Top 10: Best used sports cars

A sports car is very much a purchase of the heart.

Whether you're intrigued by the thought of style, performance or an exciting drive, you want something that'll make you smile. New sports cars can cost a lot of money, so buying a second-hand model makes sense. Here we look at the 10 best on the market right now:

10: Jaguar F-Type Convertible

The Jaguar F-Type has a muscle-car-like quality about it. This is especially prevalent in any of its lairy V8 guises, although we actually prefer the more tameable – and generally cheaper – V6. Its 3.0-litre engine is still a riot, with 335bhp in standard form and 375bhp for the V6 S version. All V6 and V8 F-Types are supercharged and provide an engaging soundtrack to accompany their entertaining handling. Used prices aren't ridiculously high, either.

Strengths

Good performance

Attractive styling

Lots of fun to drive

Weaknesses

Tiny boot

Fiddly infotainment

Not cheap to run

9: Mercedes-AMG GT

Following up the legendary Mercedes-AMG SLS was no easy feat, but the Mercedes-AMG GT did exactly that – and did it very successfully. In S guise, its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine produces 515bhp for scintillating performance. Throw in involving handling, sleek looks and a sonorous exhaust note and the GT makes quite a lasting impression – even if it does without the dramatic gullwing doors of its predecessor. It's an expensive way to have a good time, but you're unlikely to regret your expenditure.

Strengths

Huge performance

Entertaining handling

Wonderful noise

Weaknesses

Restricted visibility

Some rivals are better to drive

Expensive to buy and run

8: BMW i8

The plug-in hybrid BMW i8 is fast, great fun to drive and very capable. Its 228bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine drives the rear wheels, and a 129bhp electric motor drives those at the front. This contributes to a rapid 0-60mph time of 4.2sec, yet it can run on electricity alone when needed.

It's an easy car to live with day to day, thanks to its impressively low running costs, handy rear seats and decent practicality. It's likely to be a sound investment as well, especially if you buy an earlier, cheaper example, because now that it's off sale, used prices are only likely to go up.

Strengths

Unique driving experience

Low running costs

Amazing styling

Weaknesses

Steering could be better

Cramped rear seats

Tiny boot

7: Porsche 911

You can't have a top 10 sports car list without a Porsche 911; you'll be hard-pressed to find a single version that isn't brilliant. For under £60,000, you can pick up an excellent 2016 Carrera S model.

In Carrera S form, the 991.2 generation 911 received a 414bhp 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged flat six with a super-smooth power delivery and a great noise to accompany it. It's a polished, high-quality, surprisingly practical sports car that's intoxicating to drive.

Strengths

Rapid performance

Wonderful handling

Beautifully finished interior

Weaknesses

Road noise

Still expensive

Stingy kit

6: Audi R8

The Audi R8 combines old and new school in a magnificent way. Its 5.2-litre V10 engine isn't turbocharged like most modern competitors, but with 602bhp (in pre-facelift Plus form) and Audi's sophisticated quattro four-wheel drive system, the R8 can take off like a rocket.

It makes it easy to put that power to good use on twisty roads, even when the weather could be better. What's more, because of its luxurious interior and well-judged ride, this supercar is remarkably easy to live with.

Strengths

Addictive V10 engine

Fluid handling

Refined cruising manners

Weaknesses

Not as playful on the limit as some rivals

Very thirsty when driven hard

Still not exactly cheap to buy

5: Alpine A110

If you want rapid performance, truly entertaining and involving handling and a comfortable ride thrown into a neat-looking sports car that won't break the bank to run the Alpine A110 is the car for you. It's definitely the car for us.

It offers proper pace in a small, lightweight package, and executes it brilliantly. In fact, we think it's one of the most entertaining and rewarding used sports cars you can buy at any price.

Strengths

Very involving and entertaining handling

Comfortable ride (for a sports car)

Rapid performance and surprisingly good economy

Weaknesses

Pretty poor luggage space

There isn't an abundance of A110s on the used market

Some rivals are a fraction cheaper to buy

4: Mazda MX-5

Ever since the first version was introduced in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 has been putting smiles on the faces of drivers – without bank-breaking buying and running costs. Now in its fourth generation, the model remains true to the original formula; it's a back-to-basics machine that embodies lightness, compactness and playfulness.

Sure, its largest engine (a 2.0-litre four-cylinder) in its most powerful form produces only 181bhp, but that's more than enough to explore the car's capabilities. That means you can have a lot of fun at even modest speeds, turning any favourite road into a playground.

Strengths

Fun handling and compliant ride

Rev-happy engines with performance suited to UK roads

Low running costs

Weaknesses

Wind noise at speed

Limited storage

Some might find the body lean disconcerting

3: Porsche Boxster

Wait: surely the Porsche 911's smaller, less powerful drop-top sibling can't rank higher than it? Well, it does in our eyes – and not just because it's available for less money and will be better on fuel. The Porsche Boxster also drives just as well, if not even better.

It feels light and agile, not to mention its 3.4-litre flat-six engine produces a healthy 311bhp (in S guise) and is great fun to take all the way up to the redline. That being said, even entry-level cars with the 261bhp 2.7-litre engine are a joy to drive.

Strengths

Brilliant handling

Surprisingly comfortable ride

Classy interior

Weaknesses

Not as well equipped as some

Relatively expensive to buy and own

2: Porsche Cayman

You might be wondering why the Porsche Cayman coupé ranks above the Porsche Boxster convertible in our books. Well, both are fantastic to an almost equal extent, but the Cayman offers a slightly superior driving experience by being lighter and having a stiffer structure (for even better handling), yet also more comfortable. The Cayman is slightly more practical than the Boxster, too. Like the Boxster, it offers beautifully balanced and engaging handling, precise steering and, in this earlier generation, glorious flat-six engines.

Strengths

Excellent performance with any engine option

Wonderful handling, making it terrific fun to drive

Posh interior feel and good use of high-quality materials

Weaknesses

Not very well equipped as standard in true Porsche fashion

Replacement parts will be pricey so shop around

Some of its rivals are cheaper to buy age-for-age

1: Audi TT Roadster

At number one, we have the Audi TT Roadster. It's an easily recommendable sports car, because it strikes an ideal balance between the silly and sensible. On one hand, it's sharp and nimble to drive, plus its engine line-up is strong, ranging from a modest 178bhp unit to a potent 395bhp one (in the TT RS).

On the other, the TT is comfortable and a class leader for interior quality, not to mention there's a decent amount of space for two on offer. It's reliable, too. And the cherry on top: used prices are reasonable across the board.