Canada is said to be one of the most affordable countries in the world to buy a high-performance sports car or supercar. Perhaps they’re priced with a hint of pity since we can only drive them as intended for four months out of the year. The used car market has changed dramatically over the past few years, but if you’re shopping in this segment, there are still a few relative treasures to be dug up.
Here are the some of most affordable supercars on the Canadian used car market that can be snagged for lower prices than you might expect. It would be misleading to describe any of them as bargains, and you may need to be prepared to travel or ship. But there's certainly a lot of value to be found in these cheapest supercars.
Best Cheap Supercars to Buy in Canada
- Acura NSX
- Alfa Romeo 4C
- Aston Martin DB9
- Aston Martin Vantage
- Audi R8
- BMW i8
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Dodge Viper
- Ferrari 308
- Karma Revero
- Lamborghini Gallardo
- Lexus LC 500
- Lotus Evora
- Maserati GranTurismo
- Mercedes-AMG GT
- Nissan GT-R
- Porsche 911 996
Acura NSX
Engineered to the max and backed by Honda reliability, both generations of the Acura NSX represent Japanese contributions to supercar history that are largely under-appreciated. While a newer NSX with its hybrid powertrain is a relative bargain of its own, it’s the first-generation NSX that you’ll find for less. Originally sold with a mid-engine 3.0-litre VTEC V6 producing 270 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque, and later receiving an upgraded 3.2-litre V6 good for 290 hp and 224 lb-ft, the first-generation NSX famously benefited from input by Formula One racer Ayrton Senna late in its development. While mileage and aftermarket work on these cars can vary dramatically, it’s not unusual to see a first-generation NSX listed in the $100,000 range.
Alfa Romeo 4C
The Alfa Romeo 4C has been discontinued, which only goes to show how under-appreciated this Italian car was for its balance of price, power, and weight. Granted, the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox is quirky to operate, it has a reputation for a rough ride, and its 1.75-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine’s 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque don’t look especially impressive on paper. Some people may raise an eyebrow at calling this a supercar at all. But with a curb weight of less than 2,500 lb, that power goes a long way. The 4C’s unique appearance and relative value mean we think this one might have staying power on the used market. Expect to score a 2015 or 2016 low-kilometre example in the $60,000 to $70,000 range.
Aston Martin DB9
Think any DB-series Aston Martin must be out of reach? Think again. Early examples of the Aston Martin DB9 can be found in Canada, in good condition and with reasonable kilometre counts, for under $75,000. With a 5.9-litre V12 engine producing 450 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, and an understated design penned by Ian Callum and Henrik Fisker, the DB9 is a classy and powerful grand tourer that flies under the radar and could begin to fetch loftier prices over time.
Aston Martin Vantage
Here’s another attainable car from the storied British marque: there are affordable examples of the Aston Martin Vantage luxury car on the market, as long as you can bring yourself to lose a few cylinders. A 2015-2016 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, which shipped with a naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8 making 430 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque, can be found with reasonable mileage at prices below $80,000. If you can go with an earlier model year, you’ll pay even less. If you ever wanted to play James Bond, it looks like now is the time. Just be prepared for your maintenance bills to match the original price tag.
Audi R8
Audi’s classic European supercar hardly needs an introduction, but is it really possible to find one at a reasonable price? Yes, if you temper your expectations and focus your search. The first-generation R8 with model years from 2007 to 2015 will be your best bet. It was variably available with V8 and V10 engines as well as in coupe and spyder (convertible) body styles. This performance car won AJAC’s Canadian Car of the Year award in 2013, a feat that was controversial at the time because the R8 was pricy and unobtainable. Today, with some patience and legwork, you can score a first-gen R8 for under $100,000. Seek out a manual transmission to make the magic happen.
BMW i8
This car was a stunner on top of being well ahead of its time. The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid, produced from 2014 to 2020, could run on electrons for more than 50 kilometres and turned heads everywhere it went. Later in the production run, it was offered in both coupe and roadster configurations. The 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine and two electric motors create a combined 369 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque in later model years with standard all-wheel drive. Most of the i8s you’ll find on the used market in Canada today are priced under $70,000.
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevy Corvette has been around for so long, and so consistently attainable, that it’s one of the most plentiful models on this list. The bigger question is where an enthusiast should start when looking for a bargain. You could look to the fourth generation produced from 1984 to 1996, where you might find some dirt-cheap Corvettes in the sub $25,000 range. But even newer ‘Vettes are relatively affordable since they weren’t terribly expensive in the first place. A C7 Corvette can now be had for consistently for under $70,000, especially if you don’t mind ending up with a less-equipped 1LT model.
Dodge Viper
Like the creature after which it earns its name, the Dodge Viper warns you of its venomous potential before you even open the door. If all-around brash looks and performance are what you’re after, the Viper is a good bet. There are plenty to choose from on the used market, but the value for money is in an early Viper RT/10 convertible. Its 8.0-litre V10 makes 450 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque, and while most owners know what they have and don’t hesitate to jack up the price, a bit of patience should make it possible to score one of these for well under $80,000. Just make sure your driving skills are up to the task before you pick up the keys; this American snake doesn’t hesitate to bite.
