The joys of a big V8
Discussion
I just spent the last couple of days in Victoria, BC in this:
It was great - there is something fundamentally 'right' about the sound and way in which American v8s work. Sure they're inefficient, impractical and heavy but going up a hill or through a tunnel makes it all irrelevant. Driving it becomes such an event for want of a better phrase.
Oh, did I say inefficient and impractical?
150 miles cost £26 in fuel (and that was me finding every chance to hear the engine so I wasn't driving for economy), the two kids were comfortable in the back, all the luggage fitted in and my iphone synced immediately to the stereo.
My better half has even said I can trade her Alfa Mito Cloverleaf in for one when we get back to the UK (not sure how serious she was - I may need to call on you all as witnesses).
It was great - there is something fundamentally 'right' about the sound and way in which American v8s work. Sure they're inefficient, impractical and heavy but going up a hill or through a tunnel makes it all irrelevant. Driving it becomes such an event for want of a better phrase.
Oh, did I say inefficient and impractical?
150 miles cost £26 in fuel (and that was me finding every chance to hear the engine so I wasn't driving for economy), the two kids were comfortable in the back, all the luggage fitted in and my iphone synced immediately to the stereo.
My better half has even said I can trade her Alfa Mito Cloverleaf in for one when we get back to the UK (not sure how serious she was - I may need to call on you all as witnesses).
|http://thumbsnap.com/TTFLxMri[/url
id love to trade my car in for a nice big american V8, an old ford galaxie would be so cool.
Everyone needs a V8 in the life and I think it is going to have to be a case of sooner rather than later with regard to petrol prices and the environmentalists working against us.
I like the idea of importing a yank tank especially when $2500 gets you
Oh, and don't start telling me all about import taxes, VAT and all the other rubbish that will bump the price up, let me enjoy the thought of sub £2k v8 goodness.
dave
I like the idea of importing a yank tank especially when $2500 gets you
Oh, and don't start telling me all about import taxes, VAT and all the other rubbish that will bump the price up, let me enjoy the thought of sub £2k v8 goodness.
dave
Egg Chaser said:
I think they made V6 and V8 versions (some of which were turbocharged), but I'm pretty sure they were all RWD.
Yep you could get the V6 version, or several different V8 versions (oldsmobile/chevvy powered) too!This is the regal GNX, I think the grand national was the less sporty looking version? I may be wrong.
Egg Chaser said:
RDMcG said:
denniswise9 said:
How about one of these with the 5.0l V8?
Is that not a FWD V6?...Buick Grand National?Some came with a 3-speed manual too!
After going to NY a few years ago I decided I had to get a V8, even riding around in a Crown Vic Taxi with a 4.6 up front is an experience you just don't get in a diesel minicab, I'm lucky in that I only use the Mustang when not in the company vehicle so fuel isn't a major issue (about 1 tankful a month). Sure, it's no rocket, my mate's CDI E class feels as quick, it's just the background burble, either at idle or when you floor it that's addictive. Get one while you can, our kids certainly won't be able to.
BTW, NY wont be the same when the Crown Vics are phased out from this year.
BTW, NY wont be the same when the Crown Vics are phased out from this year.
aka_kerrly said:
Everyone needs a V8 in the life and I think it is going to have to be a case of sooner rather than later with regard to petrol prices and the environmentalists working against us.
I like the idea of importing a yank tank especially when $2500 gets you
Oh, and don't start telling me all about import taxes, VAT and all the other rubbish that will bump the price up, let me enjoy the thought of sub £2k v8 goodness.
dave
There are V8's and V8's. I drove across the US in an '84 Pontiac Parisenne with a mate in 1998. It was almost breath taking gutless and only did about 17/us gallon cruising along at interstate speeds. That's why I never believe the marvellous tales of V8 economy I read on here and elsewhere. I like the idea of importing a yank tank especially when $2500 gets you
Oh, and don't start telling me all about import taxes, VAT and all the other rubbish that will bump the price up, let me enjoy the thought of sub £2k v8 goodness.
dave
300BHP/TON where are you!EDLT said:
Egg Chaser said:
RDMcG said:
denniswise9 said:
How about one of these with the 5.0l V8?
Is that not a FWD V6?...Buick Grand National?Some came with a 3-speed manual too!
..the V8s were an earlier and completely different model. These were turbocharged V6 cars, and had no V8 at eny stage in this body.Here is a link:
http://www.gnxregistry.org/
American cars have come along way since 1984 when an average 5.0 V8 had about 140hp and sucked fuel through a 4 barrel carb. It was usually a low compression unit so it could take lower octane fuel and had fairly basic exhaust gas recirculation valves and vaccum pipes to control smog.
In the case of the Parisienne, it was lugging a heavy car through a fairly inefficient 3 speed manual which doubtless felt the arse end of your boot to keep the speed up.
17 US mpg is 20.4 UKmpg and I've had plenty of 1980's 2 litres that only did an average of 22-24mpg through carbs.
My 1987 175hp Camaro Z28 had a 4 barrel and a 5 speed manual and would do 18mpg commuting and about 25-30 on a run.
Modern Yanks use sophisticated ECUs/coil on plugs and fuel injection and have to pass california emissions, probably the strictest in the workld and yet they still produce high output V8s. Indeed, cars in the US have to pay a "gas-guzzler" tax and the Corvette doesn't pay any IIRC.
Comparing a modern Yank to a 1984 Pontiac is...well, a bit dumb really.
In the case of the Parisienne, it was lugging a heavy car through a fairly inefficient 3 speed manual which doubtless felt the arse end of your boot to keep the speed up.
17 US mpg is 20.4 UKmpg and I've had plenty of 1980's 2 litres that only did an average of 22-24mpg through carbs.
My 1987 175hp Camaro Z28 had a 4 barrel and a 5 speed manual and would do 18mpg commuting and about 25-30 on a run.
Modern Yanks use sophisticated ECUs/coil on plugs and fuel injection and have to pass california emissions, probably the strictest in the workld and yet they still produce high output V8s. Indeed, cars in the US have to pay a "gas-guzzler" tax and the Corvette doesn't pay any IIRC.
Comparing a modern Yank to a 1984 Pontiac is...well, a bit dumb really.
Buy one you won't regret it unless fuel bills scare you, in the UK 190 miles (day to day use) costs me about £63 in V-Power (or £60 in regular) but you can't beat the smile you get whenever you drive it. LHD in the uk is no issue at all (two years of ownership certainly have caused me zero problems with LHD).
Get one bought
Get one bought
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