Supercars represent the best in performance and technological innovation that a manufacturer can offer, and as a result, they're some of the most desirable cars on Earth. Nearly every gearhead can think of at least one supercar they'd like to own, but most of the time they assume that those cars will be out of reach.
While it's true that a supercar is always going to be a significant financial commitment, there's a number of models on the market right now that are temptingly cheap. They've all depreciated massively from their original prices to the point where a much wider range of enthusiasts could reasonably afford one. Let's round up ten bargain supercar deals on the market right now and see what makes them the best options out there.
10 Audi R8
Audi's halo car has been in production since 2006, and if current rumors are anything to go by it might not be on sale much longer. That's why now is a great time to buy a well-depreciated example, as prices might start to go up again when the R8's production run finishes.
Buyers will either get a 4.2-liter V8 or a 5.2-liter V10, depending on the exact spec they go for. Either engine is very powerful, and as a bonus, R8s are known for being easier to daily drive than many rival supercars. Examples start at around $65,000 depending on the condition.
9 Aston Martin DB9
Aston Martin has one of the richest histories of any automaker, full of race-winning models and iconic cars. The DB9 was built as an accessible supercar with all of that heritage, but with big enough production numbers to appeal to a wider market than the brand had historically done.
It might be more mass-market, but it's no less Aston Martin, as it hides a 5.9-liter V12 under the hood. Aston's excellent driving dynamics are also all present and correct, but thanks to those high production numbers the car has depreciated massively. Higher-mileage cars can be found for around $35,000, a huge drop from their original retail price of $160,000.
8 Nissan GTR
The Nissan GT-R is a well-loved car among the JDM community, but at the moment used GT-Rs are very low priced. Early model year cars (around 2009/10) sit at around $60,000, which is a bargain for what buyers get.
A ten-year-old GT-R will still match up to many supercars of today in performance terms, and they're still good-looking cars too. As they become more affordable, many cars end up being modified, which means completely stock examples are getting harder to find. That's good news for bargain hunters though, as it means a bone-stock car will likely hold its value very well and may even increase in the long term.
7 Ferrari 348
Old Ferraris have evolved an almost cult-like following, with collectors paying millions of dollars for the rarest models. Not every old Prancing Horse has been sucked into the trend though, and in fact, there's more choice than ever when it comes to buying a depreciated Ferrari.
The 348 is a great option as it's got a very retro look and a pleasingly old-school growl to its V8. They're also cheap enough that owners shouldn't have to worry about the odd scratch or bump, so they'll be free to just enjoy the experience of driving their car. A cheap 348 will cost between $65,000 and $70,000, although the most budget examples can be found for up to $10k cheaper.
6 Lamborghini Gallardo
Apart from Ferrari, Lamborghini is perhaps the most famous supercar brand in the world. Their cars are renowned for being some of the craziest on the market, with screaming engines and outlandish designs. In most cases, buying a used Lambo will cost almost as much as buying a new one, but not in the case of the Gallardo.
The "baby Lambo" as it was sometimes known can be bought for around $85,000-$90,000, which makes it one of the more expensive options on this list. However, it's nothing compared to the MSRP of the current-gen baby Lambo, the Huracan, which starts at $210,180.
5 McLaren MP4-12C
McLaren's first road car after the legendary F1 was the MP4-12C, which was produced between 2011 and 2014. It's estimated that only 4,000 cars were made worldwide, which makes it quite rare by modern standards. The car's engine is developed from a Nissan unit that was originally intended for Indycar, and in the 12C it makes 592 hp.
Despite all that, prices for the MP4-12C have plummeted since its original release ten years ago. When it was new, the car cost $239,400 without optional extras, but now those same cars can be picked up for under $100,000, sometimes less depending on the mileage.
4 Dodge Viper
One of the best American performance cars of recent times has to be the Dodge Viper, which combined old-school muscle and new-school supercar performance into one fearsome machine. For around $35,000-$40,000, buyers can pick up a Viper in good condition, and since it's an American car it won't be as tricky to service as many other used supercars.
First- and second-generation cars tend to be the cheapest, so they're probably the smartest buy for anyone looking for a bargain. Every generation comes with a signature V10 that's not only very powerful, but also one of the best-sounding American engines of this century. It might not be quite as exotic as a used Lamborghini or a McLaren, but for value for money, it's hard to beat a Viper.
3 Porsche 911
Not only is the Porsche 911 the best-selling supercar ever, but it's also one of the easiest to live with. That's because it's very reliable by supercar standards, it's surprisingly practical for both passengers and luggage and it's great to drive in all conditions too. This does come at a cost though: 911s don't depreciate as rapidly as many other supercars do.
Still, it's possible to get a 996-era 911 for under $15k, which is about as cheap as a working supercar will get. It won't be as fast as newer models, but it's still a brilliant piece of engineering that's going to be amazing fun to drive every day. The best part about the 911 is that it's been in production so long that there are countless other generations of the car to choose from too. In fact, there's probably a 911 for every taste and budget, making it one of the most versatile supercars out there.
2 2005 Bentley Continental
For a more lavish, grand touring experience than a traditional supercar, a Bentley Continental could tick all the right boxes. They're comfortable no matter what distance needs driving; they handle well and they're bargains when they're used to boot.
Historically, Bentleys have been seen as unreliable cars, but it's not uncommon to see Continentals with 100,000 miles on them so it would appear that that's just a myth. Still, it's worth paying a little extra to get one that's been well looked after, just in case. Prices start at $30,000 but it's worth spending more than that for a better-condition car.
1 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
It might not be the best looking of the bunch, but the 612 Scaglietti is one of the best deals on the used Ferrari market. Prices start around $85,000, way down from the car's original retail price of around $250,000. It's got the classic Ferrari layout of a V12 in the front that powers the rear wheels, and with 540 hp it's as fast as many performance cars sold today.
The unusual part about the 612 is its seating, specifically how many people it can carry. The car was designed to comfortably seat four six-foot adults, which means there's a lot more room inside than buyers might assume. There's also 8.5 cu. ft of trunk space, which is hardly revolutionary but will still take some friends' clubs to the golf course. Ferraris are never going to be the most practical supercars to own, but the 612 is about as liveable as they get. Not to mention, it's great value at the moment and a solid entry point into Ferrari ownership.