The Chevrolet 267 small-block V8 should have been great, but its lack of power and efficiency resulted in a lifespan of just three years.
We didn’t make the calculations ourselves, but they say General Motors has built over a hundred million of the Chevrolet small-block V8 engine in the past seven decades. GM’s small-block V8 got widely applied to just about every GM US automotive division except Saturn. In fact, the V8 found a home in non-US GM brands like Holden and Opel. So, we’re obviously discussing a very popular engine here.
Chevrolet built the 267 small-block V8 as a fuel-economy engine with a bore and stroke of 3.5 and 3.78 inches. It powered B-body, F-body, and G-body cars from 1979 through 1982. However, it’s pointless holding up the 267 against small-block V8s like the 305 (in terms of fuel economy) or the 350 (performance-wise), for which more and better parts are available at significantly less than the 267.
The 267 came during the downsizing campaign of the late seventies, as automakers scrambled to meet new emissions and mileage requirements. So, it’s rather a shame that the 267 small-block V8 fell short of footing the bill, including for emissions standards and efficiency. As such, the 267 only lived for three years.
A Look Back At The 1954-2003 Chevrolet Small-Block V8 Engine
The Chevrolet small-block refers to a family of gas-powered V8 engines that the automaker produced between 1954 and 2003. Interestingly, the man regarded as the father of the Corvette – Edward Nicholas Cole (popularly called “Ed Cole”) – gets the credit for leading the design of the Chevy small-block V8.
Developing a new engine to replace the Chevrolet Stovebolt Six was Cole’s most important task upon becoming the GM division’s chief engineer in 1952. The result was the small-block V8 that went on to become a tremendous success that got produced for decades.
With the block and cylinder heads cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations in Saginaw, Michigan, the small-block V8 used the same basic cylinder engine block design and got offered with a variety of displacement capacities ranging from 4.3 liters (262 cu in) to 6.6 liters (400 cu in).
Since Generation II is an improved version of the Generation 1 LT engine, they have similar dimensions and share many interchangeable parts. Remember, the LT1 refers to the Chevy small-block produced in relatively small quantities, exclusively to propel the Corvette and Camaro between 1970 and 1972.
These were distinct from the LS-based small-block that came later – the 3rd and 4th-gen small-block V8 that powered GM vehicles. Later generations of the LT engines only shared rod bearings, the transmission-to-block bolt pattern, and bore spacing of Generation I and II engines.
The resulting success of the small-block V8 contributed to Ed Cole’s rise among the ranks of GM, right up to becoming executive vice president in July 1965 and president and CEO of General Motors in 1967.
Overview Of The 1979-1982 Chevrolet 267 Small-Block V8
As stated earlier, Chevrolet produced the 267 small-block V8 for just three years, between 1979 and 1982. They powered F-body platform cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, G-bodied cars like the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, the El Camino, and Malibu Classic, as well as B-body platform models like the Chevy Impala and Chevrolet Caprice.
The 4.4-liter 267 shared the same crankshaft stroke (3.48 inches or 88.4 mm) as the 350 V8. With a bore of 3.5 inches (88.9 mm) the Chevrolet 267 shared the bore of the Chevrolet 90° 200 V6 engine introduced a year earlier, making it the smallest bore of any small-block V8 engine.
It’s understandable for hot rodders to find the 267’s small bore and long stroke an attractive candidate for fuel economy. However, if you’re hoping to wring some serious performance – say, up to 250 horses – out of it, get a used 305 small-block V8 instead.
You should be able to wring some 230ish horsepower from the 305 by just putting down a few hundred dollars on eBay for a performer rpm camshaft and intake manifold, a new timing chain, headers, 600 CFM carburetor, and a performance-oriented distributor and coil. You can go further with just a few extra bucks on a two-inch carb spacer. The 305 eventually served as Chevy’s base engine, replacing the 267.
