After writing my Fiat story and the low mileage SUV piece I though I should get back to covering some fundamental cars that (mostly) met my original parameters for unicorns – less than $35,000, not more than 60,000 miles, and if possible be an enthusiast car. Unfortunately, the crazy used car market has boosted prices significantly, and I may have to up the cap to perhaps $45,000? Well, I picked the following naturally aspirated V-8’s for no other reason than I found them interesting, and I’m writing from Daytona after watching the Rolex 24 Hour race, where I had hoped the V-8 Corvettes would be more competitive. Let’s jump in.
First, how about a bright orange 2014 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 Core? A stripped down version of the SRT-8 392, it pumps 470 hp from a 6.4 liter motor linked to a six-speed manual transmission. (For all the muscle cars in this post I picked manual transmissions only – seems right and salutary.) The car is good for mid-four second 0-60 mph sprints and burnout after burnout fun. Brakes strong, surprisingly comfortable on the highway, but not terribly well equipped. But because it’s an American car, MaxCare is available for another full five years and up to 150,000 miles.
You can find this 2014 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 here in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Stock # 20804911 VIN # 2C3CDYDJ7EH284379
Next up for naturally aspirated unicorns – a lovely 11 year old Mercedes SLK55 with its unique M152 V-8 motor rated at 415 hp. With no turbo or supercharger like the newer AMG V-8’s, this little sports car still sprints to 60 mph in only 4.1 seconds. I still think it looks and performs like a snub nosed revolver. The car sold new for around $70,000, and is now under $40,000. Here’s a lengthy piece I did on the Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light), and Kurz (compact) SLK!
I love convertible hard tops and have been looking at the SL550’s – if I could fit in this car I’d have to give it serious consideration. MaxCare coverage is available up to only 125,000 odometer miles but still a good 60 months. Find this car here in White Marsh, Maryland – just outside Baltimore, my home town.
Stock # 21625752 VIN # WDDPK7FA7CF039029
There are a lot of Mustang V-8’s to choose from today, 318 to be exact, and I chose this one for the eye-catching paint job and the turbine-like wheels. It’s a 2014 model, the last for the solid rear axle, but it still sports 420 hp and a six-speed manual transmission. However, my minimal research surfaced that there was no 2014 Boss 302 model, and the “302” graphics sans Boss on the yellow stripe flummoxes me. Poser? Some model I’m not aware of? Would I be ridiculed at cars and coffee?
This 2014 Mustang is here in Newark, Delaware. Again, MaxCare is offered for up to 150,000 odometer miles or 60 months
Stock # 21393847 VIN # 1ZVBP8CF7E5317946
I still drool over the silhouette of the Jaguar XK hardtop. I wrote about the XK in my first blog post in 2017 and who know how many times since. I even have one secretly on reserve at my Dulles dealership being repaired and prepped for a likely purchase. This is a 10 year old model with low miles. Basic Jaguar aluminum 5.0 liter V-8 good for 380 hp. Air conditioned and heated seats, heated steering wheel, and lots of leg room this car would make a nice daily driver.
This Jaguar XK is also offered here in Laurel, Maryland – also right outside of Baltimore! MaxCare limited again to 125,000 miles but all 60 months.
Stock # 21641704 VIN # SAJWA4FB5CLB46988
No piece on naturally aspirated V-8’s would be complete without an old fashioned, front engine Corvette. Here’s a 2013 targa topped model with unique graphics at a fair price. CarMax has 188 Corvettes today, and this one seemed like an affordable entry level model. It has a 430 hp V-8 and a six speed manual transmission. Might have been under $30,000 two years ago.
Find this single owner Corvette here in Pleasanton, California. MaxCare coverage up to 150,000 odometer miles or 60 months
Stock # 21685803 VIN # 1G1YB2DW0D5100396
Future borderline collector car and cool daily driver here with a V-8 powered BMW M3 hard top convertible. It’s a high mileage 2012 model and BMW made V-8 M3’s through 2013 so still time to get these from CarMax until their 10 year old limit for European cars kicks in. The M3 has a 4.0 liter 414 hp V-8 and a semi-automatic transmission. When I reserved one last year I had a big argument with CarMax by chat over an M3 regarding its transmission. CarMax said it had a manual transmission – I saw two pedals and said no. Went to test drive the car and sure enough there’s no PRNDL – believe I had to shift the automatic transmission myself, and put it in neutral and use the emergency brake when parked. Big pain in the ass and I knew my wife would hate it. This was the car I could not figure out how not to sound like I wanted to race others at every stop light. I suspect it was all operator (me) error. I still love these though.
This 2012 BMW M3 is available here in Centennial, Nevada. Interestingly, while MaxCare is offered to 125,000 miles unlike others it is limited to only 48 months of coverage. Must pay attention to these now that it’s not always 150,000 – 60 months!
Stock # 21789302 VIN # WBSDX9C57CE784976
Finally, a car that blows both my $35,000 and $45,000 cap but CarMax doesn’t get a lot of these so thought I’d include it – a last year 2013 Lexus IS F. The reason CarMax doesn’t get many of them is because there aren’t many of them – 486 sold in its final year. (Understand Lexus is bringing them back for 2022, though.) The IS F is the same platform as the IS 350 but with a tuned suspension and mean 416 hp 5.0 liter V-8. Another sub-four second, 170 mph sedan. Reviews were great although some hesitation over the $70,000 price. I’ve seen two IS F’s at CarMax over the last year and neither depreciated all that much.
Find this one of 486 2013 Lexus IS F here in Palm Desert, California. Like the M3, MaxCare is limited to 48 months, but unlike the BMW it’s offered to 150,000 odometer miles
Stock # 21344051 VIN # JTHBP5C20D5010971
