Used car deals of the week
In this week's used car deals, we've sourced everything from a Golf GTI Clubsport S to Ayrton Senna's Honda NSX
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 Golf GTI Clubsport S to Ayrton Senna's Honda NSX.
> Browse our used buying guides here
Honda NSX (1991)
£500,000
The original Honda NSX is an automotive icon, and as desirability increases, so are prices. This gives the NSX great potential as an investment as well as a rewarding driving tool, but it’s important to make sure you buy the right car for such a purpose. Despite a not-insignificant 39,100-mile odometer reading and an import title, this 1991 NSX is the very best you will ever find…
> Why the Honda NSX-R is one of the most significant cars of the last 25 years
This particular car was once the personal NSX of none other than Ayrton Senna, a gift from Honda for his efforts in McLaren-Honda Formula 1 cars (and for helping with the development of the car). It’s not often that the opportunity comes to bag an iconic supercar owned by one of Formula 1’s all-time greats, and as you'd expect, it does come at a steep price. Yours for £500,000.
Porsche Macan GTS (2017)
£36,948
The Porsche Macan is now available in all-electric form, and while this new iteration is an impressive performer in range-topping Turbo-form, we’ll always have a soft-spot for the earlier V6-powered GTS. A 355bhp power figure is no match for the new 630bhp EV, but class-leading dynamics make it one of the most entertaining cars of its kind.
> New Porsche Macan Electric review – still the driver’s choice for SUVs?
You’ll need almost £100,000 for the new range-topper, but if you’d like a driver-oriented Macan for a whole lot less, this 2017 GTS is for you. On the market for just £36,948, this example is finished in classy Night Blue metallic, comes with the optional 21-inch wheels, Sports Chrono package, Sports exhaust system and a reasonable 39,000 miles on the clock.
Mercedes-AMG GT R (2019)
£105,980
The new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupe is officially the quickest road-going model to roll out of Affalterbach, and while this is an impressive feat, all-wheel drive, complex hybrid componentry and a kerb weight in excess of two tons are not the usual recipe for a great driver’s car. The GT R of the previous generation was quite the opposite, opting for pure-combustion V8 power, a track-focused chassis and power to the rear wheels alone.
> The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance Coupe is the fastest AMG ever
Power stands at 577bhp and 516lb ft of torque for a 3.6sec 0-62mph time and 198mph top speed, but its exploitable dynamics are the star of the show – launched as the first model with AMG’s trick nine-stage traction control, it brought racing tech to the road. This tidy Designo Diamond White example has covered 12,373 miles and comes with plenty of optional carbonfibre, a set of sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, AMG Performance seats and more.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S (Mk7, 2016)
£34,991
The Golf GTI Clubsport S remains one of the finest hot hatches ever to hit the road, honing the already-excellent Mk7 GTI to create a truly fantastic driver’s car. Power comes from the same 2-litre turbocharged EA888 four-cylinder as the standard car, only with power lifted to 306bhp for a 5.7sec 0-62mph time. It also loses the rear seats for a 30kg reduction in weight over the standard Clubsport – this is no longer a car for the school run...
> Volkswagen Touareg 2024 review – a true BMW X5 rival?
Having covered a low 9912 miles in its lifetime, this Deep Black Pearl Clubsport S is on the market for £34,991, a few thousand less than a brand new Mk8 Golf GTI today. Number 185 of 400 examples, this car is fitted with an aftermarket Wavetrac limited-slip differential, with an ECU tune and supporting modifications liberating some extra power to boot.
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.
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.
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.
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.
