I need a V8 in my life

[Guy-j88un]

Evening all,

After hopping into a leased V90 about 2 years ago for family duties, and the lease deals subsequently falling on their arse since Brexit and WLTP, I'm on the lookout for a used car.

I've had some warm-ish cars in the past Corca C 1.8 SRi, Focus ST 2.5T, BMW 335D, and as I live close to work and don't do much more than 8k per year, if I'm going to own a V8 now is probably the time for it whilst I still can.

I need a saloon or an estate (saloon preferred) as I have 2 kids, but this will be a daily driver. I have a garage and driveway etc so not worried about attracting any undesirables or on-street parking.

I really fancied a Merc C63 AMG with the NA 6.2 M156 engine, however these appeared to have stopped on a 63/14 plate and look a little tired. They are also quite close in price to the M157 5.5 TT E63 AMG, which was in production until 2016 I believe. Budget is about £30k. Insurance is fine, I know petrol and tyres will be awful, tax at £550, and services £500ish or more a year. I had discounted the 4.0 V8 RS4 due to pricey brakes, dodgy suspension and coked engines.

Any views - am I missing something in the above?

Thanks in advance.

Edited by Guy-j88un on Sunday 18th October 21:06

[Monospace]

V8 Vantage - edit I just saw the need for space. Shame as these are great.
You'll make up the higher fuel costs (mine did 17-18 mpg) through lack of depreciation when compared with an AMG or other. And think how many other itches it will scratch too.
F10 M5 is an option, that's what I've moved to, but to be honest if you want to experience a V8 get an N/A not a turbocharged one.

[Mercky]

W124 500e.

[irocfan]

Go barge
- try 300C SRT8. Loads of room and quite rare.
- VXR8 is a good 4 door Vauxhall/Holden
- SRT8 Cherokee

[Guy-j88un]

Mercky said:

W124 500e.

What class is this?

[anonymous-user]

Lexus GSF ?...or ISF

4 doors, decent boot..

RCF probably doesn't meet your needs, 2 doors, seats dont go down...a bit tight

Edited by slowpeddler65 on Sunday 18th October 21:53

[Guy-j88un]

Monospace said:

V8 Vantage - edit I just saw the need for space. Shame as these are great.
You'll make up the higher fuel costs (mine did 17-18 mpg) through lack of depreciation when compared with an AMG or other. And think how many other itches it will scratch too.
F10 M5 is an option, that's what I've moved to, but to be honest if you want to experience a V8 get an N/A not a turbocharged one.

Yeah I agree on the depreciation, but the Vantage would be too old for me at my budget. I'll have a look at the F10, but didn't know these were V8?

[Guy-j88un]

slowpeddler65 said:

Lexus GSF ?...or ISF

4 doors, decent boot..

RCF probably doesn't meet your needs, 2 doors, seats dont go down...a bit tight

Edited by slowpeddler65 on Sunday 18th October 21:53

Different... they seem quite rare though.

[Heaveho]

Guy-j88un said:

Different... they seem quite rare though.

An IS-F is worth looking for.

[ZX10R NIN]

There are some cracking V8's for your budget for me the 6.2 is still worth a look it's one of the greatest N/A V8's ever made

C63 I don't think these look tired at all:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007211...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

You can get a C63 4.0 BiTurbo for your budget but as good as it is (& it's good) the 6.2/5.5TT for me are the better engines

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008293...

The IS-F is one that's underrated but is a proper drivers car with sensible running costs in 340i/C43 territory.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007081...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008293...

I'd also say lookout for (the ones for sale are out of budget, there was one in budget last week but it's gone) the GS-F it's a modern day Quattroporte with more sensible running costs but it'll get under your skin just as much.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

E63 the 5.5 is a bombastic unit & is also reliable & if you add a H pipe as well as map then you have a weapons grade V8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010054...

CLS 63

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008313...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008313...

Now at a lower end of the budget is the 6.2 VXR8 it's no less engaging infact in some ways it's simplicity makes it more engaging, I'd say test drive one you may well find yourself very impressed, oh & then there's (the first is a 6.3 despite what the Ad says) the very sensible running costs.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201912185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009133...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009103...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006200...

Audi S8 RS power with S running costs

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

XJR for me this is the only drivers car in it's class & I'd take this over an XF

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010104...

M6 GC

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009173...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010014...

