15 Popular Cars For Street Racing

Acura introduced the first generation TSX in 2004 as a luxury sedan to complement the Acura TL and RL models. While the TSX was based on the Accord, Acura used the European Accord, which competed with German luxury sedans like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. To keep in line with these European rivals, the TSX had a multilink rear and a double-wishbone front suspension, helping give it a sporty driving character. In addition, it had a wide array of electronic driver aids, including a traction control system, vehicle stability assist, and an anti-lock braking system.

Under its hood sat a 2.4-liter four-cylinder K24 engine producing 200 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic, sending power to the front wheels. Acura's use of i-VTEC technology helped ensure the TSX had a broad, usable powerband up to its 7,100 rpm redline. While that's not an impressive performance nowadays, the K24 engine is a great candidate for tuning and fitting bolt-on modifications. Thanks to its strong bottom end, it can handle upgrades like lighter rods, low-compression pistons, and a stronger crank.

For bolt-on power, you can consider modifications like high-flow fuel injectors, a performance exhaust, a larger throttle body, a cold air intake, an ECU tune, performance camshafts, and even forced induction. With these modifications, the TSX will accelerate faster and sound meaner, making it an ideal street racing machine.

Chevrolet launched the Camaro in 1966, two years after the Mustang. Since then, there has been a wide array of iconic Camaro models, including the Z/28 and ZL1. Nowadays, the Camaro is available in multiple trims, with the most potent variant being the Camaro ZL1, which uses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. While this would make a great street racer, its $72,100 starting price makes it an option only for wealthier enthusiasts.

Fortunately, older Camaros like the fifth-generation SS make excellent street racing alternatives. This Camaro SS had two engine options: the L99 and the more powerful LS3. The LS3 6.2-liter V8 engine produced 426 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, and it paired with a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission. This version of the Camaro had a performance suspension package, Brembo four-piston calipers, and launch control, making it an ideal street racing muscle car.

Chevrolet introduced the SS in 2014 as its first V8, rear-wheel drive performance sedan since 1996. This SS sedan complemented the revamped Camaro and all-new Corvette Stingray, broadening Chevrolet's performance lineup. The LS3 6.2-liter V8 engine sat under the hood, producing 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted TAPshift paddles. With this combination, the Chevrolet SS was one of the quickest sedans, dashing from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.0 seconds.

In addition, Chevrolet fitted the SS with a sport-tuned chassis, electronic power steering system, multi-link independent rear, and MacPherson strut front suspension geometry, forged aluminum wheels, and standard Brembo front brakes. Chevrolet also optimized the SS with a low center of gravity and a nearly 50/50 weight distribution.

Fortunately, the Chevrolet SS has plenty of bolt-on modifications to help it get more power. They include headers, a cold air intake, a tune, and a ported intake. In addition, fitting a supercharger can help increase the output, making the SS a great street racing machine. While the 2014 variants have higher prices on the used market, the 91/100 J.D. Power driving experience rating talks much about this Chevrolet's capabilities.

Dodge introduced the Charger in 1964 based on the Coronet, a midsize car. While the first Charger variants were coupes, the modern versions are available only as sedans. Over the years, there have been eight Charger generations, with the sixth and seventh generations offering great street racing alternatives.

When Dodge reintroduced the Charger in 2006 for its sixth generation, it boasted 21st-century functionality and performance. The base Charger had a high-output V6 engine, producing 250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. However, Dodge still offered the legendary Hemi V8 engines, producing 340 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque in the R/T and 425 horsepower in the SRT8. The seventh-gen Charger, introduced in 2011, offered more performance from its engine lineup, upping the base performance to 292 horsepower and the Hemi's performance to 370 horsepower.

Dodge also produced powerful Charger models, including the modern SRT Redeye Jailbreak, boasting 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8. Most V8-powered Chargers are great street racing options, thanks to their competent engines, rear-wheel drive layout, and many bolt-on modifications. Furthermore, the Charger is also a darling in the film industry, appearing in movies like Fast Five.

The Civic lineup offers great street racing candidates like the Si and Type R. The Si is one of the most budget-friendly options, especially when considering buying a used one. The eighth-generation model, in production from 2006 to 2011, was one of the best thanks to the use of the K20 engine. This Civic Si boasted a 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder engine, producing 197 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and 139 lb-ft of torque at 6,200 rpm. The engine went with a quick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, sending power to the front wheels.

Honda also fitted the Si with a helical-type limited-slip differential, giving it sports car handling. The K20 is still one of Honda's most reliable engines, and despite being almost two decades old, it has plenty of bolt-on modifications like an intake manifold, performance exhaust, cold air intake, and a tune. These mods can enable the K20 to surpass the performance of the modern Honda Civic Si, which boasts a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque.

Mazda introduced the MX-5 Miata in 1989 at the Chicago Motor Show. This iconic roadster has been around for over three decades, leading Mazda to create four impressive generations: NA, NB, NC, and ND. Since its inception, the MX-5 Miata used a four-cylinder engine with varying displacements.

The current generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, the ND, boasts the most powerful engine in the lineup, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 hp and 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Mazda also increased the redline from 6,800 to 7,000 rpm and fitted a new exhaust system and dual mass flywheel, making the Miata more responsive and quicker.

Nowadays, Mazda offers two MX-5 Miata variants: the base soft top with a $28,985 starting price and the RF hardtop with a $37,010 starting price. While these make great street racers thanks to their enhanced engine and 50/50 weight distribution, the older generations are available at a bargain, with some NC variants selling for under $8,000, according to J.D. Power.

Mitsubishi produced the Eclipse from 1990 to 2012, offering enthusiasts a sports coupe and convertible with heart-pumping mechanics and eye-catching style. There were four generations of the Eclipse, with the last being in production from 2005. This generation boasted more power from its two main trims: the GS and GT. As standard, the Eclipse GS used a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 160 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.

On the other hand, the Eclipse GT boasted a larger 3.8-liter V6 engine with 259 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This helped the Eclipse GT surpass the Mustang V6 and Acura RSX power. The more potent variant, the GT, had two transmission options: a five-speed automatic with Sportronic mode and a new six-speed manual. In addition, Mitsubishi fitted the Eclipse with a four-wheel independent suspension, providing exceptional ride quality, stability, and agile handling.

Nowadays, both the GS and GT models have plenty of bolt-on modifications, including turbochargers, an upgraded clutch for the manual, an engine tune, aftermarket exhaust systems, and cold air intakes. With an average used price of $6,100 to $10,351 for the 2012 models, the Eclipse is a viable street racer with the correct modifications.

Subaru introduced the Impreza in 1992, offering enthusiasts viable street racing candidates like the WRX and WRX STI. Ever since, there have been six generations of the Impreza, some offering more power and technology than their predecessors. Since its introduction in 1992, the Subaru WRX gained a great fan base thanks to its rally-inspired technology and dominance in motorsports. It played a pivotal role for Subaru, making it the first Japanese automaker to win three consecutive manufacturer championships.

The modern Impreza WRX boasts a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. While that makes it a great street racing alternative, it comes with a steep starting price of $32,735. Fortunately, some capable Impreza WRX models don't command such a premium, a great example being the 2006 Impreza WRX. This second-generation model boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine, producing 230 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque.

While it's almost two decades old, this Impreza WRX has impressive performance hardware, including a well-tuned suspension, all-wheel drive, limited-slip rear differential, and a functional hood scoop. In addition, the EJ20 engine can support a variety of bolt-on modifications, like a retuned ECU, a larger turbo, fuel injectors, and an intercooler, enabling it to produce over 400 horsepower.