Drivers have been given a way to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari for less than the price of a small Ford, but it comes with a catch.
Whilst many new and used cars are bought by decisions made by their driver’s head rather than the heart, there are a surprising amount of performance and luxury models available on the used car market for very reasonable prices.
Currently, a new Ford Puma costs between £26,580 and £37,380, depending on the trim level and number of optional extras. Whilst this means that the entire Puma range is less than the average figure spent on a new car in the UK, the same budget is just enough to buy a used Ferrari.
The most accessible type of Ferrari widely available in the UK is the Mondial – a V8-powered grand tourer that the famous Italian brand produced between 1980 and 1993. Featuring styling by the famous car design studio Pininfarina and the availability of coupes and convertibles, the Mondial offers just about everything a driver could expect from a Ferrari.
Whilst Mondials are not exactly common, drivers should be able to find fully-working examples priced under £35,000, with early examples of the hard top coupe generally being the cheapest.
Drivers looking for something lavish yet a little more modern could also look for a used Maserati, with a wide range of different models available for the same price as a new Ford Puma.
Perhaps the best value of these is the first-generation Maserati GranCabrio, which was built between 2010 and 2019. The convertible version of the GranTurismo, the GranCabrio offered sleek looks, four seats, and a pair of engines co-developed between Maserati and Ferrari.
For Ford Puma money, drivers can find a clean example with the larger 4.7-litre V8 engine, which will take the Maserati from 0-60mph in just 5.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 185mph.
However, motorists who want to get behind the wheel of a true luxury car could also choose from a wide range of models made by prestigious brands, including a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur.
Sometimes called the Silver Spirit, the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur was built between 1980 and 2000, and was widely used by famous faces including Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Tom Jones, and Princess Diana.
Whilst modern cars typically offer more features, Rolls-Royce Silver Spur owners get a roomy interior coated in leather and walnut, air conditioning, and a 6.8-litre engine that gives the model a top speed of 133mph.
The used car market is full of surprisingly affordable prestige models; however, motorists should always check how much a particular model costs to service before they buy it in order to avoid eye-watering repair bills.
Compared to a new model from a popular car company, older high-end models will likely require specialist garages to maintain and more expensive spare parts.
As a result, when going to view an older model, it is always a good idea to be accompanied by an expert who knows the key areas to inspect and issues to look for.