There’s nothing quite like a good sports car, but the numbers of new ones are dwindling fast as regulations make them trickier to sell. The used market, however, is absolutely teeming with options for anyone who wants a fun car, whether they’ve got a few thousand pounds to spend or six figures. From a Mazda MX-5 at £5,000 to a Ferrari F430 at £100,000, there’s a used sports car for nearly every budget.
At the lower end of the market, the Mazda MX-5 NC stands out. The third generation of Mazda’s roadster launched in 2005, and it’s roomier inside and less rot-prone than earlier versions. It’s mechanically robust, and the roof drops quickly for top-down driving. The NC may not be the most beloved iteration, but it remains true to the recipe and is one of the most affordable ways into an MX-5 these days.
Another strong contender at this price is the Toyota MR2 W30. It’s one of the cheapest ways into a mid-engined sports car, with agile handling and a reliable 1.8-liter engine. The downside is practicality: only a tiny 78-liter locker behind the seats for storage. But for pure driving fun, it’s hard to beat at this price.
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Stepping up to £10,000, the Porsche Boxster 987 is a predictable choice for a reason.
At £20,000, the Lotus Elise S2 is a favorite for its pure, direct connection between driver and car. Modest power and low weight win out over big numbers, though it’s not a car you’d want to drive daily.
The same goes for the Jaguar F-Type V6 at £40,000, which offers a supercharged V6 soundtrack and gorgeous looks, even if its long-term reliability is patchy.
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At £60,000, the Audi R8 4.2 V8 with a manual gearbox is a sweet spot. It’s beautifully made, poised, and involving, with a 414bhp engine that’s a peach. The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is another standout, with a naturally aspirated flat-six, pinpoint handling, and surprising practicality. It could well be the most complete sports car package of the 21st century.
At £100,000, the choices get serious. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a proper factory hot rod, with a 5.9-liter, 510bhp V12 in a small, gorgeous body. It’s available with a manual gearbox, and later S versions pushed power to 565bhp. Maintenance won’t come cheap, but the experience is hard to beat.
The Ferrari F430 is a more exotic option. It’s a mid-engined berlinetta with a 4.3-liter, 483bhp V8 and an open-gated manual gearbox that’s rare and desirable. The handling is telepathically good, and the engine barks hard. The flipside is high maintenance costs and the fact that some people will hate you for owning a Ferrari. But for those who want a proper, pukka Italian sports car, it’s one of the best ways to spend £100,000 on the used market.
