15 Popular Cars For Street Racing

The street racing world thrives on the thrill of pushing the car and the driver to their limits. In this adrenaline-pumping world, enthusiasts get a chance to feel the mechanical symphony of the vehicle and unlock its hidden potential. They also get a sense of camaraderie built around a shared passion for meticulous customization and speed.

These street racing cars aren't your average rides; they are legends loved for their power, speed, and thrill of street racing. They range from American muscle monsters like the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro to legendary Japanese icons like the Subaru Impreza WRX, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Mitsubishi 3000GT.

These cars are widely known for their performance capabilities and boast a strong presence in movies, car enthusiast circles, and video games. They also enjoy active aftermarket support, making them easier to modify for more performance.

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.

The E90 BMW 3 Series was the fifth-generation model offering buyers a range of impressive and innovative engine and chassis improvements. On its debut, the E90 3 Series had four new engines: one diesel and three gasoline-powered units. These engines boasted a significant increase in economy, refinement, and performance. The 335i sat at the top of the lineup, boasting a twin-turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-6 engine with 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque. This was the N54 engine, which boasted different stroke and bore dimensions and an aluminum block.

Unlike the other 3 Series engines, the N54 had special turbo-related cooling features and high-pressure direct fuel injection, earning it delirious praise among enthusiasts. BMW paired this engine with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, helping the 335i scurry from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds with the automatic and 5.4 seconds with the manual transmission. According to J.D. Power, these variants had excellent ratings of over 80/100, making the 3 Series lineup a reliable option for enthusiasts.

The E90 335i variants are available at reasonable prices, with low mileage variants selling for around $8,000 to $11,000 on Edmunds. This makes the 335i a great street racing alternative on a budget. In addition, the N54 is another easily customizable engine, with enthusiasts getting over 500 horsepower with bolt-on upgrades like a tune, dual cone intakes, a chargepipe, downpipes, and a competition intercooler.

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.

The Corvette has been around for eight generations since its debut in 1953. For six decades, the Corvette was a front-engine sports car boasting an array of V8 engines as standard. However, Chevrolet revamped the Corvette for its eighth generation, making it the first production mid-engine Corvette. The C8 Corvette has three main flavors: Stingray, Z06, and E-Ray.

Fortunately, all trims are worthy street racers, with the Stingray boasting a naturally aspirated LT2 V8 with 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This helps it sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, run the quarter mile in 11.2 seconds, and reach a 194-mph top speed. If the C8's starting price of $68,300 is a bit steep, there are great alternatives, like the C5 Corvette with a 5.7-liter V8 boasting 345 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque or the C6 with its LS3 6.2-liter V8 engine with 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque.

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.

The Challenger SRT Demon 170 is one of the best street racing muscle cars money can buy. It boasts a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque. These performance figures make the SRT Demon 170 the quickest production vehicle from Dodge since it can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.66 seconds and run the quarter mile in 8.91 seconds.

Unfortunately, Dodge only made 3,300 units with a starting MSRP of $96,666. While that's the best performance you can expect from a Challenger, there are plenty of Hemi V8-powered models to consider for street racing. Take the example of the 2009 Challenger SRT8. This muscle car had a mighty 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine producing 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque.

The engine worked in tandem with a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic, sending power to the rear wheels. Despite being 15 years old, this muscle car had a limited-slip differential, a uniquely tuned electronic stability program, and SRT-tuned suspension and sway bars.

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.

Since Ford launched the Mustang in 1964, it has been one of the coolest muscle cars, competing with the Camaro and Challenger. Since its launch, Ford has produced seven Mustang generations, with the latest generation starting production in 2024. For the 2024 model year, the Ford Mustang has three main trims: EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse. While the base retains the brand's EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, it produces a respectable 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.

However, for street racing, the V8-powered Mustangs provide more grunt than the V6 versions of the past or the modern four-cylinder variants. While the modern GT produces 486 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque, the top trim Dark Horse boasts 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque.

Unfortunately, these models might be pricy for some enthusiasts looking to get into street racing, making the older V8 Mustangs seem more appealing. One such model is the S197, the fifth-generation Mustang. The GT variant had a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 300 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. However, with a few bolt-on modifications and a supercharger, it's possible to bring it up to par with the modern Coyote, producing over 500 horsepower.

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.

Lexus announced the IS sedan in 1999, marking a defining moment in the sports luxury sedan segment. The IS was a front-engine sedan with a rear-wheel-drive system that promised better dynamism. This was thanks to the chief engineer Nobuaki Katayama, the creator of the Toyota AE86, Toyota's front engine rear wheel drive classic. The IS 300 was the best version in the lineup, boasting a naturally aspirated version of the 2JZ-GTE engine in the A80 Supra.

The 3.0 liter inline-six 2JZ-GE engine produced 215 horsepower and 218 lb-ft of torque, helping the Lexus IS 300 compete with the BMW 3 Series. Lexus paired the engine with a five-speed automatic or manual transmission. In addition, the IS 300 had plenty of performance components, including a double-wishbone front and rear suspension, full-range traction control, and four-wheel disc antilock brakes.

While Lexus offers a more modern and powerful IS 300, its $41,235 starting price is steep compared to the first gen's used price range of $7,000 to $12,000. In addition, the 2JZ-GE engine can handle bolt-on modifications like an intake, ECU tune, cat-back exhaust, and even forced induction, which can help surpass the performance of the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the third-gen IS 300.

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's 3000 GT was a front-engine sports car in production from 1990 to 2000. Despite being overshadowed by iconic sports cars like the Skyline GT-R, RX-7, and Supra, the 3000 GT was still a great alternative at the time. As standard, Mitsubishi fitted the 3000 GT with a 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 222 horsepower and 201 lb-ft of torque.

In addition, Mitsubishi offered the VR-4, the most powerful variant in the lineup, boasting a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 300 horsepower and 307 lb-ft of torque. This engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission, sending power to the full-time four-wheel drive system. The 3000 GT VR-4 also had a healthy dose of innovative gadgetry, most commonly found on modern sports cars. These included active front and rear wings, four-wheel steering, and an active exhaust system.

While the 3000 GT VR-4 has enough performance and gadgetry for street racing, there are aftermarket modifications that can help up the performance to over 500 horsepower. These include changing the fuel injectors, adding bigger turbos, tuning the ECU, and upgrading the clutch.

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.

Pontiac introduced the Solstice GXP in 2007, featuring a General Motors Ecotec LNF engine. This turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine helped the Solstice GXP produce 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, 47% more power than the base Solstice. At the time, this was the most powerful production Ecotec engine.

Pontiac paired the LNF engine with two transmission options: a short-throw Aisin five-speed manual and a five-speed automatic transmission. In addition to its powertrain, the Solstice GXP had a near 50/50 weight distribution and a rear-wheel drive layout, making it a worthy rival to the Mazda MX-5 Miata and giving it a balanced feel and handling. Pontiac also fitted the Solstice GXP with an array of driver-focused features, including four-wheel independent suspension, StabiliTrak electronic control system, four-wheel disc brakes, and rack and pinion steering.

Thanks to a GM engine and Kappa platform, the Solstice GXP has plenty of aftermarket support, making it a great street racer. Interestingly, the Solstice GXP is popular in racing games like DiRT 2, Need For Speed: ProStreet, Forza Motorsport 4, and Need For Speed: Undercover.

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.