Sleeper Thread

[Night_Hawk]

I always thought the definition of a sleeper as very simple.

" A vehicle that performs much better than the average person would suspect"

so Klutch's mustang and the turbo caravan (along with most of the cars in this thread) are definitely sleepers IMO.

 

[narf]

I always thought the definition of a sleeper as very simple.

" A vehicle that performs much better than the average person would suspect"

This. Putting a maximum 0-100 time or whatever onto the definition is pointless, what matters is the ratio of expectation to reality.

 

[JipJopJones]

While I agree with that definition, it also has to be reasonabley quick too.

Saying a Peterbuilt is a sleeper because it can do the quarter mile in 18 seconds instead of 28 is just wrong.

I also don't think any car from the factory can be a sleeper. It's a factory model, if you can read the brochure you can figure out exactly how quick it is. The same cannot be said for a POS rust bucket with a twin turbo V8.

 

[DanRoM]

I also don't think any car from the factory can be a sleeper.

Sorry, but that's wrong. Take the E34 M5. It basically looked like a normal 5 series because the exterior changes were subtle. The 540i of the same generation is an even better example, because unless you know the broader kidney grille means "V8", it could as well be a 520i.
Or the first C43 AMG, same thing. You'd expect these cars to go 200 kph of course, but not to go 250 easily. The same logic applies to W8 Passats (or in earlier generations, take the VR6 or the G60). What do you expect from an early 90s Passat? 180, sure. But not 230. As has been said - expectations and reality. And out on the road, only few people are enough of a car nut to instantly distuingish between the base 115 hp model and the top of the line 300 hp one. Well, at least if the manufacturer is subtle about it, which most are not anymore. At least not compared to 15 years ago.

 

[argatoga]

While I agree with that definition, it also has to be reasonabley quick too.

Saying a Peterbuilt is a sleeper because it can do the quarter mile in 18 seconds instead of 28 is just wrong.

This is a what I tried to say. I do think cars like the SHO for instance are sleepers, 99% of the population couldn't tell the difference between them and a regular V6.

 

[JipJopJones]

Yah, ok. There are a few factory exceptions. Such as the old M5, or the SHO taurus' and mustangs. That Passat however, is not one. Sure, it's faster than a regular passat, but it's not fast. And it certainly isn't "blow your doors off holy shit that was a passat???" fast

 

[Der Stig]

someone posted an STi that looked all around like an Impreza RS. where did that go? epitome of sleeper right there.

That'd be me:

Here's the link

 

[prizrak]

Yah, ok. There are a few factory exceptions. Such as the old M5, or the SHO taurus' and mustangs. That Passat however, is not one. Sure, it's faster than a regular passat, but it's not fast. And it certainly isn't "blow your doors off holy shit that was a passat???" fast

What about RS4 vs A4? Or the W12 A8? Both look more or less standard (in the case of the RS4 even more so because damn near every A4 comes with an "S-Line" body kit these days). Though I must say the newer ones are too aggressive looking even in base trim...

someone posted an STi that looked all around like an Impreza RS. where did that go? epitome of sleeper right there.

No Impreza can be a sleeper, ever... Same reason as the Hachi Roku, everyone expects it to be tuned (everyone who could tell an STi from an RS in any case).

 

[hansvonaxion]

I also don't think any car from the factory can be a sleeper. It's a factory model, if you can read the brochure you can figure out exactly how quick it is. The same cannot be said for a POS rust bucket with a twin turbo V8.

I tend to agree with this.

What about RS4 vs A4? Or the W12 A8? Both look more or less standard (in the case of the RS4 even more so because damn near every A4 comes with an "S-Line" body kit these days). Though I must say the newer ones are too aggressive looking even in base trim...


No Impreza can be a sleeper, ever... Same reason as the Hachi Roku, everyone expects it to be tuned (everyone who could tell an STi from an RS in any case).

So a premium Euro performance car from a company known for making turbo, 4WD performance cars in stock trim can be a sleeper but a plain-looking grocery-getter from a company known for making plain-looking grocery-getters modded for speed can't?

Can we stop with the ridiculous arguing for arguments sake and get on with ogling sleepers?

