Top 10 Grey Market Cars Worth Bribing Customs For
Importing a grey market vehicle is a long, arduous, expensive task, which is generally why only those people employed by government-bankrolled investment firms or the Columbian cartel can afford to do it. Plebes like us are forced to make do with whatever the dealer has in stock or, more likely, whatever we can find on Craigslist for under 5 grand. If you have an “in” with the U.S. Department of Commerce and unlimited funds, however, there are 10 cars that are totally worth trying to smuggle through customs.
1. Ford Focus RS
This is not the same Focus that you see parked 10 abreast and 30 deep at the community college, this is the Ford Focus RS. Tagged a Lancer Evo-fighter without a trace of facetiousness, the Focus RS is a mean little machine thanks entirely to the low-pressure turbo genius of Volvo. Equipped with a 2.5L turbocharged inline 5, the Focus RS churns out a staggering 305-horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. Ordinarily, that much power coupled with a FWD layout is a recipe for one ugly, habitual understeer, but amazingly the Focus RS cuts corners on the track with razor-edge precision. The real deal-clincher? All of this can be had for around £25k (not including any relevant bribes, of course).
2. Fiat 500 Abarth
The Fiat 500 Abarth has a turbocharged and intercooled 1.4L four cylinder that puts out 150-horsepower, which is laughable for a full-sized sedan but translates to a real white-knuckle experience under the hood of a 139.8 inch long, 65.0 inch wide, 58.2 inch tall, 2282 pound compact. It can break the 0-62 mph mark in 7.9 seconds while still averaging 44 mpg, and even when it’s optioned out its $23k price tag won’t break the bank. Basically, the Fiat 500 Abarth gives you all the benefits of a MINI Cooper without making you look like you’re big into dudes.
3. Audi RS6 Avant
In 1990, Volvo introduced the 960 turbo wagon with the slogan, “Until Ferrari makes a wagon, this is it.” When the 960 was discontinued in the late 90’s, nothing stepped up to take its place. To this day there isn’t anything in the U.S. that rivals the turbo brick,and blatant Volvo bias forces us to maintain that there isn’t anything that rivals it overseas either, but if it was possible to replace the 960, the RS6 Avant would be our number one pick.
4. GTbyCITROEN
Ok we admit, it’s a media whore, and for that we loathe it, but c’mon, look at it! Tearing up the asphalt around Piccadilly Circus while playing Gran Turismo Prolouge5 is one thing, but actually doing it behind the wheel of a full-scale, real-life model? That’ll earn you so much street cred, the ladies won’t even care that you live in your mother’s basement. Or that you’re 40 years old. And balding. And a little chubby.
5. Ford RS200 Evolution
An unfortunate crash during WRC Portugal lead to the sudden cancellation of the RS200 in 1986, but not before Ford had already introduced the RS200 Evolution. Designed by F1 engineers for Ford of Great Britain to blow the window nets off other rally racers, the RS200 Evo was basically an STi with extreme ‘roid rage. A beefed-up version of the already-chunky Cosworth BDA sat longitudinally mounted in the rear of the Evo and, depending on who you’re talking to and which factory upgrade they had, put out anywhere from 550 horsepower to an almost unbelievable 815-horsepower. What’s more, the most powerful RS200 Evos were able to sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.07 seconds, earning the Ford RS200 Evo a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for 12 years as the fastest production car ever.
6. Renault Mégane R26.R
Three words: Six-point harness. A limited edition Mégane Sport model, the R26.R comes with a 6-point aviation-style restraint system and a 4-point roll cage that looks as badass as it sounds. To cut down on drag, the tail lights and rear window are made out of polycarbonate tinted just dark enough to pass for glass. The 2-liter inline 4 cranks out 230-horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, which wouldn’t usually be particularly noteworthy were it not for the fact that the RS6.2 managed to lap the Nürburgring in 8m 17s. To achieve this, Renault dispensed with any frivolous accoutrements like the radio, the rear seats, and the airbags.
7. Audi A5 Sportback
There’s only one reason we covet the A5 Sportback: aesthetics. The average age of car buyers is apparently on a steady decline, and to appeal to the new emerging market both BMW and Audi have created this new, thing. It’s not the Avant your PTA president drives, but it could still haul just as many crappy cupcakes to the bake sale, and it’s not the coupe the douche in finance who lives next door drives, but it could still weave in and out of traffic with the same finesse.
8. Vauxhall VXR8
It’s the Pontiac G8. ‘Nuff said.
