When it comes to modifying your car, some models make it easier than others. These are the most tuner-friendly cars out there.
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1994-1998 Toyota Supra
The Mk IV Supra’s legendary reputation was born out of tuner culture. The car’s virtually indestructible 2JZ straight-six can take all kinds of turbo boost with ease, solidifying it as one of the most iconic engines of all time.
Read our full buyer’s guide
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1989-2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R
The Skyline GT-R’s tunability began as soon as people started to realize the RB26 straight-six engine under the hood could take on massive amounts of power without issue. Like Toyota’s 2JZ engine made famous in the Supra, the RB26 has a massive amount of aftermarket support.
The R34 somehow exceeds its massive expectations
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1938-2003 Volkswagen Beetle
VOLKSWAGENThe original Beetle has been around for more than half a century, and since so many were built, there’s a virtually unlimited amount of ways to customize one to your liking. You can go the dragster route, the Baja bug route, or anything in between. The sky’s the limit.
2000-2009 Honda S2000
Go to any HPDE event, and you’ll likely see dozens of Honda S2000s in the paddock. They’re fantastic track cars from the factory, and with some mods, they’re even more fun. As with most Japanese sports cars, the levels of customization are limited only by your imagination.
Low-mileage examples are in exceptionally high demand
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1990-2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata
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1989-1998 Nissan 240SX
The Nissan 240SX’s popularity as a drift car means there are plenty of kits, parts, and how-to guides available to make it the best possible car it can be. Find one without rust and you’ll be tinkering and upgrading forever.
Read our original first drive
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1992-2023 Subaru Impreza WRX & WRX STI
1992-2016 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
“BARRY HATHAWAY”The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution may be gone from showrooms, but aftermarket support is still as strong as ever. With a solid all-wheel drive system and an engine just begging to be modified, it’s the perfect all-weather tuning machine.
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1976-2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI
VOLKSWAGENOf course, if you’re more into German cars, the many iterations of Volkswagen Golf GTI built throughout the years have plenty to offer in the way of tuning potential.
1965-2024 Ford Mustang
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1986-2024 Jeep Wrangler
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2020-2023 Ford Bronco
DW BURNETTThe current Ford Bronco has only been out for a few years following a 25-year hiatus. But it has a massive amount of customizer support right out of the gate, both from aftermarket brands and Ford Performance itself.
2013-2016 Scion FR-S
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2017-2023 Toyota GR86
DW BURNETTThe Toyota 86, which evolved into the GR86 for the 2022 model year, appeared when Scion closed its doors in 2016. It’s essentially the same car with different badges, meaning all the same modding possibilities.
2013-2023 Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ shares much of the GR86’s underpinnings, save for a handful of styling and suspension tweaks to give the car its own personality. We prefer how the Toyota drives ever so slightly, but the BRZ is still an excellent tuner platform with plenty of support.
Read our first drive review
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1978-2002 Mazda RX-7
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1982-1994 BMW 3-Series
The E30-generation BMW 3-Series is a wonderful platform for a build. It’s light, balanced, and since it’s been around for so long, the aftermarket has solved nearly every problem you can imagine with these cars—turbo kits, suspension packages, engine swap kits, and anything else you can think of.
This E30 M3 has a V-10 from an M5
1990-2000 BMW 3-Series
As the E30 becomes more and more popular as a full-on classic car, its successor, the E36 BMW 3-Series, is coming into its own as a more affordable choice for those looking for modified BMW fun.
2014-2019 Ford Fiesta ST
FORDFord’s greatest hot hatch, the Fiesta ST, might not be sold in the U.S. anymore, but there’s still a bunch of aftermarket support if you’re looking for upgrades. Companies like Cobb and Mountune have everything you need to go fast, from tunes, to turbo upgrades, to suspension mods.
2013-2019 Ford Focus ST
ANDREW TRAHANNeed a little more space in your American tuner hatchback? Consider the Ford Focus ST. It’s nearly as fun as the Fiesta, with more power, a nicer interior, and a bigger cabin. There’s an equal amount of aftermarket support, so you’ll never be wanting for available mods.
