Used car deals of the week
In this week’s used car deals, we’ve sourced everything from a BBR turbo Mazda MX-5 to a Jaguar XKR-S GT
Having a flick through the pages of any issue of evo magazine, or scrolling through evo.co.uk, is a risk for anyone with an itchy trigger finger when it comes to swapping in and out of cars. You see a story and the tiny voice in the back of your head whispers ‘I could see myself in something like that’. And so to the classifieds you go, which for most these days, are only the swipe of an app away.
Each week in used car deals we do exactly that, scouring through the classifieds to find the very best deals on the market. This week, we've found everything from a BBR Turbo MX-5, to one of the ten Jaguar XKR-S GTs originally sold in the UK
Jaguar XKR-S GT (2015)
£189,990
All this talk of high-end expensive Jaguars has got us wandering down memory lane, towards a very different £100,000+ big cat to the new, highly controversial Jaguar Type 00 Concept. Of course it’s different, because they copied nothing, remember? Anyway, to the Jaguar XKR-S GT, very much more our sort of super Jag. Built as a flamboyant farewell to the XK, the GT took the XKR-S flagship and turned up the wick in every way. The bits you could see included carbonfibre aero addenda, a striking Polaris white with black stripes paint scheme and on the inside, bucket seats and a cage. Underneath, Eibach dampers joined a quicker F-Type steering rack, a 52mm wider track, extra camber and ceramic brakes. In fact, pretty much everything aside from the 542bhp supercharged V8 was modified.
> 'Jaguar’s rebrand isn’t the problem, its new cars will be'
Even with all these changes and even though just 40 cars were made, with only ten being sold in the UK, there were doubts at the time over its sturdy £135k list price. There needn’t have been. One of the ten originally sold in the UK is available here, at £189,990, with just 3,994 miles on the clock and full Jaguar service history.
Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport (2017)
£11,995
Spending some time in the latest lukewarm Peugeot 308 GT recently had us looking back whistfully at when Peugeot Sport last rolled hard on hot hatches. The 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport was a superb little thing and a real foil for the Ford Fiesta ST. Further up the chain, while the 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport didn’t have the shock and awe factor of a Honda Civic Type R, Ford Focus RS or Renault Sport Megane 275 Trophy, it was still a deftly executed, stylish, fast, fun, daily-drivable hot hatch – truly, France’s answer to the sublime Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI.
> Peugeot 205 Rallye (1988 - 1992): a featherweight homologation hatch
Our concluding thoughts from our long term test certainly claimed as much: ‘Perhaps the greatest praise we could heap upon our long-termer is that it felt more like a genuine hot hatchback than its closest rival, the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Some might prefer the undemanding nature of the Golf's cabin, driving position and more relaxed chassis, but for us the Peugeot's excitement makes it the more appealing car.’
Time flying as it always does, it’s now getting on for a decade since it was introduced, which means there are some great used examples out there at very tempting prices. Take this classy 2017 example, which with just 46,086 miles, will set you back just £11,995. Similarly-priced Mk7 GTIs tend to have over double that mileage.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth (1996)
£115,000
Times are strange when talk of a new Ford Escort is actually in reference to the modern recreation of the legendary 1960s car that’s shortly to be revealed by Boreham Motorworks. The Escort we’re thinking about today, however, hails from the 1990s – the legendary RS Cosworth.
Forged in the fires of Group A rallying, the Escort RS Cosworth was a monster on its release in the early 1990s and remains a potent proposition today, some three decades on. Over 220bhp through all-wheel-drive made it almost unbeatable across ground in its day, getting from 0-62mph in 5.7sec on the way to a 144mph top speed.
> Best fast Fords of all time – from the GT supercar to the Fiesta ST
Unfortunately, such is the extent of its legend, these cars command quite astonishing prices. How does £115,000 sound for this 1996 Lux example? It sounds like a lot but consider that it’s in immaculate condition, with plenty of evidence of care being taken over its 28 years, during which time it’s covered just 9,445 miles. A timewarp car perhaps not ideal for practicing your best Francois Delecour impression…
Mazda MX-5 BBR (NC, 2010)
£18,995
News of an Electrogenic EV conversion being made available for the Mazda MX-5 is far from the first excuse anyone’s used to go looking for cheap examples in the classifieds. The MX-5 has always been a standard bearer for back-to-basics driving enjoyment – the thrill of driving in its most bare-bones form.
> BBR Supercharged Mazda MX-5 (NC) 2022 review – frenzied, affordable fun
They’re not fast of course, and while the new Electrogenic kit is claimed to give the roadster a ‘newfound muscularity’, there are other tried and true ways of packing more punch under the bonnet of an MX-5. Take BBR, for example, which is in the business of turbocharging and supercharging Mazda MX-5s into another realm of performance. This Mk3 has the BBR Stage 2 conversion, with a Garrett GT turbo and 302bhp. All mods accounted for, and there are many, this car has had some £12,000 put into it. With 47,555 miles, it could be yours for £18,995.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage (2023)
£189,990
Dynamically flawed and without the incredible naturally-aspirated soundtrack of the original, the final V12 Vantage was somewhat of a dud – combine this with its high £265,000 starting price and you can see why we struggled to gel with it. Thankfully, for those looking for a deal, the market has quickly cottoned onto its true worth, with depreciation aggressively taking hold despite its limited-run status.