The 267 was only available with an M2ME Rochester Dualjet 210 – effectively a Rochester Quadrajet with no rear barrels. It got electronic feedback carb after 1980. General Motors ultimately phased out the 267 after the 1982 model year because the engine failed to meet emissions standards, while other Chevy small-block V8s with similar 4.3 – 4.4-liter displacements, like the Pontiac 265 and Oldsmobile 260, continued production.
The Chevrolet 267 Small-Block V8: Gem Or Junk?
Applied to GM’s F-body models as the L39 4.4-liter V8, the Chevrolet 267 small-block V8 generated 120 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 215 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm, although this SAE NET power output would drop in subsequent years of the engine. The engine used a low 8.3:1 compression ratio.
Many users on the TriFive automotive forum didn’t have good things to say about the 267, with one commenter saying the 267 was bad, to begin with, and “not worth taking for free at 113,000 miles,” and another saying, “it would move the ride but not be a fast engine,” and yet another over at nastyz28.com saying, “Just about every 267 ever built was a POS. Crap heads, crap block, crap rods, soft cams, underpowered.”
We’d throw the 267 a bone by suggesting that it came close to moderate performance in the mid-’90s Chevy Caprice. Those came with the tuned port style intake, basically a mini LT1 but for good low-end torque, higher efficiency, and fuel mileage.
With a 3.5 and 3.48 bore and stroke, the Chevy 267 small-block V8 was essentially a de-bored 305, which, as it turned out, was a miscalculated move on the part of General Motors that resulted in the opposite of efficiency, weak, and sluggish. That’s the sad summation of an engine so poor it couldn’t pass the emissions standards of 1982.
Sources: Wikipedia, Hotrodders, NastyZ28, Automotive Hall of Fame, TriFive Forum
Happy 65th To The Chevy Small Block! All-New SP383 EFI Crate Engine
In honor of the milestone, Chevrolet Performance is celebrating with an all-new crate motor – the SP383 EFI.
Happy Birthday to the Chevy Small-Block V-8! It’s been 65 years since the famed “mouse motor” first rolled off the assembly line and over the years she’s appeared in any number of cars from racing Corvettes to street Chevettes, workaday El Caminos to non-descript Suburbans, and wood paneled Station Wagons to slab sided Silverados. With displacements ranging from a rather svelte 262 cubic inches to bored and stroked 400 cube engines – and even larger in the aftermarket – the humble small block was a veritable jack-of-all-trades motor.
In honor of the milestone, Chevrolet Performance is celebrating with an all-new crate motor – the SP383 EFI. She’s a modern take on the classic mouse motor with a stroker crank producing big torque and the drivability afforded by Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI).
The SP 383 EFI is based on the Chevy Performance ZZ6 EFI crate engine with max flow high burn aluminum cylinder heads, a modern valvetrain with beehive springs, roller camshaft, but with the addition of a 3.8 inch stroker crank in place of the 3.5 inch unit. Port injection is used in a throttle body set-up that you might confuse for a carburetor. But that’s okay because it gives it an old-school look which I’m sure Chevy was aiming towards. This makes the powerplant perfect for a muscle car, vintage build, or restmod.
Chevy Performance offers two versions of the SP383 EFI. The Deluxe version (P/N 19418640) includes a semi-complete engine with throttle body, distributor, and flexplate. The Turn-Key version (P/N 19419199) starts with the Deluxe model as a base and adds an air cleaner, front end accessory drive, breather, PCV valve, and starter. A Plug and Play electronic control harness is included in both crate engine packages. Chevy cites output in the range of 450 hp and 436 lb.-ft. of torque. Not bad at all!
The SP383 EFI can also be factory matched to an automatic or manual transmission through the Chevy Performance Connect and Cruise system. Warranty on the engine is for 2 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, and you can order them from your local Chevy dealer today. Buckle up.
(via Chevrolet)
The Most Important Cars Coming In 2023
2023 may easily trump 2022 when it comes to the number of cool cars hitting the market.
The automotive industry is arguably the most competitive in the world, with multiple manufacturers doing everything in their power to convince you to choose their vehicle over thousands of models available in the market. As such, manufacturers are always introducing new models or new generations of their existing models to attract buyers and keep them coming back.
