Cheapest supercar

[aponting389]

Silvanus said:

I thought the Granturismo was pretty much the perfect car to describe a GT.

I'd agree with this. It cannot be a supercar if it falls right in line with the description of a GT car, which I would describe as spacious, fast, (generally) front engined. And on top of that its literally named 'grand tourer'

Audi R8 is definitely a supercar. It might be entry level but its fast, wide, low, two-seater and mid engined.

[otolith]

I've always seen the R8 as a 911 rival, and I don't see the 911 as a supercar.

[GreatGranny]

Llew said:

I tentatively agree re the R8 but at the end of the day it's an Audi and part of being a supercar is the exotic badge...

My feelings are Gallardo or entry level Ferrari (360 @ circa £50k-60k?) ticks the box....

If we are talking "classic" supercars I reckon a V8 Lotus Esprit isn't a bad shout - Although it isn't really a "supercar" it is a very iconic and special car...

Super slim budget (sub £20k) a Maserati Granturismo or Quattroporte isn't a bad option... Poundstretcher special could be a sub £10k Maser 3200 but that would be at the buyer's peril !

You discount the R8 because it's made by Audi but then list the Granturismo which is definitely a GT car.

Also if the badge is a defining factor what about the Ford GT?

This thread is in danger of getting hugely derailed

[DanL]

To add fuel to the is it / isn’t it debate, a 996 turbo must be in / around the price of an early R8. Both have the looks and in era performance of a supercar. Both sparked debates then and now as to whether they qualify.

For me, 369, R8 or Gallardo are likely the cheapest ones.

[Llew]

GreatGranny said:

You discount the R8 because it's made by Audi but then list the Granturismo which is definitely a GT car.

Also if the badge is a defining factor what about the Ford GT?

This thread is in danger of getting hugely derailed

The Ford GT doesn't count because we're talking about "cheap" supercars but since it's a halo car and not a mass produced one like an R8 it gets an exemption in my eyes...

Granturismo is definitely a GT and the QP is definitely a saloon but to me Maserati is more "supercar" than Audi and has more brand cache beig Italian, unreliable etc... It's all very subjective...

[sosidge]

Heathwood said:

I agree that an original R8 v8 is about the cheapest way into something supercar shaped, but personally I think it’s more of a sports car. Next up is probably a Ferrari 360 or Gallardo for £60kish.

If an R8 isn't a supercar then a Gallardo isn't either.

[davek_964]

DanL said:

To add fuel to the is it / isn’t it debate, a 996 turbo must be in / around the price of an early R8. Both have the looks and in era performance of a supercar. Both sparked debates then and now as to whether they qualify.

For me, 369, R8 or Gallardo are likely the cheapest ones.

I've had a 996 turbo. It's fast enough - but it didn't look like a supercar, and it certainly didn't drive as a supercar. I've driven Ford Fiesta's which were more exciting.

As mentioned, 360 is probably a good choice for "cheap" superar - problem is, nothing is "cheap" these days.

[MKnight702]

sosidge said:

Heathwood said:

I agree that an original R8 v8 is about the cheapest way into something supercar shaped, but personally I think it’s more of a sports car. Next up is probably a Ferrari 360 or Gallardo for £60kish.

If an R8 isn't a supercar then a Gallardo isn't either.

I have a simple test. Walk into a pub and drop the keys on the bar, absolutely no-one is going to bat an eye if it is an Audi key, however, if it is a Lamborghini key there will be a different reaction. The R8 is a lovely, capable car, the V10 in particular makes all the right noises, but I am afraid, for me, the badge doesn't have enough clout.

[otolith]

MKnight702 said:

I have a simple test. Walk into a pub and drop the keys on the bar, absolutely no-one is going to bat an eye if it is an Audi key, however, if it is a Lamborghini key there will be a different reaction. The R8 is a lovely, capable car, the V10 in particular makes all the right noises, but I am afraid, for me, the badge doesn't have enough clout.

[biggbn]

ChocolateFrog said:

R8 is the answer.

A non-petrolhead might see the i8 as a supercar.

I'm a massive petrolhead and I'd have the i8 please.

[biggbn]

MKnight702 said:

sosidge said:

Heathwood said:

I agree that an original R8 v8 is about the cheapest way into something supercar shaped, but personally I think it’s more of a sports car. Next up is probably a Ferrari 360 or Gallardo for £60kish.

If an R8 isn't a supercar then a Gallardo isn't either.

I have a simple test. Walk into a pub and drop the keys on the bar, absolutely no-one is going to bat an eye if it is an Audi key, however, if it is a Lamborghini key there will be a different reaction. The R8 is a lovely, capable car, the V10 in particular makes all the right noises, but I am afraid, for me, the badge doesn't have enough clout.

