EV's or don't know much about them. It has like 640 hp and takes off like a bat outta hell. Also, it's a Kia, and it looks pretty similar to a normal EV6.

Went on a trip to Munich and rented a car. Gave us a Volvo and thought oh yawn.

Was one of those 450hp ones. Was fun on the Autobarn.

Bit of a bitch to park once we got to Italy though as it had such a long nose.

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AhamYodha@reddit

Lmao. A forester XT ?

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milolai@reddit

The question wasn't 'What car is as good as an F1 car'.

It was what car surprises people with it's speed. The Forester XT was very quick for its time. They even had an ad campaign where they bragged it was quicker than the 350z.

https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/evnl8i/this_is_a_real_ad/

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scantd@reddit

What specific year and model for the t8?

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milolai@reddit

before 2022 they were 400 hp

bigcee42@reddit

The Chrysler 200 with the 300 hp V6.

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Cold_Specialist_3656@reddit

When they didn't care about gas mileage they would put 7.5:1 compression in those turbo cars.

With today's turbos and head designs you could have run 35psi of boost on those things!

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Andyman1973@reddit

For sure!! Still trips me out to think about a turbo K car, lol!

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Moto302@reddit

What is the only mid-engine, supercharged, AWD car to have been sold in the US?

No-War-8840@reddit

Niiiice....Dax Shepard has a SC mid 90s caprice wagon as a kid hauler

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Busterlimes@reddit

I remember HRM coming out with a coverstory on one of the earliest TTLS builds in the early 2000s. Dude put it in a SS Impala. Might have been the first 1000hp LS and dude put it in a grocery getter LOL

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No-War-8840@reddit

I'd like to put a built n/a Godzilla in a late 60s early 70s Tbird . 6-700 hp should make em scoot

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ZephyrStudios686@reddit

My coworker has a 550 hp flex.

I had a 2013. It was lowered but not slammed, a few bolt ons and a nasty tune and was getting 16 in town 18 on the highway. 12ish when really beating on it. Dynoed at 470 something and fuck that thing was fun. We called it "The Soccer Rocket"

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airmantharp@reddit

Have a Pacifica rental, was spinning the tires while gunning it on wet uphill asphalt.

I was laughing and going on about the apparently nonexistent traction control, my wife didn’t find it funny.

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HuckleCatt1@reddit

Had the same experience recently. Was stunned by the amount of horsepower it had.

They've got to haul around a family of 7 and all their luggage while still keeping up with other cars on the highway and go up hills/mountain passes. They have to have a lot of power.

The 1994-1999 Nissan Maxima was the fastest Japanese Sedan available in US till 2003.

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Ye_Yuan@reddit

Plain Jane Garage Kept 1988 Chevy Caprice. A grandma’s vehicle. God I miss that thing. Drive like a tank and held fuel like one too. 😂

There’s a Prius in my hometown that I’ve seen on the road twice, sounds like it’s engine swapped. Dying to see what they’ve done with it

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ShatterProofDick@reddit

I had a VW cabriolet with a big turbo GTI engine. It has a hilarious monstrosity that actively tried to kill you with torque steer.

You can order a reg cab f150 in work spec with a 5.0 and supercharged at the dealer. Good for over 700 hp. No badging, steel wheels.

Never owned one. I'm a German car guy. It was on my short list of cars I was considering the last time I purchased. Wound up with an Audi wagon with 3 pedals and tuned it out.

I'll say this, most canned tunes are good, safe, and thoroughly tested.

Some dyno tuners, unless you specifically ask for a conservative map, could risk going over what is considered safe for daily driving.

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equityorasset@reddit

thank you, yeah luckily i have a ford specialists by me who's very trusted and experienced and goes over your goals with you, and i do want a canned tune, everyone says it's user friendly, but im nervous to be messing with my cars engine and computer when i got no experience

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Hersbird@reddit

I had a 2018 400hp version. It was quick but not like 5.0 mustang quick. I do think it was much better for snow country than say a WRX which is why I bought it.

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Sudden_Brush7494@reddit

Love this

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hemibearcuda@reddit

Going way back:

Dodge Omni turbo, I wanna say late 80's the first time I came across one. This was before the tuner crowd hit the scene .

Also, I worked at a shop at the time, early 90's. I had to test drive a compact Pontiac I had just done brakes on. It was another 4cyl turbo car with a manual tranny.

