Top Ten New Sports Cars Under 35k

Most are utterly impractical and many will make mincemeat of your monthly motoring budget but when one overtakes, out-accelerates or out-corners you, you know you want one – a sports car. A motor that does exactly what it's advertised to do – give you the thrill of your driving life. Tempted? Then we recommend the following...

Audi TT
From £26,245
The second generation TT is a future sports classic in the making. Those rakish good looks and that sublime interior makes the German coupe look and feel oh-so special. For the best mix of price and performance, we recommend the 2.0 TFSI – 0.60 in 6.6 secs is not to be sniffed at, nor is an asking price of £28,225. For those who want the security of all-wheel-drive, then upgrade to the Quattro version from £31,035.

BMW Z4
From £29,485
The first gen BMW Z4 was admired for its bold Bangle-ized looks, effortless performance and grip – but it scored low on its firm ride. Presumably with one eye on the ever successful and refined Mercedes SLK, the latest Z4 has a folding tin-top roof instead of a rag-top to produce a coupe-like feel when the hood is up, has increased space for the driver and passenger and features a more cosseting ride. It all means you can still enjoy your motoring thrills but appreciate a more practical day-to-day drive than the one offered by its predecessor. Job done.

Caterham 7
From £13,300
… and that price will see the car being delivered to your home... in pieces. The Caterham 7 is the ultimate kit car allowing car nerds to assemble their very own classic British sports car. Don't expect any mod-cons (even a windscreen and heating aren't included in some cases) unless you pay extra but do expect possibly the most adrenalising and pure ride you've ever experienced. For those who don't know a spanner from a spoon, don't worry as you can buy a factory-built Caterham for an extra £3k. Phew.

Lotus Elise
From £26,500 approx – revised version arriving in April
Lean, keen but certainly not mean, the Elise remains a rewarding and absolute hoot to drive. While it may boast all the refinement of Jeremy Clarkson with its very basic interior and loud road roar, you won't care – this thing delivers masses of feedback through its tactile steering and through the seat of your pants. Just be prepared to look like a complete berk as you struggle to get in and out of it...

Mazda MX-5
From £16,795
Originally launched back in 1989, the MX-5 is now in its recently face-lifted third gen and remains an absolute gem – it's front engined, rear-wheel-driven and has a simple drop top to enjoy those rare sunny days. Even in its most powerful 160bhp guise, the car doesn't have much muscle but that's not the point; what you get on every journey is brilliantly agile handling that won't scare you half to death in the process. For those who like their convertible roofs made from metal, go for the RC from £18,795.

Mini Cooper S
From £17,020
It's pint-sized in this company and its looks don't shriek 'serious sports car' but don't let that put you off – the S will outdo most of the cars on this list for 'smiles-per-mile' thanks to its fantastic go-kart-esque handling and the abundance of poke from its supercharged engine. You'll either love or loath those retro looks and the overblown interior but for a great drive, we defy anyone not to fall head-over-heels for this pocket rocket.

Mitsubishi Evo X
From £30,299
Some car spods have complained that the Evo has lost its nuts in this, the tenth incarnation of the classic rally-bred all-wheel drive saloon. But we disagree – yes, Mitsubishi has made it a bit more comfy to live with (no bad thing) but hoon it and the banzai, balls-out performance and obscene grip are still there. Be assured that the Evo remains one of the fastest real-world cars for tackling B-roads in.

Nissan 370Z
From £28,000
Want something that will upset a £37,000 Porsche Cayman? Then the 370Z coupe should be at the top of your German-bating list. No, it's not as delicate in its delivery as the Porsche but that's part of the Nissan's V6-powered appeal – it's a bargain sports coupe that echoes past muscle masters and offers a better and faster steer than the 350Z, the car it replaces. And for those who find the manual gearbox a little too heavy to handle, the paddle-shift seven-speed automatic version is just plain brilliant.

Porsche Boxster
From £34,726
Snide comments still persist from Porsche aficionados about the Boxster. It's a poor man's 911, they grumble but for those who own one (and haven't simply bought it for the badge), they know that the Boxster is still the peach of the Porsche range. With up to 306bhp available (in the range-topping S guise – £41,724), it shows the competitors how sports cars should be made – its sublime chassis and perfect steering are still the best in class.

Vauxhall VXR8
From £35,000
Featuring an old school Green Party-hating V8 plucked from a Corvette and then shoe-horned into a handsome family saloon, the Australian-designed VXR8 is epic. Everything that us Brits love about the Aussies is typified by this muscle sports car – it's bold, brash and utterly unpretentious. Expect back-wheel-shredding tail-out power slides on the track while on the road, you can enjoy its no-nonsense practicality thanks to its four doors, armchair-like seats and cavernous boot. Strewth.