What's the best V8 powered car for under $10k?

[RAPID_BA]

What is the best V8 powered car available to buy for under $10k? A mate is looking for a family car with some power. He likes his v8s but unfortunately can only spend $10k max.

At this price point there is naturally going to be a compromise on model/km/features/age etc. but what is best in this price point to deliver up a reliable fun and comfy car.

My suggestions are a ba 5.4 3v, au series v8s, ls1 powered commodores. He was very interested in a 2002 jeep Cherokee Laredo 4.7l v8. There is also the ford explorer v8.

I would not be focused on a particular model but my criteria would be under 120000km, best condition, maybe a lower spec model not to have issues of electrics etc, oh and a Aussie made car as if repairs are required you want cheapest possible parts. (I would rule out Cherokee Laredo for price and availability of parts)

Should be able to land a decent fairmont ba 5.4 3v for under $10k with around 100,000km. That would be my pic. An exceptional car for the money.

What do we think. If making a suggestion if possible refer to a sales ad of an actual car as he is a serious buyer.

[XR Martin]

You can even get 5.4L Fairlanes for under $10k.
Though LS1 Statesmans arnt a bad buy either.

If he buys a 5.4L 3v make sure he gets someone who know what they are doing to replace the sparkpugs. Atleast a few will be siezed and will need skill to remove them properly.

[MrEL]

DL LTD maybe? I heard of one recently that was under $10k and the quality of it was meant to shine through.

[xr gr8]

Leyland P76!....just kidding it would be a AUII or III for me for that money.

[Super Roo 1970]

If he wants sporty Id recommend AU series XR8, if he wants luxury Id go a AU V8 Ghia. With the dollars he has, get the latest series he can within his kilometers requirement.
These are dirt cheap, easy to maintain, very economical for a V8 and a nice simple engine so cheaper to work on than the later 3V jobbies.
He could get a T1 for around 10k, have luxury and sport combined.

[fanboi]

Jeep parts are cheap and plentiful, in saying that id still try and look at an early BA 3V or an AU XR8

[Nic302ef]

Would be after a full history on the explorer v8s and BA 3v V8s, how many k's wont realy matter on these models as in a model with 50000 on it that is going to have all the common problems namely the falcon with the timing chains and the explorer with the transmission faults. So say a model with 180000 etc that has had these rectified may be the better go... just a thought... im also in the market for a v8 explorer.

Im more inclined to recomend an au3 xr8, series1 ts50, or even a AU LTD 5L, can expect 14s second pass from the first two.

LS1 powered comos arnt bad but would be looking around the VX year, about on par with an au3 xr8, but comes down to preference, would prob find a nicer xr8 for the price. Im not big on what goes wrong on these models but few common things that come to mind are water pumps and center tail shaft bearings etc.

[Kryton]

Vx sii ss.

[T3man]

It's just soooo funny - Hulk has been waiting for your reply since OP.

[smoo]

I'd say a Fairmont Ghia/Fairlane 3v or LS1, but also take a look at BMW E34 540i or E38 740i which just ***** on anything else from the era.
You want to limit it to Aussie cars due to parts and pricing, well a BA 3v will be more expensive to fix than the two BMWs above.
I have a 3v Fairlane and apart from the cheap interior plastics its a grouse car, the closest thing i can liken it to is the E38 740i (launched in 1994).
Why would you waste your time with an AU V8. 175kw, all noise and no more go than a base model 6, at least they sound good.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by smoo

Why would you waste your time with an AU V8. 175kw, all noise and no more go than a base model 6, at least they sound good.

that shows you know little about the AU Windsor

my old heap 175KW with 267,000KM on it, original transmission and just an exhaust does 0-100 in 6.8 which while isn't classed 'quick' by modern standards, is very much quicker than a 'base model 6'. The 175KW gets the same heads and intake manifold as the xr8.

i do agree that the 3v is a great motor however, albeit with plastic breakables, expensive parts and pistons that had to be engineered to crush spark plugs in the combustion chamber.. seriously though it's a great torquey motor, but like many things BA'ish, is expensive when it goes wrong.

[Cúl-Báire]

If it's not a daily driver and more of an garage queen or weekend car I'd recommend an AUIII XR8 or even T1/T2, the later model "explorer" windsors were quite understated and all respond well to things like exhaust, headers and tunes.

The early 5.4L V8's and even Holden 5.7 LSx engines weren't without their problems and while the Holden is marginally cheaper they are much harder to find good examples of (i.e. not flogged) and seem to be done to death.

Explorers are hell expensive if something goes wrong!

[Falcman0o7]

302 windsor. how reliable and simple.

[SumoDog68]

UCF20 LS400 would be my pick .

