Supercars are known for being fast, flashy and expensive. Unfortunately, the majority of these incredible cars are too expensive for the average person to own. However, there are a couple of supercars that you can actually pick up for under $100k.
The 6 best supercars you can buy for under $100,000 are:
- Dodge Viper SRT
- Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4-Door
- Nissan GTR
- Jaguar F-Type
- Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
- Aston Martin Vantage
Below we will go through each of these cars in more detail, analyzing what makes them some of the best supercars for those on a budget. But first, we’ll go through the criteria we had in mind when looking for the best supercars for less than $100k.
Our Criteria
There’s a lot to take into consideration when it comes to buying a supercar. Of course, the performance specs are important, but unless you’re buying an out-and-out track day car, they aren’t actually all that crucial to your choice.
An important factor that we will be looking at is reliability. At the end of the day, you don’t want to be spending more money repairing the car than driving it. In addition, we’ll also look at the fuel efficiency of the car, but don’t expect it to be great for any of them, as supercars are known for being heavy fuel consumers!
Other important factors we’ll be looking at include value retention, popularity, rarity, and brand pedigree. These factors can’t always be measured easily, but it can be important to include these factors when buying a supercar.
About Second-Hand Supercars
Buying a second-hand supercar is always a risk, no matter which model, year or how low the mileage is. Supercars are bought for their performance aspects, and a car that has 2000 miles on it might seem like it has low mileage. However, the issue is that it could have been 2000 miles where the car has been driven aggressively and recklessly, which can cause a lot of problems underneath the hood.
This could lead to engine, gearbox, chassis or even suspension problems that you might not notice when you first buy the car. Here are some factors to look out for when buying a second-hand supercar:
- The mileage
- Its condition – both interior and exterior
- Is there a full-service history from the dealership?
- Can you take it for a test drive before buying?
6 Best Supercars Under $100k
1. Dodge Viper SRT
The Dodge Viper has been an extremely popular American supercar for many years. When the latest version released featuring performance updates and a face lift, lots of people fell back in love with this American classic.
The new model features a more modern look, but it doesn’t lose those classic Viper features. This car has seen an increase in popularity since its ‘rebirth’, and Dodge have made no shortage of sales on this new version.
Models And Prices
Unfortunately, the Viper went out of production in 2017, so you will only be able to find second-hand models. The good news here though is that the Viper’s value could skyrocket in the coming years, so if you do own one, make sure you hold on to it and keep it in good condition.
At the moment, you can find a 2017 Viper SRT for around $99,000. Owning this supercar, and what could be considered a major piece of motorsport history, for just under $100k is a bargain.
Performance
Featuring a monstrous 8.4L V10 engine, the Viper has no shortage of power. The engine not only produces a magical sound, but it also kicks out an eye-watering 645 horsepower. The Viper has stiff suspension which gives it fantastic cornering ability as well.
It’s worth noting that the Viper only comes equipped with an old-school six speed manual gearbox, so make sure you know how to drive stick before buying one!
Reliability
The Viper has been reported to be very reliable. Many owners have been happy with the reliability of their car, and maintenance costs are fairly low. Body panels can be expensive to replace if need be, but general maintenance parts such as spark plugs and fluids are not.
In terms of fuel economy, no one can expect the massive Viper engine to be very efficient, but it has a combined MPG of 15, which is not too bad for a gas guzzling supercar.
Pedigree
Since its inception in 1991, the Viper has been known as a street racer. It was a hit from the beginning with the menacing looks and powerful engine, and so the Viper became a popular streetcar. In more recent years we have seen the Viper being used in motorsport as well, with some teams racing a modified version of the Viper in endurance and GT races.
2. Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4 Door
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT was a full-blown supercar built as the successor to the SLS. In 2018, Mercedes decided to put a new spin on the supercar category when they built a 4-door version of the AMG. This saloon is still a supercar, but it has four doors. Now you can get the kids to school in record time!
