Forgotten V8 and V10 Luxury Sedans That Now Cost Less Than a Corolla

The Case for Used V8 Sedans Under 15k

Used V8 sedans under 15k are heavily depreciated luxury four-door cars with large-displacement engines that now sell for economy-car money while still delivering far more power, comfort, and character than most new gas-only sedans in the same price bracket, making them compelling options for drivers who value performance and value over the latest technology.

For most buyers, the forgotten Infiniti M45 with its 4.5-liter VK45DE V8 is the smart pick among forgotten luxury performance cars. It combines 340 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque with a rear-wheel-drive chassis and a five-speed automatic transmission that includes manual shift control, sending smooth power to the rear wheels. Only 8,067 of these sedans were ever built, yet they now trade hands for less than many new compact cars, which is exactly what steep luxury sedan depreciation can do. The M45 was never loud visually, but it can outrun many contemporary rivals while looking like an ordinary executive car, which makes it an ideal sleeper for drivers who want serious power without attracting attention.

Infiniti M45: The Rare 340-hp Sleeper

The heart of the Infiniti M45 is the VK45DE, a 4.5-liter, naturally aspirated, all-aluminum quad-cam V8 borrowed from Infiniti’s flagship Q45. It revs to 6,400 rpm, where it produces 340 hp and 333 lb-ft, more power and torque than many rival executive sedans of its day. A five-speed automatic with manual shift control channels power to the rear wheels, giving the car a classic big-V8, rear-drive feel that enthusiasts still seek out in used V8 sedans under 15k.

This car’s anonymity is its advantage. Automotive history is filled with subtle sleepers that failed in showrooms, and the M45 is a textbook example of how market failure becomes a bargain later on. It never had the badge cachet of German rivals and, as a result, depreciated harder, leaving today’s buyers with an under-the-radar performance sedan that can pass as a calm company car yet surge forward like a proper sports sedan. If you want Infiniti V8 sedan deals that feel special every time you floor it, this is the one to chase first.

Buick Roadmaster and Lucerne: Comfortable American V8 Power

If you like your used V8 sedans under 15k with more comfort and nostalgia than sharp edges, two Buicks deserve serious attention. The Buick Roadmaster rides on a full-sized, rear-wheel-drive platform it shares with other big sedans and wagons and hides a 5.7-liter LT1 V8 under its hood, the same basic engine introduced in the C4 Corvette. From 1994 onward, that LT1 delivered 260 hp through a 4L60E four-speed automatic and a limited-slip differential sending power to the rear wheels. In period, Buick described it as “the most powerful American car of its kind,” a luxury sedan with muscle car heart.

The Buick Lucerne takes a different approach. Built on a comfort-focused platform, it offered a standard V6 but could be ordered with an optional 4.6-liter Northstar V8. Early cars used the LD8 version with 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, later switching to the L37 with 292 hp and 288 lb-ft. All engines were paired with a four-speed automatic. Inside, dual-zone climate control and power-adjustable seats were standard, while higher trims gained heated and ventilated leather seating. The Lucerne’s party trick was its available front bench, which allowed six-passenger seating—a layout that became nearly extinct as buckets took over. Although bench seating was not offered on the high-end Super trim, it could be combined with V8 power in other versions, making the Lucerne one of the last full-size luxury sedans to mix a V8 with six-passenger capacity.

Audi S6: The Lamborghini-Linked V10 Sleeper

For drivers who want more cylinders than most supercars, the C6 Audi S6 stands out as the ultimate sleeper alternative to modern performance vehicles. Behind its discreet styling sits a 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 derived from the same architecture as the Lamborghini Gallardo’s ten-cylinder engine. In S6 trim it produces 429 hp and 398 lb-ft, matched to a six-speed automatic and Quattro all-wheel drive for four-season traction. According to one period specification listing, “it’s one of the most affordable ways on the planet to own a naturally aspirated V10 — complete with four doors, a trunk, and Quattro all-wheel drive”.

On the street, it looks like any other executive sedan that a sales manager might drive to a meeting, yet it sounds like a high-revving exotic when pushed. That dual personality is exactly what makes it one of the most compelling forgotten luxury performance cars: you get supercar character without supercar drama or attention. For buyers willing to accept an older interior and higher running complexity, no new gas-only sedan at this money touches the drama-per-dollar of a naturally aspirated V10.

Buy if / Skip if

• Buy the Infiniti M45 if you want a rare, rear-drive sleeper with 340 hp and 333 lb-ft plus a smooth five-speed automatic and care more about performance than a trendy badge.
• Skip the Infiniti M45 if you dislike owning low-production cars or worry about finding parts for a sedan built in limited numbers like this 8,067-unit special.
• Buy the Buick Roadmaster if you want a full-sized, rear-wheel-drive sedan with a Corvette-derived 5.7-liter LT1 V8 and value comfort as much as straight-line power.
• Skip the Buick Roadmaster if you prefer modern handling, smaller dimensions, or do not want to daily drive a large B-body sedan that prioritizes ride comfort over agility.
• Buy the Buick Lucerne if you need six-passenger seating with the option of V8 power, plus dual-zone climate control and power-adjustable seats in a calm, comfort-first cabin.
• Skip the Buick Lucerne if you insist on a modern multi-speed automatic or dislike the idea of a V8 paired with an older four-speed transmission.
• Buy the Audi S6 if you want a V10-powered luxury sedan with 429 hp, Quattro all-wheel drive, and the thrill of a Lamborghini-related engine in a subtle body.
• Skip the Audi S6 if you are wary of complex high-cylinder-count engines and would rather stick with simpler V8 sedans that are easier to live with long term.