as you all know iam stuck in the past. but i must admit some of the new cars are very good looking and fast
What is your favorite sleeper car?
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Although my VW Jetta 1.8t 180HP was no screamer, it was fun outrunning guys who thought they were cool, because they installed loud pipes on their Civics and Integras. Mine outwardly appeared the same as a 110HP Jetta, except for the twin exhausts and an emblem that said "1.8T"
That small turbo enabled good power from 2000 RPM and pulled hard to redline, a huge advantage over the limited power curve of small displacement NA cars.
That in mind, many turbo cars were good sleepers.
Also, about Toyota Cressidas versus other cars. I like that they stayed RWD, because at the time they existed, good FWD components didn't exist. The Cressida was far outsold by the 1985-1988 Nissan Maxima because the Maxima cost less. However, after 10 years, the number of Cressidas still on the road far exceeded Maximas.
That small turbo enabled good power from 2000 RPM and pulled hard to redline, a huge advantage over the limited power curve of small displacement NA cars.
That in mind, many turbo cars were good sleepers.
Also, about Toyota Cressidas versus other cars. I like that they stayed RWD, because at the time they existed, good FWD components didn't exist. The Cressida was far outsold by the 1985-1988 Nissan Maxima because the Maxima cost less. However, after 10 years, the number of Cressidas still on the road far exceeded Maximas.
I don't see how people can name off SRT-8 cars as sleepers....
[censored] near anyone your gonna race is well informed on them and can spot them a mile away, they all look totally different then the regular bodied cars..... big decals, brakes, wheels........ they aren't SLEEPERS, they are the polar opposite
not that I'm a huge fan, but this is where I agree somewhat with cars like the Buick T-Type as being a good sleeper. Besides for a logo here and there that could be removed, they could be passed off as any other 80's beater pretty easily....
for the same reason I will put the old early 90's Galant VR-4 out there, the 94-96 Cadillac Fleetwoods aren't bad sleepers either, basically an Impala SS
[censored] near anyone your gonna race is well informed on them and can spot them a mile away, they all look totally different then the regular bodied cars..... big decals, brakes, wheels........ they aren't SLEEPERS, they are the polar opposite
not that I'm a huge fan, but this is where I agree somewhat with cars like the Buick T-Type as being a good sleeper. Besides for a logo here and there that could be removed, they could be passed off as any other 80's beater pretty easily....
for the same reason I will put the old early 90's Galant VR-4 out there, the 94-96 Cadillac Fleetwoods aren't bad sleepers either, basically an Impala SS
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OVERKILL
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I'd like to think the M5 is a sleeper but really I know it isn't. Pretty unique factory wheels. And though the decals and body cues are subtle.... I assume people know to look for them. Driving home from Toronto, a slammed Integra with gold rims and tires that were far too narrow to be on them pulled behind me, then changed lanes to get beside me. I narrowed the gap a little between myself and the car in front of me (cruising in 5th) and he wouldn't even LOOK at me..... Not that I was trying to race him... that would be stupid. But he obviously knew he didn't have enough or I assume he would have tried something. Or maybe he just isn't into street racing.... I dunno. Back when I drove the 'stang, anything with an Import badge on it seemed to gun for me, so this was kind of strange.
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I've never even seen one but an HHR SS (same engine as the Cobalt SS) must surprise a few people. The GT Cruiser (SRT-4 motor) must do the same.
Sleeper? I don't know...The 2.4L TURBOhigh output badge on the back is certainly ricer bait.
oddly articulated anime voice: "The PT Cruiser is slow but that one says TURBO, I must race it! oh! /Speed Racer/Bleach/whatever voice
I've probably been revved on by every 3.4 liter Camaro with an open exhaust in the area while driving the wife's "turbo clown hearse". (Do they all have to have a mismatched door and fender?...I swear they are all either teal green, or have a teal green fender and door)
Same thing with the obviously Essex powered Mustangs with Cobra badges. Crosspipes, Flowmasters and dumps are not going to make your 90° V6 sound like a V8. It just sounds like a loud 90° V6.
I've never even seen one but an HHR SS (same engine as the Cobalt SS) must surprise a few people. The GT Cruiser (SRT-4 motor) must do the same.
Sleeper? I don't know...The 2.4L TURBOhigh output badge on the back is certainly ricer bait.
oddly articulated anime voice: "The PT Cruiser is slow but that one says TURBO, I must race it! oh! /Speed Racer/Bleach/whatever voice
I've probably been revved on by every 3.4 liter Camaro with an open exhaust in the area while driving the wife's "turbo clown hearse". (Do they all have to have a mismatched door and fender?...I swear they are all either teal green, or have a teal green fender and door)
Same thing with the obviously Essex powered Mustangs with Cobra badges. Crosspipes, Flowmasters and dumps are not going to make your 90° V6 sound like a V8. It just sounds like a loud 90° V6.
I know it's an 'oddball, but I'll throw it in here:
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
Originally Posted By: 38sho
I don't see how people can name off SRT-8 cars as sleepers....