I can't remember now, but whatever that car was it was quicker 0-60 than my friends foxbody 5.0. once the boost came on in 2nd gear, it would still spin the tires.

Rav4 prime or phev.

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userb55@reddit

it looks like a used A4 that's 20 years old. That's what I consider a sleeper.

That's right. Like turbo volvo... that's a sleeper.

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IncidentCodenameM1A2@reddit

What if I told you that you could get one of the higher trim 1st gen Chevy cavaliers with a 3.1 or 2.8 V6 and that there was a company that makes forged bottom end rebuilds of those motors along with an adapter for the m90 supercharger that gm used on the 3800 V6 a ton.

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Old_Pipe_2288@reddit

Now yeah. But back when I had a mk v gti. People were really aware. I had it lowered and that was it. Looked stock other wise. Putting in over 40k in parts upgrading brake suspension, parts was on clutch #3 etc. Was jogging and walking people an they’d be like wtf.

Misttertee_27@reddit

Mercury Marauder was so badass

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H_rusty@reddit

I think real sleepers are overrated nowadays honestly .. ohh you can surprise people with fast acceleration (most EVs can do that anyway nowadays) but at the end of the day, you will be driving a regular boring car with a hefty powertrain.

Most upper trim luxury cars offer high powered variants. A sleeper was rare in the past like in the 90s and early 2000s and therefore was cool back then.

There is a damn good reason car experts applaud and praise things like Miatas, GTIs, BRZs, WRXs , and Type Rs. These cars are more sporty everywhere, and not just "muh blazingly fast acceleration" ... which is easy to access in 2025

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liftguy111@reddit

Infinity Q50. For around $35-3800.00 you can get $600 hp. (Nissan GT-R territory)

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JiveXP@reddit

where are you finding Q50s for 3800

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WhitebeltAF@reddit

I think he’s saying $3,800 in work

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**The Diesel Deception:** The "d" on the badge is the biggest misdirection. People hear "diesel BMW" and think *slow, reliable commuter*. They picture a cloud of smoke and a tractor engine. They *do not* picture a twin-turbocharged inline-six.
**The Torque is Ludicrous:** This is the secret sauce. The M57 diesel engine churns out a staggering **425 lb-ft of torque**—stock. That is more torque than the contemporary E90 M3. When you punch it, that thing launches with an effortless, silent, brutal thrust that absolutely demolishes most cars in the mid-range (like 30-80 mph).
**The Reaction:** You can be cruising on the highway, minding your business, and then effortlessly slingshot past a car that cost three times as much, leaving them wondering what the hell just happened. There's no dramatic engine sound or flashy looks to give away the punch.

msams01@reddit

My car… W211 E63 AMG wagon

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XuWiiii@reddit

All Honda CRVs have the ability to lean the front seats back and have extended leg room from the middle seats. Just remove the headrest. And you got yourself a true sleeper seat

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_no_usernames_avail@reddit

Volvo C30

CuppieWanKenobi@reddit

Going old(er) school here...
BMW E39 540 wagon. Looks exactly like the 6cyl version, except for the wheels.
Also, I had an 02 Passat 1.8T - with an APR tune (stage 1.) That car would genuinely surprise people with just how damned quickly it would make it up to speed, even uphill.
Many days leaving work, people leaving the Lowe's next door would try to turn out into my path, and find themselves doing the "oh shit we're gonna hit if I continue" panic wobble... good times.
I miss driving that car.

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Primary-Point-7733@reddit

1.Mercedes E55 amg wagons from around 2005 immediately come to mind

2.Any “R” version of a Volvo

3.biggest IFYKYK: Chrysler Pacifica Minivan

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drlawsoniii@reddit

A Chevette with a 350 dropped in it.

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TunakTun633@reddit

By n'large, big nonluxury sedans are the key.

Volvo V70R was sleeper back in 2004-2007 in the US.

Its a wagon Its a Volvo Its a safe car

Volvo T8 powertrain in v60, s60, xc60

450hp, 0-60 in mid 4s, volvo badge so no one expects it

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CleMike69@reddit

Currently EVs are ridiculously fast a little unassuming you think it’s a joke then zoom gone

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Bagzthehoney@reddit

First the two cars you classified are definitely not sleepers in the car community an keep up with what most makes are pushing out!

icanhaztuthless@reddit

BMW X3M

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C4PTNK0R34@reddit

For a newer car, the 2013-2015 Buick Verano with its 2.0L Turbocharged engine and 6-speed manual because let's be honest, nobody looks at a new Buick and thinks it's going to be fast.

