Sports cars have always been a part of British life – but where have they all gone? Today the focus seems to be on supercars and sporty SUVs, rather than actual sports cars. There’s also the question of what is a sports car in the modern world? And what defines value for money?
During the heydays of the sports car, we had models like the MGB and the Triumph Spitfire at the budget end of the scale; and the Lotus Esprit and Porsche 911 at the other.
But, today, there are far fewer choices of traditional two-seater coupes or convertibles – with many newer cars blurring the original definition of ‘sports car’.
Below is our round-up of 12 of the best-value sports cars in 2025, in alphabetical order. They all make fantastic new or used options, depending on your budget.
1. Alpine A110
Alpine has made a superb comeback in recent years, but the way it’s taken on Porsche with its A110 that’s impressed the most. It’s a great-looking car, with hints of the classic A110 of the 1960s and ‘70s packaged in a thoroughly modern sports car.
It’s one of those cars that you have to drive to understand. Everyone knows the appeal of its rivals, like the Porsche 911, but the Alpine is cheaper, with prices from £54,490 – and yet it delivers similar driving enjoyment.
Its 252hp doesn’t seem much on paper, but because it weighs just 1,102kg it delivers phenomenal power-to-weight performance that’ll have you smiling on every drive. It’s not short on comfort or technology either and can match the Porsche for everyday usability.
2. BMW Z4
BMW has been making two-seater sports cars forever. Some of the most admired classic sports cars wear the famous roundel. The latest is less likely to adorn coffee table books of the best cars of all time, but it still ticks plenty of boxes. It’s gone back to being a proper soft-top, rather than having a folding metal roof, and has decent space in the boot for weekend getaways.
Available with a 197hp 2.0-litre engine or the more powerful 340hp M40i, both deliver good driving enjoyment with the latest creature comforts. Some have been put off by the features the Z4 shares with the Toyota Supra coupe – but if you’re looking for roadster fun, you’ll only find that with a BMW badge.
3. Caterham Seven
The Caterham Seven throws common sense and practicality out the window in favour of pure fun. You sit inches off the tarmac, exposed to all the elements. There’s also barely space for two, but anything based on the original Lotus 7 will always be enjoyable. That’s not surprising considering each model is basically an engine, wheels, and a couple of seats.
Prices start from £29,490 and, for that price, you get the pleasure (or not) of building it yourself. Fortunately for those not keen on spending their evenings in the company of spanners, Caterham will build any of their cars for you for a reasonable fee. While It’s likely to sit in the garage for most of the year, only coming out in nicer weather, it’s about as analogue as you can get in this digital world, making it a truly simple pleasure.
4. Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024. And part of these celebrations was the release of a new model – or rather an updated one. It continues the legacy of the original American muscle car, available in either coupe or convertible, with a brawny V8 engine beneath its long bonnet. If you just want a Mustang for fun, the Dark Horse version is built for use on the race track.
Now in its seventh generation, there’s still a bit of practicality with small rear seats and decent boot space. Some owners even use their ‘Stang daily. It’s comfortable, well-equipped, and has all the latest connectivity and infotainment. The wide screens across the top of the dash aren’t exactly in keeping with the retro theme but you either like them or you don’t.
Like the original, the Mustang is content trotting around, but it’s equally happy unleashing the power of the V8 and galloping off into the distance.
5. Honda Civic Type R
Honda has always had a reputation for sensible, reliable cars. Then, in 1992, we suspect some engineers went to the pub, had a tipple or two, and decided to rebel. The result was the Honda NSX R supercar. The R treatment was then given to the Civic in 1997 and, since then, this family hatchback turned hot hatch has been revered worldwide.
The latest generation launched in 2023 and you can have it with a big carbon fibre rear wing to make a statement – or not, if you’d prefer to keep things subtle.
The latest Honda Civic Type R boasts a highly responsive engine, an impressive power-to-weight ratio, and the ability to maintain the revs as you change gear. It’s also got space for family stuff, and the superb sports seats are surprisingly comfortable. There’s a touchscreen infotainment system to stream your favourite podcast or display how much power you’re using or what g-forces are being created.
But mainly it’s just good to drive, whether in town, on rural roads – or on a race track!
6. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
With prices starting from £65,000, you might be curious as to why the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is included in a value-for-money sports car list. But value isn’t always only in the purchase price, and the Iopniq 5 N is fully electric. This means you could be charging it up for a few quid overnight at home, then heading out for the day before plugging it in again.
Admittedly, this model doesn’t look like a sports car in the traditional sense. It’s a big hatchback – but that means it’s more practical and you can’t say that about all sports cars.
That’s not the best thing about the Ioniq 5 N though. If you’re into numbers, it has 650hp and will reach 62mph in just 3.4 seconds using N Grin Boost. Think of it like turbo boost but in a car without any turbos. There’s more N stuff too, including N e-Shift and N Active Sound+ – the latter an attempt to make it sound like a performance car. Or a spaceship. It even offers performance speeds when charging, with up to 240kW meaning it could go from 10-80% charge in as little as 18 minutes.
So yes, it’s more of a sporty car than a sports car, but for those who want performance and practicality, it deserves its place here.
7. Mazda MX-5
Ask anyone what the best affordable sports car is and the top of the list will always be this: the Mazda MX-5. First introduced in 1989, this Japanese roadster has always epitomised what fun sports cars should be. It’s been so popular that it’s become known as the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car ever.
