Here Are The Cars That Just Needed More Power
The BRZ debate rages on, but there's no doubt some of these cars needed more horses.
The infamous Sith are a ruthless bunch, but they're not altogether wrong. Sometimes all you need is power, though maybe not quite unlimited power. More than a few good cars could have been great cars if only they'd have come from the factory with a little more oomph.
One of the most famous example of this, of course, is the Subaru BRZ and its stablemate, the Toyota 86. These may not have needed more power, all things considered, but car people love to argue about it. We can't agree on whether it really was underpowered or not, and we'd imagine it'll be one of those car debates that goes on for a long time. The car had just enough power, if you ask me. I think it was lacking in other important places, like chassis rigidity but it's power was fine.
We asked our readers to tell us what cars needed more power and these were their answers:
Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86
I know it's been beaten forever, however the Toyota 86/BRZ:
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The worse part is, they have a turbo engine that fits and already engineered to work. Why not give people what the car needs? I think it would have the perfect amount of HP around 300 and be a hell of an enthusiast car.
Submitted by: mike
Mazda RX-8
Power wasnt the only thing the rx8 lacked. But the ability to add power. Stuck in the pergatory of being too finicky for the normal crowd, not able to take the twist the other rotary folk want, had it been designed with a turbo in mind or just more torque, this car could have enjoyed a better time in the light
Submitted by: syaieya
DMC DeLorean
Needed not only more power, but more reliable power...
Submitted by: MaximilianMeen,
Land Cruiser Series 80
Any pre-200 series land cruiser could use more power, but especially the 80 series and ESPECIALLY from 90-92
5000 lbs and 155 hp?
Even the 212 hp engine in the later models is getting only 120ish hp to the ground.
Submitted by: HammerheadFistpunch
Lexus CT200h
The Lexus CT 200h. It had cool sporty looks, and yet managed to be considerably slower (in my mind) than the gen 3. Prius with which it shared its underpinnings and mechanicals. Merging onto the highway in one was not confidence-inspiring.
Submitted by: Kyree
Pontiac Fiero
Not only the Fiero, but every other could-have-been sports car that GM handicapped because of the overly sensitive Corvette stans.
Submitted by: MaximilanMeen
Volvo C30
Volvo c30. I loved the looks and style. The drive was pretty good, but needed something more to go with its Volvo weight (2970lbs). The Polestar edition had 250hp and T5 eventually had 230hp. But the base stuff really needed more than 99/123/143/168/217 (1.6L, 1.8, 2.0, 2.4, 2.5).
Submitted by: fredschwartz
Nissan 240SX
How about the Poster Child for "Good Chassis, Poor Engine"?
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The Nissan 240SX. This is a car that was DEFINED by the poor engine choice in an otherwise stellar chassis. The worst part? The good engines were already offered in the car but not in the US market. It took the rise of Drift Culture and the JDM Engine Swap fans in order to unlock the true potential of the S13 and S14 chassis.
The Silvia and 180SX are praised when they came with the SR20 and even the CA18s. Just a little more power in a slightly more entertaining engine and you have a legend. Boat anchor motor and slushbox instead and you have the McDonalds Burger of the car world.
Submitted by: Umoja
Honda Fit Sport
Honda Fit Sport and turn it into a Fit Si
Drop the 1.5Turbo into it – off the shelf.
Submitted by: FutureDoc
Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
The Tacoma TRD Pro. The suspension is great, and the aesthetic changes are fine, but what it really needs is a supercharger. The truck looks fast, and the suspension can handle speed. If only Toyota would give it the extra 70HP it deserves.
Submitted by: TheManBearPigRoams
Mazda MX-5 Miata
As a Miata owner, the Miata. With 200hp, it would be about perfect.
Submitted by: Arrivederci, golfball, GasMan, ILOVESTUFF, Lahjik...
Chevrolet Corvette (C3)
1975 and later C3 Corvette. I think they're absolutely gorgeous, but HOLY SHIT are they slow. An old neighbor had a 1975 in black with a clear/blue aftermarket t-top, and you felt like a badass sitting in it... Until you started moving. Blame late 70's emissions regulations.
Submitted by: MrMcGeein3D