Cheapest V8 2 seater?

[CM2020]

Inspired by somebody else's thread. Something about it's now or never for a V8. What is the cheapest V8 2 seats sports car? Not really worried much about age. But something which is still a bit quick and is fun would be nice. Must be a manual. Convertible or coupe doesn't matter. Pretty open to anything. Just not a TVR please. And I mean a car which runs.

[CM2020]

samoht said:

If you want the extra stipulations of manual and not a TVR, you'd be well advised to put them in the thread title - many people read the title and click in to answer without reading your first post carefully.

Anyway, the answer, somewhat surprisingly, is an Aston Martin, specifically this Vantage at (not surprisingly) Motorhub Keighley for £23k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211041...

However if you're actually buying, I'd start viewing at this private sale on £24k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209089...

Thanks. I just tried editing the title but it's not possible. Although my opening post is quite short. So not very troublesome to read.

About the Aston, it can't be the cheapest right? Is a TR8 higher than an Aston already? It doesn't need to be on PH or something newish. I was just wondering what fun is out there to be had, for not a lot of money. Yes, to possibly buy. I had a few thoughts. But curious what I'm not considering.

[CM2020]

I had thought it would possibly be a corvette of some sort. Or something like a TR8 or MG. A Westfield with a V8? That would be a proper weapon. But can't be cheap right? But things like a Mustang is already too big. Hence the 2 seats requirement. Or we may just open it up to barges and then there is I guess not shortage of cheap V8s. But it needs to be a 2 seats, for the fun.

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ChrisH72 said:

I think I'd drop the manual box and go with something like an slk55.

Big V8's are probably more suited to auto anyway.

If it has to be manual then possibly go for something lighter with a V6 instead. More choice and much cheaper entry costs.

You totally lost me with the V8s being more suited to autos comment. Kills half the fun. I think small car plus V8 plus manual is probably the most fun one can have in an automobile without breaking the law.

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I had thought the answer would be either something American or something with a Rover V8, which I quite like. So would much prefer a RV8. But I won't even start pretending I know everything which had that engine shoehorned in. Had never heard of a SEight for example. Looks exciting. Although something with a little more body around and maybe not as kitcar like could be nice as well.

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Belle427 said:

A good friend of mine has a Seight.
No doubt its a fun car but it just doesn't do it for me.
Too much wind buffeting when driven without side windows in place and when they are in place it spoils the fun.
Almost needs a helmet to be worn!

I know what you mean. This is what I was talking about when I said, a little more body around would be nice. I have the impression despite the excitement potential, not for me either. But great to learn it exists nonetheless.

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dhutch said:

I've not driven our even sat in one, although there is one in our local area club meet, however I believe they are also very different to drive to your usual 7 type experience, some even say the engine is 'too heavy for the chassis' and upsets the balance.

It wouldn't be surprising. It does sound like a lot, to have a V8 in a seven.

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CABC said:

can we ask why not a TVR?
I suspect most of the forthcoming suggestions will not be any more reliable than a Rover engined one, and probably less involving too.

Because I would be buying it for the engine only. There is nothing else I enjoy in the V8 TVRs. I never liked the style, the interiors and I don't even think they are necessarily the cheapest.

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C5_Steve said:

deeen said:

Crusoe said:

Answer is probably a kit car like a westfield with a rover v8 or similar or something older and american c4 corvette maybe

Yup, there was a Corvette for 12k recently.

Agree in regards to Corvettes there are loads of C5s up for between £15k-£20k. £20k-£25k will get you a tidy C5 ZO6 if you really want but the standard ones are practically the same. Try for a 2000 onwards if possible. LS1 V8, bulletproof reliability. You'll struggle to get more performance for the money.

About the C5, I'm not sure. When I drove one it felt like a large car somehow. I haven't looked what the difference in size and weight is between a C5 and C4. But C4 looks to be smaller and maybe lighter? It looks a bit more purposeful somehow. Also C5 is not one of the cheapest options I would say?

