Top 10 Cheapest Cars Available With a V8 Engine
Today’s cars all seem to be focused on delivering fun driving experience that’s still friendly on gas. Those two elements are often an important factor in a car purchase, but sometimes you just want to feral thrill of a big, loud engine.
Lets take a look at our top ten list of the most affordable cars with big V8s. Just about all of these cars have at least 300 horses under the hood, and have the personality of old-time muscle cars. The range here includes sports cars, sedans and luxury vehicles, so you might see something out of place while looking through this top 10. The price range also starts off pretty steep, but ventures into real bargain-bin prices near the top three.
At the end of our list is the new Chevrolet Camaro. ZL1At $54,095 The Camaro ZL1 might not sound like value. That is, until you consider that it has 580-hp and makes a whopping 556 lb·ft of torque. The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 helps you get to 60 mph in under four seconds, and this hopped-up Camaro is also capable of lapping the famous Nurburgring in 7:41.27. The ZL1 accomplishes this thanks to its high-tech Magnetic Ride Control, which you’ll find in some high-class exotics like the Ferrari 458 Italia.
The Audi S5 may be the prettiest car on this list, but that doesn’t make its engine any less potent. The S5 features Audi’s 4.2-liter V8, which puts out 354-hp to all four wheels. All this comes with the S5’s handsome looks, and impressive luxury amenities. All that power helps get the S5 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. If you’re planning on getting a S5, you should be advised that the V8 engine is soon to be replaced with a supercharged V6, so make your move before those extra cylinders disappear.
As usual, the Chevrolet Corvette shows up in any bang-for-the-buck discussion. It’s hard to see why not, since the ‘vette’s big V8 puts out 430-hp for just $49,600. The Corvette has always had a V8 engine, and its always been put to good use. Even the base Corvette is able to get to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and for $49,600, that’s a pretty good deal.
Not all vehicles with V8’s are only suited for going fast. Take a look at the Hyundai Genesis Sedan, equipped with the 4.6-liter V8. The way the silky-smooth engine puts out its 385 hp is a testament to how Hyundai has progressed since its early days. This Genesis Sedan is the only offering from Asia on the list, and nothing else here competes with the Hyundai’s blend of smooth power, luxury and value. Even though it’s primarily a luxury vehicle, the Genesis is no slouch in performance, with a 0-60 mph time somewhere in the 5-second range. Just don’t expect it to tear up the track.
The Ford Mustang Boss 302 is seen as a perfect track-day weapon. It’s a normal Ford Mustang GT, but tuned up for the track. With 444 hp, the 5.0-liter V8 here makes a bit more than the GT, but that’s the expectation for a car that’s made to be used on a racetrack. Thanks to its big brakes and capable suspension, it can take fast corners and stop on a dime. The price might seem a bit steep in comparison to its GT counterpart, but the Boss 302 has performance tweaks that put it a cut above the GT.
Chrysler has a huge history with muscle cars and V8s, so its no surprise that even after all these years, the Detroit based automaker is still making V8 powered vehicles. The 300C is offered with a level of luxury that is usually seen in much more expensive vehicles. Did we mention that it also comes with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, which puts out 363-hp? That’s paired with an all-wheel drive system that helps propel the 300C to 60 mph in as quick as 5.5 seconds. The 300C also has a a ton of tech-options, and five-star safety ratings.
The Camaro SS shares the same V8 engine as the Chevrolet Corvette here on this list. But the Camaro is more than $10,000 cheaper than the Corvette. It’s a great deal, but there isn’t much to compare between the Camaro SS and the Corvette. The Camaro is bigger, and thus slower in every way imaginable. Still, it managed to get out 426-hp, which is quite a bit more than some of the more expensive options on this list.
The Ford Mustang helped usher in a new era of muscle cars, and with its latest low-cost V8 option, it’s showing that high-performance vehicles can also come with an appropriate price tag. The V8 Mustang comes with 420-hp and still makes that wonderful growl associated with muscle cars. While the normal Mustang GT, isn’t as perfect for the track as the Mustang Boss we featured above, the 2013 model still is available with Ford’s Track Apps, which track your 0-60 times, 1/4 mile times and other measurements. Not bad for $30,995.
The Dodge Charger is a less luxury oriented version of the Chrysler 300C we had on the list earlier. It still has that awesome HEMI V8, which puts out 370-hp. It also still has that all-wheel drive, but where the Charger really deviates from it’s Chrysler brother is with its aggressive looks, and a price tag that’s lower by $8,475.
Our first place vehicle is the Dodge Challenger R/T which is equipped with the same 5.7-liter HEMI V8, that’s found in the Chrysler 300C, and Dodge Charger R/T. In here, that engine produces an impressive 375 hp, which helps the Challenger get to 60 mph in 5 seconds, which is faster than the all-wheel drive equipped Chrysler and Dodge cars that HEMI is wedged into. With the Challenger costing $29,995, it’s the cheapest coupe available with a V8, and sits right atop our list.
Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.
More by Sami Haj-Assaad
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American manufacturer want to sell you just what they want they don't show any consideration to what the consumer want to buy. The Ford Motor Company took out the Lincoln Town Car of the market in 2011 and this is one of the best cars of the market..... Now apparently the V8 engine doesn't show in any Coupe 4 doors car but just in sport cars..... The same happens with the Refrigerators only a few in Almond or Bisque color but the majority in Metal or White.....
In indonesia even 2.5 l (Lowest Configuration) Camry are priced 42,000 USD, with equivalent cash what you can take in U.S. ?