Great used fast cars to buy from just £16,000

Great used examples can be picked up for hot hatchback cash nowadays, making it a tad easier to bite the bullet and dive into your supercar dream. Even if you aren’t flat out everywhere, you’ll still be excited and satisfied sitting in traffic in your far-from-average machine. Here are some cheap supercars that we think will do just the trick:

When the DB7 was first released in 1994, it received some backlash; it had Mazda MX-5 door handles, the tail-lights were pinched from a Mazda 323F and a plethora of Ford Scorpio parts were scattered around the interior from Grandpa FoMoCo. And, while it was easy for some to quickly criticise it, Aston Martin had built an utterly gorgeous car that many would lust after for years to come. 

The DB7 had a supercharged 3.2-litre straight six, based on Jaguar’s AJ6 powerplant, which produced 335bhp, allowing the 0-62mph dash to be achieved in around 5.8sec. Keep your foot floored and you would quickly see 164mph while sitting in luxury. DB7s can be had from around £16,000; we recently spotted a fine example in Solent Silver with 87,000 miles on the clock for £19,900.

The Audi R8 has been with us since 2007 and it gave those who were eyeing up the Porsche 911 something a tad different to look at instead. Before Audi plopped a brawny V10 behind the front seats, the R8 started life with a 424bhp 4.2-litre V8, which  could either be tied to a questionable R-tronic gearbox or a fabulous six-speed gated manual. And okay, most hot hatches nowadays will be more than adequate to see off an R8 from the lights, but you’ll be enjoying yourself a little bit more, especially with that raucous soundtrack. 

The quattro system devours a bit of room up front, but there’s still plenty of storage for weekends away. 0-62mph is over in just 4.4sec and given enough road, the R8 V8 will see 177mph. R8s are rising in value but we spotted a clean 2007 60,000-mile one with a manual transmission for £34,000.

It’s not often that Ferrari and “affordable” share the same sentence; however, things are different with the 360. Its F355 predecessor was a hard act to follow, but the 360 delivered. Gone were the pop-up headlights and chiselled-jaw styling of old - instead, a more modern and rounded design was created. The channels running down either side of the vented engine cover were now replaced by a glass fastback design, showcasing the 394bhp 3.6-litre V8 powerplant beneath. 

You had the option of an F1 paddleshift gearbox, which was quicker and smoother than that found in the F355, or a gated six-speed manual gearbox. It could definitely move, with 0-62mph delivered in 4.5sec, followed by a top speed of 180mph-plus. A 360 can be sat on your driveway for as little as £49,950 but we spotted an immaculate 1999 30,000-mile example for £54,000. Running costs won’t be cheap however.

When we drove the 997 Carrera S back in 2004 we said: “The 997, responding perfectly to every input, doing exactly what you want, is in its element”. While design cues haven’t changed much over recent years for the 911, they still make for a sound investment and a well-balanced driving machine. 

The Carrera S had Porsche’s new Active Suspension Management system as standard, providing improved comfort and sharper handling. Its engine was a peach too — 350bhp and 3.6 litres of snorting flat-six, allowing the Carrera S to barrel on to 182mph and hit 62mph in 4.8sec. A high-miler can be yours for £20,000, dig a little deeper into your pocket, and you can buy the fine example that we spotted for £24,995.

We know it doesn’t have a sloped aerodynamically-pleasing nose like stereotypical supercars should have, but the C5 RS6 earned its keep in our list due to its stonking performance. There weren’t many cars that could happily sit behind a Porsche 911 on the Autobahn at 175mph, while carrying a bootload of groceries and a dog, and still have seats left over for passengers. 

Released in 2002, the C5 RS6 had a mighty 444bhp 4.2-litre twin-turbo V8 lurking under the bonnet, allowing it to shift its 1865kg mass to 62mph from rest in just 4.7sec. There’s plenty of C5 RS6s to choose from and prices start from £12,000. We found a great example loaded with toys for £15,995.

Although James Bond had the more expensive DBS and not a DB9, there’s nothing stopping you from living the Bond dream and buying the cheaper DB9 instead. You still get a tuneful V12 and a whopping 450bhp to play with, and those looks are just as iconic to Britain as David Attenborough is. It arrived in 2003 as a coupe but was later released in a convertible Volante guise and the choice between a six-speed manual or a six-speed ZF transmission was available. 

Even by today's standards, the interior still looks opulent with its elegant combination of aluminium, leather and walnut wood. Performance is strong too; keep your foot planted and the DB9 will storm onto 183mph. Manual transmission cars are quite rare and fetch a bit more, but cars with automatic transmission start at £19,500. We spotted a well-loved 2005 58,000-miler example for £29,600.

If a Ferrari 360 is a tad out of your price range, then maybe a 348 will appease. The recipe for a supercar is apparent with the 348: a V8 engine, Ferrari badge, gated manual transmission, not to mention its sleek 90s supercar styling. When it was first released in 1989, the 348 was underappreciated and all the performance and technology on offer didn’t feel as special when sat behind the steering wheel. And, when Honda launched its NSX the 348 didn’t even get a second glance from many. 

