The 6 Best Cars To Modify
source:http://www.askmen.com/toys/cars_100/129b_car_review.html
It isn't easy to find a virgin -- a car that's completely stock.
Most guys bring on the bling with cosmetic enhancements like hot paint, lighting, sound systems, rims and tires, body kits, rear wings, and interior tweaks. Some back up the bling with some zing: beefed suspension and brakes, air intakes, turbos or supercharges, exhaust systems, and even nitrous.
Longtime favorite models for most tuners are Honda's Accord and Civic. Starting with 1980s models through to present editions, these lines have consistently provided a body style to suit every taste and budget. And underneath it all, the drivetrain is reliable and about as easy to modify as making toast.
Honda bits are also beneath the skin of Acura's Integra, with an extra degree of build quality and refinement throughout. Driving an Integra sends the message that you've graduated from Hondas, but you're still in the game.
That's not to say the Honda corporation scores an undisputed trifecta in the tuner world. The Accord, Civic and Integra may be the most common models modified, but there are more great choices out there as well. Here are the best of the others. Thanks to their basic appeal -- and support from the aftermarket industry -- you can match any one of these blank canvases with the bling and zing to make it one-of-a-kind.
All prices are in USD.
1- Toyota Scion
You can only get spanked for so long before you reach the breaking point. Case in point: Toyota's Camry and Corolla are equally competent cars when stacked against stock Accords and Civics. Nonetheless, tuners generally give them the cold shoulder. So Toyota created the Scion.
The prospective Scion owner has a choice of three flavors: the tC coupe, the xA five-door sport wagon and the damn-proud-to-be-boxy xB. They each have trendy good looks and beg to be played with. In fact, Scion ads condone modifying them -- even while fine-print legalese cautions you may void the warranty. Best of all, a ton of the Scion features come standard. Used Honda or new Scion? For comparable dollars, the tide is turning in Toyota's favor.
What to pay: Base MSRP is $13,045 for the xA, $16,715 for the tC and $14,245 for the xB. Scion stresses that these prices include shipping and delivery charges.
2- Mitsubishi Eclipse
Years before The Fast and the Furious , the Eclipse was already well known. Along with its lesser-loved cousins, the Plymouth Laser and Eagle Talon, the Eclipse was a 2+2 sport hatch (basically the same layout as the Camaros and Firebirds of the day). In hot stock or modified form, the Eclipse surprised more than a few American pony cars at the stoplights. The excitement continued inside with a driver-oriented cockpit, unlike the bland dash slabs in many others.
Another unique trait here is the availability of convertible, factory turbo and all-wheel drive models in certain years. Today, there isn't much market share to be had with a two-door hatch, but the Eclipse hangs on. In fact, the new redesign carries on the tradition. What to pay: $19,399 is the MSRP for the basic third-gen '06, but each generation has its loyalists, and used prices vary. Naturally, expect to pay more for a convertible, turbo, or all-wheel drive.
3- Dodge Neon
A decade ago, Chrysler introduced the Neon to its Dodge and now-defunct Plymouth lineups. Ads featured the nose of the car front and center, with cheeky "Hi" graphics above. Once tuners began tinkering, their cars' implied greeting became "Yo!". Their enthusiasm wasn't lost on the manufacturer.
In recent years, special editions of the Neon have increasingly become hot tickets, even in standard tune. Today's SRT4 shreds its treads with 230 horsepower. If you decide on a used Neon, especially one in base form, there's hardly a shortage.
What to pay: MSRP for a new SRT4 is $21,295, SXT is $15,765 and SE is $14,395. Because the Neon bowed in 1995, used prices vary, but are typically inexpensive.
4- Ford Focus
At first glance back in 2000, we had fun with the Focus name, exhausting our supply of optic-related puns. We just didn't take it seriously. After all, it was only replacing the forgettable Escort. Then we drove it. No joke, this is a decent car. For a low-cost domestic, the overall driving experience is commendable. While the wagon is a little frumpy looking, the 2- and 4-door versions of the Focus have crisp lines.
Critics have heaped praise on the Focus, and rightly so. When a car is this good off the shelf, you get quite a package once a few mods are dropped in.
What to pay: MSRP for the three-door hatch is $14,010, $14,620 for the 4-door sedan and $15,325 for the 4-door hatch. Used prices vary.
5- Chevy Cobalt
As in our initial meeting with the Focus, at first we couldn't take the Cobalt seriously. This was the car replacing Chevy's (yawn) prehistoric Cavalier; how good could it be? Surprise, surprise. While not quite as stylish or refined as the Focus, the Cobalt is a decent choice for GM loyalists. The chances are good that it will be a more popular tuner choice than its predecessor.
In fact, Chevy is already offering the Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe with 205 horsepower. It's too soon to find many used, but factory incentives mean less of a leap to buy new.
What to pay: MSRP is $21,995 for the SS Supercharged Coupe, but the base coupe and sedan both start at a more reasonable $14,190.
6- Mitsubishi Lancer
You can have your good ol' boys making left turns on a track all day. For serious racing, we like the World Rally Championship series. One of the toughest cars to beat is the Evolution from Mitsubishi. It's wicked fast and tough as a tank.
Don't have 40 large to live the experience in the all-wheel drive street version? Start with the front-drive Lancer sedan it's based on, available stateside since 2002. Depending on the model, you'll only have 120 or 162 horsepower, but we doubt you'll keep it that way very long. From there you can build as your budget allows, transforming it into your very own Evo clone.
What to pay: $14,299 is the MSRP for basic ES trim, $16,599 for the OZ Rally and $18,499 for the Ralliart. Used prices vary.
dare to be different
Our rides are a direct extension of our personalities. Since day one we've been personalizing them to be as unique as ourselves -- and there's plenty of creative fodder out there.
source:http://www.askmen.com/toys/cars_100/129b_car_review.html
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