While crossovers and SUVs are now popular choices among consumers, sports sedans still attract a good number of car enthusiasts. Sports or super sedans are practical four-door vehicles with brisk performance.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune on the current crop of high-performance sports sedans and are on the hunt for affordable alternatives, there are still plenty of choices in the used car market that more often than not come with a V-8 under the hood. These beasts were practically the alphas of their generations and here are some reasons why people prefer to buy used V-8 sports sedans:

• Driving experience: Modern-day super sedans may be faster, more precise, and better-engineered, but older models offer the pure driving experience you cannot get from the latest vehicles. Think hydraulic steering rack or a manual transmission, no turbos. Things were simpler back in the day.
• Performance: Aside from being more attainable today, these used sports sedans still deliver outstanding performance while having space for your family or friends.
• Value Retention: You can get most used super sedans at a lower price, but some of them are future classics because of their reputation and contribution to automotive history. And you know what that means.
• Nostalgia: Part of the appeal of used sports sedans can be attributed to the memories that they bring back.

With that, here are some of the best-used sports sedans with V-8 engines that you can buy today.

We gathered information from automakers and reputable websites such as Road & Track, Car and Driver, and MotorTrend to come up with a list of the best V-8 sedans to buy used. Information pertaining to reliability and recalls was sourced from Edmunds and the NHTSA.

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10 2002 Infiniti Q45

Average Used Price: $7,982

When foreign carmakers started eating a good chunk of the American automotive market share, they tapped into the luxury niche to make the most of it. Honda had Acura and Toyota, the Lexus brand. Nissan joined the spree with its Infiniti brand. Setting the best from Germany as a benchmark, the 1990 Q40 was praised for its driving characteristics and high-quality build.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Infiniti)

Fast forward to the 2002 Infiniti Q45, the super sedan relied on its reputation of having good performance. The 2002 model year Q45 has a muscular V-8 engine that produces 340 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. It’s one of the most impressive V-8-powered Japanese cars of its time. The powerplant can swoosh the car from a full stop to 60 MPH in 5.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 144 MPH. When it was released, it was more powerful than its competition from Lexus, Mercedes, and BMW.

• Consumer reviews on Edmunds.com tag the 2002 Infiniti Q45 with a score of 4.6 stars out of five.
• It has one recorded recall based on NHTSA records related to engine cooling issues.

9 2002 Audi S8 Quattro

Average Used Price: $10,148

The 2002 Audi S8 Quattro is a bonafide sport sedan with understated styling and, let’s just say, a powerful V-8 engine to impress whoever seats in its interior adorned with real wood and leather. The 2002 S8 is a buffed-up version of its then-flagship luxury sedan sibling, the A8. Under its hood is a 4.2-liter V-8 powerplant that outputs 360 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. As the name suggests, it is an all-wheel drive model.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Automobile Catalog)

The Audi S8 was a quick beast for its time, hitting 0 to 60 MPH in 6.3 seconds. It can get to a top speed of 155 MPH. The 2002 S8 is not just well-known for its straight-line performance but also for how it is impressively balanced when handling twisty roads. All that thanks to its solid all-aluminum body and German-engineered suspension.

• Consumers give the used 2002 Audi S8 Quattro a 4.9-star rating.
• There’s also no history of recalls for this reliable super sedan.

8 2003 Jaguar XJR

Average Used Price: $11,933

Another old bug gold sports sedan is the 2003 Jaguar XJR. The first of its kind was rolled out in the mid-1990s, and the 2003 model year is the nameplate’s third iteration. There’s nothing extraordinary about its design lines. It looks ordinary, but as you could expect from the big cat, an elegant piece of automotive engineering. However, the XJR was Jaguar’s first vehicle to use aerospace-based build methods and materials such as magnesium and aerospace-grade adhesives for its aluminum body.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Automobile Catalog)

The 2003 XJR is a great driver’s car. It had a stiffer body compared to its predecessor and a potent V-8 powerplant under the hood. Its 4.0-liter engine cranks out 370 horsepower and 387 pound-feet of torque.

RELATED: 10 Cars Under $25,000 That Pack Incredible Performance And Speed

7 2000 Lexus GS 400

Average Used Price: $14,933

Toyota appealed to the market that opted for vehicles with European styling through the Lexus GS line. The GS nameplate played a big role in building the reputation of the brand in the U.S. while keeping in line with the brand’s pursuit of perfection. The design of the sedan has evolved from the first generation that first rolled out in 1993 to 1997. The second generation, including the 2000 Lexus GS 400, boasts a plush interior, automotive safety technologies, and a V-8 powerplant.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Automobile Catalog)

The heart of the GS 400 gives out 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This powerful engine is mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox with manual upshift and downshift controls on the spokes of its steering wheel.

