Subaru WRX

If you’re thinking you want a tuner car that’s good for road rallying too, the Subaru WRX is one of the cars for you. Built from 1992 to present, there are five generations of WRX models to choose from. Each is capable of being tuned for power or acceleration, or both. Stock horsepower ranges from 107 hp to a turbocharged 305 hp in today’s WRX STi. All-wheel-drive is a staple feature of the WRX, which helps make it so attractive.

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The WRX is a unique tuner because it’s a four-door sedan. It can be slammed to the ground, have a body kit installed, or have its horsepower jacked up to 500 ponies or more. The sky is the limit.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Lancer Evo exited production in the 2016 model year. It’s too bad – the 10th generation Lancer Evolution may have been the best yet.

Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder was controversially rated under 300 hp (291 to be exact), mainly for rally competition purposes, although it likely makes more than 300 horses. Standard AWD was a fundamental feature, like the Subaru WRX.

There are stories all over the Internet of people who’ve spiked their Evo’s power to ridiculous heights. Tales of 650 hp are believable, while others in excess of 1,000 hp are a little harder to swallow.

Honda Civic

You name it, it’s been done to a Honda Civic over the years. The most widely used of these eight best tuner cars has to be the Honda Civic.

Now in its 10th generation, the Civic has been toyed with since its inception in 1972. The fifth and sixth generations are the most popular among tuners, produced from 1992 to 2000. There are cases of V8s jammed under the hood or monster turbos installed to spin Mickey Thompson slicks.

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Factory horsepower is typically low 100s. With an insane number of companies building mods for the Civic, it’s conceivable for Civic owners to bolt on a couple hundred extra horsepower without major engine work. Or, it’s easier (and perhaps less expensive) to just buy the new 2018 Honda Civic Type R with 306 horsepower right out of the gate.

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