Dream used cars for under £50,000

Dream cars are meant for bedroom wall posters, right? Well, that’s not always the case, as on occasions you can get the car of your dreams for a reasonable sum of money. We’ve plucked an arbitrary budget of £50,000 and found ten of the very best ‘dream cars’ that you could realistically buy. Although you’d need to bear in mind that your running costs are still going to be much higher than the average family runabout. You may also like: Ten cool cars for under £10,000 Audi R8. Audi’s original R8 broke the mould when it came to supercars, because it was one you could actually use day in, day out. Rock-solid build quality paired with good looks and an inspiring drive meant that the R8 was immensely popular when it was first released – and there are now plenty of used examples of the first-generation model to choose from. At this price point, you’ll be able to get your hands on either the 4.2-litre V8 (shown above) or the full-fat 5.2-litre V10-powered version. Definitely look out for an example with the gated six-speed manual gearbox, which is much better than the semi-automatic paddle-shift unit. Audi R8 V10 plus test driveMore Audi news, reviews, features and offers Next page: Former footballers’ favourite Bentley Continental GT. The Bentley Continental GT makes for an exceptionally good used purchase. Particularly in this price range, you’ll be able to get yourself a clean, relatively low-mileage example. But that’s not the best thing – you’ll be bagging a W12 engine, and a luxurious cabin too. For under £50,000 you’ll be able to choose between coupe or drop-top, too. Servicing is pricey, so make sure it’s got a full history from either a franchised dealer or reputable specialist. Bentley Continental GT Speed reviewMore Bentley news, reviews and features Next page: The obvious choice? Porsche 911. You can’t go wrong with a Porsche 911, right? One of the most beloved sports cars of all time, the 911 is an ideal everyday dream car – you can enjoy it on tight, twisty roads, but it’s just as adept at doing the supermarket run. Even the fuel economy is fairly reasonable. You’ll be able to pick up a clean 997 (mid-late 2000s) example at this price point, though there are a variety of older classics available too – it’s all down to what you fancy. Every generation of 911 was available in approximately one million different variants, which can be bewildering but does mean that you’ll almost certainly find a 911 that suits you. Porsche 911 Carrera T test driveMore Porsche news, reviews and features Next page: Left of left field BMW Z1. BMW’s striking Z1 may not be your stereotypical dream car, but it’s one we feel is worth considering. Why? Well, for starters, the doors go up and down electronically – and it’s hard to describe just how cool this is. On a bright summer’s day, you won’t regret opting for the Z1. Bear in mind that they were only built in left-hand drive, which is perfectly legal in the UK but can be a pain in our right-hand-drive country. Driving BMW’s greatest roadstersMore BMW news, reviews, features and offers Next page: Play out your 007 fantasies Aston Martin DB9. Aston Martin’s DB9 relaunched the brand back into the mainstream, taking over from the older DB7. It was a resounding success; the car’s engine, construction and general driving style were leagues ahead of the car it replaced. It’s an impressively good used buy, too. The market is awash with decent examples, and our budget will net you a decent, well-cared-for model. Plus you can live out your 007 fantasies in an Aston Martin. Actually, the DB9 was never used by James Bond during its production run, with 007 preferring the higher-spec DBS model in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. But your friends probably won’t realise that... Mapping out the greatest movie car chasesMore Aston Martin news, reviews and features Next page: Very fast, fairly furious Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R. In terms of cult followings, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R is right up there. Made famous by its appearance in iconic motoring movie Fast and Furious, the R34 is loved by enthusiasts across the globe. Twin-turbocharged engines were used throughout the car’s life, though this was one vehicle favoured by tuners more than any other – so these powertrains were frequently boosted and pushed to incredible power outputs. This also means that the engines may have been worked very hard, so be cautious before splashing your cash on a GT-R. More Nissan news, reviews, features and offers Next page: Sixties chic Jaguar E-Type. Think ‘classic car’ and your brain has probably already started forming the picture of an E-Type – especially here in the UK. Still touted as one of the most beautiful cars ever built, this picture of classic elegance is unlikely to ever depreciate in value again and can provoke smiles in even the meanest of pedestrians. Opt for a Series 1 for maximum kudos, but you may need to stretch our £50k budget to get a good one… Jaguar Land Rover Classic factory tourMore Jaguar news, reviews, features and offers Next page: Riviera glamour Mercedes 280SL ‘Pagoda’ Our £50,000 limit won’t stretch to the iconic 300SL – we’d need to add a zero to the budget – but it might just get you a W113 280SL, and that’s almost as good. This gorgeous cabriolet produced a genuinely impressive (for the time) 170hp from its 2.8-litre straight-six engine. It also came with a distinctive detachable hardtop, reminiscent of Japanese pagoda architecture – which lent it the nickname ‘Pagoda’. Timeless, classic, beautiful and distinctive. Five of the top Mercedes-Benz models everMore Mercedes-Benz news, reviews, features and offers Next page: Frog-eyed Morgan Morgan Aero 8. When Morgan’s Aero 8 first came out, it was slammed for being, well, a little odd-looking. However, behind the rather frog-eyed front end sat a proper V8 engine, linked to the rear wheels via a manual gearbox – though it was later available with an automatic. In terms of standing out, you’ll do well to better the Aero 8. Both in terms of styling and overall theatre, this a tough car to beat – particularly at this price point. More Morgan news, reviews and features Next page: Rounding out the list with a Ferrari Ferrari 360 Modena. We couldn’t finish this list without a Ferrari, could we? And what better Ferrari to pick than the 360 – arguably one of the most iconic and popular cars to ever wear the prancing horse. While you can get your hands on a 360 Modena for under £50,000, be very thorough inspecting the vehicle before handing over your cash. You’ll be getting a higher-mileage vehicle at this price point, as low-mileage models are still selling for upwards of £70,000. Just keep a close eye on the car’s service history and general condition – 360s are notorious for going wrong if not maintained properly. More Ferrari news, reviews and features You may also like: Ten cool cars for under £10,000 What other suggestions do you have for a dream used car for under £50,000? Let us know in the comments below.

Dream used cars for under £50,000

Jaguar E-Type

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