> Aston Martin V12 Vantage 2023 review – why it fails as a fitting sign-off for the Aston V12
After only 6000 miles and a year on the road, this Buckinghamshire Green example is now available for under £190,000, an eye-watering £167,000 discount on its £357,000 new price with options considered. Coming with green tinted carbonfibre exterior trim, full paint protection film, the aero package and Onyx black and Forest green leather upholstery, you can see where all of that money went. At this new price, it looks a much more attractive proposition…
Mercedes-Benz SLS Roadster (2011)
£119,990
The SLS is undoubtedly a future icon, a modern 300 SL with its classic GT proportions, large displacement V8 and gullwing doors. The latter is the primary reason the coupe is most sought after (and more valuable as a result), but if you want an SLS on a budget, the roadster is a great way to go. Powered by the same 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated M159 V8, its 563bhp output makes it no slouch, with 0-62mph coming in 3.8sec and top speed at a strong 197mph.
> Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (2010 - 2015): Germany's answer to the Ferrari 599
After a reasonable 15,255 miles on the road, this classy Obsidian Black example is now on the market for £119,990, much less than its £176,895 new price and around £50,000 less than the equivalent coupe today. It even comes with bold red interior upholstery and the desirable multi-spoke staggered 19- and 20-inch diamond cut wheels.
Lamborghini Huracán (LP610-4, 2015)
£123,495
Fewer cylinders, hybrid power and a smaller displacement are never usually good signs for a supercar successor, but the package Lamborghini has cooked up with the Huracán’s 10,000rpm Temerario replacement is fascinating to say the least. If you’d like to skip the wait (and its high price tag) though, an early LP610-4 Huracán is far from a bad alternative, with its now-discontinued 602bhp 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 one of the finest road-going power plants ever sold.
> The Lamborghini Temerario’s V8 is good for over 1000bhp
Despite a relatively low 21,700 miles odometer reading, this 2015 car is on the market for just £123,495. Optioned in Bianco Icarus (white) and with the uprated 20-inch Mimas wheels in silver, it’s a tasteful spec too, with just a single owner on its books making it an attractive example.
Skoda Octavia vRS (Mk4, 2021)
£18,995
A Skoda Octavia vRS of any generation is a fine daily driver, but the Mk4 variant is perhaps the very best. A peak output of 242bhp and 273lb ft of torque from Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous 2-litre turbocharged EA888 four-cylinder make it a strong performer in a straight line, with its chassis tuned to match.
> Skoda Octavia vRS 2025 review – the ultimate accessible Q car?
For almost £20,000 less than the newly facelift Octavia vRS, this single-owner 2021 car could be on your driveway – it even comes equipped with one very special option. Now axed from the range due to low demand, it comes fitted with a manual gearbox, bringing more engagement to make it perhaps the ultimate sub-£20,000 daily driver.
Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale (2014)
£49,900
The first-generation Maserati GranTurismo certainly had its quirks and while it was far from the most capable in its class, that incredible V8 soundtrack and Pininfarina design made it a hit. The pinnacle of the range was the MC Stradale, designed to lift performance to the next level with a 454bhp output, an uprated chassis and design overhaul to match.
> Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo 2024 review – a worthy Aston Martin DB12 Volante alternative?
These upgrades didn’t come cheap with it priced from £110,000 before options, but after 31,450 miles and a decade on Britain’s roads, this Bianco Eldorado example is on the market for under £50,000. Coming with the Comfort package for those trips across the continent, the sharp 20-inch diamond cut Trofeo wheels and two-tone black and red interior, it’s a strong spec too.
Mercedes-AMG GT R (2018)
£93,991
The new AMG GT 63 Pro lifts Affalterbach’s new-generation flagship to the next level, but it’s still not quite a match for the previous generation R. This car took direct aim at the Porsche 911 GT3 with a significant chassis overhaul, increase in power and a cutting-edge motorsport-derived traction control system. Its 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces just 27bhp less than the new Pro at 577bhp, sent to the rear only for a 3.6sec 0-62mph time and 198mph top speed flat-out.
> Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 2024 review – a four-seat 911 GT3 rival?
An expected c£180,000 price tag puts the new GT 63 Pro in line with the rest of AMG’s pricey range, but this used GT R makes that figure seem ludicrous. At under £94,000 this 22,354-mile Selenite Grey example could be in your garage for almost £100,000 less than the new Pro, and it even comes with the two optional carbonfibre package, carbon ceramic brakes, Burmester sound system and more.
BMW M4 GTS (F82, 2016)
£78,990
With a 190mph top speed, GT4-inspired aero and a unique water-injected intake system, there’s no doubt that the F82 M4 GTS is a special BMW. Launched as its fastest road-going model ever, the GTS took learnings from BMW's motorsport programmes and applied them to its already-capable sports coupe. The catch, though, was its £120,500 price tag – twice that of the standard car…
> BMW M5 CS Fast Fleet test – 9000 miles in the eCoty-winning supersaloon
Unusually, despite its limited-run status, the F82 GTS hasn’t appreciated in value, and has instead depreciated considerably in the eight years since its launch. After 6251 miles on the road, this white example is on the market for £78,990 (less than the price of a standard 2024 M4 Competition), and it’s not light on options either.
Aston Martin Vanquish S (2004)
£69,950
The Vanquish name has been revived for 2024, with Aston Martin’s flagship super GT packing an all-new design, interior and the marque’s most powerful production V12 yet. As you’d expect though, its price has also been inflated to match its performance, with a starting figure of £333,000. If that’s a little steep, you could instead bag this original Vanquish S for over £260,000 less…
> The new Aston Martin Vanquish is an 824bhp, £333k Ferrari 12Cilindri rival
Powered by a 520bhp naturally-aspirated 5.9-litre V12, the original is hardly lacking in performance, and while its automatic gearbox has room for improvement there’s no denying its traditional GT appeal. This particular car has just two owners on its books, 26,700 miles on the clock and could be yours for just shy of £70,000.
