Overlooked Sports Cars That You Should Buy
Looking for an overlooked sports car? We cover hidden gems like the BMW Z4 M40i, Alpine A110, Alfa Romeo 4C, and Audi TT RS – amazing performance without the hype!
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When people think of sports cars, names like the Porsche 911, BMW M3, and Nissan GT-R dominate the conversation. However, there are many underrated sports cars that offer incredible performance, driving thrills, and value, but don’t get the recognition they deserve.
In this blog, we’ll highlight some of the most overlooked sports cars that deserve more attention, including the BMW Z4 M40i, Abarth 124 Spider, Alpine A110, Alfa Romeo 4C, and Audi TT RS.
in the UK. With a mix of rally-bred legends, limited production runs, and high-performance machines, Ford delivered some truly special models that remain coveted today. Let’s take a look at some of the rarest and craziest Fords to hit UK roads in that period.
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.
The Z4 M40i is for drivers who want a fast, stylish roadster with real performance potential.
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.
The 124 is a great choice for MX-5 lovers who want more character and turbocharged performance.
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.
Alpine’s A110 is for Purists who want a lightweight sports car with amazing handling.
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.
The Alfa 4C offers drivers an Italian exotic, lightweight sports car with serious presence.
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.
Audi’s TTRS is incredibly fast, powerful coupe with AWD grip and massive tuning potential.
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 |
These cars offer incredible performance and driving engagement but often get overshadowed by more mainstream sports cars. If you’re looking for a hidden gem, one of these underrated sports cars could be perfect for you.
If you you are looking for a company near you to work on your car, then check out the companies that we have vetted in your area on our service finder. Or Message us directly on Instagram and we will be able to point you in the right direction