Sports Car Modification

These Are The Best Cars To Modify In 2022 For A DIY Project

Car modification is one of the automotive culture’s most colorful and important segments. It all began before World War II with the American Hot Rods of the early 30s and enjoyed a golden era in the 50s and 60s. The late 80s and early 90s saw the birth of the JDM performance cars, which gave rise to popular tuners. The culture is still alive, practiced equally in professional custom shops and humble amateur home garages.


The easiest route to a custom build is buying a donor car and hiring a professional tuner to personalize it to your liking. But some gearheads might want to get their hands dirty, do it themselves, and enjoy the process. In that case, it is important to note that not all cars are the same, and some models make it easier to modify than others. You have to look at the ease of working on the vehicle, the existing communities around the car, and the level of aftermarket support for parts. Here are the most tuner-friendly cars you can modify in 2022 for a DIY project.

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10 Honda Civic

These Are The Best Cars To Modify In 2022 For A DIY Project
via Honda

The Honda Civil shot in popularity with the tuning crowd after its stellar appearance in the first Fast and Furious movie. Since then, it’s become a go-to choice for people who want a performance car but can’t afford a top-of-the-range sports car. It is affordable, durable, mod-friendly, and easy to work on.

Honda-Civic_Type_R-Red
via Honda

All generations command vibrant communities and strong aftermarket support. Coupe versions from 2022 onwards are great platforms to begin your DIY car project journey. Mods vary from a simple change of factory wheels with alloy wheels to performance mods to increase horsepower, speed, and overall performance.

RELATED: These Are The Coolest Mods For Your Honda Civic

9 BMW M3 E36

Alpina B8 E36 - Front
Via Bring A Trailer

The original BMW M3 E30 is subject to some of the most awe-inspiring builds in the car world, and the limit is literally the skills of the customizer. But these are quite expensive today, leaving us with the next big thing in the lineup, the M3 E36.

E36 BMW M3, front profile, yellow
Via: BMW

In the past few years, the E36 has become one of the most popular models to mod. It is an affordable choice with robust aftermarket support. The 1995 S50 and 1996-1999 S52 models feature strong inline-six motors that are great performers out of the box and form the perfect base for a DIY project.

8 Mini

BMC Mini Mk.1 - Front
Via Richmonds

The Mini played a starring role in The Italian Job movie earning its lasting place in pop culture. But even before that, it was an extremely popular car to modify with a cult following and an extensive aftermarket. It is a great platform to exercise your creativity, and there are nearly five and a half million of the classic Mini running around or lying somewhere waiting for some love.

An R53 Mini Cooper S on the road.
via: MINI

Builders have exploited all avenues of customization, from lowering to chopping, lengthening, and redecoration. Also, some awesome Mini projects receive engine swaps ranging from Kawasaki motorcycle motors to Honda VTECs, turning them into tiny pocket rockets.

7 Volkswagen Beetle

Herbie, The Sentient Anthropomorphic Volkswagen Beetle
via: TSJ

The VW Beetle prides one of the automotive industry’s most distinctive and timeless looks. Both the classic and modern models provide a fun driving experience. While the old Beetle didn’t pack a big punch under the hood, it offers you the most versatility in a project car.

Pimp My Ride VW Beetle Front View Close Quarters
via MTV UK YouTube Channel

It features custom jobs ranging from 4×4 dune buggies to drag racers, rat rods, and virtually anything a mind can conjure. Also, its bare-bone nature is like an empty canvas making it easy to pull apart, work on and express your ideas.

RELATED: 20 Of The Sickest Modified VW Beetles

6 Subaru BRZ And Toyota 86

2013 Subaru BRZ
Via Subaru

The Subaru BRZ and its Toyota 86 twin love a mod, and simple part upgrades dramatically improve the car’s performance. Most tuners focus on the engine mods, with the FA20 providing great tuning potential and can take plenty of abuse with the stock internals. A turbocharger, supercharger, and a few decent kits can contribute to massive power gain.

Toyota GT86 - Front
Via Toyota Media

You can dive further and upgrade the suspension and brakes to improve the already great handling. Also, you’ll easily find plenty of easy-to-install cosmetic mods, including cool liveries and body kits to transform the car’s looks.

5 Mazda MX-5 Miata

1995 Mazda Miata Cropped
Via mecum.com

The Mazda Miata MX-5 is one of the most popular starting points for a car project. It is relatively cheap and has a good weight balance, handling, and enough power to have fun with the rear-wheel drive system without getting into trouble. They are extremely easy to work on and are subject to adorable customization jobs.

White Mazda MX-5
Via: Miata

First-gen Miata examples are dirt cheap and are a great point to start exercising your customization skills. But even professionals love them for their versatility, with possibilities ranging from simple body kits to roll cages and V8 engines.

4 Honda S2000

Honda-S2000-2004 Front View On Road In Red
via Honda

The Honda S2000 provides exceptional handling and great power even in stock form, with the tiny F20C producing the most specific output for a production naturally aspirated car. But as with most Japanese sports cars, it comes with great potential and ease of customization. A few mods make the cars more fun and meaner track weapons.

Honda-S2000-2000 Parked
via Honda

Also, there is a vibrant community to support your build, with active forums and a rich aftermarket providing parts for any mod you might have in mind.

RELATED: Here Are Some Of The Best Mods For Your Honda S2000

3 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Fuel Fest Japan, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7
via Claire and Ayesh

The Lancer Evolution kept the Mitsubishi brand alive in the 90s with its WRC exploits. The Evo evolved from a rally car to a circuit racer and a street racer before its discontinuation in 2015. Still, it enjoys strong aftermarket support that enables many customization possibilities while maintaining its eternal rivalry with the WRX.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV Front Quarter Gray
Mitsubishi

The last iteration came with an appealing chassis and is easy to modify. Also, the Evo community is one of the most vibrant, and you can easily get help whenever you get stuck.

2 Subaru WRX STI

Subaru WRX STi - Front
Via Subaru Media

As soon as the high-performance Impreza variants hit American shores, gearheads started working on them. That was close to three decades ago, and the aftermarket scenes keep growing. You can easily order anything online, from a simple air filter to a fully-built engine.

Fuel Fest Japan, Subaru Impreza WRX STi
via Claire and Ayesh

They come from the factory with powerful engines, AWD, and capable transmissions, making them a great platform to begin a build. And, if you are feeling adventurous, you can install a larger engine, better brakes, and other performance modes to turn it into the ultimate track beast.

RELATED: These Are The Best Mods For Your Subaru WRX STI

1 Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel rear three quarter
via Jeep

You have better chances of spotting a modified Jeep Wrangler than a fully stock one, thanks to its ease of customization, massive aftermarket parts support, and an ever-growing cult-like fanbase. The body is the quickest and easiest place to start, with a couple of bumper guards and headlight eyelids giving it an instant, meaner look.

2018-jeep-wrangler-side-angle
Via: Jeep

While it comes stock with hardcore off-roading capabilities, you can improve on this just because you can. Common mods include lift kits to increase ground clearance, an intake snorkel for increased wading capability, and a set of off-road performance tires.

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