What are the best Mid-performance cars?

"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe) 04/03/2015 at 09:57 • Filed to: None

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There's a certain segment that seems to be forgotten about (especially by me): The mid-level performance car, or the performance packages that actually add something.

My wife asked me recently, "What's special about a Fusion Sport?" and I didn't have an answer. I was happily surprised to find out that it was a 3.5L 263hp AWD sedan with interior and suspension tweaks.

Now, it's not the fastest midsized sedan, but it's a really good bump over the standard I4, and that got me wondering: What other cars or performance packages am I forgetting about?

So that's my question: What other mid-level performance cars or packages can you think of? (And which one is the best?)

bob and john > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 10:00

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Saab did their aero thing. Back in 2005, having a 250HP mid size...granted it was FWD, but you could get it in wagon AND manual!

CobraJoe > bob and john 04/03/2015 at 10:07

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That's a good one. I just might have to mark it down in my "Cars to consider" notebook.

DoYouEvenShift > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 10:09

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These were neat, even though fwd.

SC 3.8 or 5.3 V8

sellphones2493 > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 10:10

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Easy...

Party-vi > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 10:11

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I still think this is better than the current front end.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > bob and john 04/03/2015 at 10:12

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I had a 9000 Aero, a 1993. I seem to recall it having 225hp or so with a 5 speed and my favorite seats I've ever had in a car. Also, it had all the torque steer. When I was around, there was simply no torque steer left for anybody else.

Flat Six > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 10:16

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Is the Infiniti Q50 what you are looking for? RWD and 330 HP for $37K

CobraJoe > DoYouEvenShift 04/03/2015 at 10:16

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I'd have to drive one, I'm not sure about how a V8 FWD would feel in a modern car... But that GM v8 burble driving by always makes stop and look for which car is making the noise.

AM > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 10:19

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Lots and lots of torque steer from those GP GXPs with the 5.3.

AM > Party-vi 04/03/2015 at 10:20

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Especially with the body-coloured grille:

CobraJoe > Party-vi 04/03/2015 at 10:20

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It really was the best looking tri-bar grill that Ford made. I think I might like the Aston looks better on the new Fusion, but I would love to have that blue one up top.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 10:22

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Saturn made a Vue Redline that was lowered with stuffer suspension, aero kit, and upgraded steering system. AWD available as well. Upgraded interior with black leather/suede seats and a different shifter with a slap-shift funtion.

It shared it's 257 horsepower 3.6L V6 with the slightly lesser XR model, but that engine was crazy good and could move these along surprisingly fast.

CobraJoe > Flat Six 04/03/2015 at 10:24

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That's everything I want in my next family car, except that price... Yeesh. (Though I'm also not planning on buying my next car new, or even that soon...)

CobraJoe > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/03/2015 at 10:28

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That was a serious contender when we were looking for our small SUV, but we never got to test drive one, they were rare around here and we got a good deal on an Edge.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 10:33

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My mom had one (an XR V6 FWD) and loved it. I did too. Surprisingly fun to drive actually. And the interior was shockingly nice for something made by GM before 2012. Engine was an absolute peach as well. We'd still have it if it wasn't for the transmission issues that we just got a recall letter for yesterday . Four months after we traded it on on a 2014 Fusion, go figure.

Funktheduck > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 10:53

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Considering the understeer in th v6 I can't imagine how bad it would be with a v8

Vicente Esteve > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 11:00

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Volkswagen CC R-Line

DoYouEvenShift > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 11:10

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It is weird when you hear one of those with a catback. You look around for a Camaro, or Mustang.

These are super sleepers.

Lacrosse Super, same car basically in Buick form.

Boxer_4 > sellphones2493 04/03/2015 at 11:11

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I'd argue that the 3.0R/3.6R is the mid-level performance Legacy. The GT is definitely the high-level performance Legacy.

TheHondaBro > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 11:11

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Meanwhile, the Honda Accord Sport only adds 4 hp.

VAConundrum > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 11:32

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I looked at the AWD Fusion myself while I was car shopping — I couldn't get past how large it was and how many worthless gadgets (blind spot light, etc) it had; I preferred the previous generation's smaller size and simpler technology. That said it felt reasonably well put together and comfortable.

