Used car deals of the week
In this week's used car deals, we've sourced everything from the TVR Tuscan to the CLS63 Shooting Brake
While we seem to be out from under the worst of the pandemic, its lingering effect on the global supply chain and wider automotive manufacturing 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 the TVR Tuscan to the CLS63 Shooting Brake.
> Browse our used buying guides here
TVR Tuscan (2000)
£34,995
Launched in 1999 to tackle established offerings from Porsche, BMW M and Mercedes-AMG, the Tuscan proved to be one of TVR's finest moments. Pairing a 360bhp straight-six with an 1100kg kerb weight makes it potent in 2024, never mind 25 years ago. The result is a 4.2sec 0-62mph time and a 180mph top speed, plenty enough to make it one truly engaging sports car.
> TVR Tuscan (1999-2006): review, history, prices and specs
TVRs are famed for poor reliability, and while high-mileage, neglected examples are likely to relieve your wallet of cash, this example might not be quite so bad. Having covered under 10,000 miles since it first hit the road, this glorious Nightfire Red example is on the market for just £34,995. Unmodified and having recently received a £4115 service, you won’t find a better one in a hurry.
Audi R8 (2008)
£34,989
A sleek, timeless design, that tactile manual gearbox and performance exploitable on virtually any road make the Audi R8 V8 an evo favourite. Powered by the same 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 found at the heart of the RS4 of the time, it produces 414bhp and 317lb ft of torque, enough for a 4.6sec 0-62mph time and 187mph top speed. While these figures are in line with those of a hot hatch in 2024, the original R8 takes some beating in terms of outright engagement.
> Audi R8 4.2 FSI V8 quattro (2007 - 2015): review, history and specs of an icon
Prices seem to have picked up a little over the last year or so, but they still haven’t risen too far – this unmodified, two-owner car is currently on the market for just £34,989. While it has covered 67,000 miles in its lifetime, that low owner count and a full Audi service history should give you some peace of mind.
BMW M3 (E46, 2002)
£13,995
Its modern successors have proved to be outstanding driver’s cars, but the E46 M3 is the model that many hold close to their hearts. Its zingy 338bhp 3.2-litre straight-six is the star of the show, but an expertly balanced chassis and that excellent design make it one of the finest products to come from Munich.
> BMW M3 (E46, 2000 - 2006): review, history and buying guide
Frustratingly, the market appears to feel the same way, with prices now steadily increasing. A good car will set you back in the region of £25,000, and while that’s very reasonable in a world of £50,000 hot hatches, it’s far higher than it was just a few years ago. One solution to this problem is to find a project car, which is precisely what this example is. Both the Vanos and diff have sprung small leaks and the rear subframe could do with an overhaul (a common long-term maintenance item on the E46), but it runs, drives and is completely standard on the surface, making it an excellent project-car candidate in our eyes. Yours for £13,995.
Mercedes-AMG CLS63 Shooting Brake (2013)
£24,500
Applying a 549bhp V8 to a sleek, luxurious four-door package made the ordinary CLS63 an attractive proposition, but the Shooting Brake increased desirability further. Behind its striking design, it’s identical to the regular CLS63 under its skin, with the 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged M157 in the same state of tune. Selling in far smaller numbers than the saloon, the estate variant was an unusual offering from AMG, and is something that we’re unlikely to see again.
> Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake (X218, 2012 - 2017): review, history and buying guide
There aren’t many on the market, but even so, this 68,300-mile car could be yours for just £24,500. Finished in Obsidian Black with nappa leather upholstery, standard 19-inch diamond-cut wheels and even the optional Harman Kardon Logic 7 sound system, it looks to be a great buy. It even has just one owner on its books after 11 years on the road…
Mercedes-AMG GT R (2017)
£74,950
Stonking straight-line performance, an incredible soundtrack and an entertaining, exploitable chassis make the AMG GT R a compelling alternative to Porsche’s 911 GT3. Powered by Affalterbach’s 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, it sends 577bhp and 516lb ft of torque to the rear wheels only for a quoted 3.6sec 0-62mph time and 198mph top speed.
> Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG (2004-2015): review, specs and buying guide
Despite its top tier performance, sharp design and strong reliability, you can now find used examples for relatively reasonable sums. While it has covered a not-insignificant 59,000 miles during its time on the road, this GT R is available for just £74,950. It’s even equipped with over £15,000 worth of optional extras including a Burmester sound system, two carbonfibre packages, the AMG Track Package and more.
Ferrari F355 Berlinetta (1997)
£109,950
The Ferrari 355 is a sure-fire modern classic, and its appeal is increasing by the day. In a world of complex, GPF-equipped, hybrid-assisted supercars, its naturally-aspirated V8 and manual gearbox are to be cherished. Outputs of 375bhp and 268lb ft of torque are no match for its modern relatives, but a 4.5sec 0-62mph time and 175mph top speed are more than enough to thrill on Britain’s roads – a sensational wailing exhaust note is the icing on the cake…
> Best Ferraris – evo’s favourite road cars from Maranello
Values have been on the rise for some time, with this 50,000-mile Le Mans blue example on the market for just shy of £110,000. Equipped with the highly desirable (and essential, in our view) manual transmission, it’s certainly worth that outlay, with a contrasting Crema leather interior making it even more sought-after.
BMW M5 (E39, 2000)
£23,995
The E39 M5 is the benchmark performance saloon, its modern successors are undoubtedly more powerful and faster but the old stager’s analogue charm is hard to match. With 400bhp and 369lb ft of torque produced by its 4.9-litre naturally-aspirated V8 might be hot hatch outputs by today’s standards, but it's expertly honed chassis and controls make it a driver’s car through and through.
> BMW M5 (E39, 1998 - 2003): review, history and buying guide
There are very few E39 M5s on the market with what you’d consider low miles, and while that might be a deterrent for some, it’s a great sign that they stand the test of time – this particular example has covered 91,800 miles, putting in the middle of the road in terms of E39 mileage. Painted in stunning Silverstone Metallic paint, it comes with a full main dealership and specialist service history, the Memory Package and a panoramic sliding sunroof. Yours for £23,995.
Toyota MR2 (Mk3, 2003)
£7490
The Mk3 Toyota MR2 is one of the sports car greats. Following the lacklustre reception for its predecessor, the Mk3 was completely re-engineered for the driver, with smaller dimensions and a lower weight figure than the previous car. Although its 138bhp output is modest, its back-to-basics mid-engined, lightweight formula offers driving thrills in abundance.
> Toyota MR2 Mk3 – review, history, prices and specs
Mk3 MR2 prices have been fluctuating wildly over the last couple of years, and admittedly they are on the high side in 2024. Thankfully though, you can still find a great example for well under £8000, including this 56,000-mile car that’s on the market for £7490. Unmodified, with a full Toyota service history and just a single owner on its books, there are certainly worse ways to spend that sum.
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.
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 (2015)
£48,990
The Chevrolet Camaro will meet its end next year after almost six decades in production, so to pay our respects, we’ve found one of the finest iterations on the classifieds. While undoubtedly a muscle car, the Z/28 adopts a formula more closely related to European performance cars, with a reduction in weight, the adoption of sticky tyres and high quality dampers making it a truly engaging sports coupe. Unlike the ZR1, the model features a naturally-aspirated 7-litre LS7 V8 co-developed with Corvette Racing, producing 505bhp and 481lb ft of torque.
> Hennessey’s Exorcist Camaro ZL1 Final Edition is a 1000bhp run-out special
Having been imported by Litchfield Motors, this 2015 car has covered 13,321 miles in its lifetime, and is thought to be one of just five examples on UK soil. Being a Z/28, it comes with Multimatic’s trick DSSV shock absorbers, a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential and 19-inch wheels. Yours for a very reasonable £48,990.