[EASYBOSS]

How about this

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11377539

[Falcon SXR8]

Personally wouldn't touch a ls1 they were abit dodgey when new let alone 10 years later, shure they might have been quick but being .2 sec quicker over the quarter mile doesn't seem so fun when you are on ls1 forums asking " why is my motor rattling " or "why is my motor chewing so much oil " or joining the 500 page long thred about what oil keeps the ls1 the quietest : ) Thats not to say there are no good ones there a great motor when put together right.

I would just go a windsor powered ford latest model you could get maybe an au xr8 with the 220 motor or the fairmont gear in au or ba for luxury.

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by MrEL

DL LTD maybe? I heard of one recently that was under $10k and the quality of it was meant to shine through.

Car is sold mate. Guy bought it sight unseen, just transferred the money and had it shipped to him. Some people appreciate quality. He called me yesterday and thanked me for the car, overwelmed.

But my mate wants something more sporty than the LTD

[T4ME]

Vh sl/e.

That post #3 was a cracker

[FPV-HSV]

WH Caprice LS1 , WK Statesman LS1 , VX SS , BA Fairlane 5.4L , BA Ghia 5.4L , BA XR8 ,
VT HSV V8 , Clubsport Senator etc.. , VS HSV , etc,

I would stay away from BMW.. We had one they wanted $399 for a thremastat! A Holden or Ford one is $10..

[RedHotGT]

I really enjoy my AU II Fairmont Ghia V8. It's got all the fruit, relatively cheap to run, and looks pretty decent (IMO).

But it if was my money - I'd really be looking for the BEST EL Ser2 XR8 I could find. The last ones had the 185kw motor, (IMO) a pretty good looking car - especially with the full Tickford body kit.

Two examples:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...sort=~Odometer

Or

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...sort=~Odometer

Though - the Fairlanes are hard to pass up on as well.... lots of car for the $$$

[blk6t]

tough, personal taste is always a factor...if not fussed and just after a V8 with some decent go and the ability to do some cheap but effective upgrades, I would have to say a VX series 2 (not VT), or VY if one can be found at a good price.

I know this is a Ford Forum, Holden's aren't my choice of flavour over Ford, but the LS1 is a good flexible and revvy engine, in the VX it has the cable throttle, not the slow crappy electronic version, plus good in 6 speed manual form. With some exhaust and air intake upgrades, good gains in the doughy low range can be gained.

But if he is purely after a Ford V8, I would go AU 5.0 over the 5.4. The sound alone is a winner for me, probably just as quick in the series 3 and a good proven motor....

Let us know the results...

[greenfoam]

Question is what can't you get for under 10k. That could get you a fairly serious Holden 304/8 or 355 or a very good early LS1 or a good Windsor based Falcon. If you were talking about buying a standard unmodified car to start with then the only real option for ease of performance upgrades is the LS1

[FGII-XR6]

the series 3 AU XR8 would be a great option. 220Kw and reliable with plenty of potential for more power

[Elks]

Well of course I'm going to say an AU XR8 or Tseries.

AU/BA Fairlane is also a good buy, slightly less popular than an XR8 means good buying. If he's on a $10k budget it's safe to assume he hasn't got loads of cash so I'd avoid the V8 SUV's the fuel consumption would be a killer.

But really you can't go past this.....vvv, classy V8, heaps of space and it's on gas so its cheap to run. Oh and the std wheels look heaps better too. the FPV knock off's cheapen it.

Originally Posted by EASYBOSS

How about this

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11377539

[FG_Frodza]

• EL XR8
• NL Fairlane/LTD V8
• AUIII XR8
• BA XT V8
• BA Fairmont Ghia V8
• BA Fairlane G220
• Commodore VX SS
• Commodore VY SS/SV8
• WH Statesman/Caprice V8
• WL Statesman V8 (probaby high km under 10k)

My picks anyway.

[GQ_Smooth]

Before I bought the Mazda I drove a TS50 (5.0) in reasonable condition that you can easily find for under 10K. Both rare and reasonably cheap to look after. Would be my pick.

[RAPID_BA]

I sent him a link to that fairlane with the boss motor.

He responded with nice but too many km and the fairlane didnt come with a boss motor so doesnt like the chopping and changing. Did they do it right etc, does it have the supporting driveline etc etc.

I saw a AU 2000 XR8 with 116,000km for $5500. Not a bad buy if it stacks up mechanically. Maybe under $5000.

Similarly he has asked me about a jeep cherokee laredo under 120,000km for $9000 but i just wouldnt touch it. parts too much!!! i keep telling him.

[Professor Farnsworth]

your mate sounds very similar to you!

[FPV GTHO]

Don't realy understand cross shopping the SUV's with the sedans. What's more important, the cabin or the engine?

[350125GO]

VX SS. Power, support, cheap, reliable - says it all.