Overlooked Sports Cars That You Should Buy
Mod Central
BMW Z4 M40i – A Forgotten Hero
Price: £35,000 – £55,000 Engine: 3.0L Turbocharged Inline-6 (382 hp) Weight: ~1,610 kg Drivetrain: RWD 0-60 mph: ~4.1 sec The BMW Z4 M40i is often overlooked and over by the A90 Toyota Supra because of its soft-top roadster styling, but underneath, it’s a serious performance machine. Sharing its engine and many parts with the Toyota Supra, the B58-powered Z4 M40i delivers incredible power, sharp handling, and great daily usability. With a remap and basic mods, it can easily push over 450 hp, making it a genuine alternative to the M2 or even a base 911, if you are looking for something a bit different.Pros:
- B58 engine – One of the best modern turbo six-cylinders.
- Fast and tunable – Over 450 hp is easily achieved.
- Great balance of performance and comfort.
Cons:
- Heavier than some purist sports cars.
- No manual gearbox option.
Abarth 124 Spider – The MX-5’s Angrier Twin
Price: £18,000 – £25,000 Engine: 1.4L Turbocharged Inline-4 (168 hp) Weight: ~1,060 kg Drivetrain: RWD 0-60 mph: ~6.5 sec The Abarth 124 Spider is the Fiat/Mazda collaboration that no one talks about, but it offers everything great about the MX-5, with added turbo power, Italian character and a great soundtrack. With a lightweight chassis, aggressive Abarth styling, and a snarling Record Monza exhaust, the 124 Spider feels raw and exciting, even at lower speeds. With only 168hp you can really push this car to it's limits all of the time.Pros:
- Lightweight and agile – Feels like a proper driver’s car.
- Turbocharged punch – More tunable than the MX-5.
- Sounds incredible with the factory Monza exhaust.
Cons:
- 168 hp might feel a bit underwhelming stock.
- Discontinued, so finding one can be tricky.
Alpine A110 – The Lotus Killer
Price: £40,000 – £60,000 Engine: 1.8L Turbocharged Inline-4 (288 hp) Weight: ~1,100 kg Drivetrain: RWD 0-60 mph: ~4.3 sec The Alpine A110 is one of the most underrated sports cars of the modern era. Designed with lightweight philosophy in mind, it weighs just over 1,100 kg, making it one of the most agile and engaging sports cars on sale today and even competes in multiple different racing series. Its chassis balance, steering feel, and driver engagement have been praised as being even better than the Porsche Cayman, yet it remains an underrated choice in the UK.Pros:
- Super lightweight – Feels nimble and playful
- Brilliant chassis – Out-handles many rivals.
- French styling and exclusivity.
Cons:
- Lacks a manual gearbox option
- Brand recognition isn’t as strong as Porsche or BMW.
Alfa Romeo 4C – The Mini Supercar
Price: £35,000 – £50,000 Engine: 1.75L Turbocharged Inline-4 (240 hp) Weight: ~1,118 kg Drivetrain: RWD 0-60 mph: ~4.1 sec The Alfa Romeo 4C is one of the most unique and overlooked sports cars in recent history. With a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, ultra-lightweight body, and raw driving experience, it’s closer to a Lotus Elise than a traditional sports car. With no power steering and a turbocharged four-cylinder, the 4C is not the easiest car to drive daily, but for pure driver engagement, it’s one of the best experiences available at this price point.Pros:
- Carbon fiber chassis – Supercar tech at a fraction of the price.
- Ridiculously lightweight – Feels raw and engaging.
- Classic Alfa Romeo styling and character.
Cons:
- No manual gearbox option.
- Harsh ride and limited daily comfort.
Audi TT RS – The Baby R8
Price: £30,000 – £50,000 Engine: 2.5L Turbocharged Inline-5 (400 hp) Weight: ~1,450 kg Drivetrain: AWD 0-60 mph: ~3.7 sec The Audi TT RS is often overlooked due to the TT’s “hairdresser” reputation, but in reality, it’s one of the best all-weather sports cars on the market. When the MK3 first realised it gain huge credit from the one and only Jeremy Clarkson. With its legendary turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, quattro AWD, and brutal acceleration, the TT RS is faster than many supercars from a standstill. Plus, it has huge tuning potential, with simple mods unlocking 500+ hp.Pros:
- 2.5L five-cylinder engine – One of the best-sounding engines ever made.
- Quattro AWD – Incredibly fast in all conditions
- Massive tuning potential – Can make 500 hp easily.
Cons:
- Lacks the RWD fun factor of rivals.
- Interior feels more premium GT than raw sports car.
The Best Overlooked Sports Cars
| Car | Best For | Price Range |
| BMW Z4 M40i | Best all-rounder with tuning potential | £35,000 – £55,000 |
| Abarth 124 Spider | Best lightweight roadster with turbo power | £18,000 – £25,000 |
| Alpine A110 | Best handling and lightweight coupe | £40,000 – £60,000 |
| Alfa Romeo 4C | Most exotic and lightweight carbon-fiber sports car | £35,000 – £50,000 |
| Audi TT RS | Best AWD powerhouse with five-cylinder charm | £30,000 – £50,000 |
