15 Best Supercars for Under $100k

For many of us, owning a supercar is quite high on our lists of things we must do at some point during our lives. Perhaps, arguably, even higher than it ought to be but for me, I knew from the day I first saw a Lamborghini Countach in the 1980s that at some point I wanted to get a supercar.

It’s not easy for the majority of us to get to that point in our lives when we have the finances to be able to even consider it. However, in the last ten years or so, obtaining a supercar has been made just a little easier by many more finance options being made available to more people than in previous times. Indeed, the vast majority of owners of supercars haven’t bought them with cash but with finance!

The majority of the supercars purchased are under $100,000 and if this is the value of cars you can afford, then you’re lucky as you have a fantastic amount of choice 🙂 If you’re just looking out of curiosity (like I was just a few short years ago) then keep moving forward and you’ll have one soon if you want it enough. So, I have created this list of the very best supercars that you can currently buy for under $100k, I hope you enjoy it!

Without further ado, here is my list of the 15 best supercars for under $100k.

Best supercars for under $100k

15) BMW i8

Example Model Year	2017
Example Model Mileage	6,000
Estimated Cost	$80k

When you first set eyes on the BMW i8 you know you’re looking at something a little bit special. BMW is not particularly well known for changing the design of their cars but this is certainly something different. It’s a head-turner. You tend to see the odd one on the road these days and I know that each time I do, it makes me stop whatever I’m doing and stare, occasionally a bit of dribble will come out of my mouth.

The i8 is a hybrid supercar so has a 7.1 kWh

that combines with a traditional combustion engine (called an inline 3) that delivers good performance combined with economy (combined mpg is ~76) – if you really push this thing don’t expect to still get those high mpg figures obviously! The i8 will get to 0-62mph in just over 4 seconds and is capable of speeds in excess of 150 mph.

What I rather like about the i8 is (apart from the looks and performance) is that they were produced in relatively low numbers and in 2017, only 488 units were sold (compared to 988 in Europe). This is good. The low numbers that were built means that resale prices should bottom out relatively quickly and the initial depreciation curve should level off after a couple of years. Which makes a 2017 model, with relatively low mileage (although anything less than 15,000 is acceptable) a good deal right now.

14) Rolls-Royce Phantom VII

Example Model Year	2006
Example Model Mileage	22,000
Estimated Cost	$99k

A Rolls Royce may not be the first car you think of when talking about supercars and indeed, some people don’t even associate them in this category but there will always be something rather special about a Rolls. Most people just ignore these cars when looking as they either can’t see themselves in one or think they won’t be able to afford one. But this is certainly not the case and just look at this Rolls Royce Phantom from 2006.

These things are made to an exceptionally high level of quality and if you haven’t ever had a chance to drive one, I’d certainly suggest a test-drive. The body is made mostly out of aluminum but inside you’ll find wood and leather, which is what you expect, of course, with a Rolls.

Not that you’ll be buying new but if you were you probably weren’t aware that you’d have been able to choose from one out of over 40,000 different colors for the exterior and any leather interior color that takes your fancy.

The engine is a 6.75-liter V12 monster and (not that it’s important with a car like this) will propel you from 0-62 mph in just over 5 seconds and will keep on going until the limiter kicks in at about 150 mph. These cars won’t usually be on the forecourt for long as they are sought after at the moment, however – like anything, the price will have to be right.

Buyers are well aware that maintenance and parts are not cheap and although you might be able to afford one of these, you’ll need to have a rather hefty budget for the upkeep!

13) Bentley Continental Supersports W12

Example Model Year	2011
Example Model Mileage	22,000
Estimated Cost	$99k

I could hardly include a Rolls-Royce without also including a Bentley! The Bentley Continental Supersports was made between 2009 and 2011 and was a limited production run, great news for resale. It has a 6-liter W12 engine that is capable of shifting this car to 62 mph from a standing start in just 3.7 seconds! At the time of production, this was the fastest Bentley ever produced and had a top speed just over 200 mph.

The cost of this car when new was about $270,000 so to be able to pick one of these up at under $100,000 makes it astonishingly good value. Will it continue to drop in price? In my opinion, it’s possible, but not by much and not for long. Considering its limited production run, the exceptional performance, and handling that the Bentley Supersports offers, this car is always going to be in demand and you will not find it difficult to find a buyer once you’ve had your fun. Not only that but I strongly expect the price of these cars to start rising – so if you want one, don’t wait too long!

