The best used cars for enthusiasts

Open gallery Close News 1 min read 3 June 2024 Everyone loves a bargain. Whether it’s a ‘buy one get one free’ supermarket offer, a closing-down sale, unearthing a hidden gem in an antique shop, or finding some of the best used cars on the market today, the thrill of beating the system is hard to top, and all the more so in the midst of a cost of living crisis.  It’s no different when buying something second-hand – and the good news is that, following a few years of sticky new car supply chains forcing up the values of second-hand stock, prices are finally starting to drop. As a result, there are some real steals to be found when scouring the showrooms or combing through the classifieds. To give you a taste of what’s possible, we’ve picked out the best candidates from a number of popular sectors including supercars, hot hatches, estates, super-saloons and convertibles. Related articles Each have a number things in common: they cost at least half as much as they did when new, and they're tailored toward the thrill-seeking enthusiast. They also have their own unique selling point to help them stand out from other bits of metal in the car park, can be bought with less than 50,000 miles, are compliant in a low-emissions zones and aren't powered solely by electricity. The best used cars for enthusiasts  1. Toyota GR Yaris Circuit Pack10Pros Exceptional proportions and performanceOutrageously competent handling Cons Values are still quite strongRear-view mirror impedes visibility Best used hot hatchOkay, we’re cheating a bit here, because values of the tearaway Toyota remain pretty strong. Even so, just over £26,000 for a used Circuit Pack model looks like cracking value when the current WRC-themed Ogier and Rovanperä editions cost an eye-watering £60,000.Either way, you will get much the same driving experience, which means neck-straining performance from the 267bhp turbocharged triple and Scalextric-like handling.Read our Toyota GR Yaris Circuit Pack review Latest Reviews Porsche Taycan Volvo XC40 8 Volvo XC40 Used BMW 5 Series 2010-2017 review BMW i5 7 BMW i5 View all car reviews Back to top 2. Audi RS67Pros Titanic performanceHigh-quality cabin Cons Lack of ride complianceHandling still short on balance and poise Best used fast estateThe Audi RS6 isn’t any old fast estate – it’s the fast estate. The third-generation machine is the pick of the bunch (although that’s open to debate), combining a malevolently powerful twin-turbo V8 and the firm’s trademark Quattro all-wheel drive with more subtle looks than its overtly aggressive successor.However, it’s the multi-tasking Audi’s ability to slip seamlessly into your life that makes it so satisfying to own. Expensive to run, yes, but considering it’s doing the job of five different cars, you could argue it’s actually saving you money...Read our Audi RS6 review3. Lamborghini Aventador LP700-47Pros Classic supercar proportionsOutstanding engine Cons Terrible low-speed rideInfuriating gearbox Best used supercarAsk anyone to draw the archetypal supercar and something like an Aventador will probably spring to mind. Eye-poppingly wedgy looks, scissor doors, a ferocious mid-mounted V12 and white-knuckle limit handling combine for an adrenaline-fuelled driving experience few can match.As Lamborghini eyes an electrified future, the LP700-4 is a nailed-on future classic, so buy now before prices rise.Read our Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 review Back to top 4. Jaguar F-Type9Pros Big-hitting hot-rod paceExceptional touring manners Cons Drivetrain lacks the configurability of rival set-upsSlightly tetchy body control in Dynamic mode Best used coupeIt’s a given that the Jaguar F-Type coupé looks good, but in V6 S guise it sounds the part, too. The cultured snarl from its twin-exit exhausts evoke the sonic signature of Jaguar’s hallowed E-Type, while the addition of a supercharger ensures kidney-compressing pace. Flaky infotainment and the odd leaky rear diff are the only concerns.Read our Jaguar F-Type review5. Mercedes-AMG C438Pros A good companion for grand touring workBlends practicality, all-weather security and straight-up performance Cons You feel more operator than driverPerformance is so composed it can seem blunted Best used super-saloonWhile the shouty, V8-powered C63 steals all the high-performance headlines, it’s the more sober-suited C43 that makes a better used buy. It’s certainly no slouch thanks to a 362bhp V6, while the four-wheel-drive chassis serves up a compelling blend of poise and plushness. And because it lacks its big brother’s street cred, prices are much lower.Read our Mercedes-AMG C43 review Back to top 6. Porsche Macan GTS9Pros Huge performanceExceptional ro