14 Affordable Exotic Cars: The Best Used Supercars for Less

If you’re at all familiar with the exotic car market, you are probably aware that exotic cars don’t exactly come cheap. It’s highly likely you wouldn’t even put exotic cars and cheap in the same sentence, as they’re normally quite the opposite of each other. Depending on what you’re looking for, you could be looking at paying a million dollars or more.

Exotic car brands such as Bugatti and Porsche can reach peaks in the millions. Some ultra-rare Porsche exotic cars are even named as the most ridiculously expensive models ever to be sold. Although those models are definitely an option for some folks out there with enough cash, there are also more affordable models on the market for the person who is just looking for a sophisticated ride with awesome speed.

And “affordable” becomes a lot more interesting when you start looking at depreciation. Cars that originally carried six-figure price tags can sometimes be found for a fraction of their original MSRP once they’re several years old.

Check out our list of the best affordable exotic cars. Interested in locating one to buy? iLusso can help you find what you want and get the best deal.

#1. Maserati GranTurismo

The first-generation Maserati GranTurismo is a classic exotic car that has a huge following. It was quite the fan favorite when it hit the market around 2007. This model also rivaled the popular Porsche 911 like the Aston Martin. The Geneva Motor Show considered the GranTurismo with high regard, and later versions featured a Ferrari-built 4.7-liter V8. Back in its heyday, it was grabbing headlines with its combination of Italian styling, V8 performance, and grand-touring comfort.

Today, depreciation has made early GranTurismo models surprisingly accessible. That makes this one of the easiest ways to get behind the wheel of an Italian exotic without spending anywhere near what a new exotic car typically costs.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $110,000+ depending on year and trim
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $20,000-$50,000 for many first-generation examples
• Why It’s Affordable: Heavy depreciation has put older GranTurismos within reach of buyers shopping at a much lower price point than the car’s original six-figure MSRP.

#2. Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Tipping our way just over the $100,000 range when new, the 2006 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a great choice for an exotic car. This model would be perfect for those who still have a passion for tinkering and working in the garage. As you may expect from a 2006 model, this exotic car doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you may expect from a new model. Fortunately, there are plenty of performance parts that allow you to boost the performance of this car. Parts are also widely available on the secondary market.

Aston Martin’s release of this exotic car in 2006 came at a time when Porsche was really dominating the market. This was a good reason for customers to consider other exotic cars besides Porsche’s beloved 911 model that dominated for decades.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $110,000
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $30,000-$50,000 for many early models
• Why It’s Affordable: Significant depreciation means an early V8 Vantage can provide Aston Martin styling, a naturally aspirated V8, and an engaging driving experience at a fraction of its original price.

#3. BMW i8

Few cars in this price range still look as futuristic as the BMW i8. Introduced as a plug-in hybrid sports car, the i8 combined an electric motor with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and wrapped the technology in a carbon-fiber-intensive body that still turns heads today.

The i8’s depreciation has made the proposition even more interesting. Early examples can cost substantially less than they did new, making this one of the more attainable ways to own a car with genuine exotic presence.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $136,000+
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $40,000-$70,000
• Why It’s Affordable: Depreciation has brought early i8 models into the price range of many new luxury cars despite their exotic styling and carbon-fiber construction.

#4. Mercedes-AMG GT S

The Mercedes-AMG GT S combines classic sports-car proportions with a hand-built twin-turbocharged V8 and plenty of AMG attitude. It was developed to compete with cars such as the Porsche 911 while still providing the refinement expected from Mercedes-Benz.

Older examples have now depreciated enough to make the GT S a compelling choice for someone who wants serious performance without moving into six-figure used-supercar territory.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $130,000
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $50,000-$75,000
• Why It’s Affordable: Used examples deliver V8 performance and exotic-car presence for considerably less than their original MSRP.

#5. Audi R8

The Audi R8 has long been one of the most approachable exotic cars, particularly on the used market. Early R8 models combined unmistakable supercar styling with Audi engineering and the choice of V8 or V10 power.

Older models are now particularly attractive from a pricing standpoint. While newer R8s can still command substantial money, early examples give buyers a way into a genuine mid-engine exotic for considerably less.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $110,000+ for early V8 models
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $55,000-$90,000 for many older examples
• Why It’s Affordable: Early V8 cars have experienced enough depreciation to put genuine mid-engine exotic performance within reach at a comparatively reasonable used price.

#6. Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley Continental GT was never an inexpensive car when new. That’s part of what makes older examples so interesting today. Early Continental GTs combined handcrafted luxury, all-wheel drive, and W12 power in a package that originally cost well into six figures.

There are now plenty of older Continental GTs available for dramatically less than their original MSRP. Just remember that an affordable purchase price doesn’t necessarily mean affordable Bentley maintenance.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $150,000+ for early models
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $30,000-$80,000 for many older examples
• Why It’s Affordable: Substantial depreciation makes earlier Continental GTs remarkably inexpensive relative to their original price and performance.

#7. Bentley Continental GTC

If you like the idea of the Continental GT but want to enjoy its W12 soundtrack with the roof down, the Bentley Continental GTC deserves a look. It offers much of the same luxury and performance as the coupe with the addition of an open-air grand-touring experience.

Like the GT, older GTCs have depreciated significantly, which can make well-kept examples surprisingly attainable.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $190,000+ for early models
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $35,000-$80,000 for many older examples
• Why It’s Affordable: Older GTCs can sell for a small percentage of their original MSRP while still offering unmistakable Bentley luxury and presence.

