Best used sports cars

The Audi TT Roadster is an easily recommendable sports car, because it strikes an ideal balance between the silly and sensible.

On the one hand, it's sharp and nimble to drive, plus its engine line-up is strong, ranging from a modest 178bhp unit to a potent 395bhp one (in the TT RS). On the other hand, the TT is comfortable and a clear class leader for interior quality. There's a really plush and upmarket feel to the whole interior and it's wonderfully designed. There's also a decent amount of space for two on offer.

It's reliable, too, always performing well in our annual What Car? reliability surveys. Because it shares so many parts with lesser Audis and VWs, parts prices are very reasonable, as are the servicing costs. And the cherry on top: used prices are looking really good across the board. They start from just £10,000 for one of the older cars in good condition.

We'd look for a TT with the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine, our favourite option, because it's smooth, punchy and efficient. Sport or S line trims are well-equipped and good value, and worth seeking out. Go for as late a one as you can afford (production finished in 2023) and you'll enjoy fresh-air motoring fun for years to come. 

"The reason we love the TT in all its forms is that it's so adaptable. There are engine options to suit everyone, and it's such an easy car to buy, drive and own. This roadster is a real blast on a country lane." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2019 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI S line, 44,580 miles, £18,500

Read our full used Audi TT Roadster review

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You might be wondering why this previous-generation version of the Porsche Cayman coupé ranks above the older Porsche Boxster convertible in our books. 

Well, both are fantastic to an almost equal extent, but the Cayman offers a slightly superior driving experience by being lighter and having a stiffer structure (for even better handling), yet it's also more comfortable. The Cayman is slightly more practical than the Boxster, too.

Like the Boxster, it offers beautifully balanced and engaging handling, precise steering and, in this earlier generation, glorious flat-six engines.

Shop carefully, and if you find a good one, you should have years of trouble-free motoring, albeit be aware with expensive parts prices. A full Porsche service history would also be desirable. Not cheap, admittedly, but nothing will light up your face like the grin when you hear that wonderfully sonorous engine. 

"You'll notice we've gone here for the earlier car with the six-cylinder engine. We make no apologies. The later 718 Cayman is a great car too, but these earlier ones will please the enthusiast more." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2016 Porsche Cayman S, 79,300 miles, £27,950

Read our full used Porsche Cayman review

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Wait: surely the Porsche 911's smaller, less powerful drop-top sibling can't rank higher than it? Well, it does in our eyes – and not just because it's available for less money and will be better on fuel.

The Porsche Boxster also drives just as well, if not even better. It feels light and agile, not to mention its 3.4-litre flat-six engine produces a healthy 311bhp (in S guise) and is great fun to take all the way up to the redline.

That being said, even entry-level cars with the 261bhp 2.7-litre engine are a joy to drive. The Boxster nearly matches the Cayman featured above it here in every measure, and some would consider its wind-in-the-hair abilities enough to tip the balance in its favour. 

Shop carefully, though, because they may have been used enthusiastically. Later 718 models are nearly as good but not quite so much fun aurally. 

"Such a marvellous car to punt around almost any road, the Boxster offers fresh-air fun. Like the Cayman, not cheap, but worth it if you can find a good one of this age." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2016 Porsche Boxster 2.7, 54,284 miles, £29,999

Read our full used Porsche Boxster review

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Ever since the first version was introduced in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 has been putting smiles on the faces of drivers, without bank-breaking buying and running costs.

Now in its fourth generation, the model remains true to the original formula; it's a back-to-basics machine that embodies lightness, compactness and playfulness.

Sure, its largest engine (a 2.0-litre four-cylinder) in its most powerful form produces only 181bhp, but that's more than enough to explore the car's capabilities. That means you can have a lot of fun at even modest speeds, turning any favourite road into a playground. 

Meanwhile, reliability is top-notch, and parts prices and servicing costs are very reasonable. Used prices start below £10,000 now for this generation of MX-5, so it's one of the most affordable cars on our list here. 

"Not a speed-fest by any means but the MX-5 is such a lovely thing to drive. One of my favourites and good value too. Bit cramped if you're tall, mind you. " - George Hill, used cars writer

We found:  2018 Mazda MX-5 2.0 [184] GT Sport Nav+, 46,000 miles, £9995

Read our full used Mazda MX-5 review

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If you want rapid performance, truly entertaining and involving handling and a comfortable ride thrown into a neat-looking sports car that won't break the bank to run, the Alpine A110 is the car for you.

It's definitely the car for us. It offers proper pace in a small, lightweight package and executes it brilliantly. It weighs only about 1100kg, which is roughly the same as a Ford Fiesta. That means the A110’s 249bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged engine propels it with ease, and 0-62mph takes just 4.5sec.

Faster models are available, but we believe the entry-level version is sufficient for your needs. In fact, we think it's one of the most entertaining and rewarding used sports cars you can buy at any price. 

"A victim of its own brilliance. It's so popular that used prices are still quite high, otherwise, it might have finished even higher up this list." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2019 Alpine A110 1.8 Turbo DCT, 45,000 miles, £28,000

Read our full used Alpine A110 review

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Sitting just below the previous-generation version is this Porsche 718 Cayman, which is another great drive.