12) Honda Acura NSX (1st Gen)

Example Model Year	2003
Example Model Mileage	22,000
Estimated Cost	$95k

There are many advantages to buying an older supercar rather than a more modern one. For a start, if you’re worried about depreciation then buying an older car, such as something like this 2003 NSX will all but remove that problem. In fact, you may even find that you make money on it!

The Acura NSX is a mid-engined car developed between Honda and Acura between 1990 and 2005. This was the first generation, the second generation started production in 2015 but we’re not interested in that for this list. The original NSX has some very special qualities. For instance, did you know that some of its aerodynamics were influenced by an F16 cockpit? Also, Ayrton Senna himself contributed to some of the development!

Production volumes were low, which is exactly what we want to hear and in 2003 only 221 units were sold in the US. The year before this, the NSX range had a face-lift which included the pop-up headlamps being replaced by fixed xenons (so unlike the photo below which was a slightly earlier version). The top speed was an impressive 190 mph and it will hit 60 mph in just under 5 seconds. If you want a great ‘old-school’ supercar that may turn out to be an investment, do consider the Honda Acura NSX!

11) Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Example Model Year	2019
Example Model Mileage	New
Estimated Cost	$70k

You couldn’t get that much different from the Honda Acura NSX to this, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT. Most cars in this list aren’t new which is great if you’re worried about depreciation but we had to include the Mustang GT350 in here just to show you what you can get brand new.

There is something very special about buying a new car. Being able to spec it just how you want it and being the first owner is a unique experience to have but there’s no masking the fact that as soon as you drive the thing out of the dealership, you’re going to have lost a tonne of money. Still, you can’t take money to the grave so let’s take a look at the car itself.

The Ford Mustang GT350 is powered by a 5.2 liter V8 and you may be wondering why this car is included in a list of supercars as many will consider it to not be quite up to other ‘supercar’ levels. However, if you have $100k to blow you can get a great deal of a car here for $70k, fully spec’d and have $30k left to play around with!

Under your right foot, you’ll have around 525 hp to play with that revs up to a rather shouty 8,250 rpm. Off the line, it will propel you to 60 mph in around 3.7 seconds and won’t stop until it reaches 180 mph. This is from a car that weighs a little less than 3,800 lbs and has room for 4 people!

So, maybe not what you expected in this list but with these performance figures, those looks and that price, it could not be ignored.

10) Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Example Model Year	2016
Example Model Mileage	9,000
Estimated Cost	$90k

Originally introduced in 2015, the Z06 was introduced with a 6.2-liter inter-cooled and supercharged V8 engine that produces a whopping 650 hp and a massive 650 lb-ft of torque. The Z06 sounds like a very angry angry-thing and has blistering performance. A top speed of 0.2 thousand miles per hour. A 0-60 mph in the amount of time it takes you to work out what 0.2 of a 1,000 actually is (err, okay, 2.9 seconds).

I do wonder how they manage to get so much performance available for so little – this really is a cracking buy but do beware of depreciation. Does the Z06 offer the same ‘supercar experience’ as other cars in this category?

Well, that’s up for debate as many don’t believe that the Z06 actually is a ‘supercar’, more of a ‘sports car’. Well, that may or may not be the case. All I know is that it looks fast, sounds fast and is fast. You could do a lot worse than end up in one of these!

9) Lotus Exige S 260

Example Model Year	2011
Example Model Mileage	6,000
Estimated Cost	$82k

The Lotus Exige S 260 is another car that will leave you with some change in your pocket and although you may not be getting all the technology and sheer brutality as something like the Shelby (above) – as far as smiles per miles, the Exige S 260 may well be on top of the whole list!

The Exige 260 has (predictably) 260 PS and the rather small 1.8 liter supercharged Toyota engine will take you to 60 mph in 4 seconds and its top speed is around 170 mph. Going fast though is not what the Exige is all about. This is a driver’s car.

For someone who likes to go out on a Sunday and just have some fun around mountain roads, you will arguably not find a better car. Although I’ve not been fortunate to ever own an Exige, I have owned 3 Elise’s in my time (a ’98 S1, a stock ’01 S2 and then a 2002 S2 Sport 190) – I’ve had a lot of cars since then but there’s nothing quite like driving a Lotus.

