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

RAPID_BA · 12-11-2012, 11:17 PM

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 · 12-11-2012, 11:23 PM

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 · 12-11-2012, 11:23 PM

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

xr gr8 · 12-11-2012, 11:44 PM

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

RAPID_BA · 13-11-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

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

**GasoLane** · 13-11-2012, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAPID_BA

But my mate wants something more sporty than the LTD

Something more sporty than a 'Lane yet he's looking at Jeeps and Ford Exploders!

You have strange friends

RAPID_BA · 13-11-2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Something more sporty than a 'Lane yet he's looking at Jeeps and Ford Exploders!

You have strange friends

The ltd was a great car but it was a bit grandpa. The three serious buyers I had were all in their 70s.

The Cherokee jeep is perceived to be "cooler" than a ltd.

I'd put the ltd up there with a el gt but people just don't see it as "cool".

Super Roo 1970 · 13-11-2012, 12:06 AM

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 · 13-11-2012, 12:19 AM

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

Nic302ef · 13-11-2012, 12:39 AM

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 · 13-11-2012, 01:04 AM

Vx sii ss.

smoo · 13-11-2012, 01:19 AM

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** · 13-11-2012, 01:31 AM

Quote:

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.

T3man · 13-11-2012, 01:11 AM

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

Cúl-Báire · 13-11-2012, 01:52 AM

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 · 13-11-2012, 05:00 AM

302 windsor. how reliable and simple.

SumoDog68 · 13-11-2012, 05:24 AM

UCF20 LS400 would be my pick .

**EASYBOSS** · 13-11-2012, 06:14 AM

How about this

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

Elks · 13-11-2012, 10:18 AM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EASYBOSS

How about this

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

RAPID_BA · 13-11-2012, 10:32 AM

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.

FPV GTHO · 13-11-2012, 11:21 AM

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

RAPID_BA · 13-11-2012, 12:42 PM

As I said he wants to use it as a family transporter and likes the V8 grunt and a bit of performance.

So the SUV V8 cars are legitimate alternatives too.

Personally I think a low km BA I6 is also a viable alternative (sedan or wagon), the Barra I6 disposes of Ford V8s before it, plenty of torque for cruising/towing, cheap to fix and availability of parts. I think it even eclipses the 3V 5.4 V8 of the BA range.

But he just wants a V8. fair enough. So id lean towards BA 3V 5.4 or maybe LS1 with low km. But no Cherokee laredo Glen!! NO NO No!

fanboi · 13-11-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I can get jeep parts cheaper than any falcon equivalent, just need to know who to buy it off.

Falcon SXR8 · 13-11-2012, 08:56 AM

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.

Cashie · 13-11-2012, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I'm guessing you haven't owned too many LS1s then?
Having owned 8 LS1 powered vehicles over the years and never had a noisy or oil using example I can highly recommend them (after the usual used car checks). For the money they are excellent used car buys IMO.

Falcon SXR8 · 14-11-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashie

I'm guessing you haven't owned too many LS1s then?
Having owned 8 LS1 powered vehicles over the years and never had a noisy or oil using example I can highly recommend them (after the usual used car checks). For the money they are excellent used car buys IMO.

No never owned one myself but had 2 in the family one chewed oil and the other ended up sounding like a tractor the piston slap was so bad. You have had a great run no doubt and they are a great engine but they did have issues so need to be carefull.

RAPID_BA · 14-11-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon SXR8

No never owned one myself but had 2 in the family one chewed oil and the other ended up sounding like a tractor the piston slap was so bad. You have had a great run no doubt and they are a great engine but they did have issues so need to be carefull.

I've owned two ls1 cars and 4 Windsor powered cars, all low km.

The ls1 motors were all good, they do have a little valvetrain noise but it's an alloy motor you will hear more. But they make some really crazy power and more fuel efficient than any Windsor. I also think the lack of low down torque is a myth. Mine just bites and bolts as soon as you crack the throttle.

The windsors though are reliable motors, their biggest problem was the ls1 and also the ford i6. In comparison Windsors just a little lacking in the top end department and more thirsty as well. But produce nice torque and sound good, make great cruisers, more of a luxurious feel being effortless and low revving than built for speed/revs. But nothing wrong with them. Don't read about too many mechanical issues with them. If there is one motor I'd trust with high km it would be a Windsor v8

JimStone · 15-11-2012, 12:01 AM

Fairlane by Tickford - basically a long wheel base 195kW/410Nm EL GT with GT40P top end, adaptive shift transmission and plush leather interior, only 106 numbered cars built.

This ones a bit over budget, but if you keep an eye open they do pop up in the 10k range on occasion

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de...5&sort=default

Falcon SXR8 · 15-11-2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAPID_BA

I've owned two ls1 cars and 4 Windsor powered cars, all low km.

The ls1 motors were all good, they do have a little valvetrain noise but it's an alloy motor you will hear more. But they make some really crazy power and more fuel efficient than any Windsor. I also think the lack of low down torque is a myth. Mine just bites and bolts as soon as you crack the throttle.

The windsors though are reliable motors, their biggest problem was the ls1 and also the ford i6. In comparison Windsors just a little lacking in the top end department and more thirsty as well. But produce nice torque and sound good, make great cruisers, more of a luxurious feel being effortless and low revving than built for speed/revs. But nothing wrong with them. Don't read about too many mechanical issues with them. If there is one motor I'd trust with high km it would be a Windsor v8

Yep the early windsors in stock e series form were pretty sad but they never went up against ls1 or turbo sixes back then. In 220kw and 250kw form were a great engine out of the factory.

blk6t · 15-11-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashie

I'm guessing you haven't owned too many LS1s then?
Having owned 8 LS1 powered vehicles over the years and never had a noisy or oil using example I can highly recommend them (after the usual used car checks). For the money they are excellent used car buys IMO.

Agreed, owned a few myself and yes a good engine, reliable and consistent power. People bag out the old pushrod tech but some advantages are to be had over the DOCH V8's...and for the money a LS1 is cheap to buy.

Still don't sound as good as a Ford V8 with a good exhaust.....