Fast, Reliable V8 Daily?
Discussion
Got a V8 itch that i want to scratch. Not imminent, but I like to plan well ahead and do my research.
Requirements:
- Fast (sub 5 seconds 0-60)
- V8 (gotta sound good too)
- No depreciation (or at least minimal)
- Reliable (daily driven, so can't have it breaking down all the time)
- Cheap / easy to maintain (relatively speaking. Can do basic stuff myself, just don't want huge monthly bills)
- Around £15k budget (less would be better, but will also consider stretching to £20k)
Current Considerations:
Corvette C5 (standard or Z06)
Corvette C6 (standard only)
Jaguar XKR (X150 4.2)
BMW 650i (E63)
Lexus IS F
Vauxhall VXR8
Also considered the following, but have strong doubts about reliability and upkeep:
Merc SL55 (R230)
Bentley Continental GT (W12, but willing to overlook that bit)
Maserati Coupe
Audi RS4 / RS6 / S8
BMW M3/5/6
I think I'd be more than happy with anything I listed, but maintenance costs have me worried and are probably the main deciding factor between them all.
Requirements:
- Fast (sub 5 seconds 0-60)
- V8 (gotta sound good too)
- No depreciation (or at least minimal)
- Reliable (daily driven, so can't have it breaking down all the time)
- Cheap / easy to maintain (relatively speaking. Can do basic stuff myself, just don't want huge monthly bills)
- Around £15k budget (less would be better, but will also consider stretching to £20k)
Current Considerations:
Corvette C5 (standard or Z06)
Corvette C6 (standard only)
Jaguar XKR (X150 4.2)
BMW 650i (E63)
Lexus IS F
Vauxhall VXR8
Also considered the following, but have strong doubts about reliability and upkeep:
Merc SL55 (R230)
Bentley Continental GT (W12, but willing to overlook that bit)
Maserati Coupe
Audi RS4 / RS6 / S8
BMW M3/5/6
I think I'd be more than happy with anything I listed, but maintenance costs have me worried and are probably the main deciding factor between them all.
Edited by Strudul on Friday 31st March 21:07
Edited by Strudul on Friday 31st March 21:12
I can't believe I'm talking about fuel economy (I am so old nowadays) but what mpg do you want to achieve if it's a daily?
Are you commuting in it? If so, far?
I imagine the fairly low-tech engines would be less-stressed and therefore more reliable and cheaper to fix, but the VXR8 (which I'd put in that category) only manages 17mpg over the longer term, as I understand it.
Are you commuting in it? If so, far?
I imagine the fairly low-tech engines would be less-stressed and therefore more reliable and cheaper to fix, but the VXR8 (which I'd put in that category) only manages 17mpg over the longer term, as I understand it.
RSTurboPaul said:
I can't believe I'm talking about fuel economy (I am so old nowadays) but what mpg do you want to achieve if it's a daily?
Are you commuting in it? If so, far?
I imagine the fairly low-tech engines would be less-stressed and therefore more reliable and cheaper to fix, but the VXR8 (which I'd put in that category) only manages 17mpg over the longer term, as I understand it.
Not too worried about MPG as annual mileage isn't huge (<8k).Are you commuting in it? If so, far?
I imagine the fairly low-tech engines would be less-stressed and therefore more reliable and cheaper to fix, but the VXR8 (which I'd put in that category) only manages 17mpg over the longer term, as I understand it.
More concerned about minimising repair / maintenance costs.
A consistent £2k on fuel each year doesn't bother me, but having to fork out hundreds / thousands every month to fix stuff will.
Will be doing services and repairs myself where possible, so would want a car with good 3rd party suppliers to buy replacement parts etc.
Edited by Strudul on Friday 31st March 20:25
Phil Dicky said:
Merc CLS55 ?
Thought about it... could even get a 63 within budget, but I prefer the SL.However, as with the SL, I'm scared I'll face an onslaught of issues and repair bills. Merc aren't exactly renown for reliability ("most expensive car is a cheap Mercedes"), and I believe the model years I'd be looking at are especially bad.
My kind of thread!
I considered a VXR8 last year (but a company car opt out policy meant it was a no-go) as the c63s in my budget (which was similar to yours) were quite old and quite scary. I did see one advertised within budget and not that old but it was high mileage and was gone within seconds - they appear to move quite quickly in more ways than one.
If MPG isn't an issue then the VXR8 seems like a cracking car (for the money)
If you look on PH for VXR8s a lot seem to be sold by one specialist, I can't vouch for them and don't want to advertise but they have a good selection.
I considered a VXR8 last year (but a company car opt out policy meant it was a no-go) as the c63s in my budget (which was similar to yours) were quite old and quite scary. I did see one advertised within budget and not that old but it was high mileage and was gone within seconds - they appear to move quite quickly in more ways than one.
If MPG isn't an issue then the VXR8 seems like a cracking car (for the money)
If you look on PH for VXR8s a lot seem to be sold by one specialist, I can't vouch for them and don't want to advertise but they have a good selection.
Edited by Hackney on Friday 31st March 20:58
I prefer Camaro than Vette in this context. Corvette is more sexy and sporty etc. and if you rich enough, fine; but Camaro is much cheaper (or younger/better with same money) and better choice for me.
