10 Best Cars To Modify

Tuner cars are typically thought to be highly modified street cars, and usually JDM – the sort of stuff that might crop up in any of the Fast & Furious films. However, tuner cars have a much broader appeal. They are simply cars that are loved by owners and enthusiasts, and have been modified from standard. So, that opens up the category to include classic cars, muscle cars, trucks, and everything else in between. Truthfully, anything can be a tuner car.

Some models take to tuning better than others though, and it’s those best cars to modify that we’ve decided to shine a spotlight on here. Whether tuners love them for their ability to churn out hundreds of horsepower, or simply because they look cool, these models are some of the favorites when it comes to modifying.

CarBuzz has sourced all specifications and statistics directly from each model’s respective manufacturer’s main website. If any other authoritative sources have been used, they will be listed separately at the foot of the article.

1 1932 Ford “Deuce” Coupe

For decades now, the iconic 1932 Ford Coupe, affectionately known as the Deuce Coupe, has been one of the best cars to mod. This ’30s coupe doesn’t lend itself well to becoming a track car or high-speed performance toy, but instead it’s the archetypal hotrod. The reason being is simple; they’re light, the engineering behind them is simple, they look seriously cool (especially with chopped tops and modified fenders) and arguably most importantly, it’s pretty easy to strap a huge V8 into them.

When it comes to building your own hotrod from the ground up, there is arguably no better starting point than a classic ’32 Ford Coupe. Parts are still fairly plentiful, but the beauty of building a hotrod is that you can incorporate parts from other makes and models without detracting from the overall appeal.

2 First-Generation Chevrolet C10 Pickup Truck

Everyone loves a pickup truck, especially a cool chrome-clad Chevy from the 1960s. Sure, they were designed as utilitarian workhorses, but as the years passed, tuners discovered that the original C10 truck could make for a pretty awesome project base. Slammed suspension, chassis mods, huge wheels and Corvette engine swaps are modifications regularly attributed to the iconic C10 Chevy. Due to the simplicity of the old C10, they are one of the easiest cars to modify, and a standard original one makes for a brilliant blank canvas.

3 1967 – 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback

Truth be told, any era of Ford Mustang is beloved by those who modify cars, but, if we had to pick one, it would be the iconic Fastback model from ’67/68. The aggressive stance, sweeping lines and rumbling V8 soundtrack makes for a striking car, even in stock form. Add some tasteful mods in, though, and this classic Fastback becomes one of the coolest cars around.

It’s no wonder that the old Mustang is such a popular base for restomods, as with a modern engine, custom interior and uprated underpinnings, it becomes a seriously capable machine. The versatility of a Mustang is also part of the appeal – it’s just as easy to build a cool cruiser as it is to build a high-performance track toy.

4 NA-Generation Mazda MX-5 Miata

Not every tuner has a bottomless bank account and blank checkbook, so finding the best cheap cars to modify is important. While good examples of the first-gen Mazda MX-5 Miata are creeping up in price, they are still plentiful and fairly affordable, which makes them a brilliant starting point.

Out of the box, early Miatas handle great and are a blast to drive, so, with a few simple performance mods, they become even more rewarding. Whereas many cars usually attract big power builds, the Miata is perhaps best enhanced by first focusing on chassis and handling mods, to create a truly focused driver’s car. That being said, the standard inline-four is easily turbo or supercharged, which helps no end in making this little Mazda even more exciting.

5 Audi S2 Coupe

The Audi S2 has always lived in the shadow of it’s bigger brother, the iconic Quattro of the ’80s – but that doesn’t mean it’s not a fantastic choice for tuners. It’s actually quite difficult to find an example that’s never been modified. The inline-five engine sounds awesome with a free-flowing exhaust system, and with modifications such as a bigger turbo, larger capacity injectors, a cold-air intake and larger intercooler, the output available can easily soar by hundreds of horsepower.