Now in its fourth generation, it still delivers a fun and engaging drive. You don’t even have to be enjoying mountain roads or twisty country lanes. Jump in and drive to the office on a summer’s day and it’ll have you wishing you didn’t have to work. It’s not about power either, but rather a fun drive with the roof down. It feels light on its feet and nimble in the corners – yet it’s also practical enough to pack in a couple of soft bags and head away for the weekend.
With prices starting at £28,015 the Mazda MX-5 is great value – and even better value if you buy used.
8. MG Cyberster
Think back to the original days of MG and many will remember its lovely roadsters, especially the MGB. MG is a very different company these days, but its new Cyberster two-seater roadster delivers a new kind of driving fun. For a start it’s electric, the only electric roadster on the market at the moment in fact. It looks cool too, with the cool factor taken to another level by the unusual scissor doors that open upwards. There’s easy to use tech, lots of comfort, and an interior designed around the driver and the thrill of the open road.
The MG Cyberster delivers thrills too. Whether you choose the single motor Trophy with its 0-62 sprint time of 5.0 seconds, or the dual motor GT that gets there in just 3.2 seconds, it’s fantastic fun. Both models have true sports car handling, allowing you to enjoy every corner. They’re equally comfortable about town and with prices starting at £55,000, it’s competitive against more esteemed rivals. The Trophy is more than capable of putting a smile on your face every time you drive and, to be honest, you probably won’t even notice the lack of sound because you’ll be having too much fun.
9. Morgan Super 3
It might surprise you to know that the Morgan Super 3 is one of the oldest sports car names in the world. The famous three-wheeler was the first car built by the British company, which continues to produce vehicles by hand in the Malvern Hills.
Like the Caterham, the Super 3 doesn’t really tick any practicality boxes but it certainly offers a good time. You feel like you are sat just above the road surface and everything you do feels analogue and involved. People wave at you, take photos as you pass, and smile almost as much as those in the car. It’s almost like riding a motorbike but with an actual car around you – sort of.
10. Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman
Since when is a Porsche value for money we hear you say. Well, here’s the thing, when the Boxster was first launched, it was regarded as the car for those who couldn’t afford a Porsche 911. Today, those early models are among the best cheap sports cars you can buy used. But we’re looking at new cars, and the 718 Boxster and Cayman twins are so good that you could easily consider one instead of a 911.
In fact, are probably two of the best value sports cars money can buy, with prices starting from £51,800. Even the entry-level 718 Cayman has 300hp and can reach 62mph in 5.1 seconds. You might also be able to squeeze a bag of golf clubs in somewhere. The Boxster offers classic open-top sports car thrills, while the Cayman coupe pips it slightly in terms of dynamic handling.
Both are surprisingly good at the mundane stuff, like driving to the office or the shops. Don’t expect to fit in much more than groceries, soft holdalls or that golf bag though, they are still sports cars after all.
11. Toyota GR86
Toyota surprised everyone when it launched the GT86. It was affordable, simple and boasted rear-wheel drive. It wasn’t only great to drive, but it could also be a hooligan when you wanted it to be. Like the Mazda MX-5, the idea was to create something that delivers lots of fun without the need for lots of power.
The latest version does have more power than the original though. That’s because it’s only available in the UK as the GR86. This model benefits from the expertise of Toyota’s motorsport division, Gazoo Racing. It has a 2.4-litre petrol engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, and can reach 62mph in 6.3 seconds. It also ticks the value-for-money sports car box, with prices starting at £32,580. Bit of a bargain really.
12. Volkswagen Polo GTi
You probably expected us to go with the legendary Golf GTi here, but no, we’re going with the smaller Polo. It’s much more fun than its big brother and cheaper too, with prices from £30,195. It’s less powerful, but the power it does have is more than enough to make it thoroughly enjoyable on good roads. Plus, because it’s slightly smaller, it’s easier to live with in town.
There’s no compromise when it comes to comfort or the latest tech either, with the Polo featuring a digital instrument panel, smartphone connectivity, and good-quality materials. It’s a sensible choice, but one that can be used less sensibly when you are in the mood.
Best value sports cars – are there any alternatives when buying used?
This has the potential to be a long list, so we’ll show some restraint. Naturally, it includes used versions of all the new models on our list, but buying pre-owned means you could also consider previous-generation models.
That brings the older Mazda MX-5 into the equation – one of our absolute favourites. Then there’s the Audi TT with first-generation models becoming quite collectible too. If we’re talking collectable sports cars, then how about an original Audi R8 for the price of a cheap family hatchback? Technically, that’s probably a supercar but you can pick one up for under £30K, making them very tempting.
Admittedly, many sports cars end up costing a fair amount in maintenance. You could easily get into a first-generation Porsche Boxster for £3K, but there’s a risk it will cost twice that to run. Though, you’ll have plenty of fun!
That’s the thing, sports cars aren’t about the sensible side of life, they’re about enjoyment. You could put a massive grin on your face in a used Jaguar F-Type, or enjoy the glorious soundtrack of a Maserati GranTurismo. Or, how about enjoying a summer’s evening driving through villages and over hills in a Morgan, or reliving Lotus’ glory days in an Elise? The choices are almost endless.
Are you thinking about buying a new or used sports car? What’s your favourite sports car? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.