Table of contents
Introduction
In the automotive world, there is nothing like the sound of a roaring V8. For years, the V8 has been a symbol of raw power and intoxicating sound. As new cars develop, the V8 is seemingly missing in lineups amongst manufacturers. The requirements of fuel efficiency have made the V8 engine a less viable option. Fortunately, we have some awesome cheap V8 cars alive and well for us to enjoy.
From the time I was introduced to cars, the V8 was always the sound I listened for. Being around American muscle cars all my life, I grew accustomed to the sound and smell of a carbureted V8 engine. Today, I enjoy that sound at my wishes through my 1966 Chevelle.
Getting into a cheap V8 car is a lot easier than you think. When manufacturers weren’t strained with today’s government regulations, V8s ran rampant. In the used car marketplace, there are tons of options. Here, we compiled our favorite cheap V8 cars and want to help you on your journey to building an awesome car.
Cheap V8 Cars
For us to categorize “cheap V8 cars”, we have to look at what these cars require. Obviously, we need a V8 engine power plant in order to rip around town and on the track. Ideally, we would get a rear-wheel drive platform as it meshes perfectly with the torque of a V8. We love skids and burnouts here. Lastly, we need it to be affordable. In my opinion, a cheap v8 car should not surpass the $10,000 mark. The $10,000 price tag is perfect because its not unreasonable and leaves you room to work with in terms of performance mods. Now, let’s get down to the list of our favorite cheap V8 cars and why you need to jump into one!
1. Lexus LS400
It goes without saying that the enthusiast world loves a Lexus LS400. These versatile luxury sedans can become anything you want. Slammed VIP build? Easy. Sleeper racer? Even easier. Drift car? Say no more. LS400s are renowned for great performance and its insane reputation of high mileage engines. Seriously, these are known to go upwards of 500,000+ miles. So not only will this LS400 last you a long time, but you’ll also get 250 horsepower in a luxury package. For newer models, that power goes up to 290 horsepower! These cars for as low as $2,500 on Facebook Marketplace. Also, these were very popular amongst the older generations. Therefore, finding a clean one is fairly simply. Pick one of these up before they’re destroyed in a takeover!
2. Chevrolet Corvette C4
Even if you aren’t in your mid-life crisis yet, the C4 Corvette is a go-to choice for a cheap V8 car. The C4 Corvette averages around $7,500-10,000 for a respectable car and is destined to be a future classic. 300 horsepower from the LT1 V8 is standard, making it an absolute performance bargain. Not only does it have solid power and aftermarket support, but the C4 corvette has that iconic styling. Did I mention it also has pop-up headlights?
3. Ford Crown Victoria/Panther Body
The iconic Ford Crown Victoria is always seen as a cop car. While it had been the preferred police vehicle in the USA for decades, today it has become a cheap V8 car for the masses. Auctions are filled with retired police P71 Crown Victorias and are easily purchased for as low as $2,000. Now, with these you aren’t just limited to a Crown Victoria. If you want a little nicer styling, you can get behind a Lincoln Town Car or a Mercury Grand Marquis. Either way, you can’t go wrong. The 4.6 Liter Modular V8 has the same support as the Mustang of the same era. There are tons of mods available for this car and seeing them on the track or at a car meet is simply cool.
4. BMW E39 540i
My personal favorite on this list: The E39 540i. What’s not to like about this super sedan? A perfect sounding V8 engine matched up to a manual transmission in a luxury sedan is an amazing thing. The E39, to me, is the best sized sedan you could have. No bulky bodies like modern BMWs and has enough space for grown adults. For around $5,000-$6,000, you get a timeless sport sedan capable of keeping up with the cars of today.
If it were me, I’d find a black M-Sport edition 540i so I can get the nice M bumpers without the hassle of the E39 M5 prices.
5. Chevrolet Camaro (4th Generation)
The F-Body is GM’s cheap v8 car masterpiece. The 4th generation Camaros (1993-2002) feature great V8 options for under $10,000. While most will go for the LS1 engine, the 275 horsepower LT1 V8 is perfect those looking for a cheap V8 car. I go on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace constantly and see Pre-LS Z28 Camaros all the time for $5,000 or less. As always with GM sports cars, the 4th generation Camaro has limitless aftermarket support and tons of documentation on upgrades. If someone has thought of an upgrade, trust me when I say it’s been done to a 4th generation Camaro.