By the way, if you’re wondering what the difference is between a Lotus Elise and a Lotus Exige – wonder no more, check out my article here.

For me, what you’re getting for a little over $80k is a bargain. The Exige is for the purest, for those that don’t care about whether the car they have is classed as a supercar or not, only its drivers truly understand.

8) Ferrari 328 GTS

Example Model Year	1988
Example Model Mileage	30,000
Estimated Cost	$96k

And now for something just a little different. It was only a few short years ago that you could pick up one of these early Ferrari’s for less than $60k, however, things have moved on. These early examples are now appreciating assets and if you want to get hold of one before they become unobtainable (just look at the price of the Lamborghini Countach these days) then now is the time!

The Ferrari 328 GTS is a mid-engined car powered by a 3.2-liter engine. It had a top speed of 163 mph and could get to 60 mph in about 6 seconds. But you wouldn’t be buying this car for its performance figures, although they are very impressive for a 30-year-old car! What you’re buying is a bit of history and, at least potentially, an asset.

However, a car like this isn’t for everyone. It’s going to need to be looked after and if you want a daily-driver then this is not the car for you. An example with relatively low mileage will (naturally) always be more valuable than one with high miles so you do need to be careful as to how many miles you actually put onto a car like this. Assuming you eventually want to sell it – if you’re keeping it for life, buy it and enjoy it! Just look at it though, it’s stunning!

7) Jaguar F-type R AWD

Example Model Year	2018
Example Model Mileage	10,000
Estimated Cost	$99k

I like what Jaguar has become in recent years. Apart from the odd exception, they were well known for producing cars for the older gentleman and seemed quite happy to just plod on and do this. Things have changed though and now, with the likes of the F-type, they are targeting a different demographic – and boy have they done a good job.

I love the styling of the F-type, particularly the coupe and the sound that this thing makes (particularly the V8) compares favorably with other high-end manufacturers in this category, such as Aston Martin. There are many options available to you when configuring your new F-type and you can easily add $50,000 in options but the best choice would be to look for something one or two years old. For this, you will find yourself in a 5 liter V8, capable of 186 mph and 0-62 mph in 4 seconds.

The F-type is on my list. I don’t know when I’m going to get one and at this moment in time, I’m not sure quite how I’m going to get one, but I will!

6) Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe

Example Model Year	2016
Example Model Mileage	6,000
Estimated Cost	$99k

Mercedes don’t always produce the most exciting of cars, at least in my opinion. But if you’re after a Grand Tourer and have $99k to spend (or get finance for) then you can’t get much better than the Mercedes AMG GT S. This is basically the same as the GT version but more equipped.

Power is up to 516 hp and torque is increased to 495 lb-ft. One of the differences the GT S has is that it is equipped with an electronically controlled LSD (limited slip differential). You will also find dynamic spoilers and a performance exhaust – and what a noise that exhaust makes!

The AMG GT S will get from 0-62 mph in under 4 seconds and will only give up at just a little over 190 mph. But, its looks, engine sound and performance aren’t all there is to this car. Drive it carefully and you’ll be rewarded with an mpg a little over 30! Now that’s impressive for a 4 liter V8. But really, who’s going to want to drive a car like this slow enough to actually get those figures?

This is an awesome car and a popular one too. Mercedes AMG has been making these since 2015 and they’re only still making them as people are buying them. What will happen to their value in the future one can only speculate but it’s hard to imagine one of these at less than $70k for the foreseeable future.

5) Porsche 911 Turbo S

Example Model Year	2012
Example Model Mileage	22,000
Estimated Cost	$98k

You couldn’t possibly compile one of these lists without having a Porsche 911 on it! The timeless 911 would still be familiar to someone who bought one 50+ years ago! There are quite a few variants I could include in this list but I decided on an older Turbo S for several reasons.

The main being its performance but also was the knowledge that you’re really not going to lose much money on this unless you decide to stick 50,000 miles on it within a couple of years! If you did I wouldn’t blame you as they are an absolute pleasure to drive.

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is powered by a 3.8 liter, ~550 hp engine and will get to 62 mph just over 3 seconds and hit a maximum speed of over 190 mph.

But you knew these things were fast already, right? People don’t tend to buy these because of this, there are many cars that have good stats these days. People just know that when they buy a 911 they are buying quality. German engineering at its best. You’re not going to get the squeaks and rattles you might get with the hand-built Lotus, these things are solid.

