Sports cars sacrifice practicality, fuel economy and (for the most part) affordability in the name of fun. If you’re a keen driver with a bit of disposable income and space on your driveway for a second vehicle, we highly recommend you opt for one of the cars in this list.
For this compilation, we’ve only considered vehicles that were designed to be sports cars from the offset. Our round-up consists purely of two-door coupes and convertibles, most of which are strict two-seaters. You won’t find any hot hatchbacks here. They’re much too practical.
The best sports cars on sale in 2024
Quite simply, a brilliant lightweight, usable sports car
That doesn’t sound like much for a sports car but, because the Alpine A110 only weighs a shade over a tonne, it leaps forward with enthusiasm if you so much as look at the throttle. Its bantamweight construction is coupled with a supple also suspension system, which means it floats down a British B-road with far greater ease than a Porsche 718 Cayman. You could comfortably use it every day.
To find out more, read the full Alpine A110 review.
Pros
- Lightweight construction, so it’s rapid
- Perfectly set up for rutted UK roads
- Relatively economical when gently driven
Cons
- Infotainment system lags behind rivals
- Long waiting list for UK buyers
Performance you can enjoy every day – for a price
Because the weight balance was set so far rearwards, early cars were a bit wayward in the corners. But Porsche’s engineers are a clever bunch and, after 70 years of tweaking, they’ve turned the 911 from a widow-maker into one of the finest-handling cars on sale. And it’s genuinely useable every day. It’s comfortable when you’re not hammering it and you get a reasonably sized boot up front.
To find out more, read the full Porsche 911 review.
Pros
- Superb driving experience
- Surprisingly practical
- Impeccable build quality
Cons
- Rivals are more dramatic
- Expensive options
Raucous performance and a rowdy V8 soundtrack
It’s hilariously quick in a straight line. The range-topping Mustang Mach 1 produces 460hp – and you need to manage it yourself through a proper six-speed manual gearbox. The controls also need a heavy hand to get the best out of the car. It also goes around corners better than you’d expect, although it trails the BMW 4 Series for outright agility.
To find out more, read the full Ford Mustang review.
Pros
- Amusing straight-line performance
- Handling lacks finesse
- Relatively practical
Cons
- Handling lacks finesse
- V8 engine drinks like a fish
Reborn Supra is an excellent all-round sports car
You also can’t complain about the way the Supra drives. It’s somewhere between a sports car and a GT which, unlike the harder-edged Porsche 718 Cayman, means its predictable and approachable. The steering is direct and quick, but it’s a little dead. If you want a sports car that talks to you as you’re driving along, opt for something else.
To find out more, read the full Toyota GR Supra review.
Pros
- Grippy, confidence-inspiring handling
- Impressively comfortable
- Very usable
Cons
- Engines aren’t as exciting as they should be
- Enthusiasts will lament heavy BMW influence
More exciting than parachuting out of a burning aeroplane
But get it right and you’ll wear a mile-wide smile. The Seven’s suspension is beautifully well-judged, offer a level of directness normally only accessible to Formula One drivers. The flagship 620R model is trouser-troublingly quick, too. It has a better power-to-weight ratio than a Bugatti Veyron, which means it can embarrass almost every supercar out there on a track day.
To find out more, read the Caterham Seven review.
Pros
- Thrilling pace and great exhaust sound
- Hugely engaging driving experience
- Less expensive than its rivals
Cons
- Cramped cabin and no storage space
- Exposed cockpit, so not ideal when it rains
The future of Lotus is here – and it’s off to a great start
The gamble seems to have paid off, though. We’ve driven some pre-production versions of the new Emira, and we’re deeply impressed by its ability to both thrill you and flatter your driving ability. Even if you’re not Kimi Raikkonen, you can still enjoy the Emira’s performance.
To find out more, read the full Lotus Emira review.
Pros
- Immense power and rapid acceleration
- Handling and steering are brilliant
- Impressive ride quality
Cons
- Interior can’t match Porsche for quality
- Rather expensive compared with old Elise
Cheap to buy, affordable to run and fun to drive
The current MX-5 is the best of the bunch. It’s powered by a choice of excitable naturally aspirated petrol engines and has a sublime manual gearbox. This combination really encourages you to wring every drop of power you can from the engine, and you’ll be constantly changing gear to keep it in the sweet spot. The handling is nigh-on perfect, too, while the steering is bordering on telepathic.
To find out more, read the full Mazda MX-5 review.
Pros
- Revvy petrol engines love being worked
- Razor-sharp handling and excellent gearbox
- An absolute bargain
Cons
- Cramped cabin with little storage space
- Boot is hilariously small
Entry-level Porsche with top-shelf performance
Every version of the 718 Cayman offers sharp handling and it’s a lot more approachable than its big brother, the 911. It isn’t desperately uncomfortable, either. The suspension is well-judged for a sports car and its seats strike a keen balance between padding and support. Our only complaint is the slightly stingy level of standard equipment.
To find out more, read the full Porsche 718 Cayman review.
Pros
- Power, handling and comfort
- Flat-six engines sound fantastic
- Rock-solid quality and image
Cons
- Four-cylinder models are a little dull
- Very expensive if you explore the options list
And finally…
Still offers great performance and quality cabin
It’s also one of the only sports cars in this list with four seats – although the rear bench is only really suitable for carrying children or luggage. You certainly wouldn’t want to spend a long journey stuck under the TT’s sloping roofline. Daft rear seats aside, the rest of the TT’s interior is sublime. It’s very well finished and features Audi’s excellent Virtual Cockpit infotainment system.
To find out more, read the full Audi TT review.
Pros
- Excellent interior quality
- TT RS is a downsized supercar
- Already a modern classic
Cons
- Could be more fun to drive
- Ride can be fidgety and firm
Drop-dead gorgeous looks and a massively powerful V8
And it isn’t just quick in a straight line. Jaguar set the F-Type’s suspension up very well, giving it a great mix of grip and slip for when you’re feeling playful. The V8 R model also comes with four-wheel drive, bigger brakes and adaptive dampers, which allows it to carve chunks out of any mountain pass or B-road. It’s also staggeringly competent in wet weather.
To find out more, read the full Jaguar F-Type review.
Pros
- V8 model offers sensational performance
- Exciting handling on every variant
- A classic from the day it was launched
Cons
- Harsh ride on largest wheels
- Interior quality is patchy
Sports cars: always in demand
Sports cars have grown in popularity in recent years. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported a 21.2% increase in sports car registrations between 2012 and 2021 – but that change is dwarfed by the increase in SUV registrations. During the same nine-year period, SUV sales shot up by 120.6%.
In response to this trend, lots of manufacturers have refocused their line-ups, shunning sports cars in favour of SUVs. Ford relaunched its Puma coupe as a crossover in 2019, Lotus unveiled the Eletre SUV in October 2022 and Alfa Romeo has confirmed it’ll launch a smaller SUV in 2024 to sit below the Tonale. Even Lamborghini hopped on the bandwagon with the Urus.
Thankfully, sports car buyers have plenty of choice for now. Our Top 10 list of the best sports cars on sale in the UK is proof of that. Once you’ve picked your favourite, head over the Parkers Cars for Sale website and start shopping. You could pick up a bargain.
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