Hyundai Tiburon V6

In this crowd, the Tiburon feels very different. After driving a bunch of stubby sedans and hatchbacks, the long, low Tiburon has a refreshing sports car feel with a long, low hood with well-defined creases running down its sides. The feeling is reminiscent of Japanese sports cars of 10 years ago. That feeling goes deeper the more you look. The 2.7-liter V6 looks like 10-year-old Japanese technology. No returnless fuel systems, no drive-by-wire throttles, just the good old stuff the aftermarket knows how to tune.

Having a V6 gives the Hyundai a unique character. It's smooth, refined, and makes great sounds, but the engine was really designed for sedans and SUVs, and that original intent shows in its powerband. After a brief surge of torque, output plummets. Taking it to redline is pointless. Thankfully, the six-speed gearbox has well-spaced ratios that make short shifting worthwhile. While the displacement argument is a strong one, having a V6 is not necessarily an advantage in this market. Modifying a V6 is much more expensive than a four. Want to change cams? You'll need four. A header? Two. Plugs, wires, injectors? You'll need six of each.

Then there's the weight. The Tiburon is by far the heaviest of the group. Blame the V6 for part of that. Attempts at stiffening the inherently flexy hatchback structure are responsible for the rest. Weight is felt everywhere. In acceleration, the Tiburon is near the back of the pack, the brakes overheat quickly, and the sticky Michelin Pilot Sport tires feel overworked.

Despite the weight, the Tiburon is loaded with promise. The suspension is very firmly damped, seemingly a rear anti-roll bar away from being brilliant. In stock form, however, understeer is relentless, with the front tires carrying nearly all the handling burden.

Interior quality is a huge step forward for Hyundai, easily on par with the best Japan can produce at this price. The seats are comfortable and well bolstered, and the shifter feels great. Take note, Nissan: This is the Spec-V's transmission, but Hyundai does the shifter better. The sole control problem is steering that's overboosted and numb.

The answer to the Tiburon question depends on how far you want to go. Our first three modifications should make a very rewarding car, but what about the engine? Will the aftermarket figure out how to package affordable, effective V6 performance parts? A supercharger would make this car brilliant, but if we're stuck with an intake and big exhaust tips, the Tiburon will be doomed to be another also-ran.

Base price: $18,849
Measured horsepower at the wheels: 148hp @ 5200 rpm
Curb weight as tested: 3,040lb

Best Feature: We could have said styling, but our self-loathing would be unbearable. Mechanically, the part that stands out from a sea of good features is the impressively firm shocks. This might be the only car you could ever add lowering springs to without changing the shocks.

Worst Feature: That smooth, sonorous V6 sound makes you want to rev for days, but try to and you'll find the engine gasping for air. There is no high-rpm power here.

First three things we'd modify

1: Rear anti-roll bar
The Tiburon's suspension is surprisingly firm and well damped, but it's not very well balanced. The front wheels are doing all the work, and a nice, big, adjustable rear anti-roll bar should help a lot.

2: Brakes
This is a heavy car that likes to be driven hard, but the brakes fade immediately. Maybe high-temperature pads, brake fluid, and braided steel brake lines would be enough, or maybe you'll have to step up to Brembo, Stoptech or Wilwood brakes.

3: Limited-slip differential
Bet you didn't know this: The SE-R Spec-V's limited slip will fit. The six-speed gearbox is the same one used by Nissan. Nissan part number 38411-8000 retails for $545