What car under $30K has the best 'sleeper' potential and driving characteristics?

MINI cooper S for sure .. they rebuilt the engine and body about a year ago. Serious power and handling. It takes advantage of a lot of higher end stuff developed by bmw. plus mpg is good and 3-yr all service. Been really happy with mine. And I'm 6'1 with no problems fitting.

6-speed manual.. jet black. 2009 S.

Problem with the Mini: It's not a sleeper. You see it coming from a mile away ... And aftermarket stuff is just going to make it stand out more.

I'd still go GTI, then WRX wagon, then Speed3, then Genesis Coupe.

I've got the GLI (Jetta version to the Golf's GTI) -- the 200HP TFSI 2.0 engine is zippy and solid, and gets decent fuel economy to boot.

That being said, my friend has a MazdaSpeed 3, and it'll whip the GTI hands-down. Less expensive, a little bigger inside, the interior has a cheaper feel but the exhaust has a throaty growl and the car handles tight. If I had to do it over again, I'd go with the 3.

Used Subaru Legacy GT. You can get a low mileage 2005 for about $15K. My friend threw $5K in used aftermarket parts at it for coilovers, vented brakes, lightened pulley, protune, injectors, turbo, intake, and fuel pump. He now pushes 325whp and 350wtq in Denver at 5,280 ft. Get a black one with leather, sunroof and good audio and you have a car that beats any other on this list and plows through the snow all while looking like a grown up.

Another vote for the Subaru. The WRX or Legacy are both good choices.

Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky

Crank a much larger turbo or a supercharger in these and they can blow the door off most other cars out there.

Audi S4 (preferably the B5, 2000-2002 generation.) no question. Tiny front wheel drive hatches are not 'sleepers'... and no one will take you seriously in a mini cooper, so it's somewhat of a moot point as to how fast you can make it.

You can pick up a B5 S4 in great shape for well under 20 grand, and there are several companies out there that will make a monster out of it that'll generate north of 400 horsepower pretty reliably out of the twin-turbo 2.7 liter V6. They're all wheel drive, so they're pretty suitable for all climates, and with some suspension work, can easily do double-duty as a trackday warrior's dream and as a solid daily driver for any young businessman.

I am not sure if you are looking for something new or used. If used is your flavor, then the 2004 VW R32 can be found used for under $20K, as it was $30K new. This is the car my brother bought after having VW's 20th Anniversary Edition GTI. This VR6 powered, all wheel drive 6 speed is incredible. Handles like a Porsche, and is faster than 95% of the cars on the road STOCK! The only thing that gives away it's secret is the sound of the engine. Here is a great review

Hi Alex.
Honda Civic Si? I would not call rides like a Mini, Mazdaspeed, or two-door GTI/R32 sleepers … they are known to be good performers. The GLI, 4-door GTI, and WRX Wagon would be much more sleepy. Oh, yes, for sure, the Audi S4 is a cut above all that—it is a real car. Having driven both, and say that the VW is more car than the Mini. I am second-guessing you here, but I would think that it would not take long for you to lose some interest in the sleeper factor and want more performance; with that in mind, you might put a Mitsubishi Lance Evolution (or at least the Ralliart) on your list. If I were to get preachy (which I guess I am), I would remind you to look at the practical aspects of vehicle ownership as well (reliability, resale, practicality); to me that spells WRX or Civic Si. Oh! One more just came to mind … a BMW station wagon. No kidding. They are practical (spacious), handle well, and look like dad’s car. You can get a 3 or 5 series wagon (used) for teens or twenties.

If I were to get a "sleeper" for under 30 grand I'd look at a used Audi S4 or a Volvo S60R.

The B5 Audi S4 is a good suggestion, first idea that came into my head. Another good one, not so much on the sleeper factor but high on handling and driveability would be a Mazda RX-8. New, the R3 package is out of your $30k price cap, but you can definitely find a pristine example used, and the aftermarket has a pretty big selection of forced induction, turbo kits, suspension and exhaust kits. Plus the engine is just plain fun redlining at 9k rpm. Other cars might beat it for practicality or fuel economy, but it is also rear drive whereas the GTI, Si or the Speed3 are all front drive.

If you're looking for a sleeper, your best bet is a 2007-2009 MazdaSpeed3, which lacks the 2010's slower 0-60 time as well as the boy-racer hood scoop. As mentioned by another respondent, the MS3 packs a 263HP engine - more powerful, and quicker than its big brothers the RX8 and MazdaSpeed6 sedan. Until Mazda redesigned the Speed3 for 2010, it reigned over the Mini Cooper S, VW GTI, and every other small car it was pitted against by Car & Driver / AutoMobile / Road & Track.

E39 BMW M5 hands down. It was once called the greatest car in the world. You can't get a better looking better performing car for less money.

Used Mitsubishi Evo IX; take the wing off, people will think it's just a 4door commuter.

Used 2008 or 2007 Audi A4. Really quick and has a nice interior not to mention the system bumps http://www.edmunds.com/audi/a4/2008/review.html

In order of sleeper potential for Subaru: Forester XT Manual (?-2008), Legacy Spec. B (2006-2009), WRX Wagon (2002-2007,2009).

