Cheapest way into a V8

[englisharcher]

I have a motoring itch that needs to be scratched.

Despite having had many straight 6 engines, I've never had a V8.

What is the cheapest way into the V8 rumble?

[FloppyRaccoon]

You'd get a V8 Grand Cherokee for less than £1k.

Maybe not quite what you want..?

[crosseyedlion]

englisharcher said:

I have a motoring itch that needs to be scratched.

Despite having had many straight 6 engines, I've never had a V8.

What is the cheapest way into the V8 rumble?

BMW e34 530i or 540i, e39 540i, e38 730-740.

Mercedes - anything old with the number on the model designation 350 or higher (eg. 380, 420, 450, 500, 560)

Any petrol range rover

All can be found for around or under 1k

Done.

[VxDuncan]

Probably a knackered old range rover (£500 ish). For something that will get through an MOT maybe a Cadillac STS /CTS ? Or a 540i?

[Swoxy]

LS400?

[Futuramic]

Proper V8 rumble would be an iron block Detroit motor so a 5.0 litre automatic Camaro, Mk3 or whatever they call them. If you don't mind a bit more modern then the front wheel drive Cadillacs of the early nineties can be had for almost nothing.

Other than that it's the usual tine, Range Rovers, 540is and P6s.

There's always the Celsior/LS400 or Toyota Soarer but I don't know if they count.

[FreeLitres]

Jag S-Type 4.2 V8s are reasonably cheap and fairly modern. Older XJ?

[HustleRussell]

VxDuncan said:

maybe a Cadillac STS /CTS ?

I saw a CTS in the Epsom one-way recently, might not be a great car but it sounds proper!

[Jasandjules]

TVR V8 S? Or 350i?

[redgriff500]

Type V8 into Ebay / Autotrader / PH and see hat comes up !

If you are willing to accept an Auto a Soarer is a great car.

Cut the 4 rear boxes off and it sounds stunning.

They start around £800-£1000

[HustleRussell]

Jasandjules said:

TVR V8 S? Or 350i?

For Shed-Of-The-Week money?

[PSJ]

I assume you don't want ideas as cheap above..

Below is still cheap for what it is.

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[Scantily]

There really doesn't seem a way to get into thoroughly cheap and reliable V8 motoring in this country, your choice mainly seems to be old German barges. Whereas in America V8s are ten a penny and come in many different forms, I so wish that we had corvettes/mustangs/camaros officially imported, I just can't be bothered to deal with LHD.

[Camaro]

Futuramic said:

Proper V8 rumble would be an iron block Detroit motor so a 5.0 litre automatic Camaro, Mk3 or whatever they call them. If you don't mind a bit more modern then the front wheel drive Cadillacs of the early nineties can be had for almost nothing.

Third Gen/Generation.
£3.5k - Chevy Camaro
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1987-CHEVROLET-GMC-CAMAR...

£2.3k - Pontiac Firebird
http://pistonheads.com/sales/4178910.htm

[Puddenchucker]

Swoxy said:

LS400?

For £595 what's the worst that could happen?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[confused_buyer]

Scantily said:

There really doesn't seem a way to get into thoroughly cheap and reliable V8 motoring in this country, your choice mainly seems to be old German barges. Whereas in America V8s are ten a penny and come in many different forms, I so wish that we had corvettes/mustangs/camaros officially imported, I just can't be bothered to deal with LHD.

Have you seen the actual prices of heap secondhand cars in the USA? The idea that you can get a working 540i for under £1k is considered almost unbelievable to most US ears.

Used V8 cars are cheaper no where else in the world than the UK. They are pretty much given away. Running them is another matter.

[eltax91]

A ratty old Disco with a straight through pipe?

[englisharcher]

Puddenchucker said:

For £595 what's the worst that could happen?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Wow, that is cheap

[redgriff500]

englisharcher said:

Puddenchucker said:

For £595 what's the worst that could happen?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Wow, that is cheap

Suspiciously low mileage for the wear on the seat.

Looking at the pics it's not in a great area.

But then again it's £595 !

[fatboy69]

Rover VItesse SD1......

Why not?