2023 is right around the corner, and the most exciting thing for many gearheads is seeing the latest and greatest cars manufacturers have been working on, some of which they’ve been looking forward to since they saw them as concept cars years ago. Read on to discover some of the most exciting models coming to the market in 2023.
10/10
Mercedes-Benz EQE
The EV industry of the 2010s was largely dominated by Tesla, as it was the only automaker building high-quality EVs for the masses. This has changed as more traditional automakers like Porsche, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz have joined the market.
The Mercedes-Benz EQ series is particularly interesting, as it aims to introduce electric versions of the Mercedes-Benz models we’ve grown up loving. Mercedes-Benz has already introduced the electric version of the S-Class – the EQS – and in 2023, it will do the same for the E-Class when it starts selling the EQE.
9/10
Koenigsegg Gemera
Supercars typically have just two seats to keep the weight as low as possible to achieve the insane performance levels manufacturers desire. Koenigsegg is looking to rewrite these rules when the Gemera hits the streets next year.
The Gemera will be the world’s first four-seat supercar, as it will reportedly have a top speed of around 250 mph. This is all thanks to its revolutionary 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes an astonishing 590 hp and three electric motors that boost output to 1,700 hp.
8/10
Toyota GR Corolla
The Toyota GR Yaris wowed many gearheads when it debuted in 2020, as its rally-sourced technologies made it one of the most fun-to-drive hot hatches ever. Unfortunately, Toyota never sold the GR Yaris in the US, which left many gearheads disappointed.
Thankfully, Toyota has confirmed that it will right its wrongs by selling the new GR Corolla in the US in 2023. The GR Corolla was built by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division and has many of the race-inspired components found in the GR Yaris, including its peppy 1.6-liter turbocharged straight-three engine.
7/10
Ford Mustang S650
The beloved muscle car is sadly an endangered species as the automotive industry shifts to smaller engines and electric drivetrains. Thankfully, Ford has confirmed a new generation of the iconic Mustang.
The new Mustang has an updated design that retains the overall menacing look of its predecessor with a few tweaks here and there, such as the headlights and taillights design. There will be multiple engine options for the new Mustang, including a turbocharged four-cylinder and an updated 5.0-liter Coyote V8.
6/10
BMW i7
Like many other traditional automakers, BMW has finally accepted the fact that EVs are the future and has said it plans to offer a fully electric model for every segment by the end of 2023. Luxury cars are the easiest to convert to electric since the quietness of the drivetrain adds to the overall luxury feel, which is why BMW is introducing the i7 next year.
As the name suggests, the i7 is the electric version of BMW’s flagship full-size luxury sedan – the 7-Series. It has an imposing design, most of the luxury elements found in the 7-Series, a 536-hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, and over 300 miles of driving range.
5/10
Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06
The eighth-generation Corvette has received rave reviews since its debut, and we think it deserves all the praise. As it has done for each Corvette generation since the C5, Chevy unveiled a high-performance version of the C8 – the Z06.
The Z06 will debut in 2023 and will have three trim levels. It will be powered by the most powerful naturally aspirated series production V8 engine – a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine producing 670 hp.
4/10
Honda Civic Type R
The eleventh-generation Honda Civic debuted in 2021, maintaining the car’s reputation as one of the longest-running Japanese models in history. As is the case with every new Civic generation, it didn’t take long before gearheads started asking Honda for a Type-R version, and Honda obliged.
Honda recently unveiled the new Civic Type-R and is planning to start making deliveries in 2023. Dubbed the FL5, the new Civic Type-R has a fresh design that is more toned down than its predecessor and the same four-cylinder engine under the hood but with a revised turbocharger.
3/10
Tesla Cybertruck
In 2019, Tesla boss Elon Musk sent shockwaves through the automotive world when he unveiled what was supposed to be the first-ever electric pickup truck – the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck wowed gearheads with its sheer size and futuristic design that made it look like nothing else on the road.
