The best sports cars for under £60k

From saloons to coupés, these are best models under £60,000

We’re looking for the best sports cars, so we’re not looking for supercar impracticality, we’re looking for cars that are exciting to drive but which can be used every day. They need to be all-rounders, and they can’t cost a fortune either. That sounds like a lot to ask, but all these cars here provide variations of the answer. Here’s our countdown to the best.

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Mercedes-AMG C63

Target price: £57,841

If you want a C-Class with serious firepower, then the C63 is the perfect combination of classy performance. At its heart it’s all about the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, pumping out 469bhp.

Jaguar F-Type Coupé

Target Price: £47,581

You could have a sensible 2.0-litre version of this handsome Jaguar, but we’d go for the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 because you get more power and that V6 yowl yet it doesn’t cost that much more. You can add a manual gearbox to complete your connection to the car.

BMW M2

Target Price: £44,652

It’s small but perfectly formed and actually quite practical too. Yet under the bonnet lurks a 3.0-litre straight-six engine with 365bhp for your amusement. You will be amused.

Audi TT Roadster

Target Price: £27,681

You get the glamour of the sun on your face along with all the well-engineered practicality brought by this Audi Roadster. It handles superbly and there’s a wide choice of engines. Just don’t expect to carry more than one passenger.

Mazda MX-5

Target Price: £18,007

This is so far below the £60k limit that it looks like a steal. Go for the 2.0-litre version and you’ll have all the power you’ll need without frightening yourself stupid. Great handling, lovely cabin, daily practical transport – it’s got it all for a budget price.

BMW M3

Target Price: £54,901

You’ve got four seats, a reasonable boot, and even reasonable fuel consumption if you drive sensibly. Trouble is the M3 demands you don’t drive it sensibly. At which point it transforms into a seriously hardcore performance saloon that rewards commitment by the driver.

Audi TT Coupé

Target Price: £26,084

With the hard top, this is just that bit sharper and more together than the Roadster version. You also gain a pair of practical rear seats and a bigger boot so, with no downsides but plenty of upsides, this is a serious contender and even looks like good value for money.

Porsche 718 Boxster

Target Price: £45,313

If you want the ultimate open-air sports car, this is it. Beautifully made, astonishing to drive, it’s also still well below our £60k target.

Porsche 718 Cayman

Target Price:£43,452

There’s only one car that can beat that 718 Boxster and it’s another 718, this time the Cayman. This is simply the best sports car out there, yet it’s not even the most expensive on this list, far from it. Even if you had loads more to spend, this is where you should spend it, and then spend the rest on sweets or something.