Best value V8?

xkxlxm · 25-09-2021, 11:21 AM

What would be the best value V8 you could buy here in Oz? I am mostly thinking of used cars, probably Ford or Holden. Would it be one of the 'lesser' Falcon GTs, a V8-equipped base model Falcon or Holden from the 1960s-1970s-1980s, a Valiant, a V8 ute, a HDT vehicle, or a post-1990 Ford or Holden? Manual/auto?

I am not going to buy one and I am almost ashamed to admit that I have never driven a V8. I'd love to have a Mustang V8 but it just wouldn't get used enough.

Franco Cozzo · 25-09-2021, 11:23 AM

They're all drug money now bro, missed the boat on the Aussie performance stuff

Holden LWB stuff like Statesman/Caprice doesn't hold its value like its poor Commodore cousin, something with an L76/L77/L98 is still good value compared to an SS Commodore and you get more car for your spondoolies.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-7377398/?Cr=3

**Giant Cranium** · 25-09-2021, 12:01 PM

Cheapest manual v8 on Carsales is a ba xr8 Ute with all the km’s for 10k. Nothing is good value

**kypez** · 25-09-2021, 12:17 PM

Mustang. They are probably the best value ones to be had. Anything Aussie will correct it in time and only the really special ones will hold or appreciate further. The speculators will dry up.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

T3rminator · 25-09-2021, 12:49 PM

In the context of covid tax, those VE SSs going for low 20s with 150,000 odd Ks have got to be pretty good value?

Occasionally you will see some in the teens.

MercuryT · 25-09-2021, 01:15 PM

Bmw x5

Big_Daz · 25-09-2021, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercuryT

Bmw x5

Something like an E70 X5M is pretty good value, considering the performance...

E92 M3 V8's are pretty good value (in relative terms) as well.

Anything Aussie right now isnt, at all... Though that will end at some stage.

cycle myth · 25-09-2021, 01:37 PM

X5.. yeah close

I like M550i - poor mans M5 for $80k less.

Goes like it has mind control.

Franco Cozzo · 25-09-2021, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycle myth

X5.. yeah close

I like M550i - poor mans M5 for $80k less.

Goes like it has mind control.

I see we both have different opinions of the term 'best value', yours is $160,000, two turbos, 8 cylinders, 390KW and mines an 11 year old car that's probably a bit too expensive to be considered 'best value' at $20K and its previous owner likely used it to ferry people between Melbourne Airport and Melbourne CBD

MercuryT · 25-09-2021, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

Something like an E70 X5M is pretty good value, considering the performance...

E92 M3 V8's are pretty good value (in relative terms) as well.

Anything Aussie right now isnt, at all... Though that will end at some stage.

Both those BMWs are fantastic cars. Love the M3 V8s......

But for sheer value the basic X5 V8 is hard to beat. (no, not for outright performance but for practicality and compared to what Holden/Ford owners are asking it's a complete bargain)

I'm looking at buying this as we speak so this thread is ironic (waiting to hear on my 13K offer - it has full history, exhaust and is in brilliant condition)

**FairmontGS** · 25-09-2021, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

They're all drug money now bro, missed the boat on the Aussie performance stuff

Holden LWB stuff like Statesman/Caprice doesn't hold its value like its poor Commodore cousin, something with an L76/L77/L98 is still good value compared to an SS Commodore and you get more car for your spondoolies.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-7377398/?Cr=3

Yes or BA G220 if we're talking sports models. You get one more valve per cylinder

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-7425567/?Cr=0

roKWiz · 25-09-2021, 03:06 PM

if we're talking best value, as in paying for themselves.
Detroit 8V71 hands down, other old V8s that are still earning their keep... Cummins VT903, Cat 3408 last simply due to rebuilding cost.

Cars.....flathead. 1000 smiles per mile.

T3rminator · 25-09-2021, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

Yes or BA G220 if we're talking sports models. You get one more valve per cylinder

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-7425567/?Cr=0

Nice find. And if phasers and chains have been done, then its exceptional value.

Was wondering why my saved search wasn't bringing any results under $20k, then realised I had "autos" filtered OUT

**DJM83** · 25-09-2021, 03:56 PM

Bloody tough choice.
Being a Ford fan.
And the current market.

A VE SS manual wagon. No way I'd go with one of the Germans above.
Big enough to fit my bikes in and enough grunt aswell.

Aussie cars are a tough market at the moment.

White16TX · 25-09-2021, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

if we're talking best value, as in paying for themselves.
Detroit 8V71 hands down, other old V8s that are still earning their keep... Cummins VT903, Cat 3408 last simply due to rebuilding cost.

Cars.....flathead. 1000 smiles per mile.

Oohhh.....8V71 is the horniest sound produced by mankind!!
2 stroke greatness.

MercuryT · 25-09-2021, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Bloody tough choice.
Being a Ford fan.
And the current market.

A VE SS manual wagon. No way I'd go with one of the Germans above.
Big enough to fit my bikes in and enough grunt aswell.

Aussie cars are a tough market at the moment.

