Super-fast for £50k | Six of the Best
From lightweight track stars to AWD turbo monsters, silly speed comes in all shapes and sizes
Mercedes-AMG C63 S, 2019, 14k, £49,995
The previous AMG C63, especially in facelifted form, was so compelling because it was so good at pretty much everything. It was luxurious, it handled nicely, the gearbox was good, it looked great in all of its bodystyles - and sounded even better. But central to its appeal, as has always been the case with AMG V8s, was the sheer amount of performance on offer. Notable with the 2018 facelift was no more power for the hot-V 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, an S like this one rated at 510hp, yet that didn’t matter one jot. With 516lb ft on top, it was fast wherever and whenever required. King of the autobahn and not bad on the track either, it was always monstrously quick. This one comes with a full Mercedes history and has covered less than 15,000 miles; don’t be surprised if it’s very easy to add a whole lot more.
BMW M3 CS, 2018, 35k, £49,990
These days we’re used to turbo M cars. Back when the F80 M3 was launched, however, it was all pretty new, memories of the V8 fresh and the M2 - the car that really brought turbo M cars to the mainstream - a couple of years off. The twin-turbo straight-six was fast alright, with 406lb ft against the V8’s 295lb ft, though a tad unruly in early cars. Gradually, though, the first turbo M3 improved, and could make better use of its generous reserves. By the time of the CS, BMW had the thing locked in: the front end was direct, the rear predictable, the damping sorted and the engine fierce. The 3.0-litre S55 really ripped around to 7,600rpm, and the standard DCT was the perfect match for such a revvy engine. Little surprise, then, that the CS is still the most desirable of this M3 era: this 35,000-miler is just £10 under budget.
Porsche 911 Turbo (996), 2003, 60k, £49,995
The 996 is the beginning of the modern, madcap 911 Turbo, and is now starting to be recognised as such. These days we’ve come to expect unflappable (and almighty) all-weather performance, everyday civility and engaging handling from the 911 flagship - that approach started with this car. Prior to the 996, a Turbo was more highly strung and rare groove; this was the car that proved supercar fast needn’t be any more demanding than a Carrera. Thus Turbos have proved extremely popular over the years, still offered as a cabrio and more accessible than ever with PDK. Manual 996s are starting to appreciate, however, a nice bridge between modern and classic 911s with the size and gearbox allied to all-wheel drive. This coupe is a predictable colour scheme, yes, though all the better for not attracting attention; it’s about to hit 60k, and benefits from a recent new clutch.
Nissan GT-R, 2009, 28k, £46,990
The car that would prove to be the 911 Turbo’s nemesis, and one of the modern performance car bargains at launch. In 2009, the Nissan GT-R cost about the same as a BMW M3, and was miles faster everywhere: road or track, wet or dry. A GT3 was much more expensive and no quicker. The GT-R was an instant sensation and continued to be year after year as the VR38DETT V6 was fettled and the chassis optimised to make the very best of it. It was also far more engaging and exciting than either the weight implied or the detractors suggested. Then made even faster, very easily, by power-crazed lunatics. This one, incredibly, has survived a decade and a half without modification, so you’ll have to make do with just the 480hp. But with some old-school lag and turbo rush, plus that stunning chassis, expect it to feel more than brisk enough.
Caterham 620R, 2016, 1k, £49,995
The supercharged Sevens are truly mad automobiles, with a preposterous amount of power crammed into very small, very simple, very light sports cars. A Caterham can be pleasingly brisk with a 660cc turbocharged three-cylinder in the nose; a 1.6 four-cylinder is pretty quick, really, and a 2.0-litre very, very fast indeed. For the 620 models, that engine is supercharged, for obscene, almost unbelievable performance. There’s nothing to rival the experience of a rear-drive toboggan with more than 300hp, and this will be one of the most extreme, complete with paddleshift sequential gearbox, widetrack suspension, uprated dampers and more. A collaboration project between Geartronics and Team Leos motorsport, it’s basically brand new despite a 2016 reg, with just 1,462 miles. Definitely don’t expect much to come past on your next track day.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2022, 33k, £46,580
Though the Giulia Quadrifoglio was not much more potent than its super-saloon rivals - its 510hp matched the C63 to the horsepower, and 442lb ft was a little ahead of the M3 - it was hugely significant for just being a fast Alfa Romeo. Sounds silly now after almost a decade of them, but proper Cloverleaf-badged flagships just hadn’t existed. The 8C and 4C were intriguing, though hardly mass-market performance cars. The Giulia changed all that, with an effervescent turbo V6 delivering personality as well as 190mph potential. That alone would have been enough to make a cult hero of the Quadrifoglio; that it looked so good and drove so nicely ensured it icon status. This one is barely a couple of years old, and at little more than £45k looks conspicuously good value against a new one. Saloons aren’t likely to be as stylish or as thrilling ever again.
Off to the classifieds for c63s estate…
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16522750
Of the others i'd have the Alfa. That Caterham would be a massive handful even on a track unless you really, really know what you're doing.
C63s saloon pre facelift (current)
M3 non comp (prior to 63)
M3 comp can be bought for 30ish
C63s coupes easily for 40k
If you perceive them as a "30k-40k" car, they make sense.
Once 50k you're getting into 991.1 (I know not as practical), and verging on 991.2, which are so much more desirable. Also things like AMG GTS, Cayman GT4, E63, S500 coupe are within that budget or not far off.
C63s saloon pre facelift (current)
M3 non comp (prior to 63)
M3 comp can be bought for 30ish
C63s coupes easily for 40k
If you perceive them as a "30k-40k" car, they make sense.
Once 50k you're getting into 991.1 (I know not as practical), and verging on 991.2, which are so much more desirable. Also things like AMG GTS, Cayman GT4, E63, S500 coupe are within that budget or not far off.
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