Used Sports Cars For Sale

Sports cars for sale with heycar

If you've got a passion for driving, owning a sports car is likely on your bucket list. While the motoroing world is shifting towards electrification and downsizing, the sports car market is still alive and well.  From zippy two-seaters to high-performance grand tourers, there's a wide range of used sports cars available for a variety of tastes and budgets.

Whether you're looking for raw thrills in a lightweight roadster, or the more refined power of a luxury coupe, the used market can give you an array of options for performance to put a big smile on your face – after someone else has taken the depreciation hit on a new car.

Why buy a sports car?

Buying a used sports car gives you fun – high-performance driving at a much more accessible price point. A lot of sports depreciate very quickly in their early years, which means that you can get hold of a well-maintained, high-spec car for a fraction of its original cost.

As well as cost savings, used sports cars often come with loads of aftermarket support, established records for reliability, and communities of enthusiasts. Maybe you're drawn to the classic two-seat, rear-wheel drive designs of the Mazda MX-5, Toyota GT86 and Porsche 718 Cayman, or hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R? Perhaps muscle cars like the Ford Mustang and high-performance saloons and coupes such as the BMW M2, M3 and M4? The used market gives you a broad spectrum of choice.

What are the best makes and models of sports cars?

The definition of a sports car can vary, but the common denominator is an emphasis on performance and fun behind the wheel. Therefore the best sports car for one person may not be so good for you – for example, a Lotus Elise is an amazing sports car, but no good for passengers and cargo.

At the most focused end, classic sports cars we’d recommend include the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster, the Alpine A110 and, at a lower budget, the Mazda MX-5. Toyota’s GT86 and its replacement, the GR86, both offer fantastic fun and engagement at a relatively affordable price.

For a classic American muscle feel, check out the Ford Mustang (the coupe, rather than the Mustang Mach-E SUV), while if the practicality of a hot hatch appeals then look at the Honda Civic Type R, Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Hyundai i30N.

Want to go electric? The Cupra Born is one of the original battery powered hot hatches, while at the more expensive end of the market the Porsche Taycan, Audi RS E-tron GT and BMW i4, will all deliver petrol-free thrills. Speaking of BMW, the M range of coupes and saloons – the M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6 – are great fun to drive, and there are equivalents from Mercedes (look for cars with an AMG badge) and Audi (cars with S or RS in their names).

Yes, there’s a lot of choice.

What should I look for when buying a sports car?

When buying a sports car, consider and check its history. With performance comes a tendency to drive the car harder than a regular vehicle, perhaps even on a track. This means a provable history of regular servicing and maintenance is essential, so look for cars with a big pile of paperwork and check them for signs of misuse. Things like badly worn tyres or a slipping clutch could all suggest a car hasn’t been looked after as well as it could have been. You may want to get a trusted mechanic give it a pre-purchase inspection to identify any potential issues.

That aside, you’ll want to think about how potential purchases will fit in with your life. Sports cars usually come with higher running costs than regular cars, due to extra fuel consumption from tuned engines and upgraded parts that cost more to repair or replace. They may also need servicing more often, and insurance costs will likely be higher too. Think about where you’ll be driving and for how long, and consider what levels of practicality and comfort you might need. And perhaps more than any other type of car, it’s worth taking a test drive to make sure you feel an emotional connection with the particular you’re looking at.

If you're not sure if a sports car is quite right for you, we've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.