True, it's more expensive to buy used than the older car (prices start around £20,000) and its standard flat-four engines don't have the spine-tingling sound of the earlier flat-sixes, but there is a way round that issue. 

You see one of our favourite models in the range is the GTS, and that has a 4.0-litre flat six - it's one of the greats.

It’s not that the entry-level 2.0-litre models are slow, but with 395bhp to play with and a 0-62mph sprint time of just 4.5sec, the GTS is on another level.

The shove this engine provides when you put your foot down is addictive, and once you’ve taken it all the way up to its 7800rpm redline, you get the tactile joy of changing gear using a classic six-speed manual gearbox. 

The driving experience is enough to have you smiling like a Cheshire cat even before you reach a corner, where the GTS outshines even the Alpine A110 and BMW M2 for engagement. The way it stays almost absolutely flat through bends is incredible. It's also even sharper than its Porsche Boxster sibling.

Of course, a great sports car needs to be at home doing sensible speeds too, and the Cayman is just that – it’s well suited to just pootling around town if you want to, giving you more time to enjoy its comfortable, high-quality interior and fantastic driving position.

It's reliable, too, and although its residual values are among the best, you can still find some well-priced ones around. Try the lesser models if the GTS is out of your reach. They're terrific, too. 

"The backrests of the Alcantara and leather-trimmed seats adjust electrically, but it’s a shame lumbar adjustment is part of a pricey upgrade." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

We found: 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS, 55,000 miles, £45,995

Read our full used Porsche 718 Cayman review

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Now, we said that the 718 Cayman is sharper than the Porsche 718 Boxster, and it is, but the latter is still a sensational sports car, with the GTS version, as in the Cayman, the best of the bunch.

This has a 4.0-litre flat-six engine that sounds incredible and produces a heady 395bhp.

If your budget won’t stretch to the GTS, though, you’ll be pleased to know that the standard 2.0-litre Boxster is still one of the most enjoyable sports cars around.

And no matter which version you go for, you’ll be treated not only to endless handling excitement, but also a remarkably well-controlled ride and beautiful build quality. Used prices start at around £20,000 for an early car. 

"You can open or close the Boxster's roof in around nine seconds at the touch of a button, while I found the front and rear boots would take enough luggage for a weekend away." – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

We found: 2019 Porsche Boxster S, 53,272 miles, £38,950

Read our full used Porsche 718 Boxster review

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The Audi R8 magnificently combines old and new school.

Its 5.2-litre V10 engine isn't turbocharged like most modern competitors, but with 602bhp (in pre-facelift Plus form) and Audi's sophisticated quattro four-wheel drive system, the R8 can take off like a rocket while making it easy to put that power to good use on twisty roads, even when the weather could be better.

What's more, because of its luxurious interior and well-judged ride, this supercar is remarkably easy to live with. It seems to be holding up well reliability-wise, although expect high running costs. 

In the final countdown, it's beaten by its Porsche rivals because they are all more solid and, on the right roads, a tad more fun, but the R8 is still a major event. An expensive one, admittedly, but still an event. 

"Not cheap, admittedly, but what an old-school supercar thrill. It's wide enough to make width restrictors a problem, but by gum, it's worth it." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2018 Audi R8 V10 Plus, 48,000 miles, £53,945

Read our full used Audi R8 review

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You can't have a top 10 sports car list without a Porsche 911; you'll be hard-pressed to find a single version that isn't brilliant.

In fact, the only reason it's not much higher on our list is because its fantastic residual values mean it still costs a lot of money even used, even this previous-generation version. 

Still, for under £60,000, you can pick up an excellent 2016 Carrera S model. This generation is the last to feature some non-turbocharged engines in the 'regular' models, and, in Carrera S form, that means a 394bhp 3.8-litre flat six with a super-smooth power delivery and an amazing noise to accompany it.

It's a polished, high-quality, surprisingly practical sports car that's intoxicating to drive. Reliability should be good but parts will be expensive, as will servicing. 

"Make no mistake, this is a brilliant car. The only reason the 911 finishes in this position is because it's so damn expensive, even used. That's how popular and good they are." - George Hill, used cars editor

We found: 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera S, 55,684 miles, £44,995

Read our full used Porsche 911 review

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The Jaguar F-Type has a real muscle-car-like quality about it. It's so good-looking, and it's tremendous fun; it feels a million dollars even at a standstill.

This is especially prevalent in any of its lairy V8 guises, although we actually prefer the more tameable – and generally cheaper – V6. Its 3.0-litre engine is still a riot, with 335bhp in standard form and 375bhp for the V6 S version. All V6 and V8 F-Types are supercharged and provide an engaging soundtrack to accompany their entertaining handling.

Used prices aren't ridiculously high, either. There are reports that its reliability is also impressive, because this is a well-made and solidly put together car, even despite its sporting pretensions. 

"Such a good-looking car, you could almost forgive it anything. Check its history carefully, but get a good one and you'll be smiling all the way to the south of France." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2017 Jaguar F-Type V6 S, 50,962 miles, £22,990

Read our full used Jaguar F-Type Convertible review

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