Best V8 under £6K

[Fdrain6]

Previously had a X308 4.0 Jaguar XJ8, which i regret selling. Looking for recommendations to fill that void, the faster accelerating the better! Not bothered on fuel economy, but can't be too unreliable as it will be my daily driver too. Open to saloons/coupes/convertibles. Thanks!

[Mineral1]

Possibly squeeze an MGB GT for that, actually maybe not the V8.

Budget is a bit tight I think, unless you're happy to spend time and money fixing something problematic

[DSLiverpool]

Any AMG you can find

[300bhp/ton]

Fdrain6 said:

Previously had a X308 4.0 Jaguar XJ8, which i regret selling. Looking for recommendations to fill that void, the faster accelerating the better! Not bothered on fuel economy, but can't be too unreliable as it will be my daily driver too. Open to saloons/coupes/convertibles. Thanks!

What do you want from the vehicle?

In the UK most V8's either went into saloons (so very muted and sedated) or high end sports cars way above this price point.


You might be able to find Camaro, Firebird, Mustang or similar in budget. But US stuff of this price range seems to have vanished. Or maybe even a classic like a TR7 V8 or perhaps an MG or some other retro fitted RV8 in an old car.


I bought this for around your budget in 2017. You might be able to find something similar still.

[Fdrain6]

I've been looking around late 90s/early 2000s. Mercedes SL500/CL500/CLS500, BMW 545/645/750, Audi A6/A8 4.2. But have no idea how these are like to live with in terms of daily driving and reliability.

[Krikkit]

Another X308? Should be able to pick up a reasonable R for that money too.

[Fdrain6]

Krikkit said:

Another X308? Should be able to pick up a reasonable R for that money too.

I didn't want to get the same again, as i had my fair share of issues, but it does seem like the best value!

[georgeyboy12345]

Get another, before they end up too expensive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201040...


Or get an XJR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...


This Mercedes CLS 500 has at least another 100,000 miles of life left in it if you look after it
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301093...


Another Jag in the form of this S-Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...


BMW 645 Ci
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211131...


Audi S4 Cabriolet with recent timing chain replacement
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301042...

[Fdrain6]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Get another, before they end up too expensive
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201040...


Or get an XJR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...


This Mercedes CLS 500 has at least another 100,000 miles of life left in it if you look after it
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301093...


Another Jag in the form of this S-Type R
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202142...


BMW 645 Ci
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211131...


Audi S4 Cabriolet with recent timing chain replacement
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301042...

Absolutely love that CLS. Think it's going to come down to either a CLS or XJR. Thanks

[300bhp/ton]

Fdrain6 said:

Absolutely love that CLS. Think it's going to come down to either a CLS or XJR. Thanks

XJR's are pretty quick, but all automatics and more GT than sports car. The Merc I'm sure is fine, but doesn't look like a fun vehicle at all. Would you even know it has a V8 under the bonnet when driving it?

[Shifter1]

300bhp/ton said:

Fdrain6 said:

Previously had a X308 4.0 Jaguar XJ8, which i regret selling. Looking for recommendations to fill that void, the faster accelerating the better! Not bothered on fuel economy, but can't be too unreliable as it will be my daily driver too. Open to saloons/coupes/convertibles. Thanks!

What do you want from the vehicle?

In the UK most V8's either went into saloons (so very muted and sedated) or high end sports cars way above this price point.


You might be able to find Camaro, Firebird, Mustang or similar in budget. But US stuff of this price range seems to have vanished. Or maybe even a classic like a TR7 V8 or perhaps an MG or some other retro fitted RV8 in an old car.


I bought this for around your budget in 2017. You might be able to find something similar still.

I was going to basically say that. V8 for not much money and not unreliable or ruinous to run, probably American.