The Cybertruck promptly won Automotive Magazine’s Concept of the Year award and reportedly earned over 250,000 pre-orders. The Cybertruck’s production has been pushed back several times since 2019, with the latest reports indicating it could be delivered in mid-2023.
2/10
Ferrari Purosangue
In 2016, a journalist asked Ferrari’s CEO at the time whether the company would ever make an SUV to which he replied, “you’d have to shoot me first”. Fast forward to 2022, and Ferrari unveiled its first-ever crossover SUV – the Purosangue.
We don’t blame Ferrari for this move, as the huge popularity of SUVs has made them cash cows for all automakers. Plus, we think the Purosangue will be among the best crossover SUVs when it debuts next year. Not only is it one of the best-looking and most luxurious SUVs around, but it also has a 715-hp V12 engine that sounds glorious.
1/10
Nissan 400Z
The Z Series is as iconic as it gets when it comes to Nissans. The Z Series has been in production since the ’60s and continues to be a stylish, reliable, and powerful sports car that budget-minded gearheads can buy.
The latest installment of the Z-Series will debut next year to replace a rather bland 370Z. The 400Z has an updated design that looks cooler and more futuristic than the 370Z and is powered by a twin-turbo V6 making 400 hp. At $40,000, the 400Z will be among the best sports car bargains in 2023.
10 Cars Gearheads Love That Have Been Discontinued For 2023
With hybrid and fully-electric powertrains taking over, here are the ten cars gearheads love that automakers have discontinued for 2023.
After years of loyal service and joyfully filling gearheads’ hearts, these models are heading to the graveyard.
We are almost reaching the end of the year, and many automotive manufacturers have already confirmed and rolled out 2023 model-year vehicles. But as we anticipate getting a hand on the fresh batch, we have to bid farewell to several models that won’t be joining us in 2023.
Declining sales are some of the reasons why many car models wind up on the chopping board. But in recent years, tougher emission regulations are forcing automakers to adapt, replace, or discontinue their models. And if not that, automakers have to ditch the thirsty naturally aspirated V8s and V12s and replace them with smaller turbocharged V6s, four-cylinders, and three-cylinder engines combined with electric motors.
10/10
Hyundai Veloster N
Hot hatches have come a long way, and we are sad to reveal that the Hyundai Veloster N; one of the best hot hatches, won’t return in 2023. Although the news surprised many, the writing was on the wall following Hyundai’s discontinuation of all non-N Veloster variants in 2021 for unknown reasons.
Besides poor sales, Hyundai announced the decision to kill off this high-performance model is because, going forward, the company will focus on the new and popular Kona N and Elantra N models. Nonetheless, the 275hp Veloster N offered the best value for your money, given it was also fairly practical.
9/10
Subaru WRX STI
When Subaru released the new generation WRX model, we expected the cherished high-performance STI to follow closely as usual. Well, that’s not the case. Earlier this year, the Japanese automaker caught everyone by surprise when they announced the end of production of the WRX STI.
It’s disheartening for gearheads and fans of this high-performance four-banger. While Subaru further stated that the next generation of the STI won’t be based on the new WRX platform, it will likely have some sort of a hybrid or electric powertrain as the company strives to meet the latest emissions regulations.
8/10
Nissan GT-R R35
It’s been a long time coming, and finally, curtains are closing for the legendary GT-R R35, aka Godzilla, after more than a decade of battling it out with Europe’s finest supercars. In its most powerful form, the fire-breathing 3.8-liter V6 engine produced 710hp in the GT-R50.
Fans of Nissan are still divided over the company’s decision to discontinue production of one of Japan’s most powerful vehicles. The GT-R has only seen minor facelifts and power enhancements since its inception 13 years ago. There’s no indication of its successor, but unconfirmed rumors speculate one last gasoline-powered Nissan GT-R R36 in the near future.
7/10
Porsche Macan Turbo
The Turbo nameplate is no longer part of the Macan range as Porsche dropped and replaced it with the new 2022 GTS model. That means the GTS now sits at the top of the Macan range, a position previously occupied by the Macan Turbo. The recent changes come as Porsche looks forward to introducing an electric version of the Macan crossover.