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Did Ginetta put the RV8 in any cars? Although no idea how much Ginettas go for. I thought a MG RV8 from the 90s would be on the cheaper side, but was surprised.

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Belle427 said:

CM2020 said:

Did Ginetta put the RV8 in any cars? Although no idea how much Ginettas go for. I thought a MG RV8 from the 90s would be on the cheaper side, but was surprised.

http://g33.co.uk/index.html

Oh, I can't imagine that being cheap. Probably very rare. But looks interesting.

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braddo said:

V8 manual sports cars that are fun to drive have always been pretty rare, and by discounting TVRs you narrow the field further still.

And if a TVR doesn't appeal I am surprised that a kit car like a Westfield or a Ginetta would hold any attraction.

What do you think of Wedge TVRs?

They are a bit too square for me and do they handle? I think with TVR the older the worse?

For the record, I did complain the Westfield suggestion was maybe a bit too kitcar and the Ginetta was more a curiosity as I doubt they are cheap. But at least the G33 looks nice.

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Pixel Pusher said:

Don't know about the cheapest but....

V8 - ?
2 seats - ?
Manual box - ?

Hahaha well played.

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Shifter1 said:

Cheap, V8 and manual, we are probably talking about an older car. 80s or 90s. All of which have probably already been talked about. Fun is subjective. But I can't think of a 2 seater V8 and manual which isn't.

After thinking what I really want I found myself on google images googling pop up headlights V8. Basically what you would expect. A lot of images of Corvettes and Esprits.

[CM2020]

FHCNICK said:

CM2020 said:

They are a bit too square for me and do they handle? I think with TVR the older the worse?

For the record, I did complain the Westfield suggestion was maybe a bit too kitcar and the Ginetta was more a curiosity as I doubt they are cheap. But at least the G33 looks nice.

I manage to have fun in mine without dying, can’t make a set of tyres last between MOT’s though.

I never took to that styling. But one thing that is nice about these old V8 TVRs is the weight. Anything with a V8 will weight about 300kg more. Even the Corvettes. Compared to the TVR they are boat anchors.

With newer things even V6 is way heavier. A V6 370Z is a staggering almost 500kg heavier. Actually the heavy cars bore me. 350Z and 370Z at this point just bore me. Feel too heavy. Don't sound as nice. Just not as fun. Part of the reason I started looking at V8s. The weight is why I was looking at 2 seats only.

[CM2020]

C5_Steve said:

CM2020 said:

After thinking what I really want I found myself on google images googling pop up headlights V8. Basically what you would expect. A lot of images of Corvettes and Esprits.

If you're thinking Vettes there are loads of us about who will be happy to show you around one/take you out in one (depending on where you are in the country!). C4s seem to be going up in price a bit for decent ones, C5s holding steady.

Yeah I noticed C4 prices climbing. I guess it was just matter of time. They couldn't stay underappreciated forever. Between C4 and C5 I think I would lean towards the C4 for the 80's vibe. But finding a C4 with a manual is away more difficult than a C5.

What have always put me off Corvettes is the mass produced cheap feeling. TVRs might not be well made. But they at least have a bespoke more special feeling to them. Specially the interiors. My problem with them is more the vulgar or loud designs.

But I supposed a nice well sorted manual C4 for the right price could scratch the itch, if nothing else is viable. A C5 would need to be of the right colour. Probably black. I find the body so badly proportioned.

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KTMsm said:

If you want a cheap lightweight 2 seat V8 the answer has to be TVR Chimera

By a later one with PAS and you shouldn't have too many issues - they're generally cheap / easy to fix too

There is the odd MX5 / RX7 conversion using the Rover / Lexus / LS V8s but they are probably even riskier (I've owned a few)

I think before I would take a Chimera I would look at 1980's TVRs. Same engine but they look at least better, because pop up headlights.

But would have to be a convertible. The coupe is a bit too boxy for me.

They are probably lighter than a Chimera too, being older?

Another advantage of the 80s ones is they are somewhat more sober. Less over the top. Maybe they were over the top when new. But now they are almost conservative in comparison to the last TVRs. The only TVR I find classy is the T350C. At least the outside.