The VE SS Wagon is a piece of sh*t.

I should know as I drove plenty before I bought the (faster, better in every way) R36.

BMW V8s are brilliant if looked after and can buy for less than a crap SV6 for heaven's sake.

T3rminator · 25-09-2021, 05:00 PM

If auto is in the mix....hard to go past the Mercs. ML55 AMG, ML500 or CLK500. Sub $10k, with features probably matching some of today's cars. Not sure what maintenance would be like.

**DJM83** · 25-09-2021, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercuryT

The VE SS Wagon is a piece of sh*t.

I should know as I drove plenty before I bought the (faster, better in every way) R36.

BMW V8s are brilliant if looked after and can buy for less than a crap SV6 for heaven's sake.

Better in every way
Kool story.

Dont care.
I'd pick the SS
Fit some cams and some pipes
Rumble around.
Not here to please you or anyone else for that matter.

CoupeKing · 25-09-2021, 05:16 PM

Low-mileage VY SS 5.7 manual.

**FairmontGS** · 25-09-2021, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Nice find. And if phasers and chains have been done, then its exceptional value.

Was wondering why my saved search wasn't bringing any results under $20k, then realised I had "autos" filtered OUT

Good G220s were a dime a dozen up until a year ago but it looks like the secret is out.

BF G8 is a better proposition but they didn't make many of them and whatever makes it to market are usually flogged out, mega-km, ex-hire for $20k.

XR Martin · 25-09-2021, 05:42 PM

Jap import if you want something cheap.

'09 Toyota Crown Majesta, Lexus quality, 4.6L V8, 260kw, 8spd auto, $20-25k.

MercuryT · 25-09-2021, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

If auto is in the mix....hard to go past the Mercs. ML55 AMG, ML500 or CLK500. Sub $10k, with features probably matching some of today's cars. Not sure what maintenance would be like.

Maintenance is shocking.

My R36 cost near 300 for just a gearbox oil change. (and yes I shopped around for best price)

But you are getting a much higher class and better car for it so and we only live once? My experience with German cars been fantastic in comparison.

I miss my Xr6 Turbo (fantastic engine) but I don't miss the rest of it being built by a 12yo. Laughably bad quality in materials used.....

wodahs · 25-09-2021, 06:13 PM

i sell you a NC v8 red Fairlane at the best value youll get and yes its neat n runs

but i aint giving this barn find (well its under my back veranda) away

Franco Cozzo · 25-09-2021, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

If auto is in the mix....hard to go past the Mercs. ML55 AMG, ML500 or CLK500. Sub $10k, with features probably matching some of today's cars. Not sure what maintenance would be like.

I'm not a fan of older Euros - they don't stand up to me driving them

My E38 735iL hated ripping skids, it has some fancy PCV setup and if you cut a couple circles it would suck oil into the intake manifold and nekminnit white smoke out the wazoo and engine light on, though it did look hilarious seeing a massive luxo barge ripping an epic single pegger

Maintenance is horrendous, it's really something you want to have as a project/spare car and you enjoy fixing something yourself or willing to have a crack.

Franco Cozzo · 25-09-2021, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

Yes or BA G220 if we're talking sports models. You get one more valve per cylinder

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-7425567/?Cr=0

Thats really good value, can't go wrong with that assuming everything works.

Count on heater shafts, ignition switch, ICC, door locks and maybe camshaft phasers if they haven't been done yet

MercuryT · 25-09-2021, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Better in every way
Kool story.

Dont care.
I'd pick the SS
Fit some cams and some pipes
Rumble around.
Not here to please you or anyone else for that matter.

OK yeah with a cam it sounds better.

I agree.

The thing is a ****hou*e drive and it's no story. Little feedback and terrible in the wet.

I don't want you to please me. I couldn't care less if you agree or not (as clearly you have no idea)

Drive and be in a R36 and get back to me.

MercuryT · 25-09-2021, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Better in every way
Kool story.

Dont care.
I'd pick the SS
Fit some cams and some pipes
Rumble around.
Not here to please you or anyone else for that matter.

The mere fact you deliberately spelt "cool" "kool" says everything about a typical bogan Ford person. (those who liked it confirms my point)

jgmdat · 25-09-2021, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercuryT

The mere fact you deliberately spelt "cool" "kool" says everything about a typical bogan Ford person. (those who liked it confirms my point)

On the full strength beers again are we.

slowsnake · 25-09-2021, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

If auto is in the mix....hard to go past the Mercs. ML55 AMG, ML500 or CLK500. Sub $10k, with features probably matching some of today's cars. Not sure what maintenance would be like.

Yes CLK500, saw one a few months back in local shopping centre, had a chat to the "older" driver, asked him how long he owned it, since new he said, I asked him to light it up when he leaves, he said I don't smoke!

Of course i was joking but he was serious, but looked good and sounded very nice indeed!

Cheers Billy

The Troll need not report!

pottery beige · 25-09-2021, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

Low-mileage VY SS 5.7 manual.

was having an half rsd snoodle around at these and CV8s pre covid tax.......

dream is over for now