Models And Prices
The latest models are sold for around $150,000. But you can find a 2019 model of the AMG GT 4-door for $99,000. Generally, these cars are excellent quality and even a second-hand one will still usually be in great condition.
Performance
The Mercedes AMG GT 4-door features a 3.0L turbocharged V8 engine which produces a massive 630 horsepower. You might not have the two-door supercar, but you still have more horsepower than it. The 4-door version produces more horsepower than any other Mercedes on the market. The two door AMG GT-R produces only 577 horsepower.
Reliability
Mercedes-Benz is known for building quality cars. Classic German engineering means that reliability problems with this car are very rare. Mercedes does have some pricey maintenance packages and parts though, if things do start to go wrong.
Pedigree
Mercedes Benz has a long history of producing high-quality cars. These cars have also been used in many forms of motorsport, from Formula 1 to DTM and endurance racing, and Mercedes has one of the best motorsport pedigrees of all car manufacturers.
3. Nissan GTR
When the new generation of Nissan GTR hit the market in 2007 it was quickly identified as the ‘supercar killer’. This is because it was significantly cheaper than other supercars on the market at the time and it was also comfortably faster than many other supercars. It featured ground-breaking technology, performance, and handling.
Models And Prices
There was a huge gap in the timeline between the 2007 facelift and the latest model of the GTR. However, the ‘older’ version of the GTR still looks fantastic and it’s a real head turner, especially for those who know their cars.
Prices for the Nissan GTR vary greatly for most models. Some 2018 models go for just under $100k, and in some cases a 2012 model could go for around $98,000. It all depends on the condition of the car and the mileage on it.
Performance
The Nissan GTR is very impressive in terms of performance. Even the older models of GTRs can still take on modern day supercars. The Nissan GTR has a 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 562 horsepower. The GTR can launch itself from 0-60 MPH in just 2.7 seconds. It also has an excellent handling model as well, which gives it a significant advantage on track.
Reliability
The Nissan GTR is generally a very reliable car. However, the car can be expensive to maintain and insure, especially if it’s used as a daily driver. This is something to take into consideration if you’re using the car daily and for track days as well.
Pedigree
The Nissan GTR has a long history when it comes to motorsport and car culture. The original Nissan GTR is still a huge icon in the automotive sphere to this day. The new GTR is no different, and owning one of these machines is like owning a piece of automotive history.
4. Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type is still a newcomer to the supercar scene. Its first introduction was in 2013. It has been a good-looking car from the start with sharp edges and a menacing look, and it’s sure to turn heads wherever it goes. On top of that, it has an incredible engine sound too.
Models And Prices
The F-Type is actually incredibly cheap for a supercar, coming in at around $61,000. If you opt for the larger engine, you’ll have to pay a bit more, but you can still get the top of the range F-Type for just a little bit over $100k.
The V6 engine will set you back $81,000, while a monstrous V8 engine will cost you around $103,000. Still, these prices are not too bad for a top of the range F-Type which is considered a supercar.
Performance
The Jaguar F-Type may be cheaper than some supercars out there, but it’s still no slouch. The base model F-Type has a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that is capable of producing 296 horsepower. This might not sound all that much, but with a lightweight body this car can turn into a rocket ship.
The car is also very well balanced which makes it incredibly stable in the corners. It has excellent traction as well, which allows this car to be very quick around a track.
Reliability
Jaguar has been known for having some unreliable cars. Unfortunately, that does not stop with the F-Type. This particular model has had numerous issues reported from owners, across a range of aspects of the car. In addition, it can also be extremely expensive to maintain. Own one of these cars at your own risk!
Pedigree
Jaguar does have some racing pedigree, but it has been a bit of a rollercoaster. They have had some spells in Formula 1, endurance racing and GT racing, but none of those have been consistently successful. Their most consistent motorsport contribution thus far has been in Formula E, where they are still running strongly.
5. Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The Ford Mustang has been an automotive icon for decades. Each model of the Mustang has been a head-turner, from the very first to the latest model. One could go as far as saying that it’s one of the most recognizable cars in history. Being made famous by movies and celebrities, this car is sought after by many car enthusiasts.