#8. Lamborghini Gallardo

A Lamborghini on a list of affordable exotic cars might sound contradictory, but the Gallardo has become one of the more attainable ways into Lamborghini ownership.

Produced for a decade, the Gallardo was built in much greater numbers than many earlier Lamborghinis. Older examples can therefore appear on the used market at prices far below those of current Lamborghini models, while still delivering the naturally aspirated V10 and dramatic styling people expect from the badge.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $165,000+ for early models
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $80,000-$120,000+
• Why It’s Affordable: Relative to modern Lamborghinis, older Gallardos provide a much lower point of entry into V10 Lamborghini ownership.

#9. Ferrari 360 Spider

The Ferrari 360 Spider represents an era of Ferrari that many enthusiasts still adore. Its naturally aspirated V8, open-air design, and unmistakable early-2000s Ferrari styling make it feel special before you even start the engine.

Prices depend heavily on transmission, mileage, service history, and condition, but the 360 remains one of the more attainable ways to put a Ferrari in your garage.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $170,000+
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $80,000-$130,000+
• Why It’s Affordable: Earlier production and depreciation can make the 360 Spider significantly less expensive than many newer Ferrari convertibles.

#10. Ferrari California

The Ferrari California took a different approach to the traditional Ferrari formula. Designed as a comfortable grand tourer, it offered a retractable hardtop, V8 performance, and a more approachable personality for everyday driving.

That accessibility extends to the used market. Early Californias can now be found well below their original MSRP, making them one of the most realistic entry points into modern Ferrari ownership.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $190,000+
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $75,000-$110,000 for many early examples
• Why It’s Affordable: Depreciation has made early Californias one of the more accessible modern Ferraris without sacrificing the V8 engine or prancing-horse badge.

#11. Porsche 911 Carrera

A new Porsche 911 Carrera isn’t exactly what most people would call an affordable sports car, but the 911 has been around long enough to create an enormous used market.

That means buyers have decades of generations, configurations, and price points to consider. An older Carrera can provide the iconic rear-engine Porsche experience without requiring the budget needed for a new 911.

• Original MSRP: Varies significantly by generation; modern Carreras start well into six figures
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $50,000-$100,000+ for many desirable older examples
• Why It’s Affordable: The enormous selection of previous-generation 911s gives buyers far more opportunities to find a car within their budget.

#12. McLaren MP4-12C

When the McLaren MP4-12C arrived, it represented McLaren’s return to producing road cars on a serious scale. Its carbon-fiber MonoCell chassis, twin-turbocharged V8, and advanced suspension put it firmly into supercar territory.

More than a decade of depreciation has created a very different value proposition today. An MP4-12C can offer extraordinary performance for considerably less than most new McLarens.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $230,000+
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $90,000-$120,000
• Why It’s Affordable: Depreciation has brought a carbon-fiber McLaren supercar close to the price of some new high-performance luxury cars.

#13. Lotus Emira First Edition

The Lotus Emira First Edition is considerably newer than many cars on this list, so it hasn’t had decades to depreciate. However, its original pricing was relatively approachable by exotic-car standards from the beginning.

More importantly, it offers the lightweight chassis and driver-focused personality that have defined Lotus for generations while providing a more polished and modern cabin than many of its predecessors.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $94,000-$105,000 depending on powertrain
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $75,000-$95,000
• Why It’s Affordable: The Emira entered the market at a comparatively low price for a mid-engine exotic, and pre-owned examples can make that price even more approachable.

#14. Porsche Cayman GT4

The Porsche Cayman GT4 takes the already excellent mid-engine Cayman platform and turns the performance dial considerably higher. With a naturally aspirated flat-six, manual transmission availability, and chassis development heavily influenced by Porsche’s GT division, the GT4 has become an enthusiast favorite.

Unlike some cars on this list, affordability doesn’t necessarily come from enormous depreciation. Instead, the GT4 provides an exceptionally capable, exotic-feeling sports car for less than many traditional supercars.

• Original MSRP: Approximately $85,000 for the original 981 GT4; approximately $100,000+ for the later 718 Cayman GT4
• Typical Resale Price: Approximately $90,000-$130,000 depending on generation and specification
• Why It’s Affordable: It offers genuine Porsche GT performance at a lower price than many comparable exotic and supercar models.

What to Consider Before Buying an Affordable Exotic Car

A lower purchase price can make exotic car ownership much more attainable, but the price of the car is only part of the equation. Before buying, consider ongoing maintenance costs, insurance, and the potential cost of repairing intricate parts or specialized systems. Even an exotic car that has depreciated significantly may still have the maintenance needs of a vehicle that originally cost well into six figures.

The vehicle’s history matters, too. Check the odometer and service records, and look into whether the car has had several owners, multiple accidents, or any title issues. A pre-purchase inspection by a technician familiar with the specific make and model can also help uncover problems that may not be obvious during a test drive.

Reliability varies considerably between exotic cars, model years, and individual vehicles. Spending a little more on a well-maintained example with a documented history can ultimately be a much better value than choosing the cheapest one available. The goal isn’t simply to find an affordable exotic car to buy, but one you can comfortably afford to own and enjoy.

Shop iLusso for Used Exotic Cars for Sale

If taking a look at some of these affordable models rekindled a love for driving or getting under the hood of an exotic car, you’ve come to a great place to find the perfect car for you. With iLusso, you can find a great price on used exotic cars for sale. Just take a look at our current inventory for top-condition exotic and luxury vehicles.

Or, if you’re in the market for something specific, we can locate the perfect car for you at the fairest price. Call today and speak with a team member about your exotic car dreams and goals.