[2gins]

V8?
30k?
Big boot?

Cerbera!

[romeodelta]

irocfan said:

Go barge
- try 300C SRT8. Loads of room and quite rare.
- VXR8 is a good 4 door Vauxhall/Holden
- SRT8 Cherokee

[Big_Dan]

Aston Martin Rapide, they're getting close to 30k

[eein]

Guy-j88un said:

Any views - am I missing something in the above?

... yes... a V12. Why stop at a common-as-muck V8. I got a V12 a few years ago as I wanted to own something like that while I had the chance.

eg (full disclosure I'm selling one!) something like a BMW 760Li. Saloon, space, luxury, surprisingly fun to drive. Even an outside chance of future classic given that BMW have now stopped producing any V12 cars. Fits in your budget.

Edited by eein on Monday 19th October 11:36

[Jader1973]

ZX10R NIN said:

Now at a lower end of the budget is the 6.2 VXR8 it's no less engaging infact in some ways it's simplicity makes it more engaging, I'd say test drive one you may well find yourself very impressed, oh & then there's (the first is a 6.3 despite what the Ad says) the very sensible running costs.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201912185...

That is not a 2016 6.2 litre car. Wrong wheels, brakes, bonnet, bumper. Definitely a 6 litre.

ETA just read the ad - 2016 import but built in 2013.

Edited by Jader1973 on Monday 19th October 11:29

[Ursicles]

E92 M3?

Saloon version prob tick the boxes.

Must say though, i had a manual coupe version of it and found it a thoroughly average and uninspiring car. Sold it after 6 months.

VFM wise - must be up there though.

How about a mustang? 4 seats, great sounding engine - and not too common.

[ITP]

My favourite sub 30k V8’s are

Quattroporte 4.7 - starting to firm up in value but higher running costs, but best looking/sounding saloon ever. Small boot though (mainly due to massive fuel tank!)

XFR - Fast, comfy, excellent value.

ISF - value rising, cheap to run, bombproof, cramped rear/boot.

GSF - still out of budget really, as ISF cheap to run, bombproof, much more roomy for passengers/boot. Great car I think, only 60-70 or so in uk too so very rare, which is good.

[ZX10R NIN]

Jader1973 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Now at a lower end of the budget is the 6.2 VXR8 it's no less engaging infact in some ways it's simplicity makes it more engaging, I'd say test drive one you may well find yourself very impressed, oh & then there's (the first is a 6.2 despite what the Ad says) the very sensible running costs.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201912185...

That is not a 2016 6.2 litre car. Wrong wheels, brakes, bonnet, bumper. Definitely a 6 litre.

ETA just read the ad - 2016 import but built in 2013.

Edited by Jader1973 on Monday 19th October 11:29

Yes it's a 2013 Holden & alll facelifts are 6.2's

Here's an IS-F that's done 220k

https://youtu.be/HT-DZ2ukqAs

[BossMan_86]

ZX10R NIN said:

There are some cracking V8's for your budget for me the 6.2 is still worth a look it's one of the greatest N/A V8's ever made

C63 I don't think these look tired at all:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007211...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

You can get a C63 4.0 BiTurbo for your budget but as good as it is (& it's good) the 6.2/5.5TT for me are the better engines

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008293...

The IS-F is one that's underrated but is a proper drivers car with sensible running costs in 340i/C43 territory.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007081...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008293...

I'd also say lookout for (the ones for sale are out of budget, there was one in budget last week but it's gone) the GS-F it's a modern day Quattroporte with more sensible running costs but it'll get under your skin just as much.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

E63 the 5.5 is a bombastic unit & is also reliable & if you add a H pipe as well as map then you have a weapons grade V8

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010054...

CLS 63

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008313...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008313...

Now at a lower end of the budget is the 6.2 VXR8 it's no less engaging infact in some ways it's simplicity makes it more engaging, I'd say test drive one you may well find yourself very impressed, oh & then there's (the first is a 6.3 despite what the Ad says) the very sensible running costs.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201912185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009133...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009103...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006200...

Audi S8 RS power with S running costs

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010124...

XJR for me this is the only drivers car in it's class & I'd take this over an XF

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009244...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010104...

M6 GC

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009173...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010014...

Great post - much appreciated.

[riskyj]

Does an IS-F only seat 4? Annoying if so.