With this rearrangement, the Macan GTS adopts the old Turbo’s 434hp twin-turbo V6 engine. The base Macans retain the 2.0-liter four-cylinder upgraded to produce 261hp and 296lb-ft of torque while the Macan S gets the previous generation GTS’s 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 375hp.
6/10
Lamborghini Aventador
As the world gears closer to electric cars, Lamborghini finally ditched their last naturally aspirated V12-powered supercar in 2022, the Lamborghini Aventador. Interestingly, the German automaker ought to have discontinued the iconic supercar earlier, but had to restart production after the “Felicity Ace” ship sank, carrying among them the last of the Aventador models destined for the U.S.
Lamborghini produced 15 examples of the final special edition model, the Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimate. At the time of writing, the final Lamborghini Aventador had already found its way into the hands of its owner (according to caranddriver). While details of its successor are scarce, we know that the next generation Aventador uses a V12, assisted by a hybrid powertrain.
5/10
Polestar 1
Polestar announced the end of production of the expensive premium plug-in hybrid coupe after 2021. Although Polestar 1 sold through 2022, discontinuing it makes way for the Polestar 2 sedan in 2023 and, eventually, the Polestar 3 and 4 models down the line. Currently, no direct successor is in place, but we expect the fully electric Precept concept to replace the Polestar 1.
The Polestar 1 was the brand’s first and last hybrid model, powered by a 2.0-liter engine and two electric motors. Combined, they produce 619hp and 738lb-ft of torque and can travel up to 60 miles in electric mode.
4/10
Rolls-Royce Wraith & Dawn
Rolls-Royce is a brand popular for its car longevity, so the move to discontinue the fraternal twins caught many off-guard. Their production ended after the 2021 model year in the U.S. and 2022 in other markets. This makes the Rolls-Royce Wraith and Dawn the best of the last two-door models from Rolls-Royce.
According to the company spokesman, the U.S. regulatory issues doomed the future of the two-door coupe and convertible. This holds true considering that both models recorded excellent sales before the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, we think discontinuing them was a good thing because the duo sat on an outdated BMW platform dating back to 2007.
3/10
Infiniti Q60
Following discontinuation rumors that surfaced in 2021, the Q60 finally met its maker after Infiniti confirmed production end for the 2023 model year. This comes after a six-year production run of one of the best luxury sports coupes.
The company will focus on luxury segments like SUVs and crossovers. Dwindling sales contributed to the Q6o’s demise. Regardless, we will miss the Q60’s luxurious experience offered in a powerful AWD package. Luckily you can get a similar experience in the Q50 sedan or Nissan 370Z, as they share underpinnings with the discontinued Q60.
2/10
Land Cruiser LC300 (US Market)
While Toyota discontinued the Landcruiser nameplate in the U.S., the moniker is still available in other markets as the new 300 series (LC300). Despite its popularity, many find it hard to understand why Toyota axed one of the world’s most reliable and longest-running SUVs.
However, a closer look at the SUV’s sales data reveals that the Land Cruiser isn’t the most popular SUV in America. In fact, the Toyota RAV4 and Highlander sold more units in 2020 and 2021 than the Land Cruiser. Additionally, the brand-new third-generation 2023 Toyota Sequoia producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque is complete with enough features to please Toyota full-size SUV fans.
1/10
Acura NSX
Honda ended production of the second-generation Acura NSX after the 2022 model year, but unlike most cars in this list, the Acura NSX went off with a bang. Honda produced a limited high-performance version of the NSX called NSX Type S. It features a hybrid powertrain with a combined output of 602hp and 492lb-ft of torque (29hp and 16lb-ft of torque more than the standard NSX).
While the second-generation NSX didn’t transform the sports car segment as the ’90s NSX, it still sends thrills getting behind the wheel thanks to the powerful hybrid powertrain. Low-slung sales also led Honda to drop it from the production line
10 Affordable European Cars That Will Be Worth A Fortune In A Decade
Depreciation has turned these Euro cars into massive bargains today, but they won’t stay that way for long.