Cost exempted— it's impossible to beat the Charger Hellcat for "performance packages". I guess you could call that car a "mid-performance" car before that package. Otherwise, I think this has to go to Subaru for the WRX.

mazda616 > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 11:55

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Their transmissions are made of glass, basically. They rarely last over 50,000 miles. They do sound good up until then, though!

CobraJoe > DoYouEvenShift 04/03/2015 at 12:01

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Now one of those is something I should look for. I didn't know Buick made a version of the GXP or SS.

Sam > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 12:17

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I hate to say it, but the Camry V6 packs quite a punch. I mean, 268 horsepower is nothing to scoff at.

And it's only like 30 grand, too.

DoYouEvenShift > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 12:26

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Yeah, I always thought it be fun. Put an electric cutout before the stock muffler and remove the badges. Nobody would know what the hell it is.

DoYouEvenShift > mazda616 04/03/2015 at 12:27

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Agreed, the transaxle cant handle the torque. You can get a decent built trans thatll hold it though.

CobraJoe > Sam 04/03/2015 at 12:29

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I'd have to drive it to know for sure, but Toyota has rubbed me the wrong way before. I still think the '09 base Corolla is the worst car I've ever driven.

CobraJoe > DoYouEvenShift 04/03/2015 at 12:32

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I love owning the obscure but fun cars. It would be too much fun to confuse my car loving friends to why a modern Buick sounds like a Camaro.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 13:44

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0-60 in 5.7 seconds. A Challenger R/T with the 5.7 is 5.4 to 60. And the Rav4 is just as quick.

CobraJoe > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/03/2015 at 13:52

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That is pretty damn quick for a "normal" family sedan.

Though there's other reasons why it might not be for me.

And the Rav is definitely out for me.

Long Live the Longdoor > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 14:38

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Sort of along the same lines as the Fusion Sport AWD, the Legacy 3.6R:

Plenty of power and the grip to back it up with torque vectoring to boot. All-in-all, not a bad way to get around.

CobraJoe > Long Live the Longdoor 04/03/2015 at 16:44

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Well, you got me interested.

I'm adding it to the list of "Possible cars to look at purchasing once I'm ready to sell the Volvo Wagon"

Long Live the Longdoor > CobraJoe 04/03/2015 at 18:18

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Watch this, it'll give you the lowdown:

Jon-o > CobraJoe 04/04/2015 at 03:36

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I drive a fusion sport and a base engine 4cyl SEL. Can confirm not your average family sedan also an amazing deal on the used market.

The surprising part is it averages only about 22 MPG on mostly highway driving which is terrible for a family sedan. But it's so hard to not stomp on the gas all the time to feel it rev I have no desire to have fun driving the base car.

It's pretty quick especially in the snow. Doesn't even flinch so it gets my vote it's a big difference !

It's no BMW 335i but it feels more fun to drive and is nicer inside than a 320i which it's priced closer to (when new).

CobraJoe > Jon-o 04/04/2015 at 09:20

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I never would have thought to compare them to a 3 series, I thought they'd be wildly different in price and features. But some poor gas mileage is something I'd happily trade for a car that's fun to drive, and it sounds like your Sport does that for you.

Thanks for the real world experience!

Dunnik > CobraJoe 12/11/2015 at 16:37

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Biased opinion, but....3G TL. Type-S if you want a manual.

CobraJoe > Dunnik 12/11/2015 at 17:04

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I’ve ridden in them, and they’re nice... but I just can’t get myself to want one for some reason. Maybe that’d change after a test drive.

Is that yours? It looks pretty sweet.

CobraJoe > sellphones2493 01/22/2016 at 10:11

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Roughly 8 months later, that’s exactly what I ended up with.

Got some un-pimping to do, but I love the way it drives.

LJ909 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/29/2016 at 17:23

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Not many people know that the V6 in these was sourced from Honda. So this was basically a GM SUV with an engine from an Accord.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > LJ909 04/29/2016 at 18:00

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The first generation’s 3.5L V6 was Honda sourced. The second gen (this one) uses only GM engines, so this is the LY7 3.6L V6.

yellowpits > CobraJoe 07/08/2016 at 16:27

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Not the fastest or most powerful, but always at or near the top of the most fun to drive list. The 16' I just got has a killer interior as well. Oh yeah, did I mention you can still get a 6-speed manual?