Next BMW 650 probably, only modern BMW I could living with
(maybe 8 series too, but this is different scope).
And with some doubts, Bentley Conti GT V8. I am not a biggest fan of VW and I think GT is overpriced and maintenance could bleed even sheik probably, but this AWD is big selling point and V8 should be "easier" than W12. OTOH I always prefer gran turismo than sport car as "waeapon of choice" for daily use.
Other cars from list - not for me AND daily, even beauties like jag.
Next BMW 650 probably, only modern BMW I could living with
(maybe 8 series too, but this is different scope).And with some doubts, Bentley Conti GT V8. I am not a biggest fan of VW and I think GT is overpriced and maintenance could bleed even sheik probably, but this AWD is big selling point and V8 should be "easier" than W12. OTOH I always prefer gran turismo than sport car as "waeapon of choice" for daily use.
Other cars from list - not for me AND daily, even beauties like jag.
Edited by Boni on Friday 31st March 21:09
Strudul said:
Merc aren't exactly renown for reliability ("most expensive car is a cheap Mercedes"), and I believe the model years I'd be looking at are especially bad.
Not a V8 but....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEvtUYC7M1I
Kind of reliable tho
Strudul said:
Got a V8 itch that i want to scratch. Not imminent, but I like to plan well ahead and do my research.
Corvette C5 (standard or Z06)
Corvette C6 (standard only)
Vauxhall VXR8
I think I'd be more than happy with anything I listed, but maintenance costs have me worried and are probably the main deciding factor between them all.
Corvette is a fine choice for a "itch" car and one that will no doubt prove more memorable than the 6 series / XK/SLs and suffer less depreciation.Corvette C5 (standard or Z06)
Corvette C6 (standard only)
Vauxhall VXR8
I think I'd be more than happy with anything I listed, but maintenance costs have me worried and are probably the main deciding factor between them all.
Interesting that you mention the VXR8 and not the Monaro given it's a coupe...for £15k you can get yourself into a 6.0L version and have a few ££ ready for a supercharger
Hackney said:
If MPG isn't an issue then the VXR8 seems like a cracking car (for the money)
If you look on PH for VXR8s a lot seem to be sold by one specialist, I can't vouch for them and don't want to advertise but they have a good selection.
Can't help but think a Corvette is better in every way though (except number of seats / doors and interior). If you look on PH for VXR8s a lot seem to be sold by one specialist, I can't vouch for them and don't want to advertise but they have a good selection.
S10GTA said:
MG Z TT, the V8 one.
As much as I love them, it's not quite quick enough for me. Would be a step down in performance.ZX10R NIN said:
I'd say the C6 Corvette should be where you want to be looking.
Think a C6 is the current favourite, but tempted with a C5 Z06 for similar money, or standard C5 for half the price if I can put up with the crappy interior.If I was in America there'd be no question, but I have doubts about maintaining a car that was never sold in this country. How available are parts and support etc? Am I going to have to get stuff imported and is it going to cost a fortune?
exelero said:
Aye, pre-2003 Mercs were extremely reliable, but after that it all went downhill, especially on anything high-end with lots of electronics.Edited by Strudul on Friday 31st March 21:29
aka_kerrly said:
Corvette is a fine choice for a "itch" car and one that will no doubt prove more memorable than the 6 series / XK/SLs and suffer less depreciation.
Interesting that you mention the VXR8 and not the Monaro given it's a coupe...for £15k you can get yourself into a 6.0L version and have a few ££ ready for a supercharger
I think my logic was that the VXR8 is faster than a Monaro / Monaro VXR which don't fall into the sub 5 seconds 0-60 bracket and are around the same performance as my current car. S/C would be fantastic, but I'm not sure I'd be able to get insurance with aftermarket FI.Interesting that you mention the VXR8 and not the Monaro given it's a coupe...for £15k you can get yourself into a 6.0L version and have a few ££ ready for a supercharger
I know 0-60 isn't the best measure of how fast a car is, but it gives something to go off.
Another advice, very unpopular here, probably - maybe try to forget about this V8 itch, in daily use and own maintenance context (so it's not third car and you are not mogul with tons of cash)
I once scratched my itching V8 spot for daily use, with nice very cheap and very reliable V8 (old ford thunderbird 5.0HO, too big and with mental MPG figures, of course). Not crazy or sporty, just "personal luxury coupe". And I still say, after many years - never again V8, even in my most appreciated cars. It's not even about costs or problems, this is only money; but I have learn how pointless are V8 (and bigger too) on modern roads, with commuting, traffic, DAILY and how low is fun/penny ratio for every additional cylinder above 6
- maybe try to forget about this V8 itch, in daily use and own maintenance context (so it's not third car and you are not mogul with tons of cash)I once scratched my itching V8 spot for daily use, with nice very cheap and very reliable V8 (old ford thunderbird 5.0HO, too big and with mental MPG figures, of course). Not crazy or sporty, just "personal luxury coupe". And I still say, after many years - never again V8, even in my most appreciated cars. It's not even about costs or problems, this is only money; but I have learn how pointless are V8 (and bigger too) on modern roads, with commuting, traffic, DAILY and how low is fun/penny ratio for every additional cylinder above 6
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