6 2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG (W210)

Average Used Price: $20,304

If you are looking for a well-built sports sedan that offers an old-school Mercedes vibe, you can never go wrong with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG. The W210 E55 AMG showcases the German carmaker’s high-quality, clean look with no distracting bits of aerodynamic components, big intakes, and brightly-colored brake calipers. It has simple looks and undoubtedly reliable, great performance.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Car And Driver)

It is perfect for whether you’re just cruising around city blocks or want to push the pedal when on the highway. It has a capable 5.4-liter V-8 that produces 349 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The 2002 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG is a bullet of a sports sedan that competes with the likes of its generation’s BMW M5 and Jaguar XJR.

• This used sports sedan that gets 4.9 of 5 stars from consumers offers the best of both worlds.

5 2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0

Average Used Price: $22,063

This sporty sedan from the Korean car manufacturer will remind you of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Lexus LS400. However, that’s a compliment to Hyundai for not abandoning the V-8 during the time brands have turned their eyes to the V-6. The 2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 features a 5.0-liter V-8 powerplant that grunts 420 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It is a smooth sport sedan that nibbled some sales away from its European-made counterparts.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Hyundai)

It is a huge car that tips the scale at 4,588 pounds, but this big boy can decently hit 60 MPH from a standstill in 5.2 seconds. Limited electronically, it can hit a top speed of 145 MPH. This version of the Genesis offers great value and a roomy ride for people looking for a luxury sedan without the burden of the heavy tag price.

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4 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

Average Used Price: $23,714

A lot of car enthusiasts may have forgotten what Pontiac was busy with in the early 2000s. But if there are vehicles you want to point the spotlight at from that period, it would include the Pontiac Firebird WS6 that even Jay Leno has in his garage. If you’re looking for a sports sedan, then on top of the list is the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, or what was then labeled as the poor man’s BMW M5.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from MotorTrend)

The Pontiac G8 GXP rolled out when the American car manufacturers were struggling hard. However, the vehicle delivered. Its 6.2-liter rumbling V-8 outputs 415 horsepower and 415-pound feet of torque. The small block under the hood is actually what we know as the LS3. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the heart of the beloved American sports car, the Corvette. Besides the power, the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP boasts tight handling, a well-crafted interior, and overall excellent build.

• It’s a well-liked sports sedan with 4.8 out of 5 stars in consumer ratings.
• There are three recalls linked to this vehicle because of a seat belt issue and problems with its tire pressure monitoring system.

3 2014 Maserati Quattroporte GTS

Average Used Price: $34,673

Under the hood of the 2014 Maserati Quattroporte GTS sits a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 that cranks out 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque (or up to 524 pound-feet with overboost). This Trident sports sedan is capable and can go on a head-on collision course with other European competitors. The engine that was co-developed with Ferrari brings the beast to a top speed of 191 MPH, and when it was released, you might need to call your friend who owns an Aston Martin Rapide or a Bentley Continental Flying Spur to ensure you can keep up. Enjoy the roar of the V-8, because the next generation Quattroporte will be all-electric.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from MotorTrend)

It is a quick, powerful beast, but thanks to its superb handling, you can keep it in control when things get a bit greasy. On top of that, The Quattroporte sports a distinctive styling, offering a comfortable interior for the driver and occupants.

• NHTSA posted a recall for a batch of GTS about issues on its starter motor cable.
• This super sedan received a 4.6-star rating from consumers.

2 2003 BMW M5

Average Used Price: $35,937

What’s not to love with the 2003 BMW M5? This iconic V-8 sports sedan is among the greatest hits produced by the M Division of BMW. If you are in pursuit of happiness without having to spend a fortune on a super sedan, the 2003 M5 fits the bill. It delivers luxury sedan comforts and performance you can liken to more expensive sports cars. The M5 is motivated by a 4.9-liter V-8 engine that cranks out 394 horsepower and 368 pound-feet.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Car and Driver and Road & Track)

Mated to a six-speed manual, it can blast from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds (and wave at the driver of a Porsche 911). It can hit a limited top speed of 155 MPH, but an E39 M5 was once seen on the Autobahn hitting 186 MPH without the speed governor. This rear-wheel drive sports sedan is a seasoned veteran but remains impressive next to modern-day super sedans.

• Consumers love its styling and performance, and used examples today still get a perfect rating of five stars.
• After over a decade, the NHTSA issued several recalls for issues with its cooling fan, airbag, and steering rod.

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1 2010 Cadillac CTS-V

Average Used Price: $39,993

The Cadillac CTS-V is one of the best cars to come out of the American carmaker’s performance division. The raw power of the supercharged V-8 under the hood of the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V is already a proposition that’s hard to say no to. The supercharged powerplant produces 556 horsepower and delivers 551 pound-feet of torque. With a stick shift, you can bring the rear-wheel drive beast from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.9 seconds and hit a blistering top speed of 191 MPH.

Performance Specifications

(Performance specs sourced from Automobile Catalog)

If you lust for a sporty ride that’s generous in space, this Caddy ticks all the boxes. While the slightly detuned block from the Corvette impresses when your foot is heavy on the pedal, the ride is also well-behaved when cruising around town (or stuck in traffic).

• There’s one particular recall for the CTS-V crash protection issue and two other recalls for the CTS nameplate.
• Consumers give the used Cadillac CTS-V five of five stars.