Three Small Sleeper Projects

Twin-turbo LS-powered Geo Tracker. Photo via EngineSwapDepot.com

If you’re a gearhead, you no doubt know what a sleeper is. If you’re unfamiliar, a sleeper is a vehicle that may not look like much, but it’s actually a high-performance vehicle in a dowdy package. Think wolf in sheep’s clothing. Think high horsepower with hubcaps. Not all sleepers need to look super boring; they can simply be a platform that’s not generally associated with performance that is a surprising performer.

Review: 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TDI SE

By Mercedes Lilienthal

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for VWs. Maybe it was because my parents decided to move to another country for job opportunity and arrived off the boat (well, plane) in the 1960s from Germany to start a new life in the USA. Maybe it was because my Papa always loved VWs, and when they moved to the US and settled in Chicago, he got a job at a VW shop that was owned by another German. Well, quite possibly it may have been because I learned to drive in one: a manual 1979 VW Rabbit diesel my father completely restored from ground up. It smelled like McDonald’s french fries when you took off because he retrofitted it to run on a combo of diesel and veggie oil to get better MPG. It was regularly getting in the 60s for MPG, not too shabby, eh—specially for the 1980s. He was ahead of his time, and our family’s love for VWs runs deep.

Needless to say, when we were offered the 2015 Golf SportWagen TDI SE for review, I got excited. And when I found out it was one with a manual transmission, I said, “Yes please!” A rare bird indeed: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-charged diesel with a six-speed that had many bells and whistles on it. One “bell” which is a must for me: a power sun-roof. This has a BIG, expansive panoramic power sun-roof. OK, gimme the keys and let’s try this formerly-named Jetta wagon out! (Remember, this is now the Golf SportWagen!)

Rare, Intriguing, and Undesirable Cars

The car pictured above is a 1988 Dodge Colt Wagon that I found on craigslist. Ever seen one? I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't. They were sold in the mid-to-late '80s and were imported for Dodge by Mitsubishi. This one is front-wheel drive, but you could buy them with all-wheel drive and a manual transmission, which happened to be the only transmission if you opted for AWD. The boxy styling is distinctly '80s Japanese and very Mitsubishi-esqe. They weren't popular then, and nowadays I'd say they're downright rare. But being rare always make it desirable either, and I'd say that's the case with this vehicle.

This car is one of those that most people have either never heard of or have completely forgotten about. It's one of those cars that isn't (and wasn't) on most people's radar and will likely never be. And herein lies the intrigue. Why weren't these cars successful? Was it it the design? Poor marketing? Lackluster performance? Perhaps a case of all these variables? Maybe the car was ahead of its time, or perhaps it was a mechanical nightmare. It's kind of like why I find ghost towns and derelict sites interesting. They're rare, hard to find, and there's a story behind the demise, even if you'll never know that history.

Although this Colt Wagon is both rare and semi intriguing, it is also mostly undesirable, although I did think about how badass a 4G63T-swapped Colt Wagon would be. But I'm guessing you'll be hard pressed to find people scouring the depths of the Internet to actually buy vehicles like this '88 Colt Wagon or perhaps a Mitsubishi Sapparo, an early Isuzu I-Mark, or a Suzuki Swift Sedan. Yes, these all existed and all were pretty unpopular both then and now.

I fall into that small group of people who searches craigslist for these unloved cars. However, I rarely have the intent on buying a vehicle such as a Mitsubishi Cordia or Tredia; a Chevrolet Spectrum or first-generation Toyota Tercel. I'll occasionally run across a Daihatsu Charade or AMC Concord; a Renault LeCar or Nissan Axxess—but I'm not about to run out and buy one. Then again, a 4G63 swapped Daihatsu Charade would also be pretty badass.

While I have my bucket list of cars that are still a bit rare but are desirable (or at least somewhat desirable), I'll continue to entertain myself by finding these rare, intriguing, and undesirable cars, but I'll let someone else take them home.

