Best used cars for £50,000 and under

Open gallery Close News 1 min read 1 April 2024 Follow @jonny_bryce_ There’s a good reason to get excited by the best used cars for £50,000.  In a world filled with electric cars that start from £40,000 and the average price of new models generally going in one direction, it’s refreshing to learn that you can still buy into rapid, LEZ-dodging combustion territory for the same price as a Peugeot e-208. And if it was between that car and the sort of machinery about to grace your eyes, we think it would be a foregone conclusion as to which one would end up on your driveway. Related articles And that’s because £50,000 buys you some of the most nerve-tingling, grin-inducing, ear-pricking thrills from over the last 25 years - one of the best eras in motoring history.  You’ll find a handful of tenable supercars, high-performance SUVs and a fair selection of desirable coupes that are, right now, on the less expensive rung of the modern-classic appreciation ladder. You can also expect a decent warranty at this level, unless you’re buying privately. The forthcoming list includes cars with no more than 40,000 miles, raspy and characterful engines, stand-out looks and a distinct lack of batteries, apart from the one that powers the alternator. The best used cars for £50,000 and under 1. Porsche 911 997 (2004-2013)Pros Beautifully delicateGrips wellDesirable, works well as an investment Cons Expensive spare partsConcerning engine issues well advertised These are every bit as outrageously competent and delicate to drive as you'd imagine. Even the basic versions are just fabulous sports cars.The 997 represented a lot of firsts for Porsche's crowning glory, not least because it came dripping with technology. It was the first Porsche to get its new PDK dual-clutch transmission - a welcome departure from the sluggish tiptronic torque converter that preceded it. It was also the first to have direct injection, torque vectoring and variable geometry turbochargers on (you guessed it) Turbo models, and the first to be offered in 'Sport Classic' guise, which sold out within 48 hours.But the way it drove made it a datum point in the evolution of what was already a monumental lineage. With a measure of performance and drivability that borders on the freakish, it seemed impossible that Porsche could top it. And that’s before you get to the engines, which range from 3.6-litres in the standard Carrera to the simply astonishing 4.0-litre unit in the GT3 RS.As a result of this brutally Germanic attention to driveability and desirability, prices remain high and are likely to stay that way. But many are within reach, from Turbos with around 60,000 miles to Targas with less than half that, so you aren't likely to find a dog in the upper reaches of this budget.But if you do, you'll likely find that the dampers will start to leak - an issue that costs around £1500 to be rectified. Bore scoring has also been reported, which drains the engine’s oil and your wallet’s funds. Finally, make sure the oil itself has been changed twice per year, so it can stand up to the speeds and stresses required of it. Latest Reviews View all car reviews Back to top 2. Alpine A110 (2018-present)10Pros Accessible handling thrillsStill available under warranty with low milesHandsome retro stylingSteve Cropley approved Cons Fuel pump is known to be temperamentalCabin feels cheap compared to rivals Most car journalists from Adelaide to Zurich wax lyrical about the Alpine A110's ability to dance its way down a road. Most talk at great length about the Caterham-esque poise and deftness with which it carries itself, as well as its distinguished, raspy engine note.We can attest to that. There's a very good reason why this car is one of few that Autocar has awarded five stars, and why our very own Steve Cropley was so impressed that he bought one.Every significant component on this car, from the turbocharged torque of its engine to the hilariously immersive panache of its handling – is all about having fun.But what about first-hand experience? Cropley filled us in: “I’ve been running my 21-plate Alpine Pure for two years and am delighted with it - to the extent that I never think of selling. That’s unusual; I don’t always stick with the cars for long. The A110 is special because it’s a delight to drive - not just quick and responsive but also simple and refined.“It’s also very easy to own. Servicing costs are a fraction of Porsche prices (it’s a Renault) yet it annoys Boxster/Cayman types by sometimes getting more attention than them, on rarity grounds and because it’s so damned pretty.”Desirability, then? Check. But what of its reliability? Some owners have been reporting issues with the fuel pump, for which a recall was issued, where the car will display a warning light and then run rough. But the good news is t