The V8 is an alluring engine offering great power, charisma and often a pretty amazing soundtrack. With more grunt than a V6 and less weight than a V12, this motor provides a good middle ground for performance cars.
But what if you want to pick one up for under £30,000 – what are the options? Here are eight of the best V8s you can buy used within that budget…
BMW E90 M3
The M3’s V8, unlike some other eight-cylinder units, was engineered to perfection. Singing all the way to a redline of over 8,000rpm, the E90 can deliver 0-60mph in just less than five seconds in either manual or DCT form. It’s an impressively-honed German muscle car – and it could be yours for a very tempting price.
Mercedes C63 AMG
Like the M3 above, the C63 is another German muscle car. This one, however, is less tame. Featuring a fire breathing 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8, the C63 is a monster on the road. Sure, it can be tail happy, but what’s a 6.2-litre AMG Merc’s purpose except for getting a bit wild when you put your foot down?
Ford Mustang GT
Arguably the most iconic V8 powered car there has ever been – the Ford Mustang. With such a classic nameplate, the 5.0-litre V8 fits the Mustang’s character to a tee. And thanks to the 2015 model going global and depreciating over time, you can now pick up this American beauty for under £30,000 in right hand drive.
Vauxhall VXR8
You can praise GM’s (at the time) ownership of Vauxhall for this brute. The VXR8 was pretty much a rebadged, sporty Holden Commodore equipped with a whopping great V8 under the bonnet. An unlikely pairing, but it meant the UK got a proper GM muscle car – a bargain on the used market now too.
Porsche Cayenne GTS
In the SUV department, we have this – the Porsche Cayenne GTS. Whereas the Turbo model of the Cayenne is, well, turbocharged, the GTS uses a naturally aspirated V8 that has a little less horsepower, but still a lot of punch. The GTS is a more driver-focused variant, which means, despite the tall SUV body style, this Porsche is still a hoot out on the open road.
Chevrolet Camaro
As the Mustang’s lifelong rival, the Camaro is yet another V8 muscle car from across the pond. Unfortunately you can’t get it in right hand drive, but if you can look beyond that it’s still a great 6.2-litre V8 muscle car sure to get many admiring glances from passers-by.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Switching gears, take a look at the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. This stunning coupe bearing the famed British badge is a complete bargain at this price point – yes, an Aston Martin for under £30,000. With the choice of a 4.3-litre or (if you’re willing to go a touch above the budget) 4.7-litre V8, you really can’t go wrong with this suave sports car.
Audi B7 RS4 Avant
Available in either saloon, estate or cabriolet body styles, the B7 RS4 is a great all-rounder. Not only do you get a fantastic naturally aspirated V8, but you also get a very capable all-wheel drive system. This means every one of the RS4’s 414bhp can be put down and accelerate the car from 0-60mph in just 4.8 seconds. That’s even before we mention the car’s booming exhaust note that comes along with it.
