Question: What "boring" car looks best as a race car?

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2) 03/09/2020 at 13:00 • Filed to: question, Race car

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This past week, I noticed an unreasonable amount of Altima coupes prowling the streets. I thought of this post, which reminded me of a conversation I had with Stef about them.

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More specifically, that they were raced in a manufacturer-backed series.

I, however, think the Accord Coupe of about that era looked way better as a race car. Actually, I just think they look good in all forms.

Even the humble Chevy Cruze looked much better in racing livery (and were apparently decently successful).

So let me ask you, did your daily driver participate in a manufacturer backed racing series? And did it look good?

For Sweden > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 13:03

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RallyWrench > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 13:08

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I t did and it did... Probably not what you had in mind ;)

And

PartyPooper2012 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 13:16

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Is it... Camry?

It’s Camry

InFierority Complex > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 13:22

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IMSA Fieros are best Fieros?

Not sure this last one really counts but I’m including it anyways

:P

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 13:36

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Because either Kinja or my work’s firewall hates me, just look up Dodge Stratus Touring Car.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 13:42

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Dodge avenger IROC is always high on this list.

Also, the old chevrolet monza looked in proper form in the IMSA series

The Audi 200 went from looking like a filing cabinet to looking like an assassin on the race course. And it put up the numbers in the trans-am series to prove it.

Takuro Spirit > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 13:42

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Dodge Stratus Super Touring Car, of all things.

I used to have some pics of some late 90's Camry race cars from back when I had one, if we’re talking daily drivers.. because no one races KL Cherokees.

HammerheadFistpunch > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 13:43

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Monica...duh

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > InFierority Complex 03/09/2020 at 13:58

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Holy shit I need it!!!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 14:06

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Even the humble Chevy Cruze looked much better in racing livery (and were apparently decently successful).

FTFY.

The Cruze was quite good in Touring Car racing. It was the ride of the WTCC drivers champion in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. It took home the manufacturers trophy in 2010, 2011, and 2012, and the independent troph y in 2013.

In 2010 Jason Plato won the BTCC Drivers Championship in a Cruze (but not the Manufacturers title for Chevy).

It won the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship in 2011, and the TC 2000 (Argenti nian Touring Cars) in 2016.

I’d call 7 world titles a decent run.  It also happens to be my DD.  

i86hotdogs > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 14:08

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Shift24 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 14:08

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It was a boring car because of the smog era but in race trim, im not sure there is a better looking coupe.

I mean look at that wing

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 14:17

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Prius Super GT.

Yes, it is a hybrid. Even uses a standard Prius charge and motor controller (with some software tweaks) ... Now it does use a bigger battery for higher current delivery, and lets not discus the 3.4l NA V8... Wait, actually, on second thought lets discuss that...

It got a new wing and a PHV option for the 2019 season...

boredalways > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 14:47

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VW Jetta TDI Cup

0pihl > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 15:45

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The Volvo 850 wagon raced by T om Walkin sha w

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > InFierority Complex 03/09/2020 at 15:48

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I can see you have given this quite a bit of thought, and I appreciate your successful navigation of the crucible that is uploading images to Kinja. Good show, old sport!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RallyWrench 03/09/2020 at 15:49

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That seems to be the only track + offroad car so far, and it looks great in that livery. The hardbodies were good looking trucks, too.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Takuro Spirit 03/09/2020 at 15:50

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You are not the only one to suggest this. Somehow the “lean and athletic jellybean” look really suits it.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > PartyPooper2012 03/09/2020 at 15:51

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Best pacecar? It’s a pacecar, and probably the best looking Camry at least.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 03/09/2020 at 15:51

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That’s no Prius! That’s a spacestation. . . errr. . . V8 racecar with a big duracell underneath!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > For Sweden 03/09/2020 at 15:52

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And the award for most understated race car goes to. . .

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 03/09/2020 at 15:52

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You are not the only one to suggest this. . .

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Snuze: Needs another Swede 03/09/2020 at 15:54

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I didn’t realize it took so many titles, since I only read about it in passing.

I imagine the aerodynamics and weight was pretty good for early 2010s, but what engine did it use? 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Shift24 03/09/2020 at 15:54

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longboi coupe is best coupe

ClassicDatsunDebate > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 15:55

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“Boring”

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > i86hotdogs 03/09/2020 at 15:55

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I never quite understood why anyone would import enough ram brand vans to go on the lam as a ram brand van man. . .

But what is the appeal in them?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > boredalways 03/09/2020 at 15:56

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That had to be some intense close racing!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ClassicDatsunDebate 03/09/2020 at 15:57

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Not boring anymore. That is a good looking livery on a good looking car (except in silver).

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > 0pihl 03/09/2020 at 15:58

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Pretty much the definition of a boring race car

i86hotdogs > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 15:59

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not sure, but i am not complaining

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 16:07

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I think what you’ve proven here today is that all cars look better as race cars. 

RallyWrench > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 16:07

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Fun to drive, too. Mine has already been painted roughly that shade of blue with a roller and looks terrible , so I’m going to rattlecan it in this livery.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 16:20

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Depends on the year and series. I think the WTCC 2010 and the STCC cars used a 2.0L normally aspirated engine. The rest used a 1.6L turbo engine .