It made 250hp and had a 0-60 in 6 seconds while looking like something your grandma would drive to church every day.

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Middle-Jackfruit-896@reddit

Porsche Panamera Turbo.

Yes, I know people expect a Porsche, especially with a Turbo to be fast. However, I don't think people expect how incredibly fast it is.

0 to 100 kph in 2.6s, 10.9s quarter mile, 196 mph top speed.

CarelessPackage1982@reddit

Crown vics all day long, or even better 90's Mercury Courgar xr-7 that 5.0 V8

Honestly, most Jags of any year. You see them and you expect to see an old white guy driving them at a leisurely pace (at least in the US). Jaguar is known as a British Buick in the USA and you wont likely find folks really ripping them.

Over in the UK, more normal to see them as what they are; performance comfy cars.

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VanHam17@reddit

The Subaru Outback 3.6R cylinder has great kickdown with AWD. Much different than its 4cyl sibling.

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oldjunk73@reddit

If I tell you they won't be sleepers.

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Grandemestizo@reddit

Ford Explorer, 2020-present. The base engine has 300 HP and 310 Ft-Lbs of torque, which give it a 0-60 of only 6 seconds and the handling is way better than it ought to be for such a big car. The ST does 0-60 in only 5 seconds but car guys would see the ST badge and know what it means. If you get a platinum trim with the 3.0 V6 from the ST, that’s definitely a sleeper.

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_ED-E_@reddit

Explorers are quick.

I’ve got an expedition with the timberline package, which came with the 3.5 h.o. Stock was 440 hp and 510 tq. I put a JB4 on it, and can consistently hit 0-60 in about 5.3 seconds with all terrain tires and just mashing the pedal to the floor. It’s not fast by today’s standards, but for a vehicle that size I think it’s pretty good.

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NeuroguyNC@reddit

1969 Plymouth Valiant with the 225 slant six.

I could beat a mid to late '70s Camaro off the line up to about 45-50 mph.

Of course it was much lighter than when it was new due to all the rust causing a lot of metal to fall off the car. 😛

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GreenTeachy@reddit

I've always thought the G8 was better looking than the Chevy SS, but I've had several people tell me they thought it was the same as the G6 or some type of refresh. Absolutely nobody seems to believe it shares an engine/transmission with the corvette.

My personal pick for a sleeper that surprised me would be the Kia Borrego. 4.6L V8 in a boring looking crossover, only sold for one model year

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Saturn made a RedLine version of the VUE suv with a V6, AWD, and 300hp.

The Pontiac G8 GXP, it looked like a normal G8 event for an inverted hood scoop. 415hp and a 6-spd stick.

Chrysler Cross Fire SRT-6. Nobody knows about them, they only made a few. But god they hustled! 330hp supercharged v6.

Volvo S60-R badging was minimal and they came with a stick shift.

Cadillac made a STS-V for 2009 only. 469hp.

Mercury Marauder, it was a Crown Victoria with a Mercury Badge and a Mustang Cobra 4.6 V-8 stock.

I used to drive my father’s 1970 Ford country Squire wagon. Roof rack, trailer hitch, wood panel sides, single exhaust.

Under the hood was a 429 Super Cobra Jet with a factory Holley 1050cfm carburetor.

It also had a Posi rear end and 2.73 final drive.

It would barely burn rubber. But it would get to 106mph in second gear. With a quickness.

Only two things it couldn’t pass? The CHP, and a gas station.

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Gunk_Olgidar@reddit

Dodge Omni Shelby GLHS Turbo 2.2 was quite the little sleeper ... if you can find one.

You can get the sleepy looking saab 9-7, a trailblazer SS in a Swedish suit.

Mazdaspeed 3

joesnowblade@reddit

1977 Chevette with an LS swap.

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Ok-Situation-9199@reddit

    Volkswagen Camper

If you’re a car guy and have good knowledge on most brands. It’s hard to fool them.

It works great on people that don’t know much on the brand and or people who buy cars as a status symbol.

I have a tuned 335i n54. It looks like your normal office guy car. No tints stock grandpa wheels, chrome grills. To someone who doesn’t know about it they genuinely are baffled when it pulls away from them. It’s not the fastest car on the street no. About 400 whp but it definitely throws car people off that don’t know the potential of the n54.

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Miller335@reddit

Yup the gen1 and gen2 SHOs.