Affordable Sportscars – Get them while they’re still around!
Daniel Wilkinson
So you have your heart set on a sportscar, first of all, great choice! Sportscars are built for fun, but unfortunately for us petrolheads, they’re a bit of a dying breed. The sales figures dictate where manufacturers decide to invest more money, and the sportscar market has been on the decline for a long time. Whether it’s supercars running away with the market, petrol prices, practicality or just tastes changing, the sportscar has become a bit of a petrolhead exclusive.
Understandably, sportscars get a little expensive, but for those looking for some reasonably priced thrills, there are still plenty of options around. We’ve set a cap of £800 per month as our budget, with a couple of wildcards thrown in at the end for good measure. Each finance example we provide is based on a PCP agreement, with a deposit of around 10%, and an annual mileage of 9000 miles, over a 48-month term – rates are accurate as of 14/3/2023, but can change, so if you spot a car you like in this list try our finance calculator for updated and accurate figures in seconds!
First things first though, what is PCP?
Personal Contract Purchase, also known as PCP, is a popular way of financing a vehicle and is usually based upon a Hire Purchase (HP) agreement. The main difference is that the vehicle’s value at the end of the agreement is calculated at the start and is then deferred. This is referred to as the Guaranteed Minimum Future Value (GMFV) and is based on various factors including the starting mileage, the user’s projected annual mileage and the age of the car.
At the end of a PCP agreement, the user has three options:
- Pay the GMFV and keep the car
- Trade the car in and use any equity towards their next car purchase
- Hand the car back with nothing more to pay*
*The car must be in good condition and within the agreed mileage
Under a PCP agreement, monthly instalments are based on the amount borrowed minus the GMFV.
How does it work?
You pay an initial deposit – normally 10-30% – and then the balance in fixed monthly instalments over an agreed term (24-48 months). At the end of the contract you can choose to hand the car back with nothing more to pay*, part exchange it and use any equity (the difference between the trade-in value and the GMFV) towards the purchase of your next car, or simply pay off the GMFV and keep the car.
What are the benefits of PCP?
- Flexible deposit options at the start
- Lower monthly payments than Hire Purchase
- Fixed monthly payments throughout the term of the agreement
- Three options at the end of your agreement
- Easy to budget for your next car purchase
Why choose a PCP?
PCPs are great if you want to change your car on a regular cycle and enjoy fixed monthly payments that are lower than a traditional Hire Purchase.
Things to consider
Charges – a PCP agreement could work out to be more expensive overall compared to a hire purchase agreement for an equivalent vehicle.
If you decide to return the vehicle, make sure it is in good condition as you could be responsible for any repairs if it is not.
Make sure you estimate your annual mileage with care as there will be charges for additional miles above the amount agreed.
Let’s get started
Toyota GR86
Let’s start with our ‘budget’ option, other than maybe the Mazda MX5, the Toyota GT86 was one of the few lower-cost options available if you were looking for a sports car previously. The GT was always tainted with the brush that it was just a bit too underpowered, but it handled extremely well – probably making a perfect entry-level car for those looking to improve their driving skills in a rear-wheel drive car on the track.
The GR86 has built on its predecessor’s underpinnings, with an extensive overhaul, including a 50% increase in rigidity, and a newly bored out engine, increasing capacity from 2.0L to 2.4L, but unfortunately still no turbo, so power tops out at 231bhp. The power figure might be a little low, but don’t forget this car only weighs about the same as a Ford Fiesta – around 1250kg – so it will definitely be a fun drive. In a world filled with 400bhp 5-doors, the GR86 provides a welcome break, proving it’s not all about the numbers. If the numbers are your key focus though, Toyota does have another sportscar in its lineup, however, which does have a turbo and much more power…
| Cash Price | £36,000 |
| Deposit | £3,600 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £32,400 |
| Total Payable | £44,039.14 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £14,207.50 |
| Monthly Payment | £558.12 |
| Interest Charges | £8,039.14 |
| Representative APR | 8.8% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months |
Mazda MX-5
Simply put, one of the most iconic little sports cars ever made. The MX-5 is not overly powerful or loud, and it’s not going to win you many races, but it epitomises the essence of what a sports car should be – fun. From the original ‘Miata’, to the newer, more aggressive-looking models, every single generation has packed enough punch in their lightweight frames to make every drive as fun as possible. The essentials are there, rear-wheel drive and a lightweight body, with the option of a convertible roof, there’s realistically nothing like this in the same price range.
