The 5 Cheapest V12 Cars for When You’re on a Budget [2023]

Last Updated on October 23, 2023 by Calvyn Ee

The V12 engine symbolizes a cornerstone in engine development, where two straight-six engines are joined together through a common crankshaft. Able to deliver remarkable smoothness, refinement, and sheer power, a V12 is the ultimate choice for those seeking a truly extraordinary driving experience. While V12 cars are often associated with luxury and exclusivity, with price points well above the 80k mark, there are hidden gems out there well worth their asking price. Here are the 5 cheapest V12 cars you can get your hands on today.

How We Rate Cars

Reliability

We make a point to get feedback from current and previous drivers and ratings from reliable sources like Consumer Reports and CarMD for each car we feature.

You should note that some of these older models may need a little extra work (and cash) to get them to look (and drive) their best. The estimated price point will give you some leeway to get a good deal, but we can’t account for how much you’ll need to spend on maintenance, upgrading, and so forth.

Appearance

Both new and used V12 cars can steal the spotlight with various aesthetic choices

Performance

V12 engines give drivers an intriguing balance of performance power and refined comfort. This is accentuated by solid handling that pushes the car’s performance even further.

Features

Many of these classic cars have their fair share of unique offerings that are sure to impress.

Go All Out with the Cheapest V12 Cars On the Market

1994 Jaguar XJS

An old-school symbol of cool, the ’94 Jaguar XJS (previously the XJ-S) is a bold choice for a V12 car of your own. While the 3.6-litre 24-valve AJ6 straight-six engine is a masterpiece, the 6.0-liter V12 still packs a mean 278hp and 334 lb-ft of torque which, coupled with an automatic transmission, delivers an awesome drive from start to finish. The V12 engine is a little finicky, so it will need some diligent maintenance work to get it up in shape. But once it’s up to snuff, the XJS easily delivers a fantastic show with you in the driver’s seat. Despite its rather imposing size, the XJS handles impeccably well, helped by very responsive steering and well-crafted engineering. It might not be as agile as modern-day sports cars, but the XJS is no slouch. It’s also a relatively quiet engine, so your mileage may vary if you’re used to the guttural growls of a V6 or V8.

2002 Mercedes-Benz S600

Not only was this a great luxury car in its time, but its 6.0-liter V12 offered plentiful performance power that made it capable of hitting 60 from 0 in only 5 seconds; 389 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque is still a great deal of power at your command even today. Once you hit top speed, you’ll barely hear the engine howling! The four-speed automatic transmission also does a good job with gear shifts, working in tandem with the rest of the S600 to deliver blistering fast performance and a comfy ride from start to finish. Ride quality isn’t always consistent, especially if you hit a pothole, but it’s still fairly decent. On top of that, the S600 is packed with a great deal of technological goodies that were innovative and ground-breaking at launch. Aided by strong brakes and a semiactive suspension, along with a unique radar-assisted cruise control system, the S600 helped to push the boundaries of automotive tech; it’s also a big boon that the S600 is a refined luxury cruiser with all the posh bits and bobs that it comes with. You’ll be hard-pressed not to say no to one at a decent price!

2001 BMW 750iL

Part of the E38 generation of BMW’s 7-series, the 750iL is a worthy choice if you’re not that big a fan of other luxury cars of its class. No harm in that: the 750iL still possesses a 5.0-liter V12, with 322 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque at its beck and call. That allows it to hit a top speed of 155 mph while accelerating to 60 from rest in only 6 seconds or so. It might not be as blindingly fast as the S600, but it’s still a formidable road runner on its own. The existence of a Sports Mode switch makes it all the more appealing, with a quick transformation into a more athletic machine. The stiffer ride might not appeal to most drivers, however, so you might want to test it for yourself. Smooth power delivery and a modest ride in normal mode still earn it points for when you need to navigate city streets and winding corners; the five-speed Steptronic automatic transmission also holds itself very well even today. And as befitting a BMW, the luxurious trappings it has to offer are delightful. Nappa leather upholstery, a cozy Active Support feature for seats, and plenty of useful tech goodies to look forward to.

1998 Toyota Century

Built to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Toyota’s founder, the opulent Toyota Century can now be found within the US, and boy, is it another excellent choice for a V12 car. Being the first and only Japanese vehicle to mount a V12 engine, the 5.0-liter engine sports 272 hp and 282 lb-ft of torque; the Century is rated first and foremost a luxury cruiser – there’s a good reason why it’s considered the Rolls-Royce of Japan. The engine is powerful yet smooth and quiet, working in tandem with the standard and reliable 6-speed automatic transmission and a sublime air suspension to give passengers a very stately ride from start to finish. You can even find after-market performance parts to give the Century an upgrade, but even if you don’t, the Century is the closest you’ll get to a truly exquisite and prestigious car you can get your hands on for cheap. It’s also a great example of Toyota’s reliability shining through, as you’ll likely have just a few issues beyond some necessary component changes and interior fixes to get it roadworthy.

2006 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG

The S65 AMG is one of the fastest V12-equipped Mercedes vehicles available, given that it’s a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 producing a ludicrous 604 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque; the 4.2-second time it needs to get from 0 to 60 is a testament to that raw power at its beck and call. Push the pedal, and the engine comes to life with resounding agility. It’s also a well-engineered vehicle with its ability to confidently navigate turns and corners and its strong braking power that brings it to a controlled stop. The smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission is also worthy of praise, while the ride quality is nice but a little unsure of itself at times. Add to that the exquisiteness of driving a luxury car like this at a price tag that hovers between 25k to maybe 40k today, compared to the near 100k price tag it used to have in the past. Many of the luxe trappings you’ll find on the inside will still be as grand as ever, although some areas will need some care. The S65 AMG also has the unfortunate luck of being a less-than-reliable used luxury car to own, with a multitude of technical issues plaguing it. If you’re willing to work through these faults, you might be well-rewarded for the time, money, and effort.

An Acquisition Not To Be Missed

Owning a V12-engined car has always been a symbol of power, luxury, and exclusivity. While these cars are often associated with high price tags, these affordable options here are available for all you budget-conscious enthusiasts. It still pays to be careful when it comes to buying a used V12, even if it goes for cheap. The main concern of reliability means that unless the previous owners took great care of their vehicle, you might have to splurge on a host of repair and upgrade works to get your chosen V12 car into a roadworthy state. Is it really worth the investment? That really depends on you and your budget.

Moreover, you’ll also have to be on alert for potential scams lying in wait. A lucrative deal on a V12 car may actually be a trap that will cost you a great deal of money and your peace of mind. Avoid that by simply getting a vehicle history report beforehand. The report gives you comprehensive records of a particular car’s usage for all of its previous (and even current) owners. You can find vehicle specifications, odometer readings, and even accident records and salvage titles. You’ll be able to spot possible red flags in a deal – say, mismatched odometer readings – and lodge a report to the authorities. Don’t put your finances and peace of mind at risk: get a vehicle history report today!