Best Cars for Car Modding: Affordable Platforms That Let You Go Wild – TopSpeed

If you can’t keep a car stock for even a second after you buy it, or perhaps you buy parts for a future car before you even own it, you are in the right place. While many tuner-focused platforms are out there, a select few are staples of the community. A lot of cars are better off stock for the most part, but specific breeds only unlock their true potential after some aftermarket parts are thrown at them. Certain platforms on this list are better for aesthetic modification, while others are geared toward boosting performance.

We did our best to include platforms with a healthy blend of both of these qualities and the only real limitation is your wallet size, but we want to focus on affordable and versatile platforms. The beauty of the aftermarket is that if you do have a vision for your build, the parts you need already exist, you have to figure out how to acquire them. Let’s dive into which platforms will give you the most value, flexibility, and capability for modding in 2024.

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10

Toyota GR Supra

2020 Toyota GR Supra Resale Value: $36,945

As far as our list of affordable car platforms for modding goes, the MKIV Toyota Supra aka the GR Supra, is the most expensive option we have featured, by far.

Performance Specifications

Yet, there is a distinct reason why we have the GR Supra on the list. As far as modern tuner platforms are concerned, the GR Supra is leading the way with its glorious B58 turbocharged inline-six engine at the helm. The GR Supra has bridged the gap between the Euro nerds and the JDM Stans and the end result is the largest aftermarket support of any current-gen tuner platform. So, whether you want to go fast or look good, the GR Supra is the clear front-runner as the go-to option for modders who have a little extra change in their pocket and want something that is still new.

9

Scion FR-S/Subaru BR-Z

2015 Scion FR-S Resale Value: $9,373

What about another Toyota sports car that is only five years older but on average costs $27,572 less than a GR Supra? We are talking about the first-generation Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ, which is an absolute steal at its current price point.

Performance Specifications

While the second-generation FR-S, now called the Toyota GR86, is an upgrade from the original 86, it is a lot more expensive. Fundamentally, they are both the same car, and the fun-first ethos that has made this playful Toyota chassis a continued success shines bright on both platforms. So you can save a lot by finding an FR-S as opposed to a GR86, which still offers an extreme amount of aftermarket support, especially body kits, taillights, and those kinds of goodies.

While making power is difficult without spending absurd money, a couple of fun go-fast mods can still be a massive upgrade for this versatile platform. So, whether you track your FR-S or not, the right suspension setup will have you throwing the car into every corner accompanied by a wide smile.

8

Nissan 350Z (Z33)

2005 Nissan 350Z Resale Value: $7,040

What about if we step back a whole decade before sports cars like the Scion FR-S even existed? Well, the go-to platform then would have been the Nissan 350Z, which, to date, is still Nissan’s most capable affordable tuner platform.

Performance Specifications

Regardless of any stigma or negative association, the Z33 350Z is a damn good sports car because it is a perfect blend of performance and style that serves as the perfect canvas for any project. As far as modding goes, the Z33 platform has been around for some time, so the sheer level of aftermarket support and knowledge of this platform is a huge plus. The VQ V-6 may not be the most glorious sounding engine, but this platform’s parts availability and modding capability are top-tier and will continue to be for the near future and beyond.

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7

BMW 335i (E9X)

2011 BMW 335i Resale Value: $6,124

If your tuning desires sway toward the German variety, there is a lot to love about the E9X generation BMW 335i. If you want the engine with the least issues, you’ll be happy to know the N52 found in 328i models is the most reliable inline-six of its generation.

Performance Specifications

Yet, if tuning is a priority, both the turbocharged N54 and N55 engines have amazing tunability where your wallet will be the only thing stopping you from making more power. The N54 found in earlier E9X models (2006 to 2010 model years) has more power potential, but more issues and higher upkeep costs. There are always trade-offs with any German luxury performance vehicle and the BMW 335i is no different.

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The likelihood of you finding a running N55-powered 335i with a six-speed manual for $6,000 is nonexistent, but automatic models are plentiful at lower price points. Make no mistake, upkeep costs for an inline-six that can make 500 pound-feet of torque in its sleep can hurt down the line if you aren’t prepared and low entry prices can be deceiving to prospective buyers.

6

Volkswagen GTI

2011 Volkswagen Mk6 GTI Resale Value: $5,495

Many German hot hatch enthusiasts may consider the Mk6 generation Volkswagen GTI unloved and that’s exactly why we want it in 2024. The Mk5 generation that came before it introduced the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that became the go-to engine for Volkswagen/Audi for the next decade and the Mk6 GTI refined this new platform.