Ferrari 308
If you’re looking to get into a Ferrari without breaking the bank, a 308 is a reasonable—and reasonably priced—place to start. Produced in the late 1970s and early 80s, these cars are getting a little long in the tooth, so you’ll want to be sure you know what to look for in assessing a used model’s condition (a specialist independent inspection is a must). But with a bit of research and some confidence, a 308 has a reputation for being one of the easier Ferraris around to maintain, and it’s one of the rare paths into Prancing Horse ownership that doesn’t require spending north of $150,000.
Karma Revero
The Karma Revero is a revamped version of the Fisker Karma range-extended electric sports sedan. When it launched for the 2017 model year under Chinese-owned Karma Automotive, it had 403 total horsepower and 981 lb-ft of torque delivered as rear-wheel drive. As a plug-in hybrid, it has up to 60 kilometres of electric-only range, 480 km of total range, and a solar panelled roof. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine acts as a range extender for the electric motors. A GT model released later in the run produced 536 horsepower and had a range of 128 kilometres. Produced from 2018 to 2021, it’s common to find these on the used market even today for less than $70,000. But bear in mind some parts may be scarce and maintenance is likely to cause headaches.
Lamborghini Gallardo
If it simply must be a Lambo but you don’t have half a million dollars lying around, consider a Lamborghini Gallardo. This was the second car released by the marque under Audi ownership and was built from 2003 to 2013. Just over 14,000 were made across its entire production run—which is a lot for a Lamborghini model—and a surprising number of those landed in Canada. This V10-powered supercar was in high demand, relatively speaking, and later versions produced as much as 562 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque and 0 to 100 km/h times under four seconds. While the Gallardo was panned for being relatively heavy despite an aluminum chassis, this is your most affordable entryway into this storied Italian brand. It’s not unheard of to find used examples priced at $150,000 or less.
Lexus LC 500
Call this a sleeper: one could argue that it’s the most beautiful production car to be released in the last five years. It may be worth the gamble that appreciation for this dragon-in-a-business-suit will only grow over time. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 in the gas-only version makes 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, while the 500h comes with a hybrid drive system that combined a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a pair of electric motors for a total system output of 354 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, including the instant availability provided through electrification. In either case, the LC is rear-wheel drive. While this car is still relatively new and is therefore fetching a price, examples from the 2018 model year with around 60,000 km on the odometer can be found for $80,000 or less. This car could be one to watch to see how pricing evolves over the next few years.
Lotus Evora
Can you take a supercar seriously if its engine comes from a minivan? You should. The Lotus Evora takes a 3.5-litre V6 used throughout the Toyota line-up—yes, even on the Sienna minivan—bolts on a supercharger, and pairs it with an Aisin transmission. Power ratings vary depending on the model; earlier models hit in the 345 to 400 hp range, but that’s really not the point. The Evora is eye-catching and nimble, beloved by its devotees for its engaging driving character. Do some digging, and you’re likely to find an early 2010s example for less than $75,000.
Maserati GranTurismo
This Maserati is a grand tourer that doesn’t get enough appreciation for its classy styling and roomy interior. Built between 2007 and 2019, the GranTurismo was sold in various iterations, all with Ferrari-built V8 engines ranging between 399 and 454 hp. If you’re willing to go back a few years – which from a styling perspective isn’t such a hardship, since not much changed over the car’s 12 years of production – then it’s not at all unusual to find examples with reasonable odometer readings in the sub-$60,000 range.
Mercedes-AMG GT
From the three-pointed star comes the high-performance model known as the Mercedes-AMG GT, a low-slung two-door grand tourer with an exaggerated long hood and abrupt coupe rear. This model from the Mercedes-Benz performance arm has been in production since 2015 and has always been offered with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. A GT3 version has been offered at times using a 6.2-litre V8. If you’ve got $150,000 to spare, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a well-maintained, low-mileage version within your price range.
Nissan GT-R
It’s just so much fun to say Godzilla, isn’t it? It could be even more fun to own the Japanese equivalent to a muscle car at a reasonable price. We’re still waiting... still waiting... for a new GT-R, which is almost certainly going to be electrified in some manner. Now’s the time to get out there and shop for a lower-priced one of your own before people start to notice that the gas-guzzling Godzilla is not long for this world. Engines are hand-built in Japan, and the power output of the 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 ranges between 480 and 565 hp, and 430 and 467 lb-ft of torque, depending on the model year. You’ll have to do a bit of digging to get to the cars priced below six digits, but a fair number of cars are kicking around in the sub-$90,000 range.
Porsche 911 996
For some drivers, it’s just got to be a 911, and that’s part of the reason these cars hold their value well. But 996 911s are currently a relative bargain on the used market. This generation was the first to use water-cooling for its flat-six-cylinder engine instead of air-cooling, which drew criticism from purists at the time. Today, they’re an attainable way to get into classic 911 ownership, provided you’re willing to do some research to get familiar with the issues you should be looking for. Coupe, convertible, and Targa versions can all be found priced at or well below $50,000 depending on the car’s condition and odometer, though a higher-powered Porsche 911 Turbo will cost you $100,000 or more. If you really look, you might find the odd 996 GT3 Cup race car kicking around, too.
Note: Images show US and European models.