Ferrari listened to the cries, however, and put a lot of the wrongs right; over the 348’s lifetime, improvements were made to the handling dynamics and the build-quality. A 300bhp 3.4-litre V8 sat at the heart of the 348, making it quicker than its predecessor, the 328. It achieved 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds. The 348 was a great Ferrari entry point and still is. We saw a clean 1992 52,000-mile example for £50,000.

This one doesn’t need a massive introduction with the Corvette having been around since the ‘50s. The C5 Corvette is a supercar package for Hyundai money. If the way the car squats down and takes off like a stabbed rat doesn’t have you giggling, then the burble from the 339bhp 5.7-litre V8 certainly will. It wasn’t shy of toys either; a head-up display projected meaningful information onto the windscreen and an Active Handling Package prevented the Corvette from accidentally sliding into a hedge or a ditch on the way. 

Back when the car was released in 2001, Autocar set out to test the 176mph top speed theory and managed to trump it when the car reached 180mph on the German Autobahn – quite the bona fide supercar then. Today, one can be yours from £11,000, we spotted a 1999 convertible with 31,000 miles on the clock for £22,995.

With the twin-turbo V8 Esprit demanding as much as £38,000-plus nowadays, there are other ways into an Esprit: enter the Esprit Turbo. Like many of the cars on our list, the Esprit Turbo is a true neck snapper. On the outside, it had low-slung bodywork, pop-up twin headlights, chunky tyres and a beefed-up spoiler added to 1989 models. Inside, things were quite different. 

Despite its large transmission tunnel and sporty seats, there were creature comforts like a stereo, air conditioning, cubby holes and in some instances wood, as well. And, while the original Esprit Turbo was no slouch with its 215bhp, the updated 1989 variant produced a mighty 264bhp, achieving 0-62mph in 4.9sec and a 163mph top speed. Pre-1989 cars can be had for around £20,000. But we spotted a cherished example for £33,000.

Early Mondials produced a measly 215bhp, but down the line, the introduction of the Quattrovalve saw a much healthier 240bhp from the 3.2-litre V8, and in later years power was increased to 300bhp from a 3.4-litre engine.  Although the Mondial gets a fair amount of stick, it’s still an enjoyable car to drive thanks to its chatty steering and open-gated gearbox. 

On top of that, it’s a 2+2, although the rear seats may only be suitable for children or bags. If you opt for the Mondial QV, your top speed will be a respectable 151mph. We spotted a nice 1990 example with 79,000 miles and a few extra modern touches for £39,950.

BMW wanted to make the i8 as unique as possible by providing ample aerodynamics, mixing lightweight materials and giving it a hybrid platform. The i8 used a 228bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo that drove the rear wheels, coupled to a 129bhp electric motor that powered the front axle. BMW wasn’t shy in their use of carbonfibre either; the result was a car that weighed just 1485kg. 

Its performance was blistering with 62mph arriving from a standstill in 4.4sec and it would keep going all the way to the 155mph limiter. And, what’s even better is that official 134mpg figure, although in the real world think more like 45mpg — still a majestic figure for a rocketship. We spotted a fine example for £36,000.

Honda’s NSX rewrote the classic supercar checklist; so it said no to difficult gearboxes, questionable built-quality and ghastly visibility. Everything from then onwards paid somewhat homage to the NSX. Inside, it was airy and bright thanks to the large windows, and it could be driven fast without any additional drama. 

Behind the seats sat a mid-mounted 3.0-litre V6 which produced 270bhp, tied to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, shoving the aluminium NSX to 62mph in 5.5sec and onto a 160mph top speed. In 2002, a revamped version was released which dropped the first gen’s pop-up headlights. Prices are on the move nowadays and NSXs can fetch nearly six figures. We saw a 1996 74,000-mile Targa ex-press demonstrator for £60,000.

The Gallardo was praised when it was released back in 2003; Lamborghini had managed to build an everyday supercar. Plus, you didn’t need to open a scissor door and hang out over the sill as you attempted to park it. It still had all the Lamborghini features otherwise - a sonorous V10, four-wheel drive and an abundance of vents. The 5.0-litre V10 produced a vigorous 493bhp and was mated to either a single-clutch flappy paddle or a six-speed manual gearbox. 

The 0-62mph run was over in a dazzling 4.1sec and by keeping the accelerator planted, you would quickly see 192mph. In 2008, the Gallardo was given a facelift and a power injection, rising to 552bhp. This bull can be sat on your driveway from around £60,000. We clocked a desirable 2007 32,000-mile example in Pearl Yellow for £65,999.

Yes, this is the luxury cruiser that you can buy for relatively little; if something goes wrong, however, you may need to sell the kids. The Continental GT was the first new Bentley to be made under Volkswagen’s ownership back in 2003, and underneath its masculine bodywork lies Volkswagen’s luxurious folly that was the Phaeton. A 6.0-litre W12 sat neatly under the Continental GT’s long bonnet, producing 479lb ft from 1600rpm allowing it to hunker down and hum its way to 62mph in 4.8sec with little fuss, helped by permanent four-wheel drive. 

