The best way to customize Michael, Franklin, and Trevor’s signature cars in Grand Theft Auto 5

Grand Theft Auto 5 has no shortage of cars to choose from. While some players like looks, others gravitate toward the overall speed and performance. Some players like to drive cars they recognize from previous entries in the Grand Theft Auto series. However, the cars most single-player gamers will likely drive most often are the signature cars every character has.

Now, Michael, Franklin, and Trevor all have their own cars that reflect their personalities. However, most players end up neglecting these cars in the mid to late game because, well, there are so many better cars, right? Well, that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. We’re here to dive into how players can customize all three protagonists’ signature cars for maximum performance.

So, without further ado, here is the best way to customize Michael, Franklin, and Trevor’s signature cars in GTA 5.

Michael De Santa: Obey Tailgater

Michael’s Obey Tailgater is heavily inspired by the Audi A6, a luxury sedan that’s known for its sleek design, balanced performance, and sophisticated vibe. The Tailgater has the same elongated shape and minimalistic design with a touch of practicality. The car has a professional aesthetic that perfectly represents Michael’s “I’m successful but not flashy” personality.

When it comes to performance, the Tailgater is fairly balanced like the Audi A6. It’s not built for high speeds, but the smooth, steady, and versatile nature of the car makes it great for cruising through the city or low-profile jobs. It has good handling and durability, making it more about precision and control than races. It gets the job done in missions when you need something practical and reliable.

Performance Customizations

• Engine and Turbo: Upgrade it to EMS Level 4 for the best acceleration and top speed. Add Turbo Tuning to make the car feel more responsive during quick getaways or chases.
• Brakes: Install Race Brakes for sharp stopping power which is perfect for high-speed maneuvers.
• Suspension: Use Sports Suspension as this will reduce the body roll and make the handling more rigid.
• Armor: Go with 100% armor for maxed-out durability, this will be useful in shootouts, police chases, or intense missions.
• Tires: Add Bulletproof Tires for any unexpected punctures and police chases.

After these customizations, the Tailgater turns into a solid all-rounder that’s perfect for anything you can throw at it. With better handling and acceleration, it’ll feel smoother and more responsive which will put you at a huge advantage during intense missions or police chases. The added durability from the tires and armor means it’ll be able to tank bullets and crashes and still keep going. It’s best used in story missions where you need to stay low-key.

Franklin Clinton: Bravado Buffalo S

Franklins Bravado Buffalo S packs a serious punch and is Rockstar’s take on the Dodge Charger SRT8. It’s designed for speed and street racing and perfectly fits Franklin’s love for high-speed chases. The car has an aggressive and muscular design similar to the Charger, making it stand out on the streets of Los Santos.

The Buffalo S builds on the same base as the Dodge Charger, with sharp handling and a better grip which already makes it a fantastic car for street racing. To top it off, Franklin’s slow-motion ability makes this car even better as it gives you near-flawless control in tight corners during escapes or police chases. The car is built for that fast-paced thrill that so often comes with Franklin’s solo ventures.

Performance Customizations

• Engine and Turbo: EMS Level 4 for the best acceleration and top speed, Turbo Tuning for street racing or high-speed chases.
• Transmission: Race Transmission for smooth and quick gear shifts.
• Brakes: Race Brakes for the best stopping power, perfect for sharp corners or avoiding crashes at high speeds.
• Suspension: Competition Suspension for the best road grip.
• Spoiler: A High-Level Spoiler will boost the downforce adding to the grip and stability.
• Tires: Bulletproof tires to avoid punctures during chases or shootouts.

A fully upgraded Buffalo S is a beast with top-tier acceleration and control. It’s perfect for handling tight corners, and for even better control, use it with Franklin’s slow-mo ability. Franklin’s missions sometimes need quick getaways and this car will deliver just that. While it doesn’t support armor upgrades, the sheer speed and robustness often outweigh the need for extra tankiness.

Trevor Philips: Canis Bodhi

Trevor’s Canis Bodhi is an offroad pickup truck that embodies Trevor’s rugged, chaotic, and unpredictable personality. It takes on after the Kaiser Jeep M715, a military truck from the 1960s. Unlike Michael and Franklin, Trevor’s Bodhi puts focus purely on durability and off-road capability, designed to take on the Blaine County’s wilderness.

The open-bed design and exposed frame offer a raw and unpolished aesthetic fitting of Trevor’s lifestyle. The Bodhi is not built for speed and instead excels in off-road situations like dirt roads and rocky mountains. The sluggish top speed can feel slow but it’s still a reliable workhorse for Trevor’s needs. The Bodhi is a durable choice for shootouts and navigating the rugged backroads.

Performance Customizations

• Engine and Turbo: The EMS Level 4 engine will improve its sluggish performance and make movement better. The Turbo Tuning also adds much-needed extra power.
• Brakes: Off-road brakes will enhance the control and stopping power helping handle the vehicle in steep surfaces.
• Suspension: Go with Lowered Suspension as it’ll smooth out the stability and handling on uneven ground.
• Armor: 100% armor for maximum durability, letting it handle damage from shootouts or police chases.
• Tires: Off-road tires will be ideal as they provide better grip on rough terrains.

These customizations will make the Canis Bodhi a lot more versatile and capable of handling tough conditions. The upgraded suspension and offroad tires combined ensure that any off-road challenges are dealt with easily.

You’ll be taking the Bodhi out on missions where durability will be a lot more important than speed, and the upgraded frame and armor will offer just that. You can also take it on a stroll to explore the wilderness in mountainous areas or drive through Los Santos while having gunfights and police chases.

Should you upgrade every character’s car in GTA 5?

While we’ve already covered the best way to cover every protagonist’s main car in GTA 5, it’s time for the million-dollar question. Of course, we mean whether it’s even a good idea to upgrade every character’s car.

The short answer is yes, but the longer answer is it’s better if you upgrade it without going overboard. Upgrading every character’s weapon for peak performance is well and good, but most players will likely opt to use a car they find on the street of Los Santos compared to taking their signature cars. After all, upgrading every character’s signature car isn’t exactly cheap.

However, it’s still a good idea to ensure it’s better than the standard hunk of junk we get at the very start. It’s important to remember that, in many cases, the most accessible car for players will be their signature car. Therefore, ensuring it has good speed and durability may be a good idea.

Additionally, while other cars can get permanently destroyed, the same can’t be said for the protagonist’s signature cars. These cars constantly respawn at the player’s safe house, ensuring they’re always with players.

While Rockstar has ensured GTA 5 has more than enough cars to choose from, every character’s signature vehicle still gets time to shine. This time could be during main story missions or even after cutscenes where their cars will be parked nearby to ensure players can get in and drive away without having to wait for some random car to drive by.