It’s never been a massively expensive car, new models have now crossed the £30,000 marker though, with used models in PCP age under £20,000 now. We have priced up a top spec 22 plate model below, packing in every option available, and considering how much fun the car will no doubt be, it seems a pretty fair price! If you want a fun little car for the weekend, but don’t fancy spending a huge amount, the MX-5 may be for you, packing more smiles for miles than most in this price range, and with a huge community of MX-5 fans there will always be someone on hand for advice or tips to get the best out of your car.
| Cash Price | £28,500 |
| Deposit | £3,000 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £25,500 |
| Total Payable | £34,900.44 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £11,642.50 |
| Monthly Payment | £431.02 |
| Interest Charges | £6,390.44 |
| Representative APR | 8.8% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months |
BMW Z4 M40i + Toyota GR Supra
If you were unaware, Toyota originally teamed with BMW to develop the Z4 and the new Supra together and split costs, allowing both brands to fund a sports car that otherwise probably wouldn’t have covered its own development costs if developed on their own. They may have the same equipment and setups, but the end result is two very different cars in terms of feel – the Z4’s market is also very different to that of the Supra and that has been reflected in their setups.
There are a lot of die-hard JDM fans that are against the new Supra because it’s ‘not a proper Supra’, but in reality, the Supra would still be just an unused name if it wasn’t for this team-up. As a standalone experience, the 3.0L twin-scroll turbo GR captures the essence of its iconic predecessor, especially if you pick the manual option, delivering 335bhp to the rear wheels for exciting driving dynamics and guaranteed fun.
The Z4 sports much more power, with the same 3.0L engine producing 382bhp – almost 50bhp more than the Supra. That extra power doesn’t actually mean that much in this case though, with the extra weight of the BMW, and a less dynamic feel, you’ll struggle to split the two as it is. The Z4 is still a fantastic sportscar, especially if you’re wanting a convertible, it all just depends on your driving style.
Cost-wise, the BMW is more expensive than the Toyota new (because BMW badges cost more duh), but that extra money does get you more power, along with more customisation options and better interior materials. In the used market though you can find them around the same sort of price, dependent on the spec of the BMW. To check what one of these cars would cost for you, try our calculator and get accurate figures in seconds.
| BMW Z4 M40i (72) | Toyota Supra GR Pro (72) | |
| Cash Price | £48,500 | £48,900 |
| Deposit | £4,850 | £4,890 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £43,650 | £44,010 |
| Total Payable | £59,673.39 | £60,652.74 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £21,295 | £24,535 |
| Monthly Payment | £713.37 | £664.42 |
| Interest Charges | £11,163.39 | £11,742.74 |
| Representative APR | 8.8% Fixed | 8.8% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months | 48 Months |
Porsche 718 Cayman
Porsche has had the sportscar market in the palm of their hand for a long long time, with the Cayman and Boxster offering multiple options depending on how much you have in your wallet. The Boxster is also an option here if you’re looking for a convertible, but does come with a slight premium on its hardtop twin the Cayman.
The entry-level 2.0L starts at around £48,000, with options and variations taking you up to the top-level Cayman, the GT4 RS, at way over £100,000. What this does mean is there are plenty of cars to choose from on the market, depending on your budget. The entry-level car hits 300bhp out of the gate and offers a wealth of driving pleasure from a pure rear-wheel drive setup, so you can imagine how good the Cayman gets with more focused iterations like the GTS 4.0 and the much more specialised GT4.
The 2.0 in this case offers everything you could need for a fabulous sportscar experience. If you’re looking at new you can easily spec something that fits your taste as long as you keep your eye on the price in the corner as those options add up, and if you’re looking at used, with the wealth of cars available on the used market at different levels you’ll struggle to find one you don’t like. You can find GTS models under the £800pm marker depending on age and mileage, but as the most sought after the GT4 and RS are normally much higher priced.
| Cash Price | £41,899 |
| Deposit | £4,190 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £37,709 |
| Total Payable | £52,366.82 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £23,522.5 |
| Monthly Payment | £524.56 |
| Interest Charges | £10,457.82 |
| Representative APR | 8.8% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months |
Jaguar F-Type
Realistically this could be the most expensive car on this list if you pick the brand new V8 and spec it up, but the turbocharged 2.0L P300 is more than enough to do the job. The F-Type has been around for a long time, but at no point in its lifespan has anything really matched it punch for punch when it comes to old-school sportscar fun. The main rival – Porsche, are obviously beautiful and extremely fun cars, but the traditional sportscars – especially the old-school British ones in this case – are front-engined and rear-wheel drive, a combination that Porsche don’t offer so we’re keeping it separate!
There’s something raw about the F-Type, its rear end has a mind of its own sometimes, it’s brash, it’s loud and it’s beautiful – what more could you want from a British sportscar with a legendary lineage? We really don’t need to go diving deep with the F-Type, it does exactly what an old-school sportscar should and the fact it’s been around in one form or another since 2013/14 attests to that.
