Used car deals of the week
In this week's used car deals, we've sourced everything from a Cupra Formentor to an Aston Martin Vanquish
While we finally seem to be out from under the worst of the pandemic, its lingering effect on the global supply chain and wider automotive industry means bargain second hand performance cars aren’t what they used to be.
This is something that’s been exacerbated by the world’s transition to electric cars, stoking demand for petrol-powered performance cars both in the new and used markets, leaving many short of either cash or supply.
What hasn’t changed, though, is the satisfaction of perusing the classifieds for all the most interesting used high performance cars on sale right now. This week, we’ve dug up everything from a Cupra Formentor to an Aston Martin Vanquish.
> Browse our used buying guides here
Aston Martin Vanquish (2013)
£56,995
The Mk2 Vanquish is one of the super GT greats, pairing Gaydon’s sonorous 6-litre naturally-aspirated V12 with one of the most elegant coupe designs of its generation. An output of 565bhp and 457lb ft of torque in ordinary non-S form help it reach 62mph from standstill in 4.1sec before a 183mph top speed, making it more than capable enough for the task at hand.
> Aston Martin Vanquish (2012 - 2018, Mk2): a V12 super GT great
While you’d need almost £200,000 for a new example over a decade ago, this 42,900-mile Volcano Red car could be in your hands for a very tempting £56,995. The standard 20-inch diamond cut wheels, optional Bang & Olufsen sound system, exterior carbonfibre package and black and red quilted leather interior all make it a great example.
Audi RS3 (2023)
£44,990
There’s no doubt there are hot hatches with more engaging dynamics and a greater focus on feedback, but the Audi RS3 is in a sub-segment of its own. Sold as the UK’s only five-cylinder production model, it has its own unique charm, with the latest iteration proving to be more capable than any before it. An output of 395bhp and 369lb ft doesn’t quite make it the most powerful of its kind, but a 3.8sec 0-62mph time does make it blisteringly quick.
> Audi RS3 Saloon Fast Fleet test – 12,000 miles in the five-cylinder hot hatch
A temporary production stop (ahead of the facelift) and the highly desirable RS3 package have reinforced used prices well, but even so, this well-optioned 2023 car could be yours for a good chunk under its list price. Finished in striking Kyalami Green, it comes with the Comfort and Sound packages, 19-inch wheels in silver (predictably uncommon on an RS3), Bang & Olufsen sound system and more.
Cupra Formentor (2022)
£25,750
An eye-catching design, strong point-to-point pace and some of Cupra’s Spanish flare make the Formentor one of the most appealing crossovers on the market. The facelift car brings more power and the Audi RS3’s trick torque vectoring differential to the equation, but even the original provides a strong 306bhp output from its 2-litre turbocharged EA888 four-cylinder, enough for a 4.9sec 0-62mph time.
> Cupra Formentor VZ3 2024 review – a quicker, more affordable alternative to the Mercedes-AMG GLA35
The 2024 car is priced from an eye-watering £51,605 in range-topping spec, but this 2022 car could be yours for half that figure. In its two years on the road it has covered 48,217 miles, and comes fitted with the factory 19-inch diamond cut wheels and finished in stealthy black paint.
Mercedes-AMG E63 S (W213, 2017)
£35,995
The W213 Mercedes-AMG E63 took hot saloon performance to the next level, pairing an excellent variable all-wheel drive system with Affalterbach’s ubiquitous 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8. In S-form, power stands at an impressive 604bhp and 627lb ft of torque for a 3.4sec 0-62mph time, a tenth quicker than even the brand new 717bhp BMW M5…
> Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe 2024 review – a worthy rival to the BMW 4-series?
You’d pay from around £80,000 for a factory-fresh example before options, but this 2017 Orient blue car is on the market for a staggering £35,995. Its 83,500-mile odometer reading could offer some explanation for this low asking price, but with a full service history on file, we’d say this is more a testament to the E63’s reliability than something to be afraid of.
Porsche Cayman R (987, 2011)
£39,995
The adoption of the GT name made the Cayman GT4 a smash hit in the two-seat sports car segment, but the Cayman R of the 987-generation was where its winning formula began. Powered by a 3.4-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six with 330bhp, it not only produced more power than the standard car, but had 55kg less weight to manage. The result was a fantastic driver’s coupe that not much could touch in its day.
