There is always a time in a gearhead's life when it becomes mandatory to own a project car. Face it. There must have been a time in your life when that beat-up and rusty Camaro sitting in your neighbor's backyard gave you ideas. Given the amount of restored or modified classics found online today, it is quite normal that the mere sight of an old car may trigger the need to purchase a powerplant that would fit in the engine bay.

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Tuners such as Hennessey Performance Engineering and Brabus tend to modify cars worth as much as a nice-sized apartment in some mid-western state. It is fair to say that the vast majority of tuners nowadays build classic car projects that only the very rich can afford. Maintaining these modified beasts will cost a small fortune as well. However, even if we can afford to maintain some of these performance cars, we may have to get a second mortgage to build something out of this world. Luckily, it doesn't always have to be that way.

10 1985 BMW 323i

1985 BMW 323i Cropped
Via bringatrailer.com

Most gearheads tend to think that the BMW E30 is the very first 3 Series ever made. Though it is true that the E30 served as a base for the first M3, it was not the first 3 Series. However, it is fair to say that the second-generation 3 Series is one of the most memorable and iconic mid-range BMWs of the 1980s. The best part about the E30 is its modularity.

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1985 BMW 323i 2 Cropped
Via bringatrailer.com

The 323i may not be among the cars that prove that BMW makes the ultimate driving machines, but it's not as forgettable as the badge-engineered Dodge Challenger of the same era. Though not as powerful as top-line 3 Series models released in 1985, the 323i is still fitted with a 2.3-liter inline-six engine that produces 148 hp at 6,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. These figures are for the 323i marketed in the European market. It is possible to find a 323i in good condition for about $4,500.

9 1986 Buick Grand National

1986 Buick Grand National Cropped
Via mecum.com

Buick must be one of the most boring domestic car brands nowadays. From its soporific SUVs to the underpowered sedans, Buick has succeeded in setting up a lineup that even the most boring people would frown upon. It wasn't always like that. Even during the midst of the Malaise Era, Buick was able to produce vehicles that any respectable gearhead would want to take out for a spin.

1986 Buick Grand National 2 Cropped
Via mecum.com

Most gearheads would love to get their hands on a 1987 Buick GNX. While most GNXs with low miles on the odometer will most likely go for over $150,000, it is possible to replicate the GNX by settling for a regular Grand National. The 1986 Grand National comes with a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 that makes 235 hp at 4,000 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 rpm. Here is the catch: the Grand National has become a true classic. In order to find a Grand National for less than $5,000, one must be a seasoned mechanic ready to work countless hours to get the car back to its original condition.

8 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT

Red 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 on the driveway
Via Bring a Trailer

Mitsubishi, the three diamond star brand, really started making a name for itself back in the 1980s thanks to the very first Lancer. However, most car aficionados do not know that Mitsubishi has been around for over 150 years. The huge Japanese conglomerate has been a major player in the banking and electric industries long before its first sports car rolled off assembly lines.

RELATED: 10 Mitsubishi Cars Everyone Forgot About

1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 2 Cropped
Via luxsport.com

Most people are unaware that Mistubishi used to have several monsters in its lineup back in the day. Anything with the VR4 badge on it could be modified to produce at least 500 hp. However, not everybody has got the budget to buy a beast that could beat a mid-range American muscle. Also known as the GTO, the 3000GT is an awesome machine. The Japanese sports coupe comes with a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6 that develops 222 hp at 6,000 rpm and 203 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.

7 1992 Toyota MR2

1992 Toyota MR2
Via Diamonmotorsports

Japanese cars are great. There is no denying that. Though it is true that the vast majority of them earned a bad reputation after the JDM trend picked up steam back in the early 2000s, tastefully modified Japanese sports cars can trigger a real wow effect. Out of all these terrific Japanese cars, several of them simply fell under the radar. Some Toyota cars deserve all the attention.

1992 Toyota MR2
Via Drivermotorsports

When looking at the rise and fall of the MR2, anyone can assume that Toyota purposefully killed the MR2. The second-generation MR2 is by far the sexiest and the most modular MR2 of all. Toyota offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four powerplant for the U.S. market. The 3S-GTE churns out 200 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. Just by looking at those numbers, it is easy to understand why the MR2 is a legend in Japan.

6 1994 Honda Civic Del Sol

1994 Honda Civic Del Sol Cropped
Via: Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to JDM builds, the first brand that usually comes to mind is Honda. Despite having produced tremendous vehicles such as the NSX, S2000, Integra Type R, and the Prelude, most Honda cars are basically large lawnmowers. That being said, a true Honda fan with the right skills and budget can turn any Honda into a Mustang-killer.

