Really wanted to love a V8 but...
Discussion
I now feel deflated.
Recently I posted about wanting my first V8 while I can afford one comfortably so test drove a few: C63 AMG, mustang GT & RS4.. all cars were pretty new and exhaust note aside, I just feel underwhelmed. Now I know I'm likely to get a barrage of abuse but hear me out...
I've grown up with mostly front wheel drive turbo cars, most powerful being a 380bhp seat Loren cupra, 310bhp golf gti Pirelli etc, and thought I would enjoy the n/a v8, but I was left wanting more... Basically I think I need turbo boost in my life, I just love it,. So is the a v8 turbo'd car I should maybe try? Dont get me wrong, the RWD thing I'm fine with, had a Nissan 200sx and used to love that, I just feel like I'm at crossroads where I can have any car I want up to about £40k, not fussed about mpg but don't know where to turn...
Recently I posted about wanting my first V8 while I can afford one comfortably so test drove a few: C63 AMG, mustang GT & RS4.. all cars were pretty new and exhaust note aside, I just feel underwhelmed. Now I know I'm likely to get a barrage of abuse but hear me out...
I've grown up with mostly front wheel drive turbo cars, most powerful being a 380bhp seat Loren cupra, 310bhp golf gti Pirelli etc, and thought I would enjoy the n/a v8, but I was left wanting more... Basically I think I need turbo boost in my life, I just love it,. So is the a v8 turbo'd car I should maybe try? Dont get me wrong, the RWD thing I'm fine with, had a Nissan 200sx and used to love that, I just feel like I'm at crossroads where I can have any car I want up to about £40k, not fussed about mpg but don't know where to turn...
I've used several GM 350 V8's in various pickups and a 454, a couple of GM6.5 diesels, and old Ford may be Winchester V8(?), 6 Powerstrokes and 2 IH V800's (800 cubic inch). None of which I thought were anything to jump up and down about. The diesels in particular were all pretty useless, the V800's were at their best in marine applications on the end of a chain at the bottom of the sea. Utterly useless dogs of engines.
There are a few nice VXR8s in the classifieds including a very nicely sorted 7.0L LS2 owned by somebody we know. One of the fastest cars on he HSV forum with 680hp in NA form.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 26th September 21:54
If you like FI, you like FI. Nothing wrong with that, no right or wrong here.
For the ultimate in turbo fun I'd suggest trying
997 Turbo (slightly over budget for early car but maybe possible)
Nissan GTR
Tuning options with both are huge. If you get bored Litchfield will get you 600BHP from the GTR for just over £3K..
For the ultimate in turbo fun I'd suggest trying
997 Turbo (slightly over budget for early car but maybe possible)
Nissan GTR
Tuning options with both are huge. If you get bored Litchfield will get you 600BHP from the GTR for just over £3K..
Each to their own. My fleet of 7 cars has no turbo in sight.
That will remain the case while NA is dwindling, I'll enjoy it while I can.
Interesting developments in hybrids with electric filling the turbo lag though,
Twin turbo big capacity engines are also enjoyable.
TFSI engines by contrast are just horrible.
I'm older and just enjoy using a gearbox.
That will remain the case while NA is dwindling, I'll enjoy it while I can.
Interesting developments in hybrids with electric filling the turbo lag though,
Twin turbo big capacity engines are also enjoyable.
TFSI engines by contrast are just horrible.
I'm older and just enjoy using a gearbox.
I think what you need is a bit of old school technology that relies on your right foot input to prevent it from flying off into the ditch backwards, rather relying on a plethora of modern-day nanny-state computers and 4x4 traction controls to save your day, and in the process reward you with a very bland and sanitised driving experience.
How about a manual rear wheel drive 5.4 litre V8 Porsche 928 GTS, values are rising ahead of the 40th anniversary next year so you shouldn't lose too much money if you buy a decent one. They top out at just over 170mph unless they have been tweaked. Comes complete with well balanced handling and very high levels of roadholding though will ultimately bite on the limit, you need to respect what you are driving. A true Jekyll and Hyde personality. Not for the faint hearted!
How about a drive round the Nordschleife track in a Porsche 928 S4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgwHOu_b7KU
How about a manual rear wheel drive 5.4 litre V8 Porsche 928 GTS, values are rising ahead of the 40th anniversary next year so you shouldn't lose too much money if you buy a decent one. They top out at just over 170mph unless they have been tweaked. Comes complete with well balanced handling and very high levels of roadholding though will ultimately bite on the limit, you need to respect what you are driving. A true Jekyll and Hyde personality. Not for the faint hearted!
How about a drive round the Nordschleife track in a Porsche 928 S4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgwHOu_b7KU
In your budget I do not think you can beat a used GTR...there is a nice one for sale near me for £39k. I have had many V8 cars, and my 348bhp V6 NA car is more exciting to drive. Only V8 I had with "personality" was a 1968 Ford F100 with a built Thunderbird FE big block in it (400+hp).
Most super saloons, such as the cars you drove, are designed to be refined and comfortable, rather than exciting. They're company cars for successful businessmen who want a turn of speed. The RS4 in particular I found utterly dull and dreary, as not only does it have this saloon car design brief, probably moreso than the others, but coking issues and 4WD rob it of power - it felt 330ci fast to me, if that. I drove a 30k mile two year old one, so it wasn't even that worn out.
Don't also forget that a rear drive or 4WD chassis with proper suspension will cope with power an awful lot better than a souped up FWD hatchback. Most of the 'exciting' feeling you get with a hot hatch is because the chassis was primarily designed to have 100bhp and carry kids and shopping.
The other thing is that one of the V8's primary selling points is how smooth they are (or can be, with the right firing order etc); in America they're standard in luxury cars for this reason, or at least they were for many years. A flat plane crank AJP V8 in a Cerbera for example is a completely different kettle of fish, or a high revving Ferrari V8 for another example.
I think you perhaps need to broaden your test drive choices somewhat, for example to include TVRs, or you may find an SLK55 AMG or SL55 AMG more to your taste than the C63 (both have a wonderful sound when revved). If you absolutely have to have a saloon, then how about a Vauxhall VXR8? With the right induction and exhaust they can sound wonderful, and they're a bit more raw than the cars you test drove.
Don't also forget that a rear drive or 4WD chassis with proper suspension will cope with power an awful lot better than a souped up FWD hatchback. Most of the 'exciting' feeling you get with a hot hatch is because the chassis was primarily designed to have 100bhp and carry kids and shopping.
The other thing is that one of the V8's primary selling points is how smooth they are (or can be, with the right firing order etc); in America they're standard in luxury cars for this reason, or at least they were for many years. A flat plane crank AJP V8 in a Cerbera for example is a completely different kettle of fish, or a high revving Ferrari V8 for another example.
I think you perhaps need to broaden your test drive choices somewhat, for example to include TVRs, or you may find an SLK55 AMG or SL55 AMG more to your taste than the C63 (both have a wonderful sound when revved). If you absolutely have to have a saloon, then how about a Vauxhall VXR8? With the right induction and exhaust they can sound wonderful, and they're a bit more raw than the cars you test drove.
Edited by RobM77 on Tuesday 27th September 10:06
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