We recommend British Racing Green with a tan interior to complete the full old school look, just slip on some leather driving gloves, a flat cap and a fat fake moustache and you’re good to go!
| Cash Price | £40,000 |
| Deposit | £4,000 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £36,000 |
| Total Payable | £49,085.83 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £16,750 |
| Monthly Payment | £602.89 |
| Interest Charges | £9,075.83 |
| Representative APR | 8.8% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months |
Audi TT RS
Audi have produced some extremely exciting and powerful cars of late, and the TT RS is no different. Sporting essentially the same setup as the RS3, that means a turbo’d 2.5L 5-cylinder engine pumping out near enough 400bhp via all four wheels, powering you to 60mph in 3.6 seconds, so you’d better pack your neck brace if you plan on launching this thing.
The TT has been around longer than most of the cars on this list, with its first iteration hitting roads in 1999, it’s legally allowed to buy booze now! Over the years it’s got more serious, and more aggressive until we reach the current iteration that’s rocking the incredible stats above. But it won’t be around for much longer with Audi confirming the end of production for it’s current guise in 2023 – more than likely to be replaced by an EV crossover of some kind.
With the lifespan at it’s end it’s the perfect time to grab one, although that does mean pricing is bound to stay a little high with some holding off on selling while they search for their favoured replacement.
| Cash Price | £49,000 |
| Deposit | £5,000 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £44,000 |
| Total Payable | £60,686.74 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £24,130 |
| Monthly Payment | £671.42 |
| Interest Charges | £11,686.74 |
| Representative APR | 8.8% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months |
Ford Mustang
Now, this is definitely not a traditional sportscar in the slightest, but it is the USA’s closest offering. The Mustang has been a staple in the dreams of little petrolheads everywhere since the 60s, especially in the UK, where until the last decade we couldn’t actually get one unless you were lucky enough to be able to import one. The Mustang has been a big part of tv and film for the last 60 years, from co-starring alongside Steven McQueen in Bullitt, which even got its own homage in the past few years, to the iconic Eleanor. So much exposure to the Mustang meant the following just grew and grew, and for great reason, you won’t drive anything that’s like a Mustang.
Agility has never really been the motto of the Pony Club – Mustangs are built for power, and when you’re packing a 5.0L V8 under the bonnet, power is what you get. Over 400 horsepower running through the rear wheels is bound to get the heart racing, and despite the earlier comment on the agility of the Mustang, the newest model is actually surprisingly capable in the right hands. Yes it’s still a heavy car, a big old American V8 will do that to you, but that power helps to ensure it can battle that weight and get you where you need to be – quick.
You’re not looking at a huge price tag here, but you’re not buying an ‘expensive’ car either, most of the price you’re paying is for the power in reality, the interior is still a Ford interior and is hardly the height of luxury. At this price point though, you’ll struggle to find a similar experience.
| Cash Price | £42,000 |
| Deposit | £5,000 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £37,000 |
| Total Payable | £52,187.23 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £22,555.00 |
| Monthly Payment | £524.09 |
| Interest Charges | £10,177.23 |
| Representative APR | 8.8% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months |
Alpine A110
We’re back to lightweight sportscars again, phew! Whether or not you enjoyed the retro revolution in the 00s with the Mini and the Beetle, Alpine’s homage to their most iconic car certainly hits the spot when it comes to recreating a rally icon. With such a proud racing heritage, Alpine was always bound to play on that when they were given a new lease of life in the early 2010s and what better way than to resurrect your most iconic car for the modern day? Think of Alpine as the French cousin of Lotus, where a lightweight frame is key, not the power. Starting at around 250bhp, it’s hardly underpowered though, and the fact it weighs very little just means you feel every single pony that little bit more.
The experience is a much more hands-on and dedicated experience than that of it’s German rival the Porsche Cayman, and as with most Lotus models of the past, you’d have to seriously want one to justify buying one. You definitely get a lot more creature comforts than say if you would have bought a Lotus Elise, but compared to its actual rivals, the Porsche Cayman and the Audi TT, you’d have to be willing to sacrifice some things to get with the lightweight lifestyle. The A110 may be a small car, but it’s certainly not small inside, mainly because Alpine’s managing director when the A110 was being developed, Michael van der Sande, is actually 6’6″, so he clearly made sure he’d be able to fit in the driver’s seat! The interior design and materials aren’t going to blow you away, but the (optional) bucket seats, Alcantara trim and carbon fibre touches certainly do make you feel like you’re in the right place if you’re looking for a fun drive.