Forester XT - Nobody expects a toaster to be able to go fast. A lot of the STI parts will fit on the Forester without any modification.

Legacy Spec. B - It's basically a refined sedan version of the STI. Same engine and transmission as the STI. It's good for 243 Hp off the showroom floor. With a different turbo swapped in, it's good for 300+. The ill-advised will probably just mistake you for a Toyota Camry.

WRX Wagon - Put in a front mount intercooler and swap in a hood from one of the non-turbo Imprezas and nobody will think twice.

Definitely the Saab 9-3 Viggen.

Viggen

Agree with the Saab 9-3 Viggen.

It's a powerful car that handles fantastically while looking classy and unknown to most other drivers.

Can find good used ones with under 100k miles for less than $15000.

its very good information thanks
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GTI mentioned above is a solid option. There are many other good suggestions as well. I have owned 4 VW/Audi cars, mazdaspeed 3, Nissan maximas, etc. I can honestly say, build quality in VW/Audi is very high. However, keep in mind maintenance with the VW/Audi. I have had great success with my VW/Audi cars but have always stayed on top of the maintenance, tire rotation, etc. If you take care of these cars, they last forever. Do some research if you plan on getting a B5 S4. The bi-turbo 2.7 engine is amazing, but it can be a lot to maintain as any turbocharged engine Also, I have personally ALMOST purchased many S4's. I have seen 2 types of cars. The S4 that looks good that someone has literally 'Driven it like they stole it' and the one that has been completely babied....the latter being far less common and hard to find. Check out VW vortex on the web for common maintenance issues with any VW/Audi car...very reliable source.

Another great option, and one I can't believe I forgot, as it's among my favorites, is the Audi A3. It's basically a GTI in a Hugo Boss suit. Same chassis, same engine, AWD, V6 option, and it's even more subtle in appearance. It's my next car ...

B5 (2000-2002) Audi S4 without question. You can pick when up with relatively low mileage for 15-18k and for another 6k you have a 450hp 12 second car. It looks like a typical audi sedan and is almost always mistaken for an A4 but when push comes to shove its a monster. I have a 2000 s4 right now that I bought in '05 for 18k, I put about 3k worth of mods into it and now it puts out 350hp with just simple mods.

"and no one will take you seriously in a mini cooper, so it's somewhat of a moot point as to how fast you can make it."

That's a ridiculously dumb statement. As a precursor, I've had the pleasure of owning both and while I love the/any S4, the Mini is a far better car to actually drive. While I do agree there are finer cars to have for 30K, don't say something stupid like that. It's just silly.

A JCW putting 210-220 to the wheels will sure enough prove to be a hell of a "sleeper" especially when it flies past in the curves. Set them against a S4, M3, it'll have em all in the twists...unless you need to go fast in a straight line, but that isn't driving.

Another vote for the 2005-2008 Subaru Legacy GT. One thing, though, before you buy: check the clutch. This series is a little notorious for burning through clutches quickly. The ratio of performance/looking like an adult is high, except for the hood scoop.

This wouldn't be my first reco, but to throw some variety in the mix, I'm going to put out an American: Pontiac GTO. Cheapest way to get a Vette engine (that seats 4), and if you are thinking sleeper only to non gearheads (since any gearhead can read sniff out the badges of WRX or GTI from a mile away anyway), people will think you are beating them with your Cavalier.

If you are trying to get a sleeper for gearheads, then you would need to go for something like this:

http://tv.gawker.com/5429700/david-letterman-drives-a-25000-cupcake-car?autoplay=true

At $25k, you've got $5k for mods to really kill the rest of the GTI/S4 crowd.

Cheers,

- Lou

If you can find one a first gen 2002-2005 Lexus IS300 5spd. No one knows about these cause no one bought them. 3.0L inline 6, RWD, 5pd, Rear Diff, stiffer suspension. About as raw as you can get from Japan, turn off the trac control and enjoy. These are not the auotmatics, it was a considered a different model. Cons: Low horsepower by todays standards, heavy.

Same vein as a GTI, but I'd suggest an R32 instead. The sound is absolute pure sex, best engine note out of a car this price range short of maybe a used Mustang GT (if you like big V8 noise).

R32 = AWD, handles better than the GTI. Only problem is that it is more expensive to add power on the NA V6 than on the turbo 4, but at least if you DO add power to the R32 you have four wheels to put it down with. It seems pointless to me to add power to a GTI as it will just make you push harder in the corners and spin the wheels more...

VOLVO C30 R-Design
I am a C30 owner and I cannot express how happy I am with this car. Its a two door hatchback and it is arguably the sexiest hatchback on the market. In terms of sport it is no GTI but it sure is better looking. This car is beautiful and it turns heads like no other, simply because people don't know about it. I've had two people tell me when they saw it they thought it was a modern prototype car. It might not be as fast as an Audi or BMW but it is pretty quick. 5 cyl. Turbo. 228 HP. 0-60 in about 6.7 seconds. The rims and the bodykit make it all better, but sure you look at the 2009 or 2010 version. I personally don't like the 2011 because of the facelift they gave it. It looks mediocre. It starts at 23,000 with the basic, but I bought mine for exactly 30,000 K and this is exactly what I got.same color and everything > http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/0/A/l/pp_08c30_rightfront.jpg