European cars are adored by gearheads worldwide for their style, luxury, advanced engineering, and superior performance. However, despite all these advantages, European cars typically have the worst depreciation rates, making them terrible investments. However, not all European cars are worthless investments.
If you check European used car statistics, you’ll find plenty of models that have actually gained value over the years, and the best part is that many of them are still affordable. We did some research and found ten affordable European cars that make great investments.
10/10
Porsche 944 Turbo – $20,000
About four decades ago, Porsche built several front-engined sports cars to attract buyers who couldn’t afford the 911. The 944 was one of them, and it was pretty awesome. The 944 was a huge hit for Porsche thanks to its design, advanced engineering, and affordability, which is why it sold over 160,000 examples.
The base 944 was awesome, but many gearheads wanted more power, which is why Porsche built the 944 Turbo in 1986. Thanks to the increased power, the 944 Turbo could hit a top speed of 164 mph. With prices still in the $10,000-$20,000 range, the 944 Turbo is one of the cheapest Porsches available today.
9/10
Alfa Romeo 4C – $42,000
Alfa Romeo knows a thing or two about building drop-dead gorgeous sports cars, and the 4C is a perfect example of that. The 4C has been one of the most popular Alfa Romeo models over the last two decades, and it’s easy to see why.
Gearheads love the 4C’s beauty, affordable price, and even though it has a tiny 1.75-liter turbocharged engine making 237 hp, it weighs less than 2,000 lbs. The 4C was recently discontinued, which is the main reason why we think its prices will grow.
8/10
BMW M3 (E46) – $20,000
The M3 is BMW’s pride and joy. Since the first M3 hit the streets in 1986, gearheads have been in love with everything about it. Of all the M3 generations ever built, the E46 is arguably the best.
The E46 M3 has a timeless design that still blends in with modern cars and is powered by a masterpiece of an engine – a 3.2-liter inline-six engine making 338 hp. The E46 M3 will always have a cult following in the auto industry, which is why we think it’s a fantastic investment.
7/10
Mercedes-Benz SL500 R129 – $25,000
If you ask any gearhead what Mercedes-Benz is known for, one of the top answers will be engineering excellence. One of the cars that cemented the German marque’s reputation as the king of engineering is the R129 generation of the SL Class.
The R129 was introduced in the ’90s and was praised for its superb design, luxurious interior, and range of powerful and reliable engines, including a V12. The R129 is still among the cheapest V12-powered sports cars available today, but not for long.
6/10
Aston Martin DB9 – $37,000
The ‘entry-level’ DB7 broke Aston Martin’s sales records largely thanks to its affordable price. Aston Martin knew it had to build a worthy successor, which is exactly what the DB9 became when it debuted in 2004.
As you’d expect from Aston Martin, the DB9 is an absolute gem. It’s gorgeous and has a luxurious interior to match. It is powered by a 5.9-liter V12 blurting out 450 hp, and as you know, the V12 is an endangered species.
5/10
Porsche 911 (996) – $20,000
The 996 generation of the iconic Porsche 911 was quite controversial when it debuted in the ’90s. It was the first water-cooled 911 and had a notably different design compared to previous generations, particularly in its lack of rounded headlights.
Due to the hate it gets, the 996 is super cheap, with some examples costing less than $20,000. However, we think it will blow up soon when gearheads start realizing just how good it is.
4/10
Lotus Elise – $33,000
Lotus has been very quiet in the 21st century, but it still gave us an absolute gem in the form of the Elise. The Elise debuted in the late ’90s and received a lot of praise for its fun driving experience.
The Elise was not powerful, as it only had a 118-hp four-cylinder engine under the hood. However, an aluminum chassis and fiberglass body kept its weight at just 1,500 lbs, making it a blast to drive. Since the Elise was recently discontinued, prices should start going up soon.
