35 Affordable Turbos Drivers Overlook Far Too Often

Cameron Eittreim June 25, 2020

7: Neon SRT-4

Perhaps one of the most unique cars to come out of the last decade, the Neon SRT-4 was a radical departure from the standard economy car. The most capable turbo-powered car in this price range, the SRT-4 was a real treat. For its stripped-down price, the car was lacking a lot of features such as power windows in the rear.

But aside from that, the Neon SRT-4 is perhaps one of the best turbos created in the last few decades. At the price point, the Neon SRT-4 is a steal no matter which way you look at it. The car has a lot of features and power that more expensive models don’t come close to. The SRT-4 is one of the most underrated and iconic turbos to hit the road.

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6: Ford Mustang SVO

The Ford Mustang is most commonly associated with a powerful V8 engine. However, during the ’80s, there was another unique option. Ford was experimenting with various turbo-powered options during this period and the Mustang was at the forefront. With the lightweight design of the Mustang, there was no reason why the company wouldn’t try a smaller engine. GM did it with the Camaro “Iron Duke,” but Ford wanted to do it differently.

The blue oval wanted a car that was both exciting to drive and gas efficient. The Mustang fit the bill with the lightweight rear-wheel-drive platform that was carried on into the 1990s. While the SVO had some reliability problems, the car was for the most part a great choice. There was a good deal of factory options that made the car a great choice for fans of turbos.

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5: Datsun 280ZX Turbo

There’s no denying the significance that the 280ZX has in the sports car market. The 280ZX had gotten quite bulky by this point in time. That was a drawback for many aspects of the car, but Nissan innovated with the addition of the turbo. The turbo-powered 280ZX is still an affordable option if you can find one in good condition.

The car was simplistic to work on and it had a great deal of factory performance options. Most drivers were pleased with the factory setup that the 280ZX came with. But there are also tons of aftermarket upgrades you can purchase for the legendary Z. This is why this body style is one of the most popular options in terms of turbos on the road.

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4: Volvo V70 Turbo “The Brick”

There are many different affordable options drivers can get in terms of turbos. There is one, however, that’s even more unique than the rest, and that’s the V70. Known in the enthusiast community as “The Brick”, the V70 has a lot of good options for tuners looking for cheap thrills. To start things off, the wagon has seven-passenger seating, which is almost unheard of in most circles.

Then you also have a luxurious interior, which Volvo is famous for. Volvo cars are among the safest vehicles on the road. Getting one with a turbo is a real thrill, especially if you love how Swedish cars drive. Volvo has produced quite a few stellar turbo s. The V70 is one of the more iconic models and the wagon has quite a loyal following.

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3: PT Cruiser Turbo

The PT Cruiser was one of the most popular cars for the new millennium. The retro-themed style was part of a plan by Chrysler to reinvigorate the Plymouth brand name. Of course, this never happened and the PT Cruiser ended up being sold as a Chrysler model. The PT Cruiser Turbo was a fun little car. The setup was almost identical to that of the Neon SRT-4.

In typical Chrysler fashion, a good deal of the parts on the PT Cruiser were borrowed from other models. The PT Cruiser broke a lot of barriers for Chrysler in the new decade. There have been many cars that have come and gone after the PT Cruiser such as the Chevy HHR. The PT managed to carve a niche out for itself in an already crowded marketplace.

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2: Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo

The Volkswagen New Beetle was one of the most influential new cars in the last couple of decades. But as the years waned on there were quite a few other “halo” cars that stole the spotlight. Fortunately, there is a bright spot in the history of the New Beetle, and that was the Turbo version. The Turbo offered a powerful German driving experience with the same motor that you’d find in a Jetta or a Passat.

The Beetle had a short wheelbase the drive was much more intuitive. Although the Turbo version had a lot of reliability issues overall, the car was a blast to drive. That made it a great choice for anyone who wanted a turbo-powered tuner on a budget. The turbo version was also released in a convertible.

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1: Volvo C70 T5 Turbo

Another interesting car that has been under the radar for the last decade is the Volvo C70. This rather sedate looking convertible was one of the best selling cars in the Volvo lineup. But aside from a calming demeanor, there was a performance version of the car as well. The C70 T5 was a turbocharged variant of the already excellent wagon. The interior of the C70 was only one of the radically different features.

The turbocharged engine is at the heart of every special-edition Volvo. The Volvo lineup has not often been associated with performance. But when you merge Swedish engineering with a turbocharger, you get a pleasant combination. Volvo has long been associated with an upscale driving experience, and the C70 is true to that.

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