There is a guy on Miataturbo.net, who has taken an FX35 (I think) and built a nasty 430whp engine and transmission capable of holding it. Big brakes, GTR wheels, etc.
It's nasty.
There is a guy on Miataturbo.net, who has taken an FX35 (I think) and built a nasty 430whp engine and transmission capable of holding it. Big brakes, GTR wheels, etc.
It's nasty.
Finding these is my hobby
Forester XT:
Saab 9-7x:
Trailblazer SS:
Jeep SRT8:
While i prefer vintage wagons some of these are neat to look at. I still kind of want an escort wagon. Id drive the flex!
Lest we forget:
Out of all the sporty SUV's, I like the Cayenne Turbos the best. Granted, I am biased since I own one. 
However, they handle well, are faster than pretty much any other SUV and most sporty cars out there and can tow 7700lbs.
Mine has also been quite reliable. For what I use it for (tow the race car 6-8 times a year) DD, ski machine, family hauler, there aren't too many other options out there, let alone better ones....
Guys, give me some ideas for my 2005 Denali XL AWD. This thread is getting me thinking!
Immediate plans are to dump the Autoride air suspension for more conventional springs and dampers.
If I had the cash, my life would be spent making things handle and accelerate and brake better than the designers ever dreamed of!
That Mazda that Fanfoy brought up bears more than a passing resemblance to my RS:
I've always thought that Honda's original Odyssey was just begging to be lowered. 
And having four kids, I always wanted to. But, having four kids, I couldn't afford to.
It's too bad there are not more RWD options, or AWD with RWD bias
Of course this is still one of my favorites
I saw an S Q5 the other day that had the lowered treatment and looked great, and I'm sure it got out of its own way.
Corksport offers lowering springs for both the Mazda CX3 and the CX5.
The question on all these things is - did dropping it screw up the suspension geometry?
The Q5 for example is built the A4 platform (MLB?), but did they relocate any control arm pickup points or steering rack in the process of jacking it up? My guess would be yes, but it's only a guess.
The A4 Allroad might be the best candidate for this treatment.
fanfoy wrote: And what is basically a AWD wagon version of the most sold car in NA: Venza
I like this, and I hate modern Toyotas. 
I guess you can do this treatment with just about anything:
I like these a whole lot more than I thought I would.
But, does lowering one enough that it looks good aesthetically reduce suspension travel enough that they are useless as a vehicle? Or would they still ride acceptably?
It kills me that virtually nobody sells wagons anymore. SUVs are a great substitute, unless you care about driving dynamics. Or fuel mileage. The Trailblazer SS gets gawdawful mileage. Some of the newer SUVs do a bit better, but it's hard to overcome punching a big hole in the air. And I share Nick's concern with lowering them messing up suspension geometry and taking away travel, thus hurting the ride AND handling.
I'd love a true wagon version of my SHO, and while I'm aware of the Ecoboost Flex and Exploder Sport, they aren't the same. I've driven them, and while they may be nearly as fast in a straight line, they still feel like SUVs. And we already have one big 7-passenger SUV in the family, we don't need another.
Actually, what I'd REALLY love is a wagon version of the Fusion Sport. They sell Mondeo wagons in other parts of the world:
Nick (Bo) Comstock wrote: I like these a whole lot more than I thought I would. But, does lowering one enough that it looks good aesthetically reduce suspension travel enough that they are useless as a vehicle? Or would they still ride acceptably?
It depends. Some of them can go down a few inches and still have plenty of travel. Others will be on the bumpstops once they're dropped 3 inches and will need some work to be lowered and still function.
In reply to Tom_Spangler:
I have the same feeling for the Commodore wagon that Australia got.
Why we never get something like this in the States, even just for small runs like a RS or Type-R, is beyond me.
In reply to FuzzWuzzy:
That doesn't look a bit like a Mazda 6 wagon?
I'd love for someone build a Shooting Brake out of one of those, maybe for SEMA or something. If you squint at the red ones you can almost picture it.
The important thing if you have an SUV, is you have to float erratically across multiple lanes witout signalling and then come to a stop on on-ramps because, well, berk it, nobody else on the road is important.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/eJOCTFtiVUA
I have had someone who I used to care about tell me, flat out, that she wanted an SUV because she didn't think she could drive well, and she wanted something that she could come out the winner when she crashed into someone. Not, "I want to learn how to drive better", but "I want to kill or maim anyone unfortunate enough to get in my way." The epitome of FYIGM mentality. My experiences with SUV drivers both as a cyclist and a motorist have mostly confirmed her attitude as typical.
In reply to Knurled:
I see that attitude no matter what people are driving lately. I drive an XL Denali and ALWAYS cede the right-of-way to whoever owns it at the time. That said, I sure as hell don't let people steal my right-of-way from me either.
For some reason i love the Venza.
Nissan Juke is really a joke at its stock ride height. Lowering it might make it just right
Also Typhoon, would anyone consider that a shooting brake?
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