1994 Honda Civic Del Sol
Via Wikimedia Commons

The Honda Civic Del Sol has to be one of the most underrated Civics ever made. It was available with a 1.5-liter, a SOHC 1.6-liter, and a 160-hp DOHC 1.6-liter. Although those numbers are laughable, it is important to keep in mind that an engine swap is always an option. Moreover, given the price of a used Civic Del Sol in average condition, the tiny Honda is one of the best Honda project cars for somebody with a small budget.

5 1995 Lexus SC400

1995 Lexus SC300 Cropped
Via drivermotorsports.com

When it comes to sports cars, Lexus may not be the brand to go to. This is one of the biggest fallacies of the Japanese carmaker. The luxury division of Toyota produced mainly high-end sedans back in the 1990s. However, Lexus did produce some outstanding coupes that even muscle car fans would not mind driving around in. The SC series may have been discontinued due to low sales, but the earlier versions were worth their weight in gold.

RELATED: 10 Awesome Japanese Cars With V8 Engines

1995 Lexus SC300 2 Cropped
Via mecum.com

The SC400 is a classic Lexus that everybody forgets about. Most gearheads looking for a project car may not even consider the SC400, and that is a huge mistake. The 1995 Lexus SC400 does come with a respectable 4.0-liter V8 that produces 250 hp at 5,300 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. You may have to haggle in order to get an SC400 in decent condition for less than $5,000, but the car is worth the hassle.

4 1999 Subaru Forester

1999 Subaru Forester GT 3 Cropped
Via Pinterest

Subaru earned its stripes thanks to its numerous victories in the World Rally Championship. Driven by the late Colin McRae, the Subaru Impreza really showed that Japanese carmakers were capable of manufacturing cars that could zoom down any path with ease. Given the success of the Impreza, most Subarus were simply put on the back burner. They did not get the attention they should have received.

1999 Subaru Forester GT 2 Cropped
Via en.wikipedia.org

A Subaru Forester? The same car moms used to drive to their kids' soccer practice in? No way. Well, believe it or not, the Forester has a lot of potential. It may not be as exciting as an Impreza STi, but it has all the elements needed to become a monster. Underneath the hood sits a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter flat-four unit that makes 165 hp at 5,600 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.

3 2001 Ford Mustang GT

2001 Ford Mustang GT 2 Cropped
Via fastlanecars.com

Ford has been leading the domestic automotive industry for over a century. The company has not only been a cutting-edge carmaker, it has also been a true patriotic company. Ford has, for the most part, been focusing on producing cars for the average Joe. Its most popular vehicle, the Mustang, is one of the best cars to create an insane build.

2001 Ford Mustang GT Cropped
Via vanguardmotorsports.com

The 2001 Mustang GT may not be among the greatest Mustang models ever made, but it sure is a great car to modify. Most gearheads know that the 2001 Mustang GT comes with a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 that produces only 260 hp at 5,250 rpm and 302 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Equipped with a Kenne Bell supercharger, these numbers will increase tremendously. The greatest part about the 2001 Mustang GT is the fact that it is now worth almost nothing.

2 2004 Volvo V70R

2004 Volvo V70R Cropped
Via classic.com

Only one Scandinavian country has been capable of producing vehicles that became popular worldwide: Sweden. Both Saab and Volvo originate from the land of ABBA and Swedish meatballs. Despite being terrific car brands, both Saab and Volvo tend to be perceived as affordable grocery getters that are a couple of notches above Honda cars.

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2004 Volvo V70R 2
Via bringatrailer.com

Station wagons were all the rage back in the early 2000s. Most suburban moms could not wrap their minds around not owning one. While most carmakers came up with their own versions of the soccer mom car, Volvo took it to another level. The 2004 V70R is a beast. The car comes with a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five powerplant that cranks out 300 hp at 5,250 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 1,950 rpm. To put it into perspective, the Volvo V70R is just as powerful as a Mistubishi Lancer Evo 9 or a Subaru Impreza STi of the same year.

1 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Cropped
Via Pinterest

Germany has the most prolific economy in Western Europe. Though the country was reduced to a pile of rubble in 1945, it was able to get back on its feet and show the world how to become a winner. Germany's automotive industry is one of the most fascinating in the world. Cars coming out of Germany are usually considered to be the beacon of reliability, luxury, and sportiness. Consequently, it is normal that even the least attractive brands are still far better than some of the vehicles made in the States.

2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 2 Cropped
Via YouTube

When looking at some of the sickest modded Jettas, it is fair to say that the car has tons of potential. The 2005 Jetta GLI comes with a potent turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 hp at 5,500 rpm and 173 lb-ft of torque at 1,950 rpm. It may not be the most powerful four-cylinder unit out there, but there are tons of aftermarket parts available to turn this cheap German sedan into a beast.