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cerb4.5lee said:

CM2020 said:

FHCNICK said:

CM2020 said:

They are a bit too square for me and do they handle? I think with TVR the older the worse?

For the record, I did complain the Westfield suggestion was maybe a bit too kitcar and the Ginetta was more a curiosity as I doubt they are cheap. But at least the G33 looks nice.

I manage to have fun in mine without dying, can’t make a set of tyres last between MOT’s though.

I never took to that styling. But one thing that is nice about these old V8 TVRs is the weight. Anything with a V8 will weight about 300kg more. Even the Corvettes. Compared to the TVR they are boat anchors.

With newer things even V6 is way heavier. A V6 370Z is a staggering almost 500kg heavier. Actually the heavy cars bore me. 350Z and 370Z at this point just bore me. Feel too heavy. Don't sound as nice. Just not as fun. Part of the reason I started looking at V8s. The weight is why I was looking at 2 seats only.

The Cerbera properly spoilt me weight wise too as you say and most things feel heavy after a TVR I reckon. The Z4M Roadster that I had after it felt really heavy(1485kg) and not all that quick after it either. Then I had exactly the same weight problem with the E92 M3(1650kg) after the Z4M as well.

I think that I've just got used to the 370Z Roadster weight wise now(1600kg) and I just accept it for what it is(a GT cruiser mainly). However in an ideal world I'd prefer it if it was around 400kg lighter though for sure, and I was really happy with the 200SX I had and that was around the 1200kg mark.

The weight is part of the reason I'm ok going older. You can't find anything even semi modern with a V8 which doesn't weight near 1500kg. That is lightweight for modern standards. Sure, you pay a price as older cars are what we could call crash and you are dead. But life is short anyways.

Just not as fun with a heavier car, even if power to weight is similar. Lightweight is so much more fun. V8, lightweight and manual. Can't believe TVR were the only ones doing it, and for a price normal people could afford.

[CM2020]

cerb4.5lee said:

CM2020 said:

The weight is part of the reason I'm ok going older. You can't find anything even semi modern with a V8 which doesn't weight near 1500kg. That is lightweight for modern standards. Sure, you pay a price as older cars are what we could call crash and you are dead. But life is short anyways.

Just not as fun with a heavier car, even if power to weight is similar. Lightweight is so much more fun. V8, lightweight and manual. Can't believe TVR were the only ones doing it, and for a price normal people could afford.

You just feel at one with the car in a TVR I reckon, and the weight plays a big part in that, plus I love how the engines generally dominate the car. The weight obviously helps in terms of not wearing the tyres/brakes out either in comparison to the newer stuff. Plus their lightness helps in terms of the mpg too, which is a nice little bonus I reckon.

You're making me want another TVR now!

Hahaha. Did you have many problems with the one you had?

By the way, a Chimaera has been suggested several times. I wonder why there was no suggestion for a Griffith ? Is the Chimaera just better or the updated version? I find the Chimaera one of the ugliest TVRs.

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C5_Steve said:

CM2020 said:

Yeah I noticed C4 prices climbing. I guess it was just matter of time. They couldn't stay underappreciated forever. Between C4 and C5 I think I would lean towards the C4 for the 80's vibe. But finding a C4 with a manual is away more difficult than a C5.

What have always put me off Corvettes is the mass produced cheap feeling. TVRs might not be well made. But they at least have a bespoke more special feeling to them. Specially the interiors. My problem with them is more the vulgar or loud designs.

But I supposed a nice well sorted manual C4 for the right price could scratch the itch, if nothing else is viable. A C5 would need to be of the right colour. Probably black. I find the body so badly proportioned.

Fishy Dave on here was thinking about selling his Black manual C4 at the end of last year (he's also got a C6 featured in the £7700 Corvette readers car thread) but I think he's hanging on to it through spring now after he sorted some issues and got a new interior. One of the best-looking C4s I've seen. Worth a chat maybe.

I see. I will try to find it. Is it a 90s or 80s C4?