Furthermore, the S2 comes from an era when German cars were famously over-engineered, so this means it can take the extra power and still perform relatively reliably. What more could you want?

6 Sixth-Generation Honda Civic

When considering good cars to modify, it would be rude to exclude the Honda Civic. Specifically, the sixth-generation Honda Civic, which is when the Type R model first appeared as a JDM model. Body kits, engine swaps, suspension and brake upgrades and so much more are commonplace modifications made to this model. In fact, there is really nothing out there that hasn’t been done to a Honda Civic of this generation.

Track cars, show cars, drag cars and even low-riders – Honda’s tuning culture is active and second to none. The parts availability and price-point are what make these so attractive, especially to those just starting out in the world of modifying cars. Furthermore, the reliability of the Civic means it can handle significant upgrades without becoming overly temperamental.

7 C5-Generation Chevrolet Corvette

It’s no secret that the C5 Chevrolet Corvette is one of the best performance bargains out there at the moment. As standard, these cars kicked out 345 horsepower, or even more for later or Z06 cars. Considering that they can now be picked up for less than some of the cheapest new cars on the market right now, it’s really no wonder why they have such an active following.

Throw some money at a C5, and America’s favorite sports car soon turns into a genuine supercar challenger. It’s not uncommon to find turbo or supercharged C5 Corvettes, and they also take well to handling modifications too, which helps transform them into surprisingly capable driver’s cars.

8 R34-Generation Nissan Skyline GT-R

For anyone that’s even slightly accustomed to tuner car culture, the R34 GT-R will need absolutely no introduction. It was among the fastest cars in the world to lap the Nürburgring in the early 2000s, the model rose to fame in the Fast & Furious films, plus, anyone who has played either the Need For Speed or Gran Turismo games is likely to have very fond memories of the R34 too.

In its standard guise, the R34 GT-R kicks out 276 horsepower, which is certainly respectable. However, with bigger turbochargers, and the right supporting mods, it is possible to have these cars kicking out over 1,000 horsepower from the original inline-six. Few cars can match this capability without engine swaps, which is why the Skyline is so popular with tuners looking to develop their own big-power build.

9 E46-Generation BMW M3 Coupe

Every iteration of the M3, right from the homologated E30 through to the latest 2025 BMW M3 has long been a favorite of driving enthusiasts. Balanced handling, plenty of power, and great upgrade potential have ensured great success for the M3 of all ages. The E46 in particular, though, is favored by many BMW fans, likely due to the accessibility and versatility of the model.

Under the hood lies a silky-smooth inline-six engine, which kicks out 338 horsepower, and can be mated to either a slick SMG transmission, or a rewarding six-speed manual. While the inline-six certainly can be modified for huge power, most instead look to lighten and sharpen the E46 M3, in order to further bring out those rewarding handling characteristics.

10 JL-Generation Jeep Wrangler

Tuner cars don’t just have to be sports or classic cars, as the iconic Jeep Wrangler will prove. It’s been a favorite with those who love to steer away from standard since the day it launched, and the latest JL-generation continues this trend. The latest Jeep Wrangler is just as tunable as the earlier cars, and it’s especially capable as an off-road build, particularly when equipped with huge all-terrain tires, and specialist suspension.

Owners love to modify the looks of their Wranglers too, with custom bodywork, additional lighting, and smart interior upgrades. While, in many cases, older models have better aftermarket parts availability, the Wrangler proves that brand-new models can work just as well for tuners too.

Honorable Mentions

The above list is not exhaustive, but instead just a sample of cars that are backed by an active and engaging tuning culture. The below models are also highly susceptible to tuning, and all for varying reasons:

• First-generation Chevrolet Camaro
• Fox-Body Ford Mustang
• Datsun 240Z
• Nissan 350Z
• BMW E30 M3
• 80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser
• Mazda RX-7 FD
• Toyota GR86
• Subaru Impreza WRX STi
• Audi RS6 Avant C7

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