[censored] near anyone your gonna race is well informed on them and can spot them a mile away, they all look totally different then the regular bodied cars..... big decals, brakes, wheels........ they aren't SLEEPERS, they are the polar opposite
My car has no decals, nothing at all except a tiny badge on the trunk lid. Big rims are a normal item these days, and while you can see those sweet 4 pot Brembos in there most people never notice until it's hammer time.
SUPER quiet car stock. Anything this quiet turning 12's is indeed a textbook sleeper car.
I don't see how people can name off SRT-8 cars as sleepers....
[censored] near anyone your gonna race is well informed on them and can spot them a mile away, they all look totally different then the regular bodied cars..... big decals, brakes, wheels........ they aren't SLEEPERS, they are the polar opposite
My car has no decals, nothing at all except a tiny badge on the trunk lid. Big rims are a normal item these days, and while you can see those sweet 4 pot Brembos in there most people never notice until it's hammer time.
SUPER quiet car stock. Anything this quiet turning 12's is indeed a textbook sleeper car.
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I know it's an 'oddball, but I'll throw it in here:
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
Your going to laugh, but I had a 1980 Monza with the Iron Duke 2.5l 4 cyl. mated to 4 speed Saginaw ([censored])transmission. It was only 2 years old at the time, strped down model,no A/C etc. But that thing could move! It had some kind of two barrel carb on it,and when floored it really moved out.
I know it's an 'oddball, but I'll throw it in here:
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
Your going to laugh, but I had a 1980 Monza with the Iron Duke 2.5l 4 cyl. mated to 4 speed Saginaw ([censored])transmission. It was only 2 years old at the time, strped down model,no A/C etc. But that thing could move! It had some kind of two barrel carb on it,and when floored it really moved out.
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Originally Posted By: morris
the key word is cramped, cramped is NOT luxury. try looking up the word luxury.
I live every day in a full size LUXURY sedan that easily eclipses anything I have owned in 40+ years of driving hot cars.
And my wife can drive it to the grocery store, it is extremely LOW maintenance, super quiet at speed, never overheats in traffic... you get the idea.
I changed the plugs monthly on that Chevelle!
the key word is cramped, cramped is NOT luxury. try looking up the word luxury.
I live every day in a full size LUXURY sedan that easily eclipses anything I have owned in 40+ years of driving hot cars.
And my wife can drive it to the grocery store, it is extremely LOW maintenance, super quiet at speed, never overheats in traffic... you get the idea.
I changed the plugs monthly on that Chevelle!
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I know it's an 'oddball, but I'll throw it in here:
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
Your going to laugh, but I had a 1980 Monza with the Iron Duke 2.5l 4 cyl. mated to 4 speed Saginaw ([censored])transmission. It was only 2 years old at the time, strped down model,no A/C etc. But that thing could move! It had some kind of two barrel carb on it,and when floored it really moved out.
A neighbour 2 doors down had a 1980 Pontiac Sunbird 4-cylinder/5-speed when I was real young. All I remember about that car is that he'd start it, and it would always stall out right away.
He'd have the clutch in, and the car would be rolling down the driveway, with him trying to start it - it would take 4-5 tries to get it going. Every single time he drove it - I don't know why he put up with it!
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I know it's an 'oddball, but I'll throw it in here:
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
Your going to laugh, but I had a 1980 Monza with the Iron Duke 2.5l 4 cyl. mated to 4 speed Saginaw ([censored])transmission. It was only 2 years old at the time, strped down model,no A/C etc. But that thing could move! It had some kind of two barrel carb on it,and when floored it really moved out.
A neighbour 2 doors down had a 1980 Pontiac Sunbird 4-cylinder/5-speed when I was real young. All I remember about that car is that he'd start it, and it would always stall out right away.
He'd have the clutch in, and the car would be rolling down the driveway, with him trying to start it - it would take 4-5 tries to get it going. Every single time he drove it - I don't know why he put up with it!
A couple guys in my motorsports club have some interesting sleepers. A turbo Volvo 240 and there are 2 turbo miata's. The 240 is going to have some old Vette rims(15"x10"?) on it soon so I guess it will no longer be a sleeper. There are a couple STI drivetrain swapped subaru's as well that just look like old imprezza's...
There's also an old TDI jetta that has been worked up to 190whp but as soon as he gets into it there's no question that its not stock. Another guy has a Dodge Rampage with a turbo engine.
There's also an old TDI jetta that has been worked up to 190whp but as soon as he gets into it there's no question that its not stock. Another guy has a Dodge Rampage with a turbo engine.
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I know it's an 'oddball, but I'll throw it in here:
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
Your going to laugh, but I had a 1980 Monza with the Iron Duke 2.5l 4 cyl. mated to 4 speed Saginaw ([censored])transmission. It was only 2 years old at the time, strped down model,no A/C etc. But that thing could move! It had some kind of two barrel carb on it,and when floored it really moved out.
A neighbour 2 doors down had a 1980 Pontiac Sunbird 4-cylinder/5-speed when I was real young. All I remember about that car is that he'd start it, and it would always stall out right away.
