what is/was the best overlooked subcompact or hatchback?

Over the years there have been many great subcompacts and hatchbacks with names like "Si" and "GTi".. But what are the overlooked cars.. The cars with a little help could at least run with the top shelf cars... Anyone?

The Mazda Protege is the first one that comes to mind (as soon as I saw the title of this thread). Bulletproof, sporty, and seemingly invisible...

For a while there--like 20 years ago--the Protege LX was the hot car for Showroom Stock C racing. I almost bought one, but the SE-R won out.

AE92 corolla GTS

I think the 1986-1988 Civic Si has been largely overlooked. The ricers never took to it so they are very inexpensive. They make great autocross or track cars. I loved mine as a DD.

David

1989 Mitsu Mirage or Dodge Colt turbos. Rare as hens teeth nowadays

Renault Clio Williams 3

Renault R5 Turbo

SEAT Leon Supercopa

ZX2 esp the SR

going to throw my favourite (and a GRM fav) out there.. the 318ti.

Corolla FX16 GTS...

80-84 Mazda 323. Wiki sez it's actually the 4th Gen "Familia", and the chassis code is BD.

Handled pretty good, you just couldn't get enough engine to push it fast enough, unless you were building to IMSA RS rules.

Celica...

Celica. As the owner of both a Celica and a bg chassis mazda, the Celica is superior in easily 90% of situations.

I might be stretching the definition, but I loved my test drive in this. I was driving a 1997 Miata at the time, and the new 2002 C230 felt almost as tiny and responsive.

I agree, I always like the looks of these. On paper they seem like a great combination of 4dr, rwd, 4cyl, supercharged, common w/ a 6 speed manual and factory staggered rim sizes.

DWNSHFT wrote: I think the 1986-1988 Civic Si has been largely overlooked. The ricers never took to it so they are very inexpensive. They make great autocross or track cars. I loved mine as a DD. David

Same goes for the CRX-Si from the same time period. 2nd-gen CRXs are a ricer fave, but the 1st-gen CRXs are featherweight (1400lb) and have a very wide track for their wheelbase. What's more, if you have an Si all the engine parts from any D15/D16 bolt right on, as well as 1st-gen Integra bits.

My choice for the over-looked goes to the Hyundai Pony and pre-89 Stellar.

Before 1988, both cars were more-or-less RWD Fords (Mk. II Escort and Mk. III Cortina, respectively) with Mitsubishi drivetrains -- 4G33 for the 1.4, 4G32 for the 1.6. -- wrapped in not-unattractive Italdesign bodyshells.

The 88 Stellars changed slightly, having strut front suspension and came stock with a 2-liter Mitsubishi 4G63B engine, meaning that a turbo 4G63T engine swap is as close as your local wrecking yard. The Pony weighed in at less than a ton, while a fully-loaded '88 Stellar 2.0's curb weight came to 2300lbs.

And since all RWD Hyundais were "emissions-exempt" in Canada, no cats or OBD to worry about when doing mods.

1st-gen CRXs are featherweight (1400lb)

Sorry but thats a crock. More like 1850-1900 stock i think, and if you manage to take 450 lbs out of a car like THAT and still feel comfortable driving it on the street.. you're pretty much crazy.

I just sold an 85 CRX HF, factory curb weight was ~1710 lbs. I really liked the car, but it had no factory AC system and my 2001 Insight does (and even beats the HF's 42mpg), so i let it go and bought something else with the money. In all i really liked the car and im sure the Si is much more fun.

And i sure hope it handles 100% better because that 85 CRX was just about the worst handling car i have ever driven...

E70 Corrolla /thread.

AE92 gt-s, mk1 mr2's and the g20-t all the SE-R goodness but with leather and the same style front suspension as the skyline and z32 300zx

rallymodeller wrote: My choice for the over-looked goes to the Hyundai Pony and pre-89 Stellar. Before 1988, both cars were more-or-less RWD Fords (Mk. II Escort and Mk. III Cortina, respectively) with Mitsubishi drivetrains -- 4G33 for the 1.4, 4G32 for the 1.6. -- wrapped in not-unattractive Italdesign bodyshells. And since all RWD Hyundais were "emissions-exempt" in Canada, no cats or OBD to worry about when doing mods.

The Pony post 83 was 100% a Mitsubishi copy. Almost everything from a Plymouth Arrow was a direct bolt on for the Pony. They weren't emissions exempt, but non-catalyst, although being pre 88, would be emissions exempt today.

Suzuki Swift GTi comes to my mind. Always liked 'em.

Wow, there is a wealth of misinformation here. I loved my 88 Shadow Turbo.

This was our Nissan Pulsar:

This was everyone elses Pulsar:

The US was overlooked for hot hatches!

Chevette.

There, I said it.