Which V8 / fun car up to £2k
Discussion
Robatr0n said:
That is nice, though I'd never risk traveling that far to see a car at that value. Went to see a car once near Caernarfon on the train expecting to buy it. Car wasn't as good as described so I didn't buy. Seller wasn't too keen on dropping me back to the train station (middle of nowhere) and took his time before taking me.I'll hopefully be seeing an LS400 before long
My daily driver is an E34 540 auto...I have a thread in 'Reader's Cars'.
25 mpg combined (mainly A roads, but a fair few roundabouts). You can get 30 mpg on the motorway..
I absolutely love my car, and the small alloy wheels make it a great comfy cruiser. Though larger ones would make the car look better, I am sure it would compromise the ride quality.
It is a very quick car if using kick down or sport mode. 0 - 100 mph is something like 16 - 17 seconds I seem to remember from reading a road test.
If you want to hear the sound of the v8 though, it definitely would need something done to it as it is VERY quiet in standard form.
Still miss my Alfa GTV V6 though... THAT V6...
25 mpg combined (mainly A roads, but a fair few roundabouts). You can get 30 mpg on the motorway..
I absolutely love my car, and the small alloy wheels make it a great comfy cruiser. Though larger ones would make the car look better, I am sure it would compromise the ride quality.
It is a very quick car if using kick down or sport mode. 0 - 100 mph is something like 16 - 17 seconds I seem to remember from reading a road test.
If you want to hear the sound of the v8 though, it definitely would need something done to it as it is VERY quiet in standard form.
Still miss my Alfa GTV V6 though... THAT V6...
kprm77 said:
sparkyhx said:
Thanks for that 
Looks like even the V8's shouldn't be more than a problem than the V6's as a lot would have had the problems sorted. First two V8's I've looked at have had new engines.
This XJ8 which is close to me has had a new engine. Doesn't seem too quick at 8.1secs to 60 though. Is that misleading? I like wafting, but I'd like mid range power for the odd overtake.
You can of course manually lock down, but I just choose to waft instead.
Don't get me wrong its by no means slow, just not 'sporty'. oh and you can bearly hear it so don't expect V8 soundtrack
................but its the best 'all round' car I have owned.
Edited by sparkyhx on Friday 28th October 16:51
Edited by sparkyhx on Friday 28th October 16:52
find a black cat, a rabbit's foot and a sizeable block of wood and go for a Fiat Coupe 20vt. Bad ones are diastrous, but good ones put a huge smile on your face. With some mild (and inexpensive) tweaking, you're looking at an easy 250bhp, 160mph, 0-60 in under 6 seconds. Cars with a reliable 300bhp can be had for around £3k. You can get lots more power if you really want to, but the cost rises exponentially.
With preventative maintenance from one of the Coupe specialists, they can be extremely reliable - my last one was doing 30,000 miles a year and did almost a quarter of a million miles before the rust got to it. I then transferred the lump into a newer shell and I'm still running it now.
OK, it's FWD, but they were acknowledged as one of the bst FWD chassis of their time, despite the humble Tipo underpinnings.
Probably one of the fastest cars you can get for your £2k
With preventative maintenance from one of the Coupe specialists, they can be extremely reliable - my last one was doing 30,000 miles a year and did almost a quarter of a million miles before the rust got to it. I then transferred the lump into a newer shell and I'm still running it now.
OK, it's FWD, but they were acknowledged as one of the bst FWD chassis of their time, despite the humble Tipo underpinnings.
Probably one of the fastest cars you can get for your £2k
jbi said:
redgriff500 said:
jbi said:
Toyota/lexus soarer with manual conversion
You find one for £2k and I'll buy it.Only ones I've seen have been £4k ish
I'll be looking at a couple of LS400's in the next few days.
Also might be seeing an A8. There are two 4.2 A8's I could see - one 1998 and one 1999 facelift model. I'm sure I've heard on here that the gearbox on the newer car may be an issue. Could someone confirm if that's the case, or just if I'm thinking of another car?
Also might be seeing an A8. There are two 4.2 A8's I could see - one 1998 and one 1999 facelift model. I'm sure I've heard on here that the gearbox on the newer car may be an issue. Could someone confirm if that's the case, or just if I'm thinking of another car?
kprm77 said:
Also might be seeing an A8. There are two 4.2 A8's I could see - one 1998 and one 1999 facelift model. I'm sure I've heard on here that the gearbox on the newer car may be an issue. Could someone confirm if that's the case, or just if I'm thinking of another car?
Just had a look round and it seems the gearbox oil must be changed on these cars (around 100,000 miles) - is this just for the facelift car, or does it apply to the 1998 car too?kprm77 said:
I'll be looking at a couple of LS400's in the next few days.
Also might be seeing an A8. There are two 4.2 A8's I could see - one 1998 and one 1999 facelift model.
Forgive me for saying, but in your OP and later in replies you've said this:Also might be seeing an A8. There are two 4.2 A8's I could see - one 1998 and one 1999 facelift model.
kprm77 said:
I'm after a fun / quirky / different car for up to £2k.
kprm77 said:
Just want something a bit different.
kprm77 said:
I'm after something fun or different or quirky
As much as I like many of the cars mentioned in this thread (and I'm a huge fan of several of them). I seriously don't how any of them are even remotely appropriate for what you say you are wanting. 
