6 Sleeper Cars that will truly wake you up.
2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG
6.2-liter, V8, 507 horsepower… but is it a mini van or an SUV?
It doesn’t matter because while people are trying to figure that out you’ll be pushing 60 mph in 4.6 motherfunkin seconds.
In a Minivan.
2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG
6.2-liter, V8, 507 horsepower… but is it a mini van or an SUV?
It doesn’t matter because while people are trying to figure that out you’ll be pushing 60 mph in 4.6 motherfunkin seconds.
In a Minivan.
Wait. Or is that an SU… where did it go?
I’m looking at 100,000 mile examples at around ten grand, but it’s always worth remembering that you’ll be paying eighty grand car maintenance on it… which is fine if you know a guy. Not so much if you don’t.
How to roll:
Doesn’t matter, it’s a minivan! For best effect though slap on some “Baby On Board” stickers, rub your eyes until they are red and tired looking and go as Mom or Pop as you can.
Chevrolet Cobalt SS
This is not a great car. Not at all. It has no style and doesn’t do corners… But it’s saving grace is it’s cheap and the 2008 version rocked 260hp. That’s the one you want for picking off boy racers with fart can exhausts.
How to roll:
As is. No one will look twice.
Kia K900
It’s a Kia. It’s a Kia boring looking sedan that rocks a 5.0-liter V8 handing out 420 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque.
Did I mention it’s a Kia?
Well, there also lies the downside. It’s only been available since 2015 so $30,000+ is a high price to pay for a sleeper. I’ve been fortunate enough to drive one for an afternoon, and although it is a lot of fun and really does move in a straight line, that is it’s only upside. It’s a perfectly nice Kia sedan but at the end of the day that’s exactly what it is. For the same money you can cross shop some really cool cars - maybe not quite with that horsepower but enough to make life interesting and with the addition of better interior and handling. The question is:
How much do you like having a sleeper Kia?
The good news is that this car that will start showing up in sleeper lists in four or five years time once the higher mileage used car market starts to claim them - and even more so when they reach third owner status. At that point these will be genuine value sleepers.
How to roll:
Drive like suburban dad right up until the point you want to leave someone saying:
“Was that a fu**ing KIA?!?”
Dodge Magnum
Of course. A fast station wagon is the perfect sleeper. America has given up on the wagon so you’ll have to hunt one down, but if you can get one the R/T will get you a very respectable 350hp and an SRT8 will get you a more than respectable 450hp of fast moving station wagon.
The downside is SRT8’s are holding their value. R/T’s though, I was just looking at them in my area for around $10,000 for hundred thousand mile examples. With patience a good one for the right money looks achievable.
How to roll:
Debadge, never clean the outside and put on a button down shirt with a tie, slap on a “My Child Is An Honor Role Student” bumper sticker and go make a bunch of people look silly from the stop light.
Mercedes-Benz S600
My word that’s a expensive but boring looking car… that packs a 5.5 liter, twin-turbo V12 making around 500 horsepower and around 600 glorious pound-feet of torque.
Problem is… it’s going to cost you in every way. From buying price (including used) to maintenance to fuel economy (11 boring driver miles per gallon in the city). This is without a doubt the rich persons sleeper - peasants like me need not apply.
How to roll:
Dye your hair grey and put a “Retired And Spending The Kids Inheritance” on the rear bumper before wasting chumps anywhere they may roll.
Ford Flex EcoBoost
Let’s be clear. I despise this vehicle. It’s the sort of thing people that want a minivan that doesn’t look like a minivan buy. It’s disgusting. It’s the antithesis of everything I want from a vehicle.
Except for one thing. The option of a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque along with all-wheel drive.
If you really want to go for it this engine is in other Fords so no doubt there will be ECU tuning to get whatever Ford left on the table…
If this list had any sort of order, this would actually be top three. I seriously wish I could have talked my wife into one but she lives by the creed “Death Before Minivan” and saw it for exactly what it is.
How to roll:
Doesn’t matter. It’s a Ford Flex. No one will take it seriously if you wrote the horsepower down the side in neon paint.
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Comments
Wow! Perfect list!
Thank you. None you would add?
I was in a Ford Flex with the 3.5 EcoBoost in California a while back, MAN that thing was fast.
Shocked me how quick it was.
It’s a bit silly isn’t it?
That 4WD helps it get away as well.
There are a few french cars that i want to add
Oh, like what?
Matt Robinson I know you like a good list…
I do like a good list. Not as much as RSS feeds, apparently, but yeah :p
Only other car I’d add is the is300 (Because 2jz)
I have W140, and yes, it still run faster than some new cars in my country. It’s an old car, but it’s so goddamn good.
FINALLY my car gets the respect it deserves, although mine is a four door it still rocks a 2.0L 260HP 260tq turbo power house WITH an LSD :D Only thing I would add would be a picture of an SS trim level and not an LS or LT trim :) Note the brembo’s peeking behind the front wheels on mine ;)
What about the 760li(f01/f02).
550hp, 750Nm torque
0-60 in 4.5 secs
It’s hardly a sleeper. It’s a BMW. A big BMW with quad exhausts poking out the back.
Same reason the CTS-V isn’t in there.
Great list, I would get the K900, looks much better than any other on the list.
Fair enough