9. Alfa Romeo MiTo
Its engines only produce a range from 99 to 150-horsepower, the DNA drive switch that has critics salivating has been done countless times before in some form or another, and the car itself is just a rebadged Fiat Punto. It’s not much to speak of on the track, but gas mileage is great and the whole shebang can be had for under $22k, which means you can put a brand new Alfa Romeo in your garage for a fraction of the price of its predecessor, the 8C Competizione. So yeah, the performance might be mediocre, but it’s an Alfa Romeo for crying out loud…
10. Holden VE Ute
El Camino, anyone? Had Pontiac not been on such a treacherous road to ruin, we might have seen this stateside in the form of the Pontiac G8 Sport truck. Unfortunately, it was cancelled before it ever hit production and the Holden VE Ute is the only remaining evidence it ever existed.
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Nice list.
Words by Geoff on July 16, 2009 at 8:22 pm | #
If someone walked up to me on the street, handed me this list, and said “These and only these are the ten cars you will own in your life”, I would surely die a happy man.
Words by sketch on July 17, 2009 at 10:04 am | #
bloody hell, i can’t wait for the fiat 500 to come here, i want that damn pc mouse on my garage now
Words by daniel on July 20, 2009 at 2:29 pm | #
8. Vauxhall VXR8
“It’s the Pontiac G8. ‘Nuff said” No its actually the Holden Commodore VE….
Words by Di on July 20, 2009 at 3:12 pm | #
Go Audi!
Words by Quattrophrenia on July 20, 2009 at 3:42 pm | #
@Di: …which is the Pontiac G8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_G8
Words by Suzanne Denbow on July 20, 2009 at 3:42 pm | #
In the Focus RS section – you say oversteer; I’m sure you mean understeer?
Words by Josh on July 20, 2009 at 7:39 pm | #
those are some pretty neat cars for sure… it’s amazing to see all the vehicles that don’t make it to north america
Words by jamie on July 20, 2009 at 11:09 pm | #
I’ll take the GTbyCITROEN in black please.
Words by Television Spy on July 20, 2009 at 11:13 pm | #
Suzanne Denbow: Pontiac G8: Yeah but was the Holden Commodore was First – its been in production since the 70’s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Commodore
The Holden is Much better looking, the G8 grill is ugly.
Words by KD on July 20, 2009 at 11:19 pm | #
@Suzanna Denbow
Which is a re-branded Holden Commodore VE….the original platform….this is not a chicken or the egg argument. The Holden is the original….nuff said.
Words by JR on July 20, 2009 at 11:35 pm | #
Ford is an American company right? So how is it that their choice rides are available only OUT of the USA? Shouldn’t it be the opposite? Like JDM? I could understand not getting the Nissan Skyline but a Focus RS and An RS200 Evolution?
And these companies wonder why they are going under…..
Words by rcorrino on July 21, 2009 at 12:48 am | #
The price of the new focus rs nearer to $50k than $25k.
Words by mr patel on July 21, 2009 at 12:58 am | #
Hey, that green Ute is made like 5km from my house.
Commodores are the most common car on the road in SA. The ute body exists because they can be classed as a utility vehicle and then written off on tax as a work expense for tradies while still being a very powerful and fun to drive vehicle.
Words by Annon201 on July 21, 2009 at 1:08 am | #
Living in Europe this has to be the WORST list I’ve ever seen… Do you guys actually know anything about overseas auto markets? There are a LOT more cars out there that trump all the vehcles listed.
Words by crash47 on July 21, 2009 at 1:15 am | #
Missed the Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo as well……
Words by Mike on July 21, 2009 at 1:27 am | #
@Everyone: I am well aware of the fact that the Holden Commodore came first, but the Pontiac G8 is the vehicle which has been discontinued in the States and which we would like to see revived. C’mon guys.
Words by Suzanne Denbow on July 21, 2009 at 2:04 am | #
I owned the RS but had to recently get a bigger car. The RS is on par with the EVO (ive owned both) The sat nav and carbon fiber interior is fantastic. It goes like stink as well! The only error with this article is that the price is not 25k $. It is 25K £ uk pounds so around $45K US. In other words, its more than an evo in the U.S. so it wouldn’t be worth it!
Words by Ryan Gliozzo on July 21, 2009 at 3:51 am | #
The GTbyCitroen isn’t even a real car, yet! It’s only a concept, and as far as I can tell, hasn’t even been green-lit for small scale production.
I second the Falcon XR6 Turbo, and I’ll raise you an FPV Falcon GT-P.
Words by JR on July 21, 2009 at 7:43 am | #
I have to agree with crash47 that this list could be better.
Words by Kane McNaught on July 21, 2009 at 9:13 am | #
You forgot the Renault Clio V6RS – mid engined (in a hatchback!), supercar speed
Words by Rob on July 21, 2009 at 10:35 am | #
Uhh where’s the Skyline R34
Words by V-Star69 on July 21, 2009 at 12:51 pm | #
Loooove my imports, I drive an import (Twin Turbo Galant VR4) at the moment
The Holdens/HSV’s are awesome, but there are SO many around here (I live in Aus).. Same with Skylines and all that.. But bring on the Focus RS/and all those crazy powered small cars that Europe has! And the Audi RS6 is available here, but I still haven’t had the chance to see one in person.. That’s one major rarity hehe, but one day I’ll own one!