3/10
Audi TT RS – $35,000
Japanese automakers introduced many affordable sports cars in the ’90s, forcing European automakers to change their strategy. Audi was among the first European automakers to respond when it unveiled the TT in the late ’90s.
The TT was a huge hit, loved for its unique design, solid build quality, and affordability. However, it was seriously underpowered, which is why Audi’s RS division introduced the TT RS in the late 2000s. The TT RS was equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five engine dishing out 330 hp, giving it exhilarating performance.
2/10
Bentley Continental GT – $37,000
Bentley almost didn’t make it to the 21st century, as the legendary British marque was struggling to sell enough cars to stay afloat. Thankfully, Volkswagen swooped in and saved the company when it introduced the Continental GT in the early 2000s.
The Continental GT sold so many units that it single-handedly saved Bentley, which is why it’s still in production to date. Gearheads love its strong presence, spacious and comfortable cabin, and monstrous W12 engine.
1/10
2008–2015 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG – $30,000
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to join the Mercedes-AMG family, the W204-based C63 AMG is it. The 2008-’15 C63 AMG was the first Mercedes-AMG model to be built from the ground up, as earlier C-Class AMG models essentially had bolt-on performance upgrades.
The C63 AMG was powered by a superb 6.2-liter V8 making around 450 hp, giving it excellent performance. On top of that, the C63 AMG still has the quickest, most responsive steering in any Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
15 Expensive Sports Cars That Depreciate Like Crazy
Exotic sports cars are the biggest victims of depreciation – meaning you can snatch some of them in great condition for peanuts!
Buying a fancy sports car is an expensive venture. The pricing for this kind of car very often defies all known laws of logic. But then again, if you consider the enjoyment that you will get from owning and driving a powerful, nimble machine, you might even start thinking that the sticker price is worth it. However, the large expenses don’t end with simply purchasing the car. There is insurance, gas, maintenance – all of which are hefty when it comes to sports cars.
And yet there is one word that will make your bank account tremble in terror more than anything else – depreciation. It is common knowledge that your car starts losing its value as soon as you drive off the dealer parking lot. What’s not common knowledge is just how bad the depreciation can get. Exotic sports cars tend to suffer the most, simply because of how difficult it can be for them to find a second or third owner.
In this article, we’ve compiled a few sports cars that lose their value faster and easier than you lose your keys on a Friday night out.
15/15
Chevrolet Corvette (C6): $15,000
The Corvette has always offered very good value for money as a sports car. That’s especially true if you’re shopping for a used one. Consider a sixth-gen 2007 model. When it was new, the base sticker price was in the ballpark of 45 grand. Not a crazy sum by any means, yet the depreciation still took its toll – nowadays, they can be found for as little as $15,000.
14/15
Mercedes-Benz SLK: $15,000
Much like its Bavarian competitor, the Mercedes-Benz SLK didn’t end up being as popular as Mercedes had hoped. Partially, because of the steep pricing. In 2010, a brand new SLK would set you back at least $47,000. Luckily, the depreciation did its job well, and today the SLK is quite affordable at around $15,000.
13/15
Porsche Cayman: $25,000
One would think that Porsche’s legendary status would protect their cars from depreciation. Sadly, that’s not the case with their mid-engined Cayman. In 2008, a 295-hp Cayman S started at around $60,000. Nowadays, it’s worth around $25,000. Great news for those who are shopping for a used one, but sure to make the original owners bite their nails.
12/15
BMW Z4: $6,000
BMW’s Z line of roadsters has never as popular and iconic as some of their other cars. Thanks to that, most of them have lost most of their original value. Consider the 2007 Z4: its base price was around $42,000, yet somehow, it managed to lose as much $36,000 in value on its way to the present day. Meaning, you can snatch one of these up for as little as $6,000.
11/15
Audi S5: $10,000
13 years after its first release, the Audi A5 is still a beautiful, elegant car. The S5 version also adds serious performance to this beauty. With a 4.2-liter V8 in the coupé or a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the convertible, it’s no slouch. The same applies to its depreciation. For the 2010 model year, the MSRP was around $50,000. Today, you can easily find one for around 10 grand.
