10 Forgotten V-8 Powered Luxury Sedans That Won’t Break The Bank

Related: Get It Before It’s Gone: The Last Surviving V-8 Compact Luxury Sports Sedan

1 1998 Lincoln Town Car

Average Used Price: $7,500

A classic example of American luxury and performance, the Lincoln Town Car has a rich history dating back to 1922 when it first appeared in different trim levels of the Lincoln Continental before becoming a model on its own in 1981. The third generation Town Car was launched in 1997 at The New York International Auto Show and it featured an extensive redesign adopting a rounded exterior shape similar to the Mark VIII and Navigator. Because of its sophisticated look, it quickly became the preferred base model for a stretch limo by custom car makers all over the country and it even saw extensive use by the U.S. government.

Specifications

The Town Car features a 4.6-liter V-8 engine that produces 220 horsepower along with 265 pound-feet of torque which makes it ideal for taking large amounts of passengers. As far as safety is concerned, this car comes with dual front-side airbags along with stability control and traction control earning it a five-star safety rating for four years in a row.

2 2001 Infiniti Q45

Average Used Price: $8,000

The Q45 is a luxury sedan based on cars like the President and Cima and it was sold under Nissan’s luxury brand Infinity. The third-generation model made its debut as a concept car in the year 2000 at the New York Auto Show before it was released to the market in 2001. The Q45 featured a revised design, a great value proposition, and a focus on performance.

Specifications

Speaking of performance the engine fitted to the third-generation Q45 was a 4.1-liter V-8 producing an ample 266 horsepower with 278 pound-feet of torque. Nowadays, a good-conditioned model can be purchased at an average used price of $8,000, and with its sumptuous features, comfortable interior, and powerful engine that’s a great bargain.

3 2002 Audi A8 Quattro

Average Used Price: $10,000

Unveiled at the 1994 Geneva Auto Show the A8 is Audi’s largest sedan and it was made to compete with Mercedes and BMW’s extensive luxury sedan lineup. The model’s body is constructed with a lightweight aluminum alloy which provides it the structural rigidity and responsiveness needed to take on tight turns giving it an edge over its rivals.

Specifications

On the inside, the A8 comes fitted with Valcona leather upholstery, real wood trim, and 14-way power adjustable memory seats all working to ensure that the car’s occupants get a top-of-the-line luxury experience. Under the hood, the Quattro variants feature a 310 horsepower 4.2-liter V-8 that powers its all-wheel-drive system through a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Subsequent generations of the A8/S8 family were even available with a more potent V-10.

Related: The Forgotten Compact Sports Sedan That Still Packs A V-8 Under The Hood

4 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550

Average Used Price: $10,000

Built on the superbly robust W212 chassis the Mercedes E550 is an executive saloon that made its debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Underneath its stylish angular design and plush interior, this model comes equipped with several innovative and high-tech features such as a driver drowsiness detection system, “Direct Control” adaptive suspension, and active seats that adjust and change in shape as the car moves through the bends.

Specifications

The engine fitted to this model is a 4.7-liter V-8 that produces 402 horsepower with 443 pound-feet of torque. Power is then transmitted through a seven-speed shiftable automatic transmission to its standard all-wheel-drive system pushing this luxury sedan from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds

5 2002 BMW 7 Series (E65 750i)

Average Used Price: $12,000

The BMW 7 Series has been in production since 1977 with the fourth generation E65 introduced in 2001 featuring a bunch of new tech, a powerful new engine, and an all-new design. The model is available in both gas and diesel engines but the most popular option is the 4.4-liter V-8 N62 gas engine that offers several advancements not present in its older generation such as a variable valve lift and a continuous variable intake manifold providing improved efficiency and performance.

Specifications

One of the most prominent features of the E65 is the iDrive system which is a central knob that controls various functions of the car such as climate, navigation, and audio. Apart from high levels of comfort and refinements, the E65 was also a remarkable car that combined performance and technology leaving a lasting impression.

Related: A Forgotten ’90s Sports Sedan That Was A Supercar Slayer: The Untold Story

6 2005 Lexus GS 430

Average Used Price: $12,000

The Lexus GS 430 was launched as an executive car designed to compete in the midsize-luxury car market. It features a 4.3-liter V-8 engine that produces 283 horsepower along with 308 pound-feet of torque. The car is packed with features like the leather seats that come standard with the car, a heated driver and passenger seat, and a multimedia system with an 8.0-inch sub in the back.

Specifications

The ride is silky smooth and the suspension handles the car well through bumps and curves providing a luxurious experience. Despite the lengthy list of features, the GS 430 is surprisingly affordable coming in at an average used price of $12,000.

7 2005 Cadillac STS-V8

Average Used Price: $19,000

Developed as a successor to the Cadillac Seville, the STS is a mid-sized luxury sedan and its name stands for “Seville Touring Sedan” alluding to it following a similar path to its predecessor. It made its debut in 2005 taking its place as Cadillac’s flagship sedan at the time and it served as a smaller but more expensive and sporty version of the DTS.

Specifications

While the model did follow a similar formula to its predecessor, Cadillac did take a new approach to design and handling featuring a muscular yet sophisticated look and a rear-wheel drive layout. The STS-V variant is an even higher performance version of the already sporty STS and it features larger Brembo brakes, a stiffer suspension, and a bigger 4.4-liter supercharged Northstar V-8 producing 440 horsepower.

8 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 (W221)

Average Used Price: $21,000

The S550 was produced from 2007 to 2013 and it’s seen as a symbol of status, innovation, and luxury to this day. When it came to power, the initial models were fitted with a naturally aspirated V-8 engine but later ones came equipped with twin-turbos, producing more power. The engine fitted to the S550 variant is a naturally aspirated mighty 5.5-liter V-8 producing 388 horsepower with 390 pound-feet of torque.

Specifications

The S-Class of course is one of the most luxurious and prestigious cars in the world and with its unparalleled levels of comfort and safety, it is not only fun to drive but also fun to ride in. On the inside the interior is spacious and elegant with heated and massaging seats, providing optimal relaxation. A used S550 can be bought today for around $21,000 and it’s a remarkable option for people who want to enjoy a V-8-powered luxury car without breaking the bank.

9 2017 Genesis G90

Average Used Price: $26,000

The G90 is a full-sized luxury sedan produced by Genesis that made its American debut at the 2016 North American International Auto Show as a 2017 model. Despite it being a more recent model than a lot of other cars on this list, a great condition G90 can be found on the used market for around $26,000, and because of its upscale look, luxurious interior, and powerful engine, it’s a great bargain option for people looking to indulge in the plush side of the automotive industry.

Specifications

The top-level trim features a 5.0-liter V-8 producing 420 horsepower with 383 pound-feet of torque. The engine powers the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission comfortably pushing the car to an electronically limited top speed of 148 mph.

Related: The Forgotten Supercharged V-8 Full-Size Luxury Sedan That’s An Irresistible Used Car Bargain

10 2011 Jaguar XJ (XJ351)

Average Used Price: $27,000

The XJ is a full-sized luxury saloon that has been the Jaguar’s flagship model ever since it was first produced in 1968. Over the years it has gone through several changes with each model being distinct in its design and features. The fourth and final generation of the XJ, the X351 was produced from 2009 till 2019 and it featured a sleek and modern design with an aluminum body and a powerful supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine.

Specifications

The X351 was often praised for its handling and performance however, it had some drawbacks as well. The outdated technology meant that it suffered from reliability issues, and often required mechanical and electrical repairs but due to the model’s depreciation it has become an attractive option for those looking for a budget flagship V-8 luxury sedan.