Performance Specifications

This 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine has high tuning capability, but suffers from common issues like timing chain tensioner, timing chain stretch, and the plastic water pump that loves to crack. Get the well-known common issues sorted, and this is a boosted hot hatch you will love to keep to the end of time. The optional DSG gearbox works great even all the years later, but this fancy transmission will come with an increased upkeep cost compared to the 6-speed manual.

5

Mazda MX-5 Miata (NB)

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Resale Value: $4,964

The second-generation NB Mazda MX-5 Miata is as perfect of a platform as it was when it debuted over 20 years ago. The NB Miata took everything that made the introductory NA Miata generation great and refined it without losing the flavor of the original recipe.

Performance Specifications

If you want to make big power, the NB Miata may not be the easiest starting point, but if wheels and suspension are more your thing, you have found the perfect platform. The NB Miata is an absolute joy to drive and the fact you can just throw on some sunglasses and drop the top at a moment’s notice gives this Japanese roadster unrivaled fun and customization potential among affordable sports cars.

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4

Ford Mustang (SN-99)

2002 Ford Mustang Resale Value: $2,919

The refreshed fourth-generation Ford Mustang, known as the SN-99, is a solid and affordable starting platform if you like to mess around with mods. These older Mustangs are cheap and plentiful, and they have impressive parts availability no matter your specific automotive fancy.

Performance Specifications

The six-speed manual V-8-powered GT models are by far the most desirable, but getting a steal on an automatic can be a great deal for the mechanically inclined buyer who is willing to swap down the line. The 4.6-liter V-8 equipped in GT models is not the greatest performance engine of its generation, but it offers more than enough juice to get rowdy. Let’s not forget that the performance you get from one of these Mustangs at its price point is hard to beat. If a clean model is outside your price range, sometimes it’s better to buy a clean shell and build it up little by little yourself.

3

Chevrolet Camaro

1999 Chevrolet Camaro Resale Value: $2,313

What’s the cheapest to find yourself behind the wheel of a 5.7-liter LS1 V-8-powered vehicle? Look no further than the fourth-generation Chevy Camaro that began offering the legendary LS1 engine at the start of the 1998 model year.

Performance Specifications

The LS1-equipped fourth-gen Chevy Camaro is criminally underrated output-wise from the factory, in order not to offend C5 Corvette owners who also got the same LS1 engine in their much more expensive sports car. As far as budget muscle cars are concerned in 2024, the fourth-generation Camaro still offers crazy value for the performance you get, and making more power is not necessarily cheap, but you have a lot of options on the table.

2

BMW 3-Series (E36)

1996 BMW 3-Series Resale Value: $1,614

The BMW E36 remains the most modular BMW 3-Series platform to date and can serve as the perfect starting point for any of your German fantasies. Parts from several different generations of the 3-Series fit on the E36 chassis, allowing you to tailor-fit the perfect Frankenstein of BMW glory.

Performance Specifications

Would it be better to just pay the premium for an E36 M3 model or buy a cheaper 325i or 328i and build it up? We believe that although the E36 M3 is solid, you can get a similar experience for much less money with the 328i, where the manual transmission will be more of a factor in experiencing full enjoyment than anything else. A clean E36 328i with a manual is more likely to cost you over $10,000, but it’s possible to find them for $5,000 or less. The right deal for an E36 does exist in 2024, but it’s more of a game of patience and paying attention to what is available.

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1

Honda Civic (EM1)

1999 Honda Civic Si Coupe Resale Value: $1,497

What are the chances you will find a running sixth-generation EM1 Honda Civic Si Coupe for $2,000 in your local area if you look right now? Well have to say that you’d be better off buying a lottery ticket or going to Vegas and putting everything on black.

Performance Specifications

Despite this, the EM1 Civic Si can be found for under $10,000 or less without too much looking. What are you paying a premium for compared to a normal sixth-gen Civic? None other than one of Honda’s crown jewels, the 8,000 RPM+ B16A2 inline-four, which was the first performance-focused B-Series engine offered in a North American Civic model. The Honda Civic may be the most supported aftermarket chassis ever and the EM1 variant has an amazing parts catalog with unlimited modding potential, perfectly suited for your dream Honda build.