Top 10 Classic Sleeper Cars That Surprised Everyone

As a guy with a need for speed, it’s always exciting to find a low-key car that goes faster than you’d expect. Such is the case with sleeper cars, unassuming machines that look like they should be grocery-getters, but are actually high-performance beasts under the hood. Here are the 10 classic sleeper cars that will leave you in awe when they zoom past you on the highway.

1. Buick GNX

Let’s start with a classic from the late 80s, the 1987 Buick GNX. This car was initially built as a response to the horsepower wars of the era, with Buick taking a stock Regal and transforming it into a high-performance machine. One of the quickest production cars of its day, the turbocharged engine produced 276 horsepower! The GNX also featured a host of performance upgrades, including a revised suspension, larger brakes, and special tires. Today, the GNX is a highly sought-after collector’s item and a prime example of a true sleeper car.

2. Volvo 850 T-5R

Next up, we have the 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R. The 850 T-5R was a fantastic upgrade to the already impressive 1994 Volvo 850 Turbo, featuring the same powerful transverse-mounted 2.3-liter turbocharged and intercooled inline 5-cylinder engine. Volvo utilized a unique ECU that increased the engine’s boost pressure from 9.6 to 10.9 pounds, which is fantastic news! The Volvo 850 T-5R was able to produce an impressive maximum power output of 240 horsepower, which is 18 more than the standard 850 Turbo.

The FWD 850 T-5R station wagon boasts an impressive 221 pound-feet of torque and a speedy 4-speed automatic transmission. It’s even faster than the available 5-speed manual! It can go from 0-60 mph in just 6.7 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 149 mph. Wow, it’s amazing how impressive those numbers were, especially coming from a unique yellow brick-like station wagon made by Volvo!

3. Dodge Omni GLH-S

The 1986 Dodge Omni GLH-S is another classic sleeper car that will make you do a double-take. In 1986, the Shelby GLHS was among the quickest vehicles on the road. A 1986 GLHS was put to the test in the April 1986 edition of HOT ROD Magazine against a historic 1965 Shelby GT350 Mustang fastback, and the GLHS easily defeated the antique ‘Stang on the road course. The GLHS suspension was upgraded with adjustable Koni shocks and struts, stiffer springs and bars, and larger Shelby-designed Centurion wheels, along with wider high-performance 205/50VR-15 Goodyear Gatorback VR-rated tires. It’s great that there were plenty of Shelby graphics, as it’s always fun to show off your ride! The interior features a luxurious leather steering wheel and a special Shelby-serialized dash plaque. Thanks to the Dodge Omni, we can now enjoy the pleasure of modern Shelby-modded rides as it brought Mr. Shelby back into the business of building and modifying cars.

4. Ford Taurus SHO

Ford Motor Company has released several game-changing vehicles, despite having some flops in the past. The Ford Taurus is a truly iconic model! Of course, the Taurus isn’t a sports car or even a sports sedan, but this midsize-turned-full-sized car has a secured place in automotive history. The SHO version is widely regarded as the top-performing Ford Taurus model by gearheads.

The Ford Taurus SHO made its debut in 1989 and had a successful production run until 1999. Fortunately, Ford brought back the special SHO variant in 2010 and continued producing it until 2019 when all Taurus models were discontinued. Although not widely known, the Ford Taurus SHO has been around for quite some time.

5. Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 is a priceless piece of JDM history. It is a turbocharged, four-cylinder, 4WD, four-wheel steering, four-door sedan that was marketed in small quantities. The subsequent Lancer Evo may not even exist without it. Mitsubishi created their faultless AWD system for the Galant VR-4, which helped the company win no fewer than six rally championships. Driving it is also really thrilling. The VR-4 accelerates quickly off the line, turns sharply, and stops precisely. Through a central differential that recognizes wheel slippage and switches power to the axle with the highest grip, the engine produces strong horsepower that is sent to the wheels. At speeds above 31 mph, four-wheel steering kicks in, turning the rear wheels up to 1.5 degrees for the best turn angle and cornering stability. The VR-4’s bull bar, enormous halogen fog lights, roof vents, and traditional Mitsubishi racing livery are all telltale signs that this car is serious business.

