supermini
superminis have come a long way since the name was coined in the 70s, to the point where they're now inescapable on our roads
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
- undeniably stylish
- Big on speed, performance and handling
- can retain their value, or even go up
- can be expensive to buy and run
- drivers may find a bumpy ride
- not ideal for families – they usually only have two seats
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.
