Best sportscars to buy

Budget buy - Renaultsport Clio 200 (£17,135-£18,135)

One of the best handling hot hatches on sale with a sweet chassis, great steering and plenty of oomph

We like: very well priced, performance, handling, ride quality
We don't like: Cup version very stiff, could sound more tuneful

Read a RenaultSport Clio 200 review
Buy a RenaultSport Clio 200 on Auto Trader
 

Affordable buy - Porsche Cayman S (£47,604 -£49,607 )

Double-clutch gearbox makes the brilliant Porsche Cayman a much better proposition. One of the world's best driver's cars - and affordable, too.

We like: noise of flat-six engine, performance, ride and handling, fuel economy
We don't like: proper paddles for PDK gearbox a cost option

Read a Porsche Cayman S review
Buy a Porsche Cayman on Auto Trader

Premium buy - Ferrari 458 Italia (£178,491-£198,936)

The most focussed, exciting, dramatic supercar you can buy for under £250,000

We like: stunning styling, breathtaking acceleration, very well resolved chassis
We don't like: tad noisy at times, complicated controls, no manual transmission

Read a Ferrari 458 Italia review
Buy a Ferrari 458 Italia on Auto Trader

Also consider:
Renaultsport Mégane 265 - a hot hatch aimed firmly at the enthusiast
Volkswagen Golf GTi - the sensible choice but a thrilling, rewarding car in its own right
Porsche 911 - the people's supercar
Lotus Exige S - balance, grip and steering feel don't get much better than this
Mazda MX-5 - few cars come close to the MX-5 for driver rewards
Toyota GT8 / Subaru BRZ - low (ish) cost rear-wheel-drive thrills from these siblings
Audi R8 V10 plus - real thrills with everyday usability

0-£5k: Honda S2000

Eats MX-5 s for breakfast: proper chassis with decent power and on-the-button styling. Yes, we know the MX-5 is a proper car too, but it's not two litres and 237 bhp, is it?

We like: power past 6,000 rpm, wailing shriek from that Honda engine, handling to die for, sweet styling even years after launch. On sale from under £2k, so much cheaper than a sex addiction (there's your excuse for the bank manager/wife).

We don't like: so many revs to reach the power (this is called dichotomy), pricey Honda parts, the fact that Honda don't make it anymore.

Buy a used Honda S2000 on Auto Trader

£5k-£10k: Audi TT Roadster

When the TT Roadster was introduced in 1999, the world knew lust. With power options ranging from 150 to 250 horsepower, there's a TT recipe to suit most tastes. £5K buys a clean '04 180 with average mileage and not in Silver. The later-model ('06-on) Coupes have just dropped under £10k, so watch equivalent Roadster prices fall through 2012.

We like: early cars a joy to behold and fun on the road. Comfy cabins and solid build quality. Good chassis except when driven hard on the very worst surfaces. Lots sold hence now affordability: prestige drop-top engineering for Nissan Micra money.

We don't like: Golf turbo motor sucks up fuel when pressed. TT worries include instrument failures and electrical issues - check everything works. You want plenty of service history, regular oil changes for turbo health and no 4wd problems if it's fitted: pricey to repair.

Buy a used Audi TT on Auto Trader

£10k+: Mercedes SLK 350

The Mercedes SLK improves with every new version. Post-2008 facelift SLK 350 is the perfect reason why you shouldn't spend more money on an AMG version.

We like: lots of positive feedback from satisfied SLK 350 drivers, detailing apparent reliability and decent fuel economy. Sharper steering courtesy of later variable-ratio rack. Latest model will affect prices for older used cars when it hits the used market.

We don't like: variable dealer feedback and fluffy boulevard cruiser preconceptions. A well-maintained facelift SLK 350 won't shame the owner while chasing hairy-chested supercars up Alpine passes, nor will it spill the drinks.

Buy a used Mercedes SLK on Auto Trader