He'd have the clutch in, and the car would be rolling down the driveway, with him trying to start it - it would take 4-5 tries to get it going. Every single time he drove it - I don't know why he put up with it!
Never had any problem with that car starting or anything. Except you couldnt speed through the gears in that stupid Saginaw trans.
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I know it's an 'oddball, but I'll throw it in here:
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
Your going to laugh, but I had a 1980 Monza with the Iron Duke 2.5l 4 cyl. mated to 4 speed Saginaw ([censored])transmission. It was only 2 years old at the time, strped down model,no A/C etc. But that thing could move! It had some kind of two barrel carb on it,and when floored it really moved out.
A neighbour 2 doors down had a 1980 Pontiac Sunbird 4-cylinder/5-speed when I was real young. All I remember about that car is that he'd start it, and it would always stall out right away.
He'd have the clutch in, and the car would be rolling down the driveway, with him trying to start it - it would take 4-5 tries to get it going. Every single time he drove it - I don't know why he put up with it!
Never had any problem with that car starting or anything. Except you couldnt speed through the gears in that stupid Saginaw trans.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
...it was fun outrunning guys who thought they were cool, because they installed loud pipes on their Civics and Integras. ...
This is even more fun in any family sedan, SUV, minivan, etc. It doesn't take much to.
...it was fun outrunning guys who thought they were cool, because they installed loud pipes on their Civics and Integras. ...
This is even more fun in any family sedan, SUV, minivan, etc. It doesn't take much to.
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I know it's an 'oddball, but I'll throw it in here:
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
My friend's older brother had a Monza with a V8. Allegedly a 350 but it could have just as easily been a 305 or a 262...I couldn't tell the difference then.
It was the notchback with round headlamps. Didn't look very good. Not compared to the hatchback version with 4 rectangular headlamps.
It had small tires that would be reduced to shredded rubber and belts if you pushed the skinny pedal on the right down and left it there...or maybe it was just the cheap tires he was using.
The thing I remember the most though is that the seat belt retractor didn't work and the passenger door would fly open spontaneously when turning left.
....no dude. you got shotgun
I know it's an 'oddball, but I'll throw it in here:
GM 1970's 'H' bodies - Monza, Starfire, Sunbird - with the optional 5.0 V-8. 140HP in a very ligh compact car.
For the period, they were pretty darn quick, and came dangerously close to upstaging the larger Firebird and Camaro.
My friend's older brother had a Monza with a V8. Allegedly a 350 but it could have just as easily been a 305 or a 262...I couldn't tell the difference then.
It was the notchback with round headlamps. Didn't look very good. Not compared to the hatchback version with 4 rectangular headlamps.
It had small tires that would be reduced to shredded rubber and belts if you pushed the skinny pedal on the right down and left it there...or maybe it was just the cheap tires he was using.
The thing I remember the most though is that the seat belt retractor didn't work and the passenger door would fly open spontaneously when turning left.
....no dude. you got shotgun
Mercedes E63 AMG estate, or 500E.
No one knows what a 500E is, put some E320 badging on it and you have the perfect Q ship.
Either vehicle will leave the Z06 in the next lane wondering what happened.
No one knows what a 500E is, put some E320 badging on it and you have the perfect Q ship.
Either vehicle will leave the Z06 in the next lane wondering what happened.
While I love the Big Mercs I gotta tell you no modern Z06 owner is worried in the least!
I do agree with the "sleepiness" quotient, though!
I do agree with the "sleepiness" quotient, though!
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Your going to laugh, but I had a 1980 Monza with the Iron Duke 2.5l 4 cyl. mated to 4 speed Saginaw ([censored])transmission. It was only 2 years old at the time, strped down model,no A/C etc. But that thing could move! It had some kind of two barrel carb on it,and when floored it really moved out.
I'm not laughing. I had a Fiero with a built up Duke that pulled 180 hp at the wheels! It was a real runner, too noisy to be much of a sleeper.
Your going to laugh, but I had a 1980 Monza with the Iron Duke 2.5l 4 cyl. mated to 4 speed Saginaw ([censored])transmission. It was only 2 years old at the time, strped down model,no A/C etc. But that thing could move! It had some kind of two barrel carb on it,and when floored it really moved out.
I'm not laughing. I had a Fiero with a built up Duke that pulled 180 hp at the wheels! It was a real runner, too noisy to be much of a sleeper.
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Mercedes E63 AMG estate, or 500E.
No one knows what a 500E is, put some E320 badging on it and you have the perfect Q ship.
Either vehicle will leave the Z06 in the next lane wondering what happened.
An E63 won't even leave a Camaro wondering what happened. Not that they aren't quick cars, but still no Z06 is going to lose to an E63.
EDIT: Whoops, Steve beat me to it...
Mercedes E63 AMG estate, or 500E.
No one knows what a 500E is, put some E320 badging on it and you have the perfect Q ship.
Either vehicle will leave the Z06 in the next lane wondering what happened.
An E63 won't even leave a Camaro wondering what happened. Not that they aren't quick cars, but still no Z06 is going to lose to an E63.
EDIT: Whoops, Steve beat me to it...
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