6. Saab 900 SPG

Moving on to the mid-80s, we have the 1985 Saab 900 SPG. The 900 Turbo was an impressively engineered product that was ahead of its time in every way, and it’s now rightfully regarded as a classic. The SPG version of the car that came out in 1985 was a proper hot hatch, even though the standard trim of the turbocharged Triumph powered car may not have been as impressive as some other performance cars. Producing 175 horsepower back then was impressive and allowed this car to easily outpace other muscle cars. It was fun to drive because it was small and light, like a race car. Saabs are still unique, and the fact that there aren’t many of them makes them even more so. Their new ideas and unique looks really make them stand out. The 900 turbo was a great success for the company because it was able to combine a unique style with sports car-like speed.

7. Mercury Marauder

The name Mercury Marauder may not be as well known as a Firebird or Mustang, but if you see one in your rearview mirror, it will definitely catch your attention. It’s great that the modern ones resemble the Ford Crown Victoria, which is a popular police car. They share the same brake and suspension components. These Crown Victoria clones were also similar in appearance to the Lincoln Continental. The Mercury Marauder set itself apart due to its 4.6 liter V8 engine that produced 302 horsepower, while the Crown Victoria and Lincoln Continental’s 4.6 liter V8 only produced 239 horsepower. In keeping with tradition, this iteration of the Mercury Marauder can hit 0 to 60 miles per hour in the 7.5 second range.

8. Mercedes-Benz 500E

The Mercedes-Benz 500 E, with its muscular body, is a highly desirable young classic car with the iconic three-pointed star. The 500E had a wide and powerful stance that made it stand out from the other cars in the line-up. With a big, powerful V8 engine, it had the strength to match its impressive appearance. The 500E is still a strong contender today, thanks to its impressive speed and relatively lightweight build. It holds up well against modern cars, even those loaded with heavy technology.

The 5.0-liter 32-valve V8 engine borrowed from the SL roadster is a powerful machine that generates an impressive 322hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. This muscular power is available throughout the rev range in all gears, making for an exciting driving experience. The 500E has a reputation for having a bullet-proof engine build quality, with many fans and mechanics claiming that it’s not even run in until it reaches a heady six-figure mileage. It’s amazing to think that many of these cars have clocked up monster mileages without any issues.

9. Audi RS2 Avant

The 1994 Audi RS2 Avant was ahead of its time with its unique and unconventional design. It’s great that it was a sports car, even though it had a unique station wagon design instead of the more common coupe, hatchback, convertible, or sedan style. Audi’s representatives finally made their way to Porsche’s headquarters in Stuttgart, where the exciting journey of the RS2 Avant began.

The RS2 Avant station wagon has a powerful engine, a manual 6-speed transmission, and a four-wheel-drive system that works all the time. This car is very fast. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and can go as fast as 163 mph.

10. BMW M5

The E28 M5, BMW’s first foray into sports sedans, masterfully marries style and utility – a dream ride for any family. This sleeper car was a powerful machine. The M88 straight-six engine, derived from BMW’s M1 supercar, is a powerful machine with 286 horsepower and a top speed of 152 mph. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better than the Ferrari-challenging E28 M5, something even more exciting arrived!

The ‘M’ division’s attention to the E34 M5’s shifting and handling was impressive, showing that speed and power were not their only priorities. The pre-facelift 3.6-liter engine had a five-speed manual, making it easy for its driver to rev-match and heel-and-toe with precision. The 3.8 model received exciting upgrades including a six-speed transmission and an adaptive ‘M’ suspension setup with electronic damper controls. The car’s uprated braking system allowed it to stop even faster than the standard E34. Wow, that car sounds incredibly powerful and capable! It must have been a thrilling experience to drive.