Discussion
With petrol on the way out, it’s dawned on me that I’ve never owned a V8 and I should to put that right.
I’m thinking naturally aspirated (unless someone convinces me otherwise) and it needs to be a bit practical. I’ll pass the wife my X5 so we have ‘fully practical’ and I already have a completely impractical car in the garage.
This needs to live outside, be able to do the school run, odd nursery run (ie. Need access to rear seats), short work commute a few times a week and general run about.
Budget up to £50k but doesn’t have to be that and would probably prefer it’s not. Something that’s going to make me smile. Would also like it to be stock, not interested in anything that has been modified/tuned. Also probably prefer something a little subtle.
I’ve only found a recent interest in cars so have some big gaps in my knowledge and hence asking the question.
Thanks in advance.
I’m thinking naturally aspirated (unless someone convinces me otherwise) and it needs to be a bit practical. I’ll pass the wife my X5 so we have ‘fully practical’ and I already have a completely impractical car in the garage.
This needs to live outside, be able to do the school run, odd nursery run (ie. Need access to rear seats), short work commute a few times a week and general run about.
Budget up to £50k but doesn’t have to be that and would probably prefer it’s not. Something that’s going to make me smile. Would also like it to be stock, not interested in anything that has been modified/tuned. Also probably prefer something a little subtle.
I’ve only found a recent interest in cars so have some big gaps in my knowledge and hence asking the question.
Thanks in advance.
If looking for a subtle and practical car, then:
BMW M5,
Jaguar XFR,
Mercedes E63,
Porsche Panamera
Audi RS6 or older RS4
would be in budget. All very capable cars, but obviously would need you to do research on then to understand the costs of running them. All are also big heavy cars so less track orientated and more motorway biased, but would still be fun on most roads.
If you wanted something that traded some practicality for more nimble handling, then:
2007-2012 BMW M3
Mercedes C63
Lexus ISF
Audi R8,
Maserati GranTourismo or QuattroPorto
Aston Martin V8 vantage
Jaguar XKR
If it is just the V8 you want, then there are the luxo barges, like
BMW 750i,
Audi A8
Mercedes S500,
Jaguar XJR
Volvo S80 4.4V8
I had the same thought process, but ended up with a V10 instead. I would think the next one might be a V8 though.
BMW M5,
Jaguar XFR,
Mercedes E63,
Porsche Panamera
Audi RS6 or older RS4
would be in budget. All very capable cars, but obviously would need you to do research on then to understand the costs of running them. All are also big heavy cars so less track orientated and more motorway biased, but would still be fun on most roads.
If you wanted something that traded some practicality for more nimble handling, then:
2007-2012 BMW M3
Mercedes C63
Lexus ISF
Audi R8,
Maserati GranTourismo or QuattroPorto
Aston Martin V8 vantage
Jaguar XKR
If it is just the V8 you want, then there are the luxo barges, like
BMW 750i,
Audi A8
Mercedes S500,
Jaguar XJR
Volvo S80 4.4V8
I had the same thought process, but ended up with a V10 instead. I would think the next one might be a V8 though.
Maserati Granturismo is a special car, sounds amazing, sense of occasion. If you want a V8 to experience the magic that is such a sweet engine.
Something like a C63 or RS4 is much more practical but the engine doesn’t sound as nice.
The back seats are a good size too.
R8 is a much better drive but it depends what you’re after
Something like a C63 or RS4 is much more practical but the engine doesn’t sound as nice.
The back seats are a good size too.
R8 is a much better drive but it depends what you’re after
I have a CLS63 with the M156 6.2 V8 and that's a lovely engine. Anything with that engine gets my vote, my preference is the CLS (obviously) or the E63.
I bought a CL500 last year which although a less powerful 5.5 V8 with 380bhp but that still doesn't feel slow and it sounds good too. There's plenty of nice non-AMG/RS/M badged German V8s around.
I bought a CL500 last year which although a less powerful 5.5 V8 with 380bhp but that still doesn't feel slow and it sounds good too. There's plenty of nice non-AMG/RS/M badged German V8s around.

Thanks all. Lots of options here which is great and much appreciated. Will need to look into a load of these. C63 looks a good shout. Going to re-emphasise the “needs to be subtle/understated”.
Also just occurred to me that the wife would need to use this and we have to use an evil width restriction (2,000mm but door height) on the school run so can’t be too wide (Fine being a squeeze for the odd occasion but when you do it everyday, the inevitable will happen).
Also just occurred to me that the wife would need to use this and we have to use an evil width restriction (2,000mm but door height) on the school run so can’t be too wide (Fine being a squeeze for the odd occasion but when you do it everyday, the inevitable will happen).
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