Top five affordable used V8s for under $15K

In the dying decades of the internal combustion engine, some of us might feel the urge to make hay while the sun shines. In the case of a petrol-head, that could mean buying one of the few remaining affordable V8 models available, or buying a good used V8 before they are all gone, all too expensive or just too costly to keep fed with unleaded.

If you want a tidy, relatively low-kilometre V8 that’s less than 20 years old for less than $15,000, here are our top five picks in the used market.

We are talking about passenger sedans – not coupes or SUVs – that are built this century, haven’t done a million kilometres and you can still get parts for. All except one have the classic front-engine, rear-drive layout but some have a more sporting bent than others and all were premium luxury cars in their time.

Note that we haven’t included Aussie V8s here; the homegrown bent-eight market is a fickle one with prices all over the place. Yes, there are some good, fairly low-ish kilometre Aussie V8s for sale for less than $15K, but not many and not often.

Our tip: if you must go for an Aussie V8 at this price point, a BA Ford Fairmont/Fairlane, VY Commodore SV8 (a poor man’s VY SS, only faster) or WH-WK Statesman/Caprice offer the best value.

Again, special-editions or very low-kilometre examples of the above cars will blow your budget out of the water. As we said, it’s a fickle market.

But turn your attention to Europe or Japan, and there is a smorgasbord of lush eight-cylinder sedans with barely six figures showing on their odometers available for less than $15K. Let’s get stuck into it.

2006-2009 BMW 550i

The big Bavarian, Bangle-designed BMW E60 5 Series is one car you’ll either love or hate the looks of but – in V8 form at least – you’ll forgive. This was the last naturally-aspirated 5 Series V8, with the later F10 going to a (more problematic) turbo V8.

Available from the early to mid-naughties, it came in three versions (540i, 545i and 550i) of the N62 V8, but the hero model (excluding the M5) if you can find one, is the later 2006-onwards BMW 550i.

The 550i 4.8-litre V8, like any BMW of a certain age, won’t exactly be as cheap as a bicycle to maintain. Yet buy a loved example, keep on top of maintenance and then simply enjoy the rear-drive V8 sedan that is, in effect, a more solidly-built German Commodore.

The 550i had still-respectable 270kW/490Nm outputs and is no slouch, with a claimed 0-100kmh time of 5.3sec. BMW’s creamily refined 4799cc Valvetronic V8 doesn't sound as metallic as it used to in its non-Valvetronic 210kW 4.4-litre incarnation, but it still hollers a terrific noise.

Given a fairly smooth surface, the 550i will probably out-corner most ordinary cars on the road, although the active steering and harsh ride (thanks to the run-flat tyres) don’t do the big Beemer any favours.

It’s fair to say that if you have a good mechanic or you can work the spanners you’ll have a happier time with an E60 550i. While the engines are reliable, cooling systems and suspensions do wear quickly.

Find a 2006-2009 BMW 550i on carsales

The W211 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan took the rather awkward looks of its predecessor the W210 and evolved that into what was an attractive and, in V8 guise, rapid car for its time.

Here we’re looking at the pre-facelift 2003-2006 model, because after that you got a bigger-engined E 500 with more power and torque, but also more problems. Reliable as an old butcher’s block, the M113 5.0-litre V8 available up to the 2006 update is the better choice for dependability.

The 5.0-litre V8 is not all that loud (sadly) and requires quite the plumbing job on its exhaust system to free up even the slightest V8 burble, but teamed to a five-speed auto that wafts through its gear-set, the V8 Benz is the uber-tourer of choice and delivers excellent good ride quality.

This really highlights the fact the W211 Mercedes-Benz E 500 really had none of the nuanced ride/handling compromise of the two-generations-earlier W124 series (which we officially never saw in V8 form here in any case). Much more numb in steering and chassis development than any W124 would ever be, the 225kW/460Nm V8 Benz in W211 form was more a point-and-shoot proposition.

Yet there is nothing like seeing the three-pointed star lift towards the horizon as you are pushed to 100km/h in a quick 6.0sec and in those days Benz could still cobble together a fine body and interior with high material and build quality.

