We all have a different dream car we wish to own one day, whether it be a nippy little sports car like the Toyota GR86 or an admittedly obnoxious hot hatch like the VW Golf R, or as most people wish, a unique supercar like the Vector W8. Dreams like these seem unrealistic, and only meant for the one-percenters in life, but we're here to tell you otherwise. It's not necessarily about how much money you have, but rather about how you spend that money. We've compiled a list that lays out your best options when looking for a used supercar that won't break the bank in maintenance costs, or purchasing price.
All the supercars on our list are no older than 1990, and the newest one only came out 8 years ago. Also worth noting is these cars won't surpass the $40,000 mark, and they won't break down on your every other day of the week. Owning a supercar is much easier than you might have thought at first, and perhaps that childhood dream of yours of during a flamboyant, fast, orchestra on wheels is much more achievable.
10 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG ($32,500)
The Mercedes-Benz CL 65 is a gorgeous gas-guzzling super that combines exquisite excellence with a German-built 6.0-liter V12 powerhouse. On the inside, the Merc is decked out with the most supple leathers, as well as refined wood trimmings, and electronically adjustable heated seats.
Under the hood, however, things are everything but tame; the CL 65 has a naturally-aspirated 6.0-liter V12 that sends more than 600 hp to the rear wheels. Sure, this might not be as exotic as a Ferrari, but it's definitely something that'll stand out from the rest of the crowd, and it's one hell of a bargain considering we found a low-mileage example for under $33,000.
9 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo ($39,000)
Porsches aren't considered by many purists to be a true supercar, but once turbochargers got thrown into the mix with the 930-generation 911, things took a turn, and it's clear that the newest 992 Turbo S is an absolute monster. Today we're talking about the 996-generation of the 911 Turbo, the most underrated one by far.
Tucked in the rear end of the 911 is a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six that produced 415 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All its power is divided between all four wheels, so that means the 996 Turbo can achieve a 0-60 time of just 4.2 seconds when paired with the 6-speed manual transmission. Regarding the prices of these unsung Porsches... we'd recommend spending as much money as you can since prices start from just above $20,000, but no matter the case, all of them seem to be fairly reliable.
8 1994 Dodge Viper ($40,000)
Now we're talking. A proper animal that's not just fast, but dangerous too, the one and only Dodge Viper. The first-generation Vipers aren't only famous for their naturally-aspirated 400-hp 8.0-liter V10 engines, but they're also famous for their sheer lack of driver and passenger safety. Hear us out, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, apart from the obvious of course.
The 1994 Viper RT-10 was a roofless snake that only came fitted with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and it had no mention of traction- or stability control... it didn't even leave the factory floor with ABS. Viper prices have been soaring in recent years, so we're not sure how long these death traps will stay attainable, but if you happen to find a well-kept example like this one, cherish her.
7 2002 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage ($38,000)
We have two very distinct Aston Martins that will make appearances on our list today, and first up we have the more posh one out of the bunch, the DB7 Vantage. If the DB7 happens to look familiar, but you're not sure why, it's because the DB7 was the predecessor to the famous DB9; they both had V12 engines, similar design languages, and both an incomparable road presence.
The DB7 had a 5.9-liter V12 crammed under its hood that put out 420 hp, which in today's day and age might sound average, but can still keep up with a modern sports car like the new Toyota Supra on straights, the main selling point being you'll feel more special behind the wheel of an Aston than a Toyota.
6 1991 BMW 850i ($28,000)
Not many people know of the first-generation 8-Series' existence since the latest-generation 8-Series took all of its spotlight, but if you happen to be one of those that recollect the first 8, you know why it's so special. Not only did it have a sharp and angular design with pop-up headlights and an interior fit for a king, but the 850i in particular came fitted with a 5.0-liter V12 that squeezed out almost 300 hp.
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It wasn't blisteringly quick, nor was it extravagant, but because the 850i was such a seamless cruiser with a handsome figure, and had a near-$100,000 price tag when new, people drooled over it. A well-kept 850i can be fetched on the market today for just under $28,000, but don't forget that the 850i is a true investment piece too. It is worth mentioning that if you have deeper pockets we recommend scouring for an 850CSi.
5 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 ($33,000)
Hear us out, Corvettes are a difficult breed to categorize. Some consider them sports cars, others consider them muscle cars, but we think it all depends on which trim level you choose. For example, the new C8 Corvette can either be classified as a high-performance sports car or a baby supercar, but back in the 90s, the C4 ZR-2 Corvette was a full-blown supercar.
0-60 happened in as little as 4.5 seconds, and because it came with a stickshift and no electronic limit on its speedometer, you could go from burning some rubber to achieving its 175 mph top speed all while being in full control of the ZR-1.
4 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage ($34,000)
Okay, we get it. You crave something more modern, something that will stay timeless for years to come, but also deliver a solid punch when you floor the throttle. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is the perfect contender in that case. As the name suggests, the V8 Vantage has a naturally-aspirated 4.3-liter V8 pumping underneath its hood that produces 380 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque... but it gets better.
A few years back, a Vantage could be found for a smidge above $20,000 but because of the crazy world we live in today, prices have gone up. However, we still argue that paying $34,000 for a baby Aston Maritn is an absolute bargain to have a taste of what being James Bond feels like.
3 2013 Jaguar XKR ($31,000)
How does this sound for a supercar: 510 hp from a supercharged 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8, a 4.5-second 0-60 time, a top speed of 174 mph if optioned with the Dynamic Pack, and an unmatched exhaust growl? Oh, and don't think for one second you'll be traversing in a cheap, ordinary-looking budget supercar either, the XKR is a proper driver-focused Jag worthy of the animal on its grille.
So now that we've thrown the stats out, all that's left to know is that these modern British muscular sports cars are worth around $30,000 on the used market for the time being, but if the future is as V8-less as it seems, there won't ever be anything that Jaguar makes that quite matches the raw tenacity of the XKR.
2 2009 Maserati GranTurismo ($27,000)
And our runner-up for the best used supercar for a budget-conscious buyer is the Maserati GranTurismo, and we can already hear all the keyboard warriors raging because Maseratis aren't reliable. In all honesty, Maserati as a brand has never, and still isn't all too reliable, and very prone to depreciation, but the GranTurismo is much more reliable than a Quattroporte for example, and for that reason, it makes our list.
Performance-wise and exterior-wise, the GranTurismo is absolutely splendid. It has a sexy, sleek design that doesn't look dated, and because of its symphonic Ferrari-derived 4.2-liter 405-hp V8, it certainly is worth its sub-$30,000 price tag.
1 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ($36,000)
Oh, all the previous listings were too tame for you? Well, here is the ultimate supercar for those of you on a budget - and it's a Corvette. No ordinary 'Vette however, it's the C6-generation Z06. For less than $40,000 you can acquire one of the most bonkers American supercars ever created. The Z06 came fitted with a humongous naturally-aspirated 7.0-liter V8 hidden underneath its hood that sends more than 500 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, but even more impressive is its 0-60 time of just 3.6 seconds... but things get better.
The Z06 came equipped with a 6-speed standard transmission as well, so you're in full control at all times; that depends on how good of a driver you are of course, because taming 505 ponies isn't easy, especially when knowing if you don't lift off the throttle the Z06 can reach 198 mph.