You can buy these brutal eight-cylinder sports cars for € 20,000

Because we already had a Jaguar XK and a Maserati Coupé in the used car search a while ago and a used BMW 645 Ci was recently tested in our magazine (AW24), we leave these guys out of consideration. In addition, we find Lexus’ SC and the Mercedes-Benz SL more luxurious cruisers than real sports cars, so we skip this one as well. What then remains?

Chevrolet Corvette Coupé – 1998 – 235,535 kilometers – 19,900 euros

Well, one of the most famous sports cars of all time: the Chevrolet Corvette! Its history goes all the way back to 1953, making it one of the oldest surviving model names. Since that year, eight generations saw the light of day, one more attractive than the other when it comes to styling, power and/or image. Not all generations were sold here, but a lot was possible through gray imports. With 20 grand an early C5 comes within reach, like this Chevrolet Corvette.

Officially a Coupé, but thanks to the removable glass roof, the thick eight-cylinder engine, whose exhaust gases escape through four centrally placed, fist-thick chutes, can be heard clearly. It is actually a pity that we have 20 grand to spend this time: for a few thousand more we come across C5s that have only run half as many kilometers. In addition, the 74-PS-NL (November 1998, since October 2004 in our country) has already worn out 8 owners here. This is not visible on the car, by the way.

Photos show a neat interior and exterior, both in sinister black. And as for the mileage; the old 5.7 serves as the drive, in this case coupled to a traditional four-speed automatic transmission. 344 hp means a specific power of 60 hp per litre, so the huge block has never (had) a hard time – but always thirsty! Leather upholstery, a head-up display, electrically adjustable seats with memory, cruise control … Sounds luxurious and comfortable – the C5 is willing to drive in the city. On the open road you switch off the traction control and play is blown, partly thanks to the pleasant facial division (the automatic gearbox is placed against the rear axle). And yes, a Porsche 911 (996) comparable in terms of price and year of construction may feel tighter and have a higher-quality interior, but the C5 with its thoroughly tested power source is more reliable than the first generation of water-cooled six-cylinder. The appearance is a case love or hate it.

Signaling

Brand Chevy

Type Corvette Coupe

Construction year November 1998

Mileage 235,535

Asking price €19,900

Where to buy? Auto Walinga BV, Heerenveen

Technical data

Engine V8, 5,666 cc

max. assets 253 kW/344 hp at 5,400 rpm

max. couple 483 Nm at 4,200 rpm

Luggage room 187 l

max. trailer braked note

Avg. consumption 1 in 7.6

0-100km/h 5.0s

Top speed 281 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Ford Mustang Convertible GT – 2006 – 135,981 kilometers – 19,950 euros

What we wrote about the Corvette above also applies to rival from our own country Ford Mustang. Although a Mustang is still a bit more of a competitor for a Chevrolet Camaro. The first galloping horse left the production line in 1964, today we are up to generation six, not counting the EV. Here too, one model line was more popular than the other, also because of styling, power and/or image, and not all generations were for sale in our country either.

Like this fifth generation Ford Mustang. Nevertheless, the 12-SL-FR was delivered new in our country at the time (gray import). That’s where the similarities end. The Ford is much younger, has driven less and can carry four people with a little effort. Remarkable: the RDW mentions two previous owners, Finnik of 8!

At first glance you can see that this topless Mustang is not a pushover either: black, two red stripes that are applied over the entire body, tough spoiler work, two large exhaust pipes … The bright red leather interior is also not suitable for modest people. All this makes the Mustang perhaps a slightly less serious sports car than the Corvette – just take the choice of 125 different colors of dashboard lighting for the retro-styled instrument panel! Still, the 4.6 V8 delivers solid performance: almost as fast on the 100 as the Corvette. The top speed is considerably lower, the petrol thirst is also a bit less.

Another advantage of the younger Ford over the older Chevrolet is that it is more up to date in terms of luxury and safety features. Not that there is no playing with the Mustang: here too the traction control can be switched off and then the rear-wheel drive Ford is willing to let its ass swing if it is played well with all 300 horses that the V8 on its feet brings. All in all, the Mustang seems a bit more versatile than the Corvette (even a modest trailer is allowed behind it!), as a sports car, the latter is a bit more serious.

Signaling

Brand Ford

Type Mustang ConvertibleGT

Construction year February 2006

Mileage 135,981

Asking price €19,950

Where to buy? Hartog Autostudio, Tiel

Technical data

Engine V8, 4,606 cc

max. assets 224 kW/305 hp at 5,750 rpm

max. couple 434 Nm at 4,500 rpm

Luggage room note

max. trailer braked 453 kilos

Avg. consumption 1 in 8.5

0-100km/h 5.6s

Top speed 230km/h

All data according to factory specifications

TVR Chimaera 400 – 1996 – 52,409 miles – 19,950 euros

With 235 hp, this TVR Chimaera is the weakest motorized of the three used cars portrayed. EV drivers may snicker, but make no mistake, this is a deadly serious sports car that definitely requires a skillful hand! Responsible for this is the relatively low weight of the car: just over 1,000 kilos.

And why? Well, partly because of the absence of all kinds of unnecessary frills: no airbags, no ABS or other (electronic) safety nets! You’re all on your own when you hit the road with this monster (a chimera is a creature from Greek mythology, consisting of a lion’s head, goat’s body and snake’s tail!). When we meet a TVR on the road, we are full of admiration for the driver: he dares! And for the car: the Chimaera is very beautiful, thoroughly British (both in good – leather, wood, beautiful clocks – and in a less good sense – the finish of cars of these kinds of small British brands is often only so-so) and rare .

The 48-KBV-6 is 27 years old, has little experience with 52,409 miles (83,854 kilometers) and originally comes from the home country (English number plates are present!). That means: right-hand drive and therefore of course to the left of you the ultra-short, but tightly shifting stick of the five-speed gearbox. Yet not everything is basic: power steering is on it, just like electric windows. You drive through a tunnel, windows down, downshift and gas. What a sound! If you drive away from a standstill, do so with care. Too much gas results in vibrating shop windows, melting road surfaces and bewildered passers-by. Really a car for the barre man or woman. In addition, a car – we already said it – that is rare. This occasion is a consignment sale, the asking price of 20 mille seems fine to us. Because this Chimaera will no longer decrease in value, rather it will increase.

Signaling

Brand TVR

Type Chimera 400

Construction year June 1996

Mileage 83,854 (52,409 miles)

Asking price €19,950

Where to buy? Autohuis Helwig, Stolwijk

Technical data

Engine V8, 3,952 cc

max. assets 176 kW/235 hp at 5,500 rpm

max. couple 367 Nm at 4,500 rpm

Luggage room 275 l

max. trailer braked note

Avg. consumption 1 in 8.3

0-100km/h 5.2s

Top speed 225km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Which of these open eight-cylinder sports cars suits you?

This time two Americans and a Brit. Not illogical: a V8 is much more common there than here. But what will it be? The characterful, but demanding TVR Chimaera, the Chevrolet Corvette with its beautiful history or the Ford Mustang, which is the most all-round of the three, but therefore less hardcore? Or would you prefer something from BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Maserati or Mercedes-Benz? Let us know!