10/15
Jaguar F-Type: $30,000
A more modern, powerful and stylish replacement for the XK, the Jaguar F-Type was supposed to right its predecessor’s wrongs. It succeeded with most of them – except for the depreciation. In case you missed out on getting a new one in 2014 for $70,000, you can easily get one today for 30 thousand dollars.
9/15
Dodge Viper: $35,000
More than 20 years after its original release, the Dodge Viper doesn’t cease to amaze. Throughout its production run, it was fitted with the unique V10 engine, ranging from 8.0 to 8.4 liters of displacement and putting out 400 to 645 hp. It was a mighty, brutal car – and the pricing reflected it. In 2005, for example, it started at almost $82,000 – a crazy number for an American car. Most of its value didn’t stick around to this day, however, and now you can pick one up for around $35,000.
8/15
BMW M5: $30,000
The BMW M5 is one of the most iconic sports sedans ever. The brilliance of this car is that it’s able to combine breakneck performance with outstanding comfort and luxury. Retaining its value, however, is not one of its strengths. You can buy a decent 2013 for around $30,000 now. And that’s quite a bargain compared to its original price of around $90,000.
7/15
BMW 6-Series: $8,000
The BMW 6-series is a truly beautiful car – it’s a large, luxury coupé after all. But beauty doesn’t have to come at a steep price. Even though the 6 series started at around $70,000 back in 2005, we managed to find a pretty decent-looking one on sale for only $8,000! In other words, you can buy one for each day of the week for the original price.
6/15
Jaguar XK: $20,000
Even when it was sold new in 2011, the XK was one of the last old school Jaguars on the market. The big ol’ V8, poorly-built interior and the exhaust sound of an angry apex predator – what’s not to love? Perhaps, only the way it’s lost its value. The original MSRP for one of these cats was around $83,000 back in the day. Today, the dealers can barely move them for $20,000!
5/15
Aston Martin V8 Vantage: $35,000
Aston Martin is an embodiment of class and handcrafted British performance. And as you may expect, handcrafted British performance doesn’t come cheap. Even though the V8 Vantage was Aston’s entry-level model when it first came out, the price tag was still north of $110,000 before options. Today, there is plenty of V8 Vantages on the used market selling for around $35,000 – a third of their original price.
4/15
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: $11,000
The SL has somewhat of a bad rep here in the US, as a car favored by retired old men in Florida. Still, it’s one of the most special and opulent Mercedes models you can buy. This stunning roadster has remained on the market for around 20 years now with upgrades. Perhaps, that’s the reason why you can buy a used one quite cheaply. We’re talking $11,000 for a 2008 model that sold for more than $100,000 when it was new!
3/15
Maserati GranTurismo: $26,000
Forget all about the previous cars on this list: we’re entering the hardcore depreciation territory, also known as Maserati. It’s really a shame how much value these wonderful cars lose. On paper, it’s a true statement of a car: famed brand, a screaming 4.7-liter V8 courtesy of Ferrari, handcrafted interior. Perhaps it’s the poor reliability that’s to blame for this coupé’s depreciation. Either way, it’s normal for the GranTurismo to lose over $100,000 in value over 10 years.
2/15
Maserati Quattroporte: $12,000
The GranTurismo might have been bad at keeping its value over the years, but the Quattroporte sedan is even worse! In 2010, one of these opulent, sporty cruisers could cost you as much as $140,000! Since then, most of them lost more than 90% of their original value and can be bought for as little as $12,000. Then again, it doesn’t mean that they should be bought.
1/15
Bentley Continental GT: $30,000
A used Bentley Continental GT is, by far, the best way to look filthy rich for not too much money. We can thank the gods of depreciation for that. In 2005, when the Continental GT was still a hot new ultra-luxury car, the sticker price for one was an eye-watering $160,000. Since then, however, the Conti GT has become a rather common, mass-produced car. If you’re brave enough, you can even get one for around $30,000.