By the way 300bhp/ton, I expected you to be all over this thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Shifter1 on Monday 16th January 07:56

[PositronicRay]

Fdrain6 said:

I've been looking around late 90s/early 2000s. Mercedes SL500/CL500/CLS500, BMW 545/645/750, Audi A6/A8 4.2. But have no idea how these are like to live with in terms of daily driving and reliability.

90s Mercs can be a right royal PITA, any 20 y/o car can be difficult as a daily unless you have back up.

[Shifter1]

PositronicRay said:

Fdrain6 said:

I've been looking around late 90s/early 2000s. Mercedes SL500/CL500/CLS500, BMW 545/645/750, Audi A6/A8 4.2. But have no idea how these are like to live with in terms of daily driving and reliability.

90s Mercs can be a right royal PITA, any 20 y/o car can be difficult as a daily unless you have back up.

This is true. But I would be willing to bet that among the V8s, the U.S. stuff would be the easiest to live with and cost the least to run. I know somebody who runs a C5 Corvette for years and barely spends anything on it.

[emperorburger]

Lexus SC 430

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211272...

[SlowV6]

emperorburger said:

Lexus SC 430

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211272...

I like those (not everyone does!) but that one doesn't have an MOT despite what the ad says and the recent history suggests rust is happening. I was going to suggest an LS460 albeit that would maybe fail "fun" and also is high VED.

CLK 500 maybe?

[Krikkit]

300bhp/ton said:

Fdrain6 said:

Absolutely love that CLS. Think it's going to come down to either a CLS or XJR. Thanks

XJR's are pretty quick, but all automatics and more GT than sports car. The Merc I'm sure is fine, but doesn't look like a fun vehicle at all. Would you even know it has a V8 under the bonnet when driving it?

Can tell you haven't driven any of these...

[ZedLeg]

Get this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012...

[300bhp/ton]

Krikkit said:

300bhp/ton said:

Fdrain6 said:

Absolutely love that CLS. Think it's going to come down to either a CLS or XJR. Thanks

XJR's are pretty quick, but all automatics and more GT than sports car. The Merc I'm sure is fine, but doesn't look like a fun vehicle at all. Would you even know it has a V8 under the bonnet when driving it?

Can tell you haven't driven any of these...

No you can't....

Although I do give a pretty good hint with the words I use around the Merc. That said, it looks like a large heavy 4 door saloon with a slushbox, high refinement and comfort levels. I just can't see 'fun' being high on design items.

Quick Google suggests 1800-1900kg for the Merc. I'm not saying it wouldn't go well, just that it isn't really the definition of fun. I'd also be willing to bet in stock trim it probably doesn't sound very V8 either.

[ZX10R NIN]

Loaded Mercedes CLS 500 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208239...

My bias pick would be this very rare 5.5 CLK 500 which is (these have more BHP than the CLK55) loaded with spec:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285099674378?hash=item4...

[RoVoFob]

Fdrain6 said:

I've been looking around late 90s/early 2000s. Mercedes SL500/CL500/CLS500, BMW 545/645/750, Audi A6/A8 4.2. But have no idea how these are like to live with in terms of daily driving and reliability.

I bought a 2007 A6 4.2 FSI V8 S Line saloon with 71k miles on the clock a few weeks back, which was within your budget. I bought an even cheaper A6 Avant 4.2 V8 SE 14 months back. I personally love the mid-2000s Audi solidity, V8 grunt and four-wheel-drive traction to really make the most of it.

I had no reliability issues with my previous one, which I had for six months, though I did put money into preventative maintenance. That had air suspension and 17-inch alloys, but was firmly damped and not perfect over bumps but great on half smooth roads. Handled surprisingly well.

My current one is on S Line suspension and heavy 19s. Unsurprisingly, it’s much firmer, though I think that’s more down to the massive, anvil wheels than the suspension. It’s a bit clattery over bumps, but I think 18s or 17s would address that enough (for me, at least).

They’re not sporty cars, but I’ve found them both very satisfying to drive around town and on longer trips - alongside a lighter, manual fun car.