Subcompact Showcase: TE72 Toyota Corolla Wagon With A Turbo Pontiac Powerplant

My buddy Justin has had this TE72 Corolla Wagon since 2008. It's lowered on Ground Control coilovers, has some good looking XXR wheels, and he's done quite a bit of work to it. A few months ago I get a text from him saying he's thinking about doing an engine swap, as the Rolla wasn't very peppy in stock form. I ask him what he's swapping in, thinking it'd be a warmed over 4AGE or maybe a built 3TC. He says he's looking for a turbo engine out of a Pontiac Solstice GXP. Wait, what?

Review: 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid SEL

The Ford C-Max is a new entry to the U.S. five-door compact hatchback market. The C-Max has been sold in Europe since 2003, but never as a hybrid. This bodystyle represents the second generation C-Max, which debuted as a 2010 model in Europe. Although Europe gets both gasoline and diesel versions of the C-Max (as well as a seven passenger option), the U.S. only gets the vehicle with a hybrid powertrain. Because of this and its size and performance, it becomes a direct competitor to Toyota’s “big” Prius v, and will likely get cross-shopped with standard Prius models, too. Our tester was the well-equipped C-Max SEL wearing Sterling Gray Metallic paint.

Review: 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Limited

Back in the mid 1990s, Subaru took its compact Impreza wagon, butched it up with a little more ground clearance, added some body cladding, and threw on a standard roof rack. It was meant as a smaller version of its go-anywhere Legacy Outback Wagon. Subaru gave it the name Outback Sport (apparently Outback Jr. was taken). However, the formula worked and the car was offered from 1995 through 2011. The Impreza was redesigned for 2012, but the Outback Sport was absent. For 2013 there would be a new lifted go-anywhere Impreza, and this time it’d get its own, much more unique name: XV Crosstrek.

Review: 2012 Toyota Prius v: Bigger. Efficiency.

The Toyota Prius gasoline-electric hybrid has become a household name, and it seems nearly everyone has an opinion about them. Some instantly like the car because of its high fuel economy, practicality, and because it is an eco-chic vehicle that says, “I’m saving the environment.” Others will hate it because of its reputation for being a tree-hugger mobile, its artificial driving dynamics, and its eco-chic personality that says, “I’m saving the environment.”

Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re swarming with ‘em. There are at least a half-dozen Prius models in our immediate four-block neighborhood. Even overall, the Prius sells pretty well, and has certainly become the poster child for hybrid vehicles in the U.S. Hoping to capitalize on the Prius’ popularity, Toyota has decided to offer a couple other Prius body styles. The compact Prius c, and the larger Prius v, as seen here. The v is for versatility, by the way. Although larger, the Prius v still gets pretty darn good fuel economy. It uses the company’s high-tech Hybrid Synergy Drive technology that is constantly switching between gas, electric assist, and full electric mode. From a tech standpoint, it’s pretty impressive. However, the overall driving experience of the Prius v isn’t exactly exhilarating. It’s the automotive equivalent of driving my Toshiba laptop. But buyers looking at the Prius v aren’t looking for sports cars—they’re looking for fuel economy, practicality, and dare I say even some “eco chic”?

Sean's small car pics from Japan

A Daihatsu Mira Gino. Yes, that's all stock.

 My friend Sean, who runs the blog PunkSmurph.com, is on a trip to Japan. He was nice enough to snap some photos of some of the smaller cars of Japan while he's there. Here are a few of the cool little vehicles he snapped. Just for the record, I'm envious of both the cars and your trip. Safe travels, Sean.

2012 Mazda5 Sport: The most fun you can have with two sliding doors

So you’ve decided a subcompact vehicle will no longer fit the bill—you need something bigger. You’d like a wagon, but nothing fits the bill in your price range. Although you don’t want to admit it, a minivan—a dirty seven-letter word to many auto enthusiasts—would be super practical, but most are bigger, thirstier, and more expensive than you want. So what’s a small-car fan concerned with gas mileage, price, and driving enthusiasm to do? I’d say drive a Mazda5.