Used car deals of the week
In this week's used car deals, we've sourced everything from a Kia Stinger GT S to a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
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 a Kia Stinger GT S to a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.
> Browse our used buying guides here
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta (2013)
£173,990
The 812 Superfast and its incoming successor are undoubtedly more capable, but the F12 is often considered the sweet spot of Ferrari’s front-mounted V12 range. A glorious Pininfarina design and 730bhp 6.3-litre naturally-aspirated V12 make it enormously desirable, and it has a highly engaging dynamic character that unlike some modern supercars, is very well suited to road use.
> New Ferrari 812 keeps its V12 – launches later this summer
While you should expect to pay in excess of £300,000 for an equivalent new Ferrari in 2024, after only 7500 miles on the road, this stunning Rosso Berlinetta example is on the market for £173,990. A beige leather interior, a yellow tachometer, interior carbonfibre package and even 12 months of Ferrari warranty all make it a very attractive buy.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante (2020)
£154,900
The new V8-powered DB12 Volante has finally hit the road, and while it’s an excellent example of a drop-top GT, it costs nearly £200k – or a lot more with a few options. For an equally glamorous convertible Aston for a chunk less money, we’d point you in the direction of the monstrous, 715bhp DBS Superleggera Volante.
> Aston Martin DB12 Volante 2024 review – Britain’s Ferrari beater?
With less than 10,000 miles under its belt since it left the dealership four years ago, this sharp Lightning Silver DBS Superleggera Volante is on the market for £154,900 – a near-£50,000 saving over the less powerful DB12 Volante. It even comes with an uprated Bang & Olufsen sound system, front end paint protection film, optional 21-inch 10-spoke wheels, smoked tail lights and more.
Audi RS4 Avant (B7, 2006)
£25,990
Exceptional handling, a purposeful design and one of the world’s greatest naturally-aspirated V8s have made the B7 RS4 an icon. It remains a stunning practical performance car in both saloon and estate forms nearly two-decades since it launched. A 415bhp output is no match for today’s supersaloons, but the sound, response and power delivery of its 4.2-litre unit makes it a truly great driver’s car.
> Audi RS4 (B7, 2006 - 2008): a V8 supersaloon benchmark
Despite a 92,925-mile odometer reading, this Sprint Blue RS4 Avant is one of the best on the market, in excellent condition and with the desirable Recaro wingback seats, full service history and commonly-fitted Bilstein coilovers. Its engine was even replaced at 29,256 miles by an Audi main dealer, making it fresher than the mileage would suggest – it’s also had the all-important engine decoke within the last few years.
Kia Stinger GT S (2017)
£21,489
A Kia-badged V6 performance saloon was hard to imagine in the not-so-distant past, but the Stinger GT S proved that the Korean marque could take on some of the very best in the segment. Powered by a 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6, its 365bhp output was more than enough for it to stand up to the likes of the BMW M340i and Mercedes-AMG C43, with the 0-62mph sprint covered in 4.7sec. It has the chassis to match, too, offering plenty of engagement on the right roads.
> Kia Stinger GT S Fast Fleet test – 12,000 miles in the V6 sports saloon
Having been off sale for a couple of years, used prices have been slow to fall, but this 36,200-mile car could be yours for a very reasonable £21,489. A head-up display, sunroof and the optional 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system make it a great pick too, with HiChroma Red paint and 19-inch diamond cut wheels also part of the package.
Ford Focus RS (Mk1, 2003)
£19,950
The first-generation Focus RS received a mixed reception at its launch over two decades ago – some loved it, some found it unpredictable and hard work, and not all press cars drove in quite the same way. Time, context and more recent drives in this singular hot hatch have made us appreciate its charm all the more, however. Powered by a reworked 213bhp 2-litre Duratec four-cylinder, its 6.4sec 0-62mph time is quite some way behind today’s rocketship hatches, but its unique dynamic character makes it an engaging machine even in 2024.
> Ford Focus RS Mk1 (2002 - 2003): a rally-inspired hot hatch icon
Much like its Racing Puma counterpart, the Mk1 RS has become known for issues with rust and corrosion, but the seller of this 70,600-mile example claims there’s none to be found here. While it retains its iconic factory appearance, it’s received some tasteful modifications, including a new stainless steel exhaust system, an uprated fuel pump and injectors, and even an ECU tune to over 300bhp. Given that some are already fetching in excess of £30,000, this example is rather tempting.
Porsche 911 GT3 (991.1, 2014)
£93,850
The latest 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 is a stunning road and track car, but its 991 predecessor is certainly no slouch in 2024. In original 991.1-form, its 3.8-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six produces 468bhp and 325lb ft for a 3.5sec 0-62mph time and 196mph top speed, with class-leading dynamics making it one of the greatest driver’s cars of all time.
> Manthey Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 Touring loses weight and gains aero
A decade and 17,082 miles since it rolled off the dealership forecourt, this classy Agate Grey example is now on the market for £93,850. It comes equipped with plenty of optional extras too, including the highly desirable Sports Chrono Package, Porsche Dynamic Light upgraded headlights and more.
Toyota GT86 (2013)
£11,450
There’s no doubt that the Toyota GT86 has been overshadowed by its expertly-honed GR86 successor, but in a world of unwieldy electrified SUVs, it's hard to deny its charm. Powered by an earlier iteration of the GR86’s naturally-aspirated boxer four-cylinder, power stands at 197bhp and 151lb ft for a 7.6sec 0-62mph time and 140mph top speed. While these numbers are modest, its back-to-basics formula makes it an engaging driver’s car at sensible road speeds.
> Toyota GT86 v GR86: how Toyota perfected the affordable sports car
The GR86’s sporadic availability has made it hard to gauge the used market, but prices are still holding relatively strong at around the £30,000 mark. For around a third of that sum, this manual GT86 could be on your driveway, fitted with the factory 17-inch bi-colour wheels and finished in red. It’s covered 73,227 miles in its lifetime, but a comprehensive service history record offers some peace of mind.
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 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.
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.