And you've said this:
kprm77 said:
it would be nice to hear the V8 if I go down that route.
While an aftermarket exhaust can solve this on your above choices, they aren't typically the type of car you'd expect to be vocal. In fact the LS400 was the quietest production car in it's day, it's damn near silent inside.So the question is, what are you really after??
Fun and quirky to me, certainly isn't a normal mainstream luxury model.
I like them and think they are great if that's what you are after, but they are about comfort, luxury and relaxed progress. Many can be rapid and good at covering large distances at high speed, but most are not sporty, nimble or that quick off the line.
kprm77 said:
I'm sure I've heard on here that the gearbox on the newer car may be an issue. Could someone confirm if that's the case, or just if I'm thinking of another car?
Basically, every car ever made in the entire history of motoring will have a potential problem. The internet simply highlights it as though every single example of 'x' car will exhibit it.Basically what I'm saying is don't worry to much about it. Buy wise and take your chances, fussing over it just means you won't do it, regardless of how likely you might encounter an issue. It's also worth checking out prices on doing some of these things, they might not be anywhere near as expensive as you think they will be.
300bhp/ton said:
While an aftermarket exhaust can solve this on your above choices, they aren't typically the type of car you'd expect to be vocal. In fact the LS400 was the quietest production car in it's day, it's damn near silent inside.
Indeed they are... and the factory exhaust being made from stainless steel will last a very long time.However... I got a little bored with the stock sound
If you are sensible with your pick of exhaust diameter and muffler/resonators than the car still remains sedate while cruising, but a healthy growl under acceleration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=jCfSwY8UWo...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcEFRCax50w&fea...
kprm77 said:
I'll be looking at a couple of LS400's in the next few days.
Also might be seeing an A8. There are two 4.2 A8's I could see - one 1998 and one 1999 facelift model. I'm sure I've heard on here that the gearbox on the newer car may be an issue. Could someone confirm if that's the case, or just if I'm thinking of another car?
It is the five speed autobox that can be iffy, the early 4 speed autobox is pretty bulletproof but the five speed autobox needs oil and filter changes, which are not part of the Audi service plan.Also might be seeing an A8. There are two 4.2 A8's I could see - one 1998 and one 1999 facelift model. I'm sure I've heard on here that the gearbox on the newer car may be an issue. Could someone confirm if that's the case, or just if I'm thinking of another car?
Personally I'd never really consider a modern(ish) barge as a fun car ... a great wafty daily driver, I'm sure, but not the sort of thing you'd chuck down a B-road for entertainment.
I'd say go for a sports car if it's just for a giggle. You'll probably have to forego the V8, but you'd get a great mk1 MX5 for that money, which would be huge fun for slithering around on damp winter roads. If you want something a bit more practical you could get a 924 or maybe even a half decent early 944 for that sort of money - a bit more restrained, but better for motorway use, a lot more practical and even better balanced.
Failing that, what's the starting price for an 88" Landie with a V8 conversion?
I'd say go for a sports car if it's just for a giggle. You'll probably have to forego the V8, but you'd get a great mk1 MX5 for that money, which would be huge fun for slithering around on damp winter roads. If you want something a bit more practical you could get a 924 or maybe even a half decent early 944 for that sort of money - a bit more restrained, but better for motorway use, a lot more practical and even better balanced.
Failing that, what's the starting price for an 88" Landie with a V8 conversion?
Chris71 said:
Personally I'd never really consider a modern(ish) barge as a fun car ... a great wafty daily driver, I'm sure, but not the sort of thing you'd chuck down a B-road for entertainment.
I'd say go for a sports car if it's just for a giggle. You'll probably have to forego the V8, but you'd get a great mk1 MX5 for that money, which would be huge fun for slithering around on damp winter roads. If you want something a bit more practical you could get a 924 or maybe even a half decent early 944 for that sort of money - a bit more restrained, but better for motorway use, a lot more practical and even better balanced.
Failing that, what's the starting price for an 88" Landie with a V8 conversion?
I've got a mk1 mx5.I'd say go for a sports car if it's just for a giggle. You'll probably have to forego the V8, but you'd get a great mk1 MX5 for that money, which would be huge fun for slithering around on damp winter roads. If you want something a bit more practical you could get a 924 or maybe even a half decent early 944 for that sort of money - a bit more restrained, but better for motorway use, a lot more practical and even better balanced.
Failing that, what's the starting price for an 88" Landie with a V8 conversion?
I can't wait to trade it for a V8 barge next year when I've moved nearer work and don't have a 90 odd mile commute
300bhp/ton said:
As much as I like many of the cars mentioned in this thread (and I'm a huge fan of several of them). I seriously don't how any of them are even remotely appropriate for what you say you are wanting.
Apologies, but I've not explained the "different" part in my original post very well. I touched on it here:kprm77 said:
Just want something a bit different. Have been driving mostly Saabs, VW and Skoda recently.
It's something different for me - something away from the cars that I have had up to now. Thus a BMW 328 would be different for me as I've never owned (or even driven) a BMW before.I mentioned that the V8 noise would be nice, but it's not essential. Just after a different driving experience to what I have had in the past.
I've no need to get a Lexus LS400, or a 740/A8/MX5/whatever, but it would be nice to own and experience one
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