Inside, you’re treated to all the usual Bentley kit: electric leather seats to make you feel as comfortable as possible while you drift around on its air suspension, hand stitching gracing the dashboard, and stacks of wood and paddle shifters from a Lamborghini Gallardo. Today, you can have a rough example from as little as £10,500. We saw a 2004 car with 71,000 miles on the clock for £15,495.

‘Honey, I stretched the DB9’. A valid point made by many, back when the Rapide was released in 2010; it was over 5m long and nearly 2m wide and it wasn’t exactly lightweight at 1950kg. But what Aston Martin had done here was simply genius. They had given it a bonded aluminium chassis and adjustable dampers, making it incredibly balanced. This allowed the Rapide to throw around its two back passengers when driven with zeal, and then cart them back in comfort as though none of it had ever happened. 

The Rapide’s party trick is its 470bhp V12 and the way it will project you down the road at alarming speeds. 62mph from a rest comes in under 5sec and it will blast onto 183mph – perfect for those who crave a DB9 but have kids to take to the park. A nice 2010 50,000-mile example is currently up for sale for £40,000.

The SL65 was no workaday SL. Vents were attached to both sides to let the hand-crafted 604bhp, 738lb ft 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 disperse any hot air. Quad exhausts stuck out from the rear bumper and SL65 AMG badging was pinned to the boot. What was then a record for the largest amount of torque for any production road car, resulted in triumphant figures — 3.9sec was all it took for it to hit 62mph, and while it was limited to 155mph, it was plausible to see 200mph-plus if the limiter were to be removed. 

You may be picking flies out from your teeth for weeks if you attempted those kinds of speeds with the roof retracted, though. We spotted a car with 130,701 on the clock for £30,000, but if you dig a bit deeper you can get a sub-50,000-mile car for £53,995.

When the GT-R was unleashed in 2007, it was a perfectly capable car; every challenge that people threw at it was simply chewed up and spat back out. It was earth-shatteringly fast. Power came from a 473bhp 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6, tied to a double-clutch automatic gearbox and an advanced, for the era, four-wheel drive system. By engaging launch control, you were thrown into your seat while the GT-R zipped to 62mph in just 3.5sec. And it was pretty affordable too.

Just like its Godzilla ancestors, it was visually alluring, albeit less boxy than the likes of the R34 GT-R. Prices have come down a fair bit since its launch in 2009, meaning you can get one for around £33,000. We saw a lovely-looking 2009 example with 49,500 miles for £40,000.

We’ve had some terrific cars from Alfa Romeo and the Brera and 159 are great recent examples. But deep within the Alfa Romeo basement in the early 2000s were the plans to reignite the 8C name from the 1930s but in a modern-day supercar format, and the results were outstanding. In 2013, they did it again with the 4C, although its direct descendent was the Alfa Spider from 1966. Nicknamed “the baby Ferrari” due to its striking looks and goliath girth, the 4C gave those interested in the likes of the Porsche Cayman or Lotus Exige food for thought – though the 4C required concentration from the driver.

It was rear-wheel drive, mid-engined, and had a glinty carbonfibre tub. The engine was a turbocharged 1.8-litre with 237bhp that could catapult the baby 4C to 60mph in just 4.5sec and onto 160mph. Although it was sadly discontinued in 2020, they’re still about and can be had from £39,000, the newer Spider variants tend to fetch more.  We clocked a spotless 2016 example with 25,000 miles for £46,000.

A Ferrari that could be driven every day was quite uncommon. But in 1992, Ferrari looked at those who wanted to stuff luggage in the boot and drive to the Alps to ski but didn’t feel like arriving exhausted from the driver input Ferraris of old required. Enter the 456 GT. A car injected into the grand touring market for those who wanted to daily drive a prancing horse. 

A 436bhp 5.5-litre V12 sat on the nose, while a transaxle gearbox kept it well-balanced. 0-62mph arrived in just 5.2sec and the 2+2 would rocket on to 193mph. By 1998, Ferrari brought out a slight facelift called the 456 M, the M standing for Modificata. Small exterior changes were introduced, but the interior was improved and so was the drivability. Prices start at around £39,000, but we noticed a clean 1999 456 M 30,000-miler for £39,995.

When revealed by Maserati back in 1998, the 3200 GT went down a treat. Styled by Italdesign, the 3200 GT was the first production car to have LED tail-lights in the shape of a boomerang. And, by name, it paid homage to the 3500 GT 2+2 of the 50s. Unlike the 3200 GT’s rivals such as Aston Martin and Porsche, the prices of which have started to soar, 3200 GTs have sat quite happily under the £20,000 mark for quite some time now. For such little money, you get heaps of car. 

The 370bhp 3.2-litre twin-turbocharged V8, which was nabbed and modified from the Quattroporte IV, provides plenty of shove and could cover the 0-62mph dash in 5.1sec and whizz on to 175mph — Porsche 911’s enticing territory. Cars came with a six-speed manual gearbox but a four-speed automatic was also available from 2000. This special trident can be sat on your driveway for £10,495. We spotted a 1999 53,000-mile example, with a manual gearbox, for just £14,995.