Words by Tom on July 21, 2009 at 6:27 pm | #
The G8 = Australian car its a Holden Clubsport! Best car around in Australia.. .fastest ever aussie production car.
And the VE Ute u have there is no way near the best ute u could buy in australia..
The Holden Maloo is MUCH better
http://www.privatefleet.com.au/images/upload/Image/new-cars/HSV/08%20HSV%20Maloo%20R8.jpg
Words by Huw on July 21, 2009 at 7:59 pm | #
the citroen looks like a transformer that didn’t quite finish transforming.
Words by pleb on July 22, 2009 at 5:46 am | #
What about this then: rare, and with a sound that will make your spine tingle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Clio_V6_Renault_Sport
Words by Miguel on July 22, 2009 at 8:06 am | #
the gtbyCItroen is a concept there not making it for real
Words by Tim on July 22, 2009 at 5:54 pm | #
The Holden VE Ute:
Yous say “Unfortunately, it was cancelled before it ever hit production and the Holden VE Ute is the only remaining evidence it ever existed.”.
It always was a rebadged Holden VE Ute. Not the other way around.
Similarly the Vauxhall and Pontiac G8 are merely rebadged Australian Holden Commodores.
Words by Wayne FitzSimons on July 25, 2009 at 9:32 pm | #
The Vauxhall VXR8 is a top of the range Holden too …Pontiac my arse
Words by Waddauno on July 26, 2009 at 5:29 am | #
Can’t find a “contact us” link on this site, so I guess it’ll have to stick to the comments area, but this is for the writer:
Hey, Ms. Denbow. If you’re going to make a reference to my country’s drug problems (which have really decreased in the last few years, by the way), could you at least bother to google it so you get the spelling right?
It’s COLOMBIA, with an O. Unless you’re referring to those drug cartels in South Carolina, in which case I apologize for the misunderstanding.
Words by Castillo on July 26, 2009 at 12:43 pm | #
I am slightly confused as i have had the pleaure in driving the focus rs and the fiat 500 abart and understand that america doesn’t have them or why u cant get them through customs…?
also why isnt the Civic Type R GT on there (FN2 The english made one….?) i dont think you have those…..??
i do tho!!!!!
Words by samuel!! on July 27, 2009 at 6:32 pm | #
i agree with the Alpha romeo MiTI (i will seriously consider bribeing for a MiTo GTA if it lives up to the hype .. .and even if it doesent have you HEARD the STOCK exoust on the teaser clip?) and the ford focus RS.
where is the skyline R34 or the honda versions of basicly any acura would be a very cool item to have. Vauxhoul has a coupe with the large v8 and the limited slip diff that would be killer to have and audi a5? ewww
Words by Phillip on July 28, 2009 at 1:50 am | #
Sure, there are some cool cars in the European market that are not available in the US. The root to this issue can be found in the American’s love affair with cars with stronger engines which excludes some of these European cars that are seen as underpowered in America. Although I believe there could be a market even for these cars here, many importers are not willing to bring them over here since they believe they will only be sold in very small numbers. Now one can I argue about this back and forth. One question that arises is: how could they possibly be sure about that when they even don’t bother to bring them here in the first place? The same can be said about the diesel-powered vehicles or the four-cylinder BMWs.
Words by Affmeister on July 31, 2009 at 10:11 am | #
Personally I don’t care whether the badge is Pontiac or Holden. I currently drive a SV6 version of the sedan and it is a top car and the SS Holden Omega ute (foreigners call them sports trucks) will be my next buy. That is the model with the V8 for all of you foreigners. I only said that for the bite. I was a teenager in the 70’s when we dreamed of buying a Pontiac as cars at the time here were very different. Our hobbies included buying holdens (and ford’s) of all types and putting big block motors in them for the muscle roar. I’m going now so I can take a trip down memory lane. Cheers from OZ.
Words by John Boy on August 1, 2009 at 10:33 pm | #
I like GTbyCITROEN. It is pretty impressive!
Words by Dana on August 2, 2009 at 11:01 am | #
no scirocco = no list
Words by Brian on August 18, 2009 at 1:05 am | #
You are right, when you lose your hair and your belly swells, buy a Citroen… LOL
Words by Muscle Cars on October 1, 2009 at 7:56 am | #
Great list and I would also love to grab the Audi RS6. But one nit, there was a better sport wagon in the 90s, the Audi RS2:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_RS2_Avant
Audi/Porsche wagon
Words by MJ Posner on February 17, 2010 at 7:45 am | #