The Case For Forgotten Used V8 Sedans
Forgotten used V8 sedans are older performance four-doors whose values have fallen well below new-car pricing while still offering strong power, durable drivetrains, and long-term mileage potential that can approach 300,000 miles with careful maintenance, making them smart alternatives for buyers who want high-performance daily transport without paying modern luxury-sedan money.
If you want one standout option, pick the Cadillac STS-V. It is the best all‑rounder here thanks to its hand-built, supercharged LC3 Northstar V8 that delivers 469 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 439 lb‑ft of torque at 3,900 rpm. That output turns the otherwise formal STS into a rapid, comfortable used V8 sedan that feels far more special than its current prices suggest. Its rival in this guide, the Infiniti Q45 V8 (through its shared VK45DE engine), is the quieter choice: a subtle flagship with a naturally aspirated 4.5‑liter V8 making 340 hp and 333 lb‑ft of torque at 6,400 rpm. Together, these two affordable performance cars prove you do not need a new gas sedan to get serious power and long-haul durability.
Cadillac STS-V: Supercharged Northstar Power
The Cadillac STS-V is the pick for drivers who want an assertive, high-performance used V8 sedan with genuine pace. When Cadillac decided to give the STS the V treatment, the result was far more than a styling package. Under the hood sits the LC3 Northstar V8, a hand-built, supercharged, all‑aluminum engine delivering 469 hp and 439 lb‑ft of torque. According to one detailed technical account, “this almost 3,900‑pound sedan could hit 60 mph in about 5.7 seconds and clear the quarter mile in roughly 14.1 to 14.3 seconds”. That kind of performance puts it in rare company among affordable performance cars today.
On the road, the STS-V’s strong low- and mid-range torque suits daily driving and long highway runs, while the supercharger gives satisfying top-end shove when you want it. It was overshadowed at launch by the LS‑powered CTS-V, and its larger STS-V cousin became “barely a footnote in the story of a larger brand rebirth” that helped rescue the marque from irrelevance. For a buyer who cares more about reliable big block engines feel and effortless thrust than badge prestige, that obscurity is good news: you get a rare, hand-built powerplant in a comfortable, well-equipped chassis for far less than most modern gas sedans with similar output.
| Spec | Cadillac STS-V | Infiniti Q45 V8 (VK45DE) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine layout | Supercharged 4.4L LC3 Northstar V8 | Naturally aspirated 4.5L VK45DE V8 |
| Horsepower | 469 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 340 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 439 lb‑ft @ 3,900 rpm | 333 lb‑ft |
| Approx. 0–60 mph | About 5.7 seconds | Comparable to period 290–300 hp rivals |
| Character | Loud, supercharged punch; extroverted | Smooth, rev‑happy; understated flagship feel |
Infiniti Q45 V8: Flagship Power In Disguise
If the STS-V is a shout, the Infiniti Q45 V8 is a quiet nod between enthusiasts. The key to its appeal is the VK45DE, a 4.5‑liter, naturally aspirated, all‑aluminum quad‑cam V8 that was “borrowed directly from Infiniti’s range‑topping Q45 sedan” and is described as one of the finest naturally aspirated powertrains the brand ever built. In period, this engine’s 340 hp and 333 lb‑ft of torque at 6,400 rpm put it ahead of several rival V8 sedans from more famous badges.
While the article evidence discusses the same VK45DE as fitted to the M45, the character carries over: the engine loves to rev to its 6,400 rpm redline, yet remains smooth and refined in normal use. This makes any Q45 fitted with the VK45DE a strong choice among used V8 sedans for drivers who want effortless highway performance and a relaxed, luxury-focused ride without drawing much attention. With only a modest number of these V8 flagships sold over a short span, they have slipped into obscurity, which helps keep asking prices in attainable territory for buyers cross-shopping them against new gas sedans with four-cylinder engines.
Why These Two V8 Sedans Beat Most New Gas Cars On Value
Both the Cadillac STS-V and Infiniti Q45 V8 belong on any shortlist of affordable performance cars if you care about long-term ownership more than the latest tech. The STS-V’s LC3 Northstar brings hand-built exclusivity, serious straight-line performance, and a distinct supercharged character in a sedan that was never built in large numbers. The Infiniti VK45DE, as used in the Q45, delivers strong but refined power that can comfortably handle the kind of mileage many owners expect from daily-driven luxury sedans.
For cost-conscious buyers facing high prices for new gas sedans with smaller engines, these older V8 sedans offer a better equation: low purchase cost, plenty of power, and drivetrains proven in flagship roles. You trade some in-car tech and modern styling for the satisfaction of a big, naturally aspirated or supercharged V8 that can cover huge distances with the right maintenance routine. If your priority is a car you can keep well into high mileage while enjoying strong acceleration and comfort, these forgotten V8 machines make more sense than most new options in showrooms today.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the Cadillac STS-V if you want a rare, hand-built supercharged V8 sedan that accelerates harder than most modern gas four-doors at similar money.
- Skip the Cadillac STS-V if you prefer a subtle appearance and do not want the added complexity of a supercharger on an older engine.
- Buy the Infiniti Q45 V8 if you want an understated flagship with the smooth, 340-hp VK45DE V8 that was praised as one of the brand’s best engines.
- Skip the Infiniti Q45 V8 if you need a flashy badge or cutting-edge infotainment more than relaxed, long-distance V8 power.
- Buy the Cadillac STS-V if you value strong 0–60 mph and quarter-mile performance figures backed by a hand-built powertrain.
- Skip the Infiniti Q45 V8 if you are unwilling to hunt for a relatively rare model and would rather choose something with widespread parts availability.