However, the ABS pump could fail and require replacement and the E 500’s air suspension can get expensive when component replacements are due.

Find a 2002-2006 Mercedes-Benz E 500 on carsales

If ever you wanted a V8 that is as reliable as a Toyota, well, buy one made by Toyota. That is easier said than done in Australia, where the only Toyota V8s in recent times have been SUVs.

However, thanks to the low-volume import scheme, you can buy a S180 Toyota Crown Majesta with the majestical 4.3-litre 3UZ-FE V8.

With 216kW in tap, fed through a six-speed auto, the 1780kg Crown Majesta is not exactly a road rocket. While not slow, it is more a luxurious highway cruiser with a super-smooth V8 up front, driving the rear wheels.

The Crown Majesta, at just less than five metres long, is more a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7-series competitor than the rest of the cars here and therefore plays in a slightly smaller segment, but there are plenty available on carsales.

A small fridge, heated/cooled seats, reclining rear seats and active cruise control are just some of the party tricks found in most Crown Majestas that have landed on our shores.

Not much goes wrong with these ever-reliable Toyotas, and although many parts are shared with Toyota/Lexus vehicles sold locally, there are also some parts that will be hard to get quickly. Insuring a used import such as this might also prove difficult or a bit more expensive too.

There are other items, like Japanese language-only infotainment buttons and so on that mark this as a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) car that you will have to get used to. And when it comes time to sell, it may not be as easy to move as a car that was sold here new.

Find a 2004-2008 Toyota Crown Majesta on carsales

Another V8 sedan privately imported from the Land Of the Rising Sun is the beautifully executed Nissan Fuga. Yes, another odd name, but its 4.5-litre 245kW/455Nm V8 has nothing odd about it.

It is one of the better-sounding V8s here, with performance to match. While no official performance figures are offered, a 5.5sec 0-100km/h acceleration time has been claimed and while that might not be in supercar territory, it’s pretty good for a 15-year-old luxury sedan.

The Fuga rides on all-independent suspension shared with the Nissan Skyline and it certainly helps it become a delight in the corners. While it can’t hide its estimated 1800kg kerb weight, it still has an athletic approach to cornering.

Like the Crown Majesta, the Fuga in 450GT trim was well endowed with equipment, right down to a powered ottoman for the front passenger. Radar cruise and heated/cooled seats are often on the standard menu too.

As with the Toyota Crown Majesta, the Nissan Fuga arrived in Australia as a used import only; none were officially imported new. This presents the same ownership problems as the Toyota; that is, parts availability, servicing knowledge, insurance availability and uncertain resale values.

Like the Toyota, the Nissan was built to last with Japanese quality, so if you buy a good one it should present an easy maintenance proposition.

However, reliability reports from the USA for the Infiniti M45 (a re-badged Nissan Fuga) suggests that early cars may have excessive oil consumption, brake rotors can require regular machining, fuel consumption is high for the class and the interior and (optional) sunroof can rattle. But did we mention that glorious V8 sound?

Find a 2004-2008 Y50 Nissan Fuga 450GT

Volvo used to be seen as a conservative brand but of course for those in the know the company has put together some truly interesting, innovative and quick machines. This particular super-Swede, the Volvo S80 V8, is always a big, unlikely surprise to those who’ve never heard of it – which is most of us.

Although it’s a bit quiet for a V8 stock-standard, once you’ve heard a Volvo S80 V8 with its exhaust system uncorked, you’ll never forget it.

With a 60-degree 4.4-litre V8 designed exclusively for Volvo by Yamaha for transverse applications (and thus also used in the Volvo XC90), the S80’s 232kW/440Nm V8 drove all four wheels through a six-speed automatic.

Although the S80 V8 was a bit too nose heavy to be considered ideal for enjoying a favoured section of twisting tarmac, the willing V8, smooth auto and all-paw grip team up well for eating up slippery terrain, and a claimed 6.2sec sprint to 100km/h is not bad, either.

The S80 V8 is possibly the most reliable of the Euros in this list, with not much reported as going wrong. However, working in the engine bay is particularly tight, so factor that into labour charges when such work does need to be done.

Find a 2007-2011 Volvo S80 V8 on carsales