> Tackling the Col de Turini in the Porsche 718 Spyder RS
Its most recent successor, the 718 Cayman GT4, will still set you back from just under £70,000 on the used market, but this R could be in your garage for a little under £40,000. Finished in trademark Cayman R Peridot Green, it comes with a full service history, 31,156 miles on the clock and sports some very tasteful modifications. Carbon ceramic brakes, a lightened flywheel, new transmission mounts and numerous engine upgrades all help make it even more focused than before.
McLaren GT (2020)
£97,000
While it doesn’t quite meet the traditional GT brief its name suggests it might, the McLaren GT is an excellent driver’s car for those looking to cover big miles. Its ingredients are pure supercar, with the same 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 and low-slung carbonfibre tub as the rest of Woking’s range, but the GT is more usable than its stablemates. Nevertheless it’s a potent machine, producing 612bhp for a 3.1sec 0-60mph time and 204mph top speed.
> McLaren GT Fast Fleet test – four months in the 203mph 'grand tourer'
Its high price made it a tricky sell at launch, but for just under £100,000, you could be the owner of this low 6800-mile Viridian green example. Fitted with the MSO Defined Bright Pack, Sports exhaust system, Bowers & Wilkins sound system and desirable extras such as the front axle lift system and Electrochromic sunroof, it’s not short on options. It even has a McLaren warranty until July next year.
Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren (2005)
£299,990
The SLR McLaren might not have the dynamic edge of the Ferrari Enzo it went up against at the time of its launch, but there’s no denying the draw of its exotic package. Powered by a 5.4-litre supercharged V8, 617bhp helps it reach an impressive 207mph top speed in its standard form, producing a distinctive rumble from its side-exit exhausts in the process.
> The new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro is a track-ready, 604bhp super-coupe
Despite its exotic looks and performance, high maintenance costs have prevented used values from soaring. After just 20,900 miles on the road, this glorious Fayalite Green Metallic example (resprayed to OEM standard at the cost of over £10,000) is on the market at just under £300,000.
Aston Martin Vantage (2006)
£29,995
The Aston Martin Vantage has evolved into a machine capable of supercar performance, but the same couldn’t be said for its naturally-aspirated predecessor. Powered by Gaydon’s 4.3-litre V8, 380bhp and 470lb ft of torque were sent to the rear wheels in standard form, making it less powerful than even some hot hatches of today. Regardless of its output though, it remains a fine sports car almost two decades on, with plenty of character, analogue charm and a communicative chassis.
> Aston Martin's DBX707 AMR24 is an F1-inspired super SUV
While you’ll no doubt experience some niggles derived from its handbuilt construction, the simplicity of its powertrain makes labour costs considerably lower than with its modern successor. The majority of parts are also much cheaper having been borrowed from Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo, with its modest power output reducing wear on consumables. For £29,995, you can do a lot worse than this.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S (Mk7, 2016)
£32,999
The Mk7 Golf GTI Clubsport S is one of the finest hot hatches to hit our roads, with a reduction in weight, an increase in power and an excellent, track-honed front-drive chassis setup making it a worthy (and rare) alternative to purpose-built sports cars. While it’s powered by the same 2-litre turbocharged EA888 four-cylinder as the standard GTI, power is lifted to 306bhp and 280lb ft of torque, sent through a manual ‘box for a 5.7sec 0-62mph time and 155mph top speed.
> New Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport will be one of the last petrol GTIs
Given that just 150 examples were built, it’s no surprise that prices have held up well. Most examples will set you back in excess of £40,000 in 2024, but this particular car could be yours for under £33,000. The reason for this is likely a combination of its 10,000-mile odometer reading (high for a Clubsport S) and aftermarket modifications, although thankfully, these are tasteful. The 19-inch Pretoria wheels remain, with a new Wavetrac limited-slip differential, 355bhp ECU tune and uprated engine mounts the only new additions.
Renault Sport Clio 172 (Phase I, 2001)
£5450
Small dimensions, a playful chassis, low weight and a gutsy naturally aspirated engine make Renault Sport’s Clio 172 one of the finest hot hatches to hit our roads. While it was launched over two decades ago, its 2-litre F4R four-cylinder still produces a very respectable 172bhp, pushing it from standstill to 62mph in only 7.2sec and onto a 137mph quoted top speed.
> Why the Renault Clio 172 is one of the most significant cars of the last 25 years
Given their desirability, both Phase I and Phase II 172s have seen some appreciation in recent years, but even this restored 2001 example is on the market for under £6000. Having recently received a full respray, new arches and a complete suspension overhaul, this car looks to be one of the best you’ll find, despite its 102,133-mile odometer reading. It’s even been owned by the seller for the last 17 years, and is equipped with some very tasteful (and subtle) modifications.