 

[ninjacoco]

Seriously. Less talky, more carporn.

That RSTi is an epic win. People who don't know crap about cars wouldn't look at a normal Impreza twice, IMHO.

 

[A.J]

I also don't think any car from the factory can be a sleeper. It's a factory model, if you can read the brochure you can figure out exactly how quick it is.

what about older (70's) factory stock rides.

just like mine GS... i'm quite sure that no one will quess it can run 1/4 mile in mid-high 13?s
+ it has brown bench seat interior, column shiter, granny style (deluxe) steering wheel and so on.
http://img80.imageshack.**/img80/6641/gs455.png

 

[prizrak]

I tend to agree with this.



So a premium Euro performance car from a company known for making turbo, 4WD performance cars in stock trim can be a sleeper but a plain-looking grocery-getter from a company known for making plain-looking grocery-getters modded for speed can't?

Can we stop with the ridiculous arguing for arguments sake and get on with ogling sleepers?

I hope you don't mean the standard A4, my car stock is 170hp, latest is 200.....

See you live in Japan you don't really understand the car scene in the US. Here an Impreza ANYTHING is a moder, most commonly its the WRX/STi ones but anyone with enough knowledge to expect speed out of an STi will also expect SOMETHING from an RS. STi into the RS is a fairly common swap btw, mostly done to the older models usually these:

People who don't know crap about cars wouldn't look at a normal Impreza twice, IMHO.

People who don't know crap about cars wouldn't look at an STi twice either.

 

[JipJopJones]

what about older (70's) factory stock rides.

just like mine GS... i'm quite sure that no one will quess it can run 1/4 mile in mid-high 13?s
+ it has brown bench seat interior, column shiter, granny style (deluxe) steering wheel and so on.
http://img80.imageshack.**/img80/6641/gs455.png

I supose the average person might look at it and think "crappy old car" but I've been into muscle cars and old cars long enough to tell the difference, soooo.

Plus, most older cars that are fast by today's standards will have been modified in some way, be it loud exaust or the full treatment. But there is usually something to give it away.

 

[Hatmouse]

And on the Autobahn rear view mirror image is everything. When you aren't recognized as "Yup, he's faster than me", no one will move over to let you pass, no matter how quick you are at overtaking them.

I have the solution.

Really bright, red colored high beam lights.

 

[hansvonaxion]

See you live in Japan you don't really understand the car scene in the US.

Don't need to to know what a sleeper is.

anyone with enough knowledge to expect speed out of an STi will also expect SOMETHING from an RS.

the Hachi Roku, everyone expects it to be tuned (everyone who could tell an STi from an RS in any case).

Yet these same people can't tell an RS4 from an A4, or an M5 from a 525?

I was actually talking about the Corolla, not the Subi. Yes, a Corolla could never be a sleeper...

Oh, but they aren't 86's!

Please post sleepers, stop arguing.

 

[prizrak]

Yet these same people can't tell an RS4 from an A4, or an M5 from a 525?

You might be surprised how many people who are not explicitly into Euro cars can't tell S/RS/M/AMG cars from their normal counterparts. Hell I can't tell AMG mercs from regular ones at a glance.

I was actually talking about the Corolla, not the Subi. Yes, a Corolla could never be a sleeper...

Never said a Corolla cannot be a sleeper, an 86 could not be a sleeper, not in this country at least...


On the subject, a CTS-V, supercharged V8 but looks like any normal "grandpa mobile" as they have come to be known here. One actually surprised the hell out of my friend in his tuner car. He took off from the lights pretty hard and got passed by it then he say the little V

 

[Shawnw]

As a previous owner of one of these tin coffins, I always enjoy a good swapped Festiva. The one in the vid would be a bit better if it was still sporting the stock 12" steelies, but bigger brakes are needed when doubling the stock HP.

 

[narf]

I have the solution.

Really bright, red colored high beam lights.

Sadly, the StVZO goes all NEINNEINNEIN on that. White light only.

 

[Hemily]

i always liked this one, and wish mine would do that as well

 

[HansGruber]

The V12 is taken from a Jag. Wonder what the weight distribution is, 90/10 haha. Still really cool IMO.