6. Ford Mustang GT S197
The 2005 to 2009 Mustang GT is a performance bargain. 300 horsepower with tons of aftermarket support makes this generation Mustang absolutely perfect. The average price for a running S197 GT is around $7,000, but I have seen them even cheaper depending on condition. The retro-futuristic styling is easy on the eyes and can be upgraded however you desire. Overall, it is an awesome and fun project car for the money.
7. Infiniti M45
Infiniti’s 4.5 liter V8 luxury sedan is no slouch. Averaging around $7,500 on the used market, the Infiniti M45 is a perfect choice for those wanting something less common. The V8 engine produces 325 horsepower and has optional all-wheel drive models. Some would argue a G35 or G37 would be the better choice, but we all know a V8 will always sound better than a VQ engine. Besides, the M45 will most likely be in better condition than any used G35/37 on the market these days. Altogether, the M45 is another great cheap V8 car option!
8. Dodge Charger R/T
When Dodge brought back the Charger, it was an absolute hit. In today’s used car market, it is a totally viable option for a project car. The 5.7 liter Hemi V8 gives you 340-370 horsepower (depending on the year) and gobs of torque. Not only is the performance there, but the aftermarket support is plentiful. Because the newer Chargers are more sought after, the earlier iterations can be purchased as low as $5,000 in this used car market. In my opinion, there’s no reason to overlook this era of the Dodge Charger for a cheap v8 car.
9. Lincoln LS
All right, this is a “hear me out” kind of car. When people think of cheap V8 cars, no one thinks of the Lincoln LS. With a Jaguar sourced V8 engine, it produces 252-280 horsepower depending on the year. These are easily sourced for less than $6,000 and are easy to find with relatively low mileage for the age. While there isn’t much aftermarket support, owners have gotten creative with these full-size luxury sedans. As a fan of sleeper builds, I would love to see a Lincoln LS with some forced induction to send it to the moon.
10. Ford Mustang GT SN95
If you want a cheap rear-wheel drive V8 sports car, look no further than the SN95 Mustang. SN95 Mustangs from ‘94-‘95 will have the option for a 5.0 Liter motor whereas the ‘96-‘98 models will have a 4.6 Liter modular engine. While the 5.0 has a little less power, some argue the aftermarket support and engine is the better choice. However, the 4.6 modular motor is nothing to laugh at. If you opt for the New Edge SN95 GT, the power increases to 260. The New Edge GT (1999-2004) will be priced higher than the earlier models. Regardless, both the early SN95s and the New Edge can be found south of $5,000 for a running car. Overall, it is an absolute steal for a great track car!
11. Lexus SC400
Like the LS400, the SC400 sports coupe is perfect for those wanting a cheap V8 car. While most gravitate towards the SC300 for the 2JZ motor, the 1UZ out of the SC400 is nothing to laugh at. The body style and luxurious interior compliment exude GT car. Lexus’ iconic reliability is there and the exhaust note on an SC400 is absolutely insane. A clean one will be closer to that $10,000 mark, but I have seen these go for as low as $5,000 with age-appropriate mileage. Personally, the SC400 is a project car I would love to take on one day.
Why Build A Cheap V8 Car?
Cheap V8 cars are absolutely amazing projects. You have enough power and torque to have fun and endless possibilities. Because they’re NA V8s, chances are the cars are fairly reliable. The cars in our list of the best cheap V8 cars provide plenty of routes you can take for your build.
Conclusion
Cheap V8 cars are assets to the automotive community. These platforms become some of the best entry-level drift cars, project car bases, or just great cruisers. With the simplicity of a V8 engine, maintenance and upkeep will be much easier than a forced induction car. Because the cars on this list are $10,000 or less, you don’t have to worry about getting sucked into terrible car loan payments. Instead, you can focus on having fun with your car and building it to your hearts desire!
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