These Porsche variants really seem to hold their price and indeed the older air-cooled 911’s have shot up in price in the last few years. This 2012 example won’t be dropping much more in price over the next few years and now is the time to get one.

4) Audi R8 V10

Example Model Year	2012
Example Model Mileage	22,000
Estimated Cost	$98k

I remember seeing an R8 for the first time quite a few years back. It is an exceptionally good looking car. It appears low and wide from the rear and the V10 engine was so good it was used in the Lamborghini Gallardo. What I really like about the R8 though was the fact that you could daily drive it. It’s comfortable and practical to take it shopping but has the kind of performance (and sound) that would leave many sports and supercars for dead.

There are two generations of this car, the first was from 2006 to 2015 and the second was from 2015 onwards. Almost 29,000 1st Gen R8’s were sold which is reasonably high for a supercar and this can cause problems with depreciation but on the other hand, can mean you can get yourself a bargain!

There was a 4.2 and a 5.2-liter model produced during this time and it is the 5.2 V10 (that, as we mentioned earlier was based on the Gallardo engine) that is recommended. This has a power output of 525 hp and a 0-62 mph time of 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 196 mph.

3) Aston Martin DBS V12

Example Model Year	2010
Example Model Mileage	23,000
Estimated Cost	$95k

Into the top three and I’d like to present to you the Aston Martin DBS V12. For the James Bond fans out there, you may recognize it from the films Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008). You just can’t help but imagine yourself as Bond, 007, License to Kill, when you’re in one of these things. There’s just something very English about it.

The Aston Martin DBS V12 is driven by a 5.9-liter powertrain and has 510 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. This particular engine has a bypass valve which, when activated automatically above 5,500 rpm, allows more air into the engine, increasing performance. The DBS will reach 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of up to 191 mph.

It’s not just the performance figures that impress though. Looking inside, you’ll find carbon fiber, leather and wood and where opportunities have presented themselves to reduce weight, they have been taken – to a degree. Despite weight being shaved off where possible, be under no illusion that this is a quality car and well worthy of its top three position!

2) McLaren MP4-12C

Example Model Year	2012
Example Model Mileage	20,000
Estimated Cost	$97k

McLaren has gone from literally nowhere to becoming a strong contender in the supercar market. Things went a little quiet after the legendary F1 was made all those years ago but now, with the 570 series as well as the P1 and the Senna, McLaren has upped their game. But we’re not here to talk about the 570 series, despite it being a very capable car. In position 2, I give you the McLaren MP4-12C. This was really the car that set McLaren on the road to success and preceded the 570 series.

Produced between 2011 and 2014, the McLaren MP4 is powered by a 3.8 liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine capable of a 0-60 time in under 3 seconds and a top speed, allegedly of over 200 mph. With some help from its dihedral doors that open upwards rather than outwards, it looks spectacular.

Although there were concerns that the MP4 had some reliability issues (that were ironed out with the 570) if you were to pick up a model with a few miles on it, these should have all been sorted out by this point. If this car drops in value it won’t be dropping for long and soon I believe the prices of these will start to increase as they are seen as a limited edition classic rather than the more mass-produced 570 series.

1) Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (Pre-LP)

Example Model Year	2007
Example Model Mileage	21,000
Estimated Cost	$91k

So, here we are – my top choice for a supercar under £100k is the Lamborghini Gallardo (pre-LP) There is so much to be said about this car that is positive. Of course, we could start with the looks and I believe the appearance of this is more reminiscent of what we expect Lamborghini to deliver, arguably more than its successor, the Huracán. It has aggressive lines and the 5 liter V10 at full-chat will sound more like a Formula 1 car….than a Formula 1 car itself!

The engine noise actually changed between the Gen 1 and Gen 2, something to do with the Gen 1 being an even-firing V10 and the Gen 2 being an odd-firing V10. Don’t get me wrong, the Gen 2 sounds awesome but you just can’t get the same kind of scream as you did in these earlier versions. It’s depreciated as much as it’s going to and you’ll see these supercars increasing in price over the next 5 years in my opinion.

Performance wise, a sub-4-second 0-60 and a top speed in excess of 200 mph is there for you if you want it. But it’s not about the performance with the Gallardo. It’s about the looks and the sheer presence the car has.

It turns heads and it makes people smile. It is for this reason primarily that you find it at the top of the list. There’s nothing quite like a Lamborghini.