Everyone loves supercars, with their powerful engines, track-focused handling, and potentially license losing performance - all of which come with a premium price tag, or do they?
With every new model launched having an effect on used car prices, owning a supercar can be a lot closer to reality than people think. Scouring the classifieds reveals a number of supercar bargains that, while new may have been $150,000 or more, can now be picked up for the price of a mid-range luxury sedan or SUV.
Accepting that bargain supercar will have some miles on the clock is a trade-off, but most supercars rarely get used as daily drivers so will be low mileage models anyway.
10 Ferrari F355 Spyder $48,000
Without resorting to older and less powerful models it is possible to be a Ferrari owner with $48,000 by buying a low milage 1997 F-355 Spyder.
A huge step forwards the F355 launched in 1994 was a much better car all round compared to the 348, with a new 3.5-liter V8 engine featuring 5 valves per cylinder boosting power to 375hp and capable of revving to 8,250rpm adding to the spine-tingling exhaust note.
As a driver's car the F-355 with its greatly improved chassis and handling won critical acclaim from the motoring press and owners alike.
9 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S $36,000
Porsche has been building the iconic 911 in various guises since 1963, with dozens of variations since all evolutions of the original design making them very popular and surprisingly cheap to buy.
One of the few supercars that owners can reliably drive every day the 2008 911 Carrera with a more efficient water-cooled engine being one of the most dependable engines fitted to a supercar. Normally aspirated producing 335hp gives owners true supercar performance reaching 62mph in 5 seconds, and can max out at 182 mph.
With so many 911's built, owners will have little difficulty finding a bargain to meet their budgets.
8 1998 Lotus Esprit V8 $39,995
Lotus while offering supercar performance at competitive prices often suffered from build and reliability issues, fortunately, late model V8 Esprits were much better in both areas and represent excellent used car value.
A long time in development and production the Esprit only received its 3.5-liter V8 in 1996 having previously made do with a 4-cylinder turbo. Its chassis had always been highly regarded, with the new engine finally able to exploit its superb handling the Esprit V8 capable of 180mph top speed easily matched its Ferrari and Porsche rivals.
7 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo $78,000
Never one to build a subtle car, Lamborghini with the Gallardo lacking dramatic visual impact of earlier cars more than made up for it with the 5.2-liter V10 engine announcing the cars approach.
Despite producing 493hp the Gallardo is surprisingly easy to drive thanks to the huge levels of grip provided by the 4-wheel-drive system, and in part due to the overall size comparable with a medium-sized hatchback. Usability aside, Gallardos can still deliver when it matters, 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 192mph.
Under the ownership of the VW group, build quality and reliability make the Gallardo a sound used car investment.
6 2009 Corvette $28,000
When it comes to high-performance cars at bargain prices, it is hard to ignore the Corvette with even the entry-level models capable of matching European supercars.
Featuring a steel backbone chassis evolved from the previous model, the Corvette C6 has a shorter overall length and a small increase to the wheelbase providing better weight distribution and balance. Adhering to the front-engine rear-wheel-drive layout Chevrolet offers a range of engines, with the 6.2-liter model producing 430hp capable of reaching 190mph.
5 1995 Acura NSX $40,000
Lacking the badge prestige of European supercars, the Acura NSX upset the automotive world launching the NSX in 1991 with performance, handling and, daily usability in a supercar at a price cheaper than its rivals.
Famously co-developed with the input of F1 legend Ayrton Senna, the mid-engined NSX with its 3.0-liter V6 offering 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 170mph easily matching other cars on sale at the time.
At the time of launch priced at $62,000 around half the price of a Ferrari offered excellent value for money.
4 2009 Audi R8 $59,000
At launch in 2006, the R8 provided exceptional value for money for a mid-engined supercar with performance figures slightly lower than the Gallardo, a car that shares its 4-wheel drive system with.
Unlike most supercars, the R8 is more civilized and user-friendly, although some owners report the driving experience is clinical and lacks excitement. Under the hood, Audi fitted the 4.2-liter V8 engine from the RS6 with 420 hp available resulting in 0-62mph taking 4.8 seconds and a maximum of 185mph.
Used values make the R8 a sensible choice, with the more popular options adding extensively to the new car list price.
3 2017 Jaguar F-Type R $59,990
One of the issues with owning a Jaguar is the depreciation. There are 2017 F-Type R listed for $59,900 - around half the price of the newer model and yet offering the same performance.
Available in either coupe or roadster, the F-type R with its supercharged 5-liter V8 producing 550hp in a rear-wheel-drive chassis making the big Jag a proper sports car. Only available with its automatic transmission the F-Type can hit 62mph in 3.9 seconds, pulling to its maximum speed of 186 mph all the while producing its intoxicating exhaust note.
2 2013 Maserati GranTurismo Sport $34,995
Produced between 2007-19 with a total of 39,000 examples, Maserati's GranTurismo offers supercar performance with greater exclusivity and cheaper prices than other Italian sports cars.
Part of the Fiat Chrysler group, early production GranTurismo's featured a Ferrari 4.2-liter V8 engine resulting in 400hp with the later models uprated to 4.7-liters and 444hp. Marketed as a luxury GT car the GranTurismo is a little bit soft to compete on twisty roads with a true supercar, a sub 5 second 0-62mph time and a maximum of 183mph make a compelling argument for this supercar bargain.
1 2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat $49,990
Very few sports cars or supercars can boast power figures of over 700hp, with most that can are restricted to limited editions and the associated price tags.
Petrolheads browsing through classified ads will come across the Hellcat, with 707hp under the hood from a 6.2-liter Hemi engine delivering 650lb-ft of torque. With more power than a Lamborghini Aventador, the Hellcat can hit 62mph in 3.6 seconds, and thanks to the torque keep accelerating all the way to its top speed of 204mph.
Is the Hellcat a supercar? Power and performance figures suggest it is, while the handling might not match the finesse of the Aventador it is hard to ignore the bargain price.