For many drivers, there is perhaps no better feeling than driving a “sleeper” car. These are cars with an unassuming exterior but still offer beyond exceptional performance. A sleeper car is the quintessential driver’s car that has the high performance a driver wants without all the fuss and attention. There are sleeper cars that come along with every generation. The Chevrolet Caprice of the 1990s is one such car, sharing many of its components with the Impala SS.
A sleeper car is also often excellent for the race track. Nothing is better than wiping the smile off the face of another driver who didn’t expect your car to perform like that. So we took a look at some of the most infamous sleeper cars that were ever released. These cars don’t sound like much, but they perform better than you remember. Many of the cars we looked at have become instant classics, so enjoy them in the list below.
20: Honda Civic Si
Many car fans argue the 2000 Honda Civic Si is the quintessential sleeper car. With the electric blue paint job and body add-ons, the Civic Si was a notable exception to what a sports car should be. The high-revving engine coupled with bulletproof reliability made the car a popular option. The Civic SI was an instant success for Honda thanks to its performance and design (via Cars.com).
The car was so popular that it was the most stolen car in America for a short period. The fact that the Civic Si shared many components with the Acura Integra made it stand out even more. Many of these cars have been heavily modified, but every once in a while you can find one for a good deal.