Outrageous Winter Commuter Suggestions Please (V8+, ULEZ)

[nickpan]

Right - planning / philosophising has begun for this coming winter's outrageous winter commuter vehicle of choice.

Commute: Inner-city, 5 miles each way, average speed 10mph (based on historical trip records), start/strop traffic a given, 20mph max.(LOL)

And then for good measure, a little Italian tune up 1-2x per month on a random weekend or weekday to Brecon or similar.

Constraints (in order):

- Outrageous means in which to commute in this day and age
- Not ostentasious
- ULEZ compliant - so pre 1985 or post 2002
- 8 cylinders or greater
- A little street cred of some description
- Able to survive one winter outdoors
- £50,000 MAX

Current contenders:

- Porsche 928
- Bristol of some description
- Toyota Century
- BMW 840/850
- MGB GT V8


Opening this up to the incredible wisdom of PH'ers. We have until November people!

Edited by nickpan on Tuesday 10th June 14:02

[jeremyc]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18472757

[nickpan]

jeremyc said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18472757

Incredibly strong first submission! Thank you

[Froomee]

V8 Vantage manual…. Roadster or Coupe…

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506043...


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502018...

[Scootersp]

Supercharged Maloo! or there are a couple of regular VXR8 supercharged ones on ebay

[macron]

Outrageous but not ostentatious and up to 50k. I may ignore the middle one:

XJR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504141...

VXR8, can be subtle
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501087...

Chevy Nova, less subtle
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505132...

Camaro, subtle when sitting still in the dark
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408273...

[braddo]

A Maserati 4200?



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503109...


Or an executive hot rod for the traffic light grand prix



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1792379

[Master Bean]

Vauxhall Monaro. You could do the entire commute in 1st gear. I think it goes to 50mph.

[fflump]

For a winter commute AWD may be useful and my favorite cars would be a V8 F-type, F90 M5, others that might fit are a Panamera GTS, RS6, M850i

Maybe a bit ostentatious?

Edited by fflump on Saturday 14th June 11:21

[andy43]

Italian tune up you say?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504061...

This is the MC Stradale, which means the zorst is the loudest craziest factory fit pipework I’ve ever heard.
Oh, and it’s sort of an auto, so ideal for London traffic.
You’re welcome.

[jamesbilluk]

How about a twin turbo V12? Remove the tints and it's quite subtle..

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1891689

Or an SL60 AMG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503190...

Edit, just read the ULEZ bit, not sure if these would count

[jfdi]

Winter you say? Fails on the V8 part but 4.2 litres and you won't get stuck.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/truck-details/2025061...

[ChocolateFrog]

I think anything properly old like the MG would just get annoying after the novelty has worn off.

Not ostentatious limits you to sleepers really and IMO there's not a huge amount of point in a V8 if you're not getting one for the noise.

Would love a Century and it's not so huge that it would be a pain on city streets so that would probably get my vote.

[jamesbilluk]

Or an extra 4k will get a plus 8

Seems to be a Euro 5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503200...

[nickpan]

Some great suggestions all. Thank you!

I think the Maserati 4200 GT is probably a great buy at that price assuming it has been looked after - and what an engine. Can they get any cheaper?

I agree with one of the posters about a MGB GT V8 losing its sparkle quite quickly - in London traffic with twin carbs (!)

I think a F-Type V8 of some description could be a great shout were I to go modern although i see they fall into the £735PA tax bracket, the top insurance bracket, and probably cost a few £££ to run. Also not sure if 550BHP and an auto box is the best combination for the roads down here in the South East but I'm sure all I need to do is hear one on full chat and I'll be sold.

A pal chucked the idea of a TVR in the mix - possibly a Cerbera or Chimaera. Not ULEZ compliant but a cheaper entry point and I like the idea of the Rover V8 paired with a manual box. Do they feel flimsy relative to the German stuff?

I'm sort of leaning towards a pre 1986 928 manual on the basis its classified as historic, will have Porsche build quality, and the V8 soundstrack but they also very spec dependent IMO + the manuals are rare, so could be a bit of a pipe dream.

Somebody also mentioned a Panamera..... in V8 guise. How would that do on the roads of Brecon?

Loving all of the suggestions above and enjoying browsing A/T! Thanks All. Keep them coming!

[fflump]

nickpan said:

Some great suggestions all. Thank you!

I think the Maserati 4200 GT is probably a great buy at that price assuming it has been looked after - and what an engine. Can they get any cheaper?

I've owned a 4200 CC and they do like being warmed up before driving so not sure daily low mileage-low speed commute in winter really suits them. Their handling on the B-roads if really pushing on is quite challenging (they are a 25 yr old rwd Italian GT after all) but it depends on your driving skills.

[ZX10R NIN]

Lexus GS F:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505062...

Audi S8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412067...

LC500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505192...

VXR8 GTS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502199...

Panamera Sport Turismo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505152...

S560 Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407242...

RC F:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503260...

XKR S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503260...

[jamesbilluk]

This Mercedes SEC looks lovely
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505021...

[ZX10R NIN]

That's nice.

[jamesbilluk]

ZX10R NIN said:

That's nice.

Quite sad I don't have the money for that my self to be honest! Looks beautifully done.