Before the last half a decade, sports cars hardly came out with less than 10 cylinders. Lamborghini’s entry sports car, the Gallardo, packed a V10. Their more aggressive option, the Murcielago, packed a menacing V12. The same applied to McLaren, Pagani, and other formidable sports car manufacturers on the planet. Today, the lesser the cylinders, the better for you, your sports car, and the environment. McLaren is now a stickler to their V6 and Formula 1 has no intentions of ever going back to the V10 era. But if you want to enjoy the thrill of a V12, at a cost no more expensive than an EPA lawsuit, then these 10 cars are what you should be going for.
10 Jaguar XJ-S - $9,000
Yes, the Jaguar XJ-S had nothing better to offer against the Jaguar E-Type when it was launched in 1975. The problem was, despite this marque coming with a ton of refinements, it had big shoes to fit in given the success of its predecessor, the Jaguar E-Type.
Nonetheless, the Jaguar X-JS still managed to command a huge following. Despite having a rather thirsty V12, that power unit was very powerful and spirited to give any Jaguar enthusiast an unforgettable drive. The only downside was that the XJ-S’s power unit was an entry-level V12, which meant it had a couple of reliability issues, especially when pushed too hard.
9 Jaguar XJ12 - $12,900
Yes, this is not the most famous Jaguar in the brand’s lineup. However, it is one of the cheapest V12 Jaguars you can get your hands on.
The Jaguar XJ12 was not born a sports car. Rather, this British marque was launched as the company’s full-size luxury sedan, albeit with a very powerful engine. This marque made its debut in 1973 as the V12 XJ-series Jaguar. It was luxurious and fast for its time, with the marque also packing impressive, classic, British styling and elegance both on the interior and the exterior.
8 Mercedes S600 (W140) - $16,600
In 1994, Mercedes launched the S600 model with a 6.0L V12 that was good for 389hp. Apart from packing a massive power unit that rumbled like an angry gorilla, the 1994 Mercedes S600 also packed refined luxury and comfort.
The handling on the S600 was likewise amazing, despite the marque clocking rather large proportions. That’s because the S600 was not inherently a sports car. Rather, it was a luxurious sedan, but a very capable one. Some chaps even elongated the chassis and converted this impressive German machine into a limo.
7 1998 Mercedes-Benz CL600 - $17,400
This marque was simply the two-door version of the larger Mercedes Benz S-Class (W220). The 1998 Mercedes-Benz CL600 was launched with a shorter wheelbase, 8-inches to be precise, compared to the S-Class. However, it packed the same refinement and luxury as the formidable S-Class.
The same can be said of the CL600’s performance. This marque packed an M137 V12 engine that clocked 389hp at the dyno, making it a very quick grand tourer. The only downside was, not so many S-Class lovers fell equally in love with the 1998 CL600. But that didn’t change the fact that it was one of Mercedes’ best sports offering towards the end of the decade.
6 2004 Mercedes SL600 - $24,000
The 2004 Mercedes Benz SL600 falls in the same category as the iconic Jaguar XJ-S and the 850i. All these cars are not inherently sports cars. Rather, they are sporty and luxurious grand tourers that just happen to pack a ton of power and great handling. The SL series, in particular, serves as one of Mercedes’ top-end luxury cars.
The SL600 runs on a 6.0L V12 that produced 389hp and 420lb-ft of torque. For a car that launched in 1993, that’s top of the line, sports car performance. Older SL600 models, especially from the 90s, start from $10,000 while the R230 SL600 generation from the early 2000s starts from $24,000.
5 1997 BMW 850Ci - $24,300
Compared to the 850i, the 1997 BMW 850Ci runs on a 5.4L V12 instead of a 5.0L V12. That increase in bore gave the 850Ci 322hp of grunt compared to the 850i’s 300hp. Interestingly, the ’97 BMW 850Ci, despite the added improvements, is a little bit cheaper than the 850i.
4 1991 BMW 850i - $24,500
The BMW 850i first made it to the world stage at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1989. The car that was presented then looked fantastic with a beefy V12 engine that psyched up enthusiasts for an exciting vehicle. Two years later, BMW did not disappoint.
The 1991 BWM 850i finally came out with a menacing V12 power unit that could produce 300hp. The 850i, later on, got major updates, with the BMW CSi being launched with even greater performance. The only thing that made the BMW 850i feel rather slow was the large vehicle weight that stood at 4,123lbs.
3 2000 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage - $26,500
The Aston Martin DB7 Vantage first stepped onto the world stage in 1999. This marque was launched with a 6.0L V12 that churned out 420hp. This was a significant leap forward compared to DB-7’s inline-6 engine.
Thanks to that hard-charging engine, Aston Martin DB7 Vantage managed to hit an impressive top speed of 186mph. This marque was also blessed with unparalleled luxury that flawlessly blended with its British performance. Eventually, the DB7 Vantage raised the bar for Aston Martin vehicles, with the marque itself being the fan-favorite.
2 2006 Mercedes SL65 AMG - $35,800
The 2006 Mercedes SL65 AMG launched in 2004 as a high-performance version of the already magnificent SL range. Just like most cars in the SL series, the 2006 Mercedes SL65 AMG came with all the right luxury features albeit with a more powerful power unit.
Under the hood was a 6.0L V12 that produced 604hp. This ridiculous performance made the SL65 the immediate choice for anyone looking for a powerful Mercedes Benz that’s still stylish and cool. The 2006 SL65 AMG also offered terrific handling and a tremendous amount of grip despite weighing quite heavy.
1 2003 Ferrari 456 GTA - $57,400
The Ferrari 456 GTA took two years after launch to finally get into the US market. And for Americans, that wait was worth the while. The Ferrari 456 GTA first set foot on the automobile scene in 1993. It packed a 5.5L V12 engine that churned out 436hp. That power was enough to take the 456 GTA to a top speed of 186mph.
The Ferrari 456 GTA packed the right Maranello formula. It was fast, luxurious, and impractical, sitting only two. Even with today’s standards, this car still looks fantastic, topping the list of some of the sexiest, classic Ferraris you can get for a fair price today.