I don’t know a lot about the 2.0L engine, but the 1.6L was an option in Europe and other markets, but not the US . Interesting, the 1.6L is a Family 1 engine, which means it’s more closely related to the 1.8L n/a engine offered in the US, and not the 1.4L turbo we got here, which is a Family 0 engine. (1st gen Cruze gas engines are all Opel engines and Opel arranged it’s engines by   “Family”)

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 16:36

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How about one that doesn’t resemble it’s donor car at all?

Nissan Leaf -> NISMO RC.

Heaven forbid they actually sell something like that as an affordable sport coupe , be it BEV or PHEV.

How cool would that be as a new SX-series with a PHEV AWD torque-vectoring drivetrain, with drive modes that vary between an all-electric commuter, to a long-range cruise-recharge capable road trip car, to a combined-burst-output 400+ tq AWD apex-assassinating ninja of a Sport/GT 3-door coupe.

ClassicDatsunDebate > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 16:49

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Yup, I had a ‘15 TLX in Graphite. Had a TL before that. If they would have upgraded the interior, I would be driving the sedan instead of the RDX :(

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 03/09/2020 at 16:52

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Exactly. Show me a car that looks significantly worse as a race car.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Snuze: Needs another Swede 03/09/2020 at 16:54

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So what you are saying is that my Cruze is about - .2 liters and a turbo away from successful racing. . .

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RallyWrench 03/09/2020 at 16:56

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You have literally nothing to lose! Just the red/white/blue or would you recreate the words and sponsors?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 17:03

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And a lot of chassis work, roll cage, wide body kit with wider wheels/tires, etc. And even then it would only be competitive in a series ~10 years ago, or possibly in Argentina.

All that said, I don’t know that I’ve seen a properly hotted up Cruze ever (though I admit I haven’t looked too hard).

I’ve actually kicked around the idea of finding a Gen II Cruze that uses the more robust SGE (Small Gasoline Engine) and trying to swap in the 1.5 SGE from a Malibu or something, and then tuning that one up, should get into the low-mid 200 HP range without much trouble.

RallyWrench > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 17:12

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I’d like to recreate some of the sponsors, perhaps in a jokey LeMons kind of way.  There are a few versions of this scheme from desert and roadrace trucks. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 17:16

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Old school touring car is a great place to find cars that make you go “I never thought that could be cool”

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > boredalways 03/09/2020 at 17:17

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I looking into buying a Cup TDI once but I just couldn’t afford it at the time. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 17:17

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I think it’s just the novelty of a big V8 thing you can buy for pennies. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Shift24 03/09/2020 at 17:18

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This wins! 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Snuze: Needs another Swede 03/09/2020 at 17:24

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A heavily modded Cruze pretty much doesn’t exist, even in internet searches, so you could surely catch someone off guard with a bigger turbo 4.The second gen sedan is just frumpy looking, so I hope you mean a hatch, which deserved a genuine performance variant.

There is a Cruze for sale near me with the single worst taillights ever though.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > RallyWrench 03/09/2020 at 17:26

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At least the “Genuine Nissan. . .” letters would give it some context. I hope this comes to fruition.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 03/09/2020 at 17:28

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It’s weird that the Stratus and the Camry didn’t use their two door variants. I attempted to find an image and turned up this?

https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a29365/toyota-camry-nascar-rwd-v8/

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 17:29

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There was a 2 door stratus? 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 03/09/2020 at 17:31

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But it is like specifically Ram shorties of the curved rear window era?

“Chevy Astro vans,” Takahiro said, “are really popular here. But it’s a V-6. Ford Econolines and some other U.S. vans have a V-8, but the body and wheelbase are too big for Japan—the short Dodge is just small enough.”

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a23110414/japanese-dodge-van-racing-dajiban/

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 17:35

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Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of body kit Cruzes, but I don’t think anyone has gone all out on a performance build.

I agree that the hatch needed a performance variant. I’d love to see a Gen I performance car, but I don’t think the little LUV 1.4 would hold much power. The SGE is allegedly stronger. Also, it’s DI, not sure what kind of fuel system changes you would need to do to a Gen I to put an SGE in it. But in a Gen II the 1.5 should drop in.

Another thing to consider is the Buick Verano is based on the same Delta II as the Gen I Cruze, and you could get the 2.0L Turbo LHU engine, which is a Gen II Ecotec with Direct Injection. So in theory the 2.0T should fit, and the “blueprint” is there regarding fuel and wiring.

Alternatively, the Gen II Cruze is based on the D2XX platform which also underpins the GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox, so in theory the Ecotec LTG 2.0T would fit in a Gen II.  It’s already got a direct injection engine, though I’m not sure what the differences are (i.e. fuel pump and fuel flow rates, etc.). 

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 17:35

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Looking for me?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 03/09/2020 at 17:35

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I’ve only ever seen like two of them, but they existed. There is even a manual one for sale near me. The coupe actually rode on a different platform, though I think they were better looking .

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 17:39

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You rang?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 17:42

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II did forget about those, but those are newer I think I’m the 90s the closest thing to a 2 door stratus was the avenger

Which is funny because that means that the two-door Stratus replaced  the avenger and then the four-door avenger replace the Stratus

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 03/09/2020 at 17:43

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If only the production car had that kind of visibility. But yeah, more like Toyota made Volvo build a Derpra with absolute track safety in mind.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 03/09/2020 at 17:45

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Yeah, weird the way that works. But those are probably   still more common than these

404 - User No Longer Available > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/09/2020 at 22:23

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TIL the Elantra Coupe looks like a squashed G6 coupe.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 03/10/2020 at 09:00

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I had no idea the Avenger race car was a thing!  I always liked that car.