The Shelby GT500 claims to be the best Mustang to ever leave the factory, and not many people would disagree with that.
Models And Prices
The latest version of the Shelby GT500 is the best model to consider. It has the latest tech and has excellent performance specs. You can pick up this incredible supercar for around $74,000 which is significantly cheaper than many other supercars.
Performance
The Ford Mustang has an incredibly powerful engine, featuring a 5.2L supercharged V8 which puts out a whopping 760 horsepower. Mustangs are known for being incredibly heavy though, which does affect their handling ability at high speeds.
They are notoriously difficult to control under heavy acceleration and at high speeds, so make sure you take your time to get used to the insane amount of power that this car is capable of putting down under acceleration.
Reliability
Mustangs have been known for being hardy and durable cars. They are reliable and while many owners have reported having some small issues here and there, there is rarely anything too drastically wrong with these cars. So, you can expect a long lifespan from your Mustang.
Maintenance, however, can be a bit expensive due to the rare high-performance parts that are put into a Mustang. It is significantly more expensive if you are not based in the US as well.
Pedigree
Ford has a fantastic racing pedigree where they have taken on the likes of McLaren and Ferrari in endurance racing. They have even had a successful spell in Formula 1 as engine manufacturers under the Cosworth banner. Ford Mustangs have become famous for street races, drag races and generally incredible performance.
6. Aston Martin Vantage
Aston Martin has long been a famous brand in the automotive world. Most commonly associated with the image of James Bond, this British manufacturer has become known for producing fantastic luxury cars. However, this luxury extends to its high-performance cars too.
Models And Prices
The Aston Martin Vantage is the best model to look out for when you’re searching for an Aston under $100k. Unfortunately, you will need to look for a second-hand model as the latest model is around $150,000.
You can easily find a 3-year-old Aston Martin Vantage for under $100,000 though, and due to the nature of the car it should be in good condition. Despite the incredible performance on the Vantage, it tends to be driven in a more relaxed style on longer journeys (i.e., as a grand tourer rather than as a track day car).
This means that while a second-hand Vantage may have been pushed a little bit from time to time, it most likely wasn’t thrown around a racetrack at full pelt.
Performance
The Vantage features a 4.0L twin turbo V8. This enormous engine can kick out 503 horsepower. This is competition for the 4-door AMG GT we talked about earlier. While the Mercedes would likely just beat the Vantage in terms of raw speed, the Aston is still one of the fastest 4-seater production cars in the world, and a supercar worthy of being considered for this list.
Reliability
Although Aston Martins are known for being fairly reliable, it’s important to remember that all of these cars are completely hand-built and there can be some faults. With that said, there haven’t been any major problems reported by Vantage owners.
Because of the ‘luxury’ aspect of the brand, the maintenance costs can be quite high. Vantage parts can be rare and expensive to obtain, leading to higher repair and maintenance costs.
Pedigree
Aston Martin has a long history of being an automotive icon. Made famous by the James Bond movies, Aston Martins have become somewhat revered as they are still a rare sight on public roads. Aston Martin have revived their motorsport program in recent years, featuring prominently in endurance and GT racing, as well as making a return to Formula 1.
Other Cars To Consider
While these cars are fantastic options, there are other “cheap” supercars out there. Here are some other options to keep an eye on:
- Chevrolet Corvette – $56,000
- Porsche 911 Carrera – $96,000
- Porsche 718 Cayman – $98,000
- Lexus LC 500H – $98,000
- Lotus Exige – $80,000
- Toyota Supra – $51,000
- Porsche Boxster – $59,000
- Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio – $74,000
- Tesla Model S – $98,000
Final Thoughts
Supercars are known for being extremely expensive. But to the surprise of many, you could actually own a supercar for under $100,000. There are many cars that can compete with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini for a fraction of the price. This makes owning a supercar more achievable than you might think!