Best value sports cars today?

A

Angelus666

Senior member
 Essex
As above really, excluding the Z4, which other cars at different price points do we feel represent excellent value today?

I was looking at a 2012 M3 competition pack car at £20k and thought that looked a lot of car at that money. Also, the R8 V10 at £50k seems like the supercar bargain to my eye.
 
F10 M5 is pretty good at the moment. C63 AMG (n/a V8) prices still seem reasonable, as do those of the B7 RS4 Avant, the previous gen Vantage and, as you say, the E9x M3. Have to agree on the R8 V10 as well - feels like an opportunity to own a piece of history!

Golf Rs and the BMW 135/140i don't seem to be dropping off as much of a cliff as we might hope, but there are lots of them on the market so I'm sure great deals are possible. I’d be quite wary of them having been spanked within an inch of their life though. :D
 
It's hard not mention the Z4M isn't it!

Probably the biggest bang for your buck at the moment is something like an E60 M5 - 500bhp and a genuine 200mph+ for as low as £9k if you don't mind a few miles. Doesn't make it a great sports car of course and the engine seems to go wrong quite a lot!

Otherwise, if engagement is more of a priority (which it really should be in a sports car), what about something like a Lotus Elise S2 R, can be had for £20k ish and will probably never go much lower so a sound investment... https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/elise-s2/lotus-elise-r-touring/9236645

Something a little rawer but a whole load of fun would be a tweaked VX220T... https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/vauxhall/vx220/stage-4-vauxhall-vx220-turbo-56-plate/9281827

If you do a few road miles though it's hard to overlook the E46 M3, it has all the excitement of the Z4M but is far more polished dynamically as well as been considerably more compliant on the bumpy stuff.

Similarly, add a little bit more to the budget and you could stretch to a 997 Carrera 2S. Dynamically they are just so good and probably gets the balance just perfect between engagement and refinement. The manual gearbox is just the icing on the cake. £25k gets you this.. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/911-carrera-997/2005-05-porsche-911-997-3-8-carrera-2s-coupe-sat-nav-sports-chrono-19-inch-alloys/8497845
 
depends how you define 'value'.

If you mean purely purchase price then yea any of the powerful naturally aspirated motors from mid 2000 era (e60 M5, C63 AMG, RS4).
However you will need a considerable reserve to fund any repairs - especially on the E60 M5. Vauxhall Monaro/VXR8 are pretty decent prices. (sub £15k) but it is a flimsy vauxhall.

Z4M is hard to look past - especially as it shared alot of parts with the E46 M3 and less poweful E85 models, of which there are plenty of second hand parts around.

As for non-german cars... old Jag's (XKR, XK8) but again running costs would scare me. Golf R32 can be had for £6k ish which provide plenty of real world power and grip (plus a lovely exhaust note)
 
Intregued that the M5 is viewed, by some, as a sports car. :?

Mx5 has been the best value sports car since the day it was first produced. :thumbsup:
Not he best by any means, but a fine, fun, steer for what you pays for one. :driving: :D

Agree Nissan also build cracking well price sports cars. :wink:
 
If we're talking sports cars, its all about the thrill of driving. Not outright BHP, or top end. So, ruling out what I would call Grand Tourers, heres my suggestions...
Mazda MX5.
Toyota MR2.
Honda S2000.
Porsche Boxster.
Porsche 997 C2.
Lotus Elise S2.
I don't think you'd suffer much in the way of depreciation in any of the above. There are others, of course (eg Cayman, TT...), but I think there is still depreciation left in them.
 
buzyg said:
Intregued that the M5 is viewed, by some, as a sports car. :?
Click to expand...

Fair point.

ph001 said:
It's hard not mention the Z4M isn't it!
Click to expand...

Also true, although it’s often forgotten!

https://jalopnik.com/im-going-to-be-honest-i-forgot-the-bmw-z4-m-coupe-exis-1831177796
 
MrPT said:
buzyg said:
Intregued that the M5 is viewed, by some, as a sports car. :?
Click to expand...

Fair point.

ph001 said:
It's hard not mention the Z4M isn't it!
Click to expand...

Also true, although it’s often forgotten!

https://jalopnik.com/im-going-to-be-honest-i-forgot-the-bmw-z4-m-coupe-exis-1831177796
Click to expand...
That's blog has such a great tag line. Now what cars where produced during the Blair Years. It's just a Blur now. :wink:
 
I am an Alpina fan especially the Roadster, If you can find a nice one and wanting a two seater sports car that wont depreciate. Or the B3 Bi Turbo for a four seater. :)
 
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