big on speed, performance and handling, sports cars may be guilty of putting pleasure over practicality - but they are without a doubt fantastic fun to drive

though sports cars sit at the more expensive end of the market, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of choice for buyers, including some more financially-friendly options that can make that fast car dream a reality.

Overview

What is a sports car?

At its most basic form, if it’s got two seats and is focused on performance and handling, then it's a sports car. There are many, many different models out there from all the major manufacturers,  who have a different idea of how to power it. But whichever way you go, they're usually packing more punch than your average estate.

The layout

There are the likes of Lamborghinis and Ferraris – which can be more accurately classed as hyper cars – and then there are your traditional sports cars, from a Mazda MX-5 and an Audi TT to a Porsche 911. Each are packed with parts specifically designed with performance in mind – from big, powerful engines to lightweight, aerodynamic exteriors. It’s these fierce features that make a number of sports car models rank among the best cars ever made.

But…

Sports cars are undeniably good fun. They're great to drive and good to look at, but you also need to be very aware of what you're getting yourself into. It's not just the larger upfront cost you've got to watch out for; even normal things like a service or new set of tyres for your 911 will set you back a much heftier price tag than that of a hatchback. Saying that, the used car market is great for finding more affordable sports cars — just be sure to do your research first.

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