So Koenigsegg, Pagani and many others wouldn't make the grade? I have a simple test. If I like it and want it I'll buy it, finances allowing. If others don't like it, approve, recognise my wonderful taste, so what? Lexus LFA would fail your test too...Bizzarini, maybe even AC or Dodge.

[alscar]

MKnight702 said:

I have a simple test. Walk into a pub and drop the keys on the bar, absolutely no-one is going to bat an eye if it is an Audi key, however, if it is a Lamborghini key there will be a different reaction. The R8 is a lovely, capable car, the V10 in particular makes all the right noises, but I am afraid, for me, the badge doesn't have enough clout.

Mine tend to stay in my pocket.

[Geoffcapes]

Silvanus said:

Mrinsignia said:

OutInTheShed said:

I don't think that's a club I'd choose to join!

In bikes, we (kind of?) have a 'definition' of 'Superbike' due to WSB racing.

The only 'supercar' racing seems to be in Oz, which is all about Ford and Holden V8s?

Personally I'd say a Maserati is a 'supercar' (due to being reasonably powerful and having great wallet-emptying potential) and quite likely the cheapest thing to deserve the name. Invent your own definition?

A Maserati Granturismo is a car I hadn't thought about and the prices start at £20k. It certainly has the exhaust note of a supercar and the same size engine as the R8...

I thought the Granturismo was pretty much the perfect car to describe a GT.

Well, GT is short for Grand Tourer. Or Granturismo.

However, if a Maserati GTS isn't a supercar as it's a GT. Then a Ferrari 812 GTS isn't a supercar either.

[OutInTheShed]

A lot of things labelled 'supercar' seemed to be made to be collected rather than driven?
Pretendy race cars which car makers build for bragging rights?

It's a bit like defining a 'classic'?

Looking back at the 60s/70s, it's a bit clearer, expensive and sporty with lots of cylinders.
Lambo, Maser, Aston, Ford GT40?
Plenty of crossover with 'GT' cars?
It was easier back then, because normal 'sports' cars were a lot less powerful.
Was an E-type a supercar, or was it not exclusive enough?

[Heathwood]

sosidge said:

Heathwood said:

I agree that an original R8 v8 is about the cheapest way into something supercar shaped, but personally I think it’s more of a sports car. Next up is probably a Ferrari 360 or Gallardo for £60kish.

If an R8 isn't a supercar then a Gallardo isn't either.

I specifically referenced the original V8, which I maintain falls into the sports car bracket. Things get a bit more blurry with the V10, which of course is a far closer relative to the Gallardo, which I would suggest sneaks into the junior supercar category.

[andymc]

the R8 is a sports car in my opinion

[Mrinsignia]

GreatGranny said:

Llew said:

I tentatively agree re the R8 but at the end of the day it's an Audi and part of being a supercar is the exotic badge...

My feelings are Gallardo or entry level Ferrari (360 @ circa £50k-60k?) ticks the box....

If we are talking "classic" supercars I reckon a V8 Lotus Esprit isn't a bad shout - Although it isn't really a "supercar" it is a very iconic and special car...

Super slim budget (sub £20k) a Maserati Granturismo or Quattroporte isn't a bad option... Poundstretcher special could be a sub £10k Maser 3200 but that would be at the buyer's peril !

You discount the R8 because it's made by Audi but then list the Granturismo which is definitely a GT car.

Also if the badge is a defining factor what about the Ford GT?

This thread is in danger of getting hugely derailed

A GT can still be a supercar though surely?

[Aventador 700]

alscar said:

MKnight702 said:

I have a simple test. Walk into a pub and drop the keys on the bar, absolutely no-one is going to bat an eye if it is an Audi key, however, if it is a Lamborghini key there will be a different reaction. The R8 is a lovely, capable car, the V10 in particular makes all the right noises, but I am afraid, for me, the badge doesn't have enough clout.

Mine tend to stay in my pocket.

Probably best

[Captain Smerc]

biggbn said:

ChocolateFrog said:

R8 is the answer.

A non-petrolhead might see the i8 as a supercar.

I'm a massive petrolhead and I'd have the i8 please.

The i8 is a super car.

[AMV93]

Depends on the club entry requirements. For a few of the genuine ‘supercar only’ type clubs, I reckon the cheapest seat is either the cheapest Ferrari you can get your hands on, a McLaren 540C (seen changing hands on collecting cars for around £70-80k) or a 918 Cayman GT4 for something more modern.

Usually, the likes of V8 R8’s, i8, Nissan GTR’s etc are excluded from the entry requirements list. As too are the likes of older Aston Martin’s, whereas normally Ferrari, McLaren and Lamborghini are ‘all models welcome’.

This is one of the more prominent clubs’ qualifying cars list https://supercar-driver.com/qualifying-car-list/