Being a smaller production car, and a much less ‘popular’ option than say its Porsche and Audi rivals (you’ll probably see one Alpine for every 50 TTs), residuals for the Alpine naturally aren’t as strong, but if the Alpine A110 is the car you want then it still slots nicely into our budget!
| Cash Price | £48,995 |
| Deposit | £5,000 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £43,995 |
| Total Payable | £60,634.41 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £23,837.50 |
| Monthly Payment | £676.53 |
| Interest Charges | £11,629.41 |
| Representative APR | 8.8% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months |
Some higher budget options…
If none of the above tickle your fancy, there are options out there that aren’t quite supercars but do hold a slightly higher price tag. Here are our two favourites, they’re both from iconic British brands, and both epitomise that ‘proper’ sportscar feel in and out.
Aston Martin Vantage
Bond fans rejoice, that Aston Martin may be closer than you think. Aston’s entry option, the Vantage, offers a true luxury sportscar experience, and yes, it may have a sprinkling of Mercedes in there, but it certainly doesn’t look like one. On release, it divided opinion, with a much more modern, some would say non-Aston look than the previous generation. Sticking in the AMG GT engine and pairing it with quad tailpipes will be a winning combination, add to that the beautiful lines of the new shape Vantage and you have a fabulous car. The Vantage does the sportscar stuff very well, even pushing towards a GT in some ways, but it’s certainly not as agile or fast as some of its rivals, it’s similar to the Alpine above, you need to WANT the Aston Martin to justify buying one.
There seems to be a mutual respect for someone in an Aston Martin in the UK, whether it’s just because it’s made in Britain, or because of that James Bond heritage, heads turn and people smile when they see one. Yes it’s expensive, starting at around £125,000 new, but this is a car that’s hand-built by people, not robots, realistically you’re paying for the uniqueness of the process. Put it this way, Porsche makes around 300,000 cars a year, and Aston Martin has made just over 100,000 in 120 years – that’s how unique you’re looking here. Most cars produced are custom orders built to a bespoke specification, which means unless you’re buying a super safe black-on-black car with red stitching, you may not actually see another Aston Martin in the same spec as yours, ever!
With the initial depreciation hit gone on used examples, Vantages have been holding pretty steady around the £80-90,000 mark, and servicing prices actually pretty reasonable – genuinely, they are cheaper to service than a BMW M2 – owning an Aston Martin may be closer than you thought.
| Cash Price | £79,000 |
| Deposit | £10,000 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £69,000 |
| Total Payable | £100,639.72 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £35,823.72 |
| Monthly Payment | £1,142.00 |
| Interest Charges | £21,639.72 |
| Representative APR | 10.4% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months |
Lotus Emira
Probably the closest Lotus has ever gotten to a supercar. With its Ferrari-like styling and Supercharged V6 powertrain, the Lotus Emira is very much knocking on the door of the big boys, and that £81,995 price tag does a lot of favours in attracting potential buyers. In this price range, you’re looking at Alpine A110 and Porsche Cayman S as the main competition, with the Porsche being the closest comparable.
Firstly, the engine. The Toyota-sourced, Supercharged V6 sits neatly in the mid/rear of the car and provides a healthy 400bhp direct to the rear wheels – not exactly small numbers. With a power-to-weight of 272bhp per tonne, the Emira is in another league above the Alpine, but when the Alpine starts a whole £30,000 cheaper than the V6 Emira, that’s probably forgivable. Secondly is the interior, you’ve never experienced a Lotus like this before. Things have taken a huge step up and you can actually feel (and smell) the luxury, everything just feels so much more premium than it ever has in a Lotus before.
The big departure with the Emira though is the looks. Lotus have gone full supercar feel, and if you spec it in red you could easily mistake it for a baby Ferrari at a distance. The more mainstream look is part of the new Lotus plan, they’re here to sell cars. For too long they’ve been pumping out tiny, light sportscars that just don’t sell in the same numbers as their rivals.
With their all-electric SUV the Eletre on the way this year too the plan is very much in full swing. Other smaller production numbers manufacturers like Aston Martin and Lamborghini joined the SUV market and sell more SUV’s than the sports and supercars they’re actually known for now. Here’s hoping the Emira’s more mainstream appeal, along with the surge of SUV sales they will more than likely receive, Lotus will start to become a much more stable and attractive proposition.
| Cash Price | £86,999 |
| Deposit | £9,000 |
| Total Amount of Credit | £77,999 |
| Total Payable | £111,267.36 |
| Balloon/Final Installment | £39,466.08 |
| Monthly Payment | £1,308.36 |
| Interest Charges | £24,268.36 |
| Representative APR | 10.4% Fixed |
| Duration of Agreement | 48 Months |
Let’s wrap things up
We think that’s most bases covered, of course, there are other options out there, with Caterham and Morgan, among others, offering a much more niche sportscar experience. If you’d like to run some numbers on one of the cars above or any car for that matter, try our online calculator for accurate figures in seconds. If you’re looking to adjust the figures, or for a more bespoke quote, our 5-star team will be on hand to get you a great deal on your finance.