V8 and sports cars are tied together like two happily weds. You can liken the two to Jack Sparrow and rum. One just can’t live without the other. And that’s because the high drivers get when behind the wheel of these cars is pure speed. The thrill of getting from 0-60 mph in mere seconds and clocking top speeds that only helicopter pilots can enjoy is something that keeps the fanbase of these sports cars growing by the day.
The problem is, all this fun usually comes at the price of gold. Most V8-powered sports cars are some of the most expensive marques in the world. That’s why the number of people who can buy them is way smaller than the number of people who drool over them by the day. However, in this piece, we’ll sell you a little secret. These 10 V8-powered sports cars can be bought for less than $30,000. However, you have to get them used.
9 Lexus SC430 - $15,300
The Lexus SC430 was built as a replacement for the SC400, one of Toyota’s most beautiful coupes. The SC430 was thus built by taking everything that made the SC400 a formidable machine and improving it. The result was arguably a Japanese masterpiece that was fitted with a retractable roof, a first for the model.
Under the hood, the SC430 packed a V8 engine that delivered insane amounts of power. At the crank, that V8 developed 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Apart from being the better pick over the SC400, the SC430 is also quite affordable in the used car market.
8 Ford Crown Victoria - $5,600
The Ford Crown Victoria is a rather common sight in American streets. This marque has been used as a police car or taxi in most states. However, they’re a group of drivers who’ve used it as their daily driver. And they made a commendable choice. The Ford Crown Victoria is one of the smoothest and most reliable V8-powered cars you can get on the market.
The Ford Crown Victoria also boasts of a large space that makes it a great family car. Under the hood, it packs the same V8 power unit you can get from a Mustang.
7 1999 Jaguar XJ8 - $4,500
Granted, Jaguars are not all about power and speed. In most cases, people purchase a Jaguar because of its irresistible style, luxury, and comfort. But that’s not to mean that these cars are sluggards. Rather, Jags are known for packing some of the wildest performance you can get from a British marque.
The 1999 Jaguar XJ8 is a good example of refined British power. Under the hood, this marque packs a 4.0-liter V8 that develops 290 hp. The only downside is that this marque is not known for being one of the most reliable in the market. Thus, a mechanic on speed dial might come in handy.
6 Chevrolet Corvette C4 - $9,000
The fourth-generation Chevrolet Corvette is considered an American icon. This marque boasted of a fiberglass body with a powerful small-block V8 tucked under the hood to provide wild amounts of American power.
The C4 Corvette can be bought today for slightly less than you would pay for the C5 ‘Vette. If you want to save some buck, then you can purchase the earlier models that had rather weak engines. However, the later models are more expensive since Chevy beefed up their motors. But if you opt for the former, you can do an LS swap to fit a more powerful power unit under the hood.
5 2000 Audi A6 Quattro - $13,400
If you are looking for European luxury but Jaguar and Bentley are not your company of choice, then you can opt for the mid-2000s Audi A6 Quattro. This underrated German luxury sedan is a pure show of reliability and performance.
Under the hood, the 2000 Audi A6 Quattro packs a 4.2-liter V8 that develops 300 hp. If you intend on purchasing one in the used car market, then you’ll need to part with about $13,400 to get one in good condition per Carguide listings. Prices, however, can dip down to $5,000.
4 Pontiac Bonneville GXP - $6,600
It’s hard to imagine that Pontiac can get both luxury and performance right. But with the Pontiac Bonneville GXP, that’s exactly what they did. The Bonneville is one of the best sedans from the company with a respectable amount of luxury and performance.
Sadly, after a great start, Pontiac diluted the sauce of the Bonneville GXP towards its last model years. However, the marque they first released to the public was nothing short of drop-dead gorgeous. Moreover, it was a rarer car to drive compared to the later-released Bonneville. Under the hood, this Pontiac packed a Northstar V8 engine, the same you’d find in the Cadillac STS. It developed 275 hp 300 lb-ft of torque.
3 Jaguar XK8 - $19,500
European automakers have a knack for building exclusive and expensive sports cars for the road. At the heart of this is Jaguar, one of the most renowned automakers in the region. The Jaguar XK8 is one of the company’s most celebrated creations.
The XK8 boasts attractive styling, a powerful motor, and a supple interior befitting royalty. However, such goodness usually comes at the cost of well over six figures. Under the hood, the Jaguar XK8 initially packed a 4.0-liter V8. Later on, the power unit was bumped to a 4.2-liter V8 that could develop 294 hp.
2 2018 Ford Mustang GT - $26,000
The 2018 Ford Mustang GT is one of the hardest charging Mustang GTs you can get your hands on. Ford went all out with the power unit tucked under this beast. The 2018 Mustang GT was graced with a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine that developed over 400 hp. It's on record as one of the best American V8s ever produced.
For this model, Ford went back in time and re-enacted some of the ‘60s design cues from the classic Mustang. The result was a beastly car with a timeless design that could shred its tires, drift without the need of fancy drift buttons and tech gizmos, and could lap tracks as fast as a well-built sports car.
1 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS - $26,000
The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS is one of the most hardcore Camaros ever built. This wild machine packed a massive 6.2-liter V8 that could develop 455 hp. Many muscle car enthusiasts ran for it in the showrooms because of its wild American looks and a powertrain that promised to shred tires faster than a piranha on overdrive.
The only problem with the 2018 Chevy Camaro 1SS was how fast it lost its value. Yes, at the time of launch, it was not the most expensive sports car or American muscle car you can get your hands on. However, about a year and a half after it was launched, the car had lost almost half its value.