Owning a sports car is a dream for many, but apart from the usual Japanese suspects like the Toyota GR 86/Subaru BRZ and Mazda MX-5, most sports cars are out of reach. That’s especially true if you want something with elegance and poise, which means you’ll be looking for a European sports car at that.
That’s where the used market comes in. If you’re seeking to own a sports car on a budget, it may be a good idea to look for three-year-old examples. These sports cars will still be new enough to have a decently long useful life, yet they’ll cost a lot less than opting to go brand new. Now, if you’re a fan of James Bond movies (I am, too), you might want to emulate his sophistication, but his taste doesn’t come cheap when going brand-new. So, if you want a slightly-used three-year-old sports car that can make you feel like James Bond on a budget, here is the model that I’d recommend in a heartbeat.
A Sports Car With Poise
Sports cars are often loud and come with designs that seek attention, but a sports car that James Bond would own isn’t one that’s ostentatious. Elegance in restraint is what comes to mind when thinking of a sports car for such a character, which would immediately eliminate most Ferrari models and all Lamborghinis from the choice of vehicles.
Understated But Head Turning
Italians are known for flamboyant design, except perhaps if we’re talking about Maserati. Take a look at Lamborghini’s wedge-shaped sports cars and supercars, whose loud and brash designs are the desire of most children and will be the vehicles framed within their bedroom walls. It attracts those young at heart, but those who have grown up often seek sophisticated lines and subtle creases rather than aggressive cuts and scissor doors.
Ferraris in the late 2010s to early 2020s have somewhat leaned on elegant styling, with cars like the Portofino, Roma, and the Amalfi (essentially the facelifted Roma) being gracefully styled with Aston Martin-like lines. Speaking of which, Aston Martins are also out of the picture, because they also cost well beyond what the average American can earn. Even as three-year-old cars, they can still be pretty expensive, though their values drop massively beyond the five-year mark.
Sporty But Plush
Finally, a sports car that James Bond would own is also plush. I mean, sure, a Lamborghini is made out of high-end materials inside, but you probably won’t drive one on a daily basis, nor would you drive one for a thousand miles or so. For that, you’d want a sports car that’s more oriented to be like a grand tourer or a GT. GTs are indeed understated but head-turning from the outside, but they’re also meant to be cossetting and comfortable. Just take a look at the Aston Martins that James Bond chooses, and you’ll easily understand why they’re perfect for long-distance driving.
They also shouldn’t ride harshly, yet still have enough dynamism to be thoroughly enjoyed on a twisty road. You’ll be driving this for hundreds of miles, so you’d better arrive at your destination relaxed but entertained by this sports car’s driving dynamics. Therefore, with all of these conditions stated, here’s the three-year-old sports car that is perfect for you and your budget.
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The Jaguar F-Type Is My Type
The three-year-old sports car that will make you feel like James Bond is the Jaguar F-Type. And what better choice indeed, because the F-Type is as British as the sophisticated English agent who’s out there to save the world and have a bit of thrill along the way.
2024 Was Its Final Year
Unfortunately, for those who want a new F-Type, you really have no choice but to go the used route. That’s because the F-Type was discontinued in 2024, as the British luxury automaker was supposedly heading for a pure electric future. Of course, we all know how well that went for the brand, but nevertheless, the F-Type was the vehicle that capped off Jaguar‘s history of creating elegant sports cars.
In its final model years, the F-Type was sold in P450, P450 R-Dynamic, and the obnoxious R75. The numbers denoted their power figures in metric horsepower (PS), but in imperial horsepower (HP), this meant that their 5.0-liter supercharged V-8s either produced 444 horsepower or 567 horsepower. The thing is, those numbers don’t tell the whole story, because the main appeal of this car was its attitude.
And, It Bowed Out With A Bang
The F-Type’s beauty was that it delivered more than just straight-line performance. Instead, it also delivered theater, because its 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 was loud, obnoxious, and turned every drive into an occasion. The 5.0-liter V-8 roars to life upon startup, but the exhaust has an appropriately named Quiet Mode if you don’t want to receive a noise complaint from your HOA. It also has sharp handling that’s complemented by a supple ride, which is perfect for your long-distance drives. We’ve also had the pleasure of reviewing the loud R75 variant, and based on our team’s experience, this engine is both full of personality when you want it, but also docile and easy to tame when needed.
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F-Type P450 |
F-Type R75 |
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Engine |
5.0-liter supercharged V-8 |
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Layout |
Front engine, all-wheel drive (RWD available for P450) |
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Horsepower |
444 hp |
567 hp |
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Torque |
428 lb-ft |
516 lb-ft |
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Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
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0-60 mph |
4.4 sec. |
3.5 sec. |
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Top speed |
177 mph |
186 mph |
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Average 3-Year-Old Value |
$77,900 |
$113,000 |
Furthermore, this engine is mated to one of the best transmissions on earth—the ZF eight-speed automatic. Even in Jaguar’s application, this transmission is simply perfect. Snappy in the sportiest of drive modes, or smooth and silky when you simply want to cruise.
Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that when driven enthusiastically in the right driving mode, the eight-speed auto also induces stronger shift shocks that are accompanied by a bark from the exhaust. That’s pretty much turning carbon dioxide into noise. And we’re replacing this car with a model that’s based on the Type 00 concept? Come on, guys!
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How Much A Three-Year-Old F-Type Costs
If you’ve convinced yourself that an F-Type is the perfect three-year-old sports car for you, here’s how much you’ll need to pay for it. Take note that, when we talk about being on a budget, it simply means being more accessible than similar cars, or if it were brand new. A sports car, even as a slightly used purchase, will always be more expensive than your average family car.
Less Than The Average New Car Price
According to Edmunds, a three-year-old Jaguar F-Type can range from as low as $35,024 to as high as $62,339, depending on year and condition. When new, the F-Type R75 P575 has a base price of $113,000, while the standard P450 retailed for $77,900, hence the wide price gap. On average, however, the F-Type lineup has a value of $37,282 — $41,391, which is lower than an equivalent Porsche 718 Cayman, which has an average resale of around $50,473 — $51,660. Which would you rather choose? A humble range-topping Toyota Camry XSE for around the same money, or a three-year-old Jaguar F-Type? It also costs less than the average new car transaction price of $49,191, according to Kelley Blue Book, so it’s hard to argue that the F-Type is a bargain (wink wink).
Now, for the buyer, this is going to be good news, but if you’re the owner of an F-Type, you’ll end up losing more value than if you bought a new Porsche 718. In fact, the F-Type is one of the fastest depreciating sports cars in its segment. This is mostly attributed to the perception that Jaguar doesn’t make the most reliable cars, and it has more difficult maintenance than the Porsche 718.
But, Here’s Why You May Like It Anyway
Because of its faster depreciation, the F-Type ends up being the more accessible car than an equivalent Porsche 718. Though you will pay for its quirks the longer that you own it, if you only plan to keep the F-Type for a short period, then this vehicle sounds like a bargain. Also, though the 718 Cayman has sharper and more precise handling, the F-Type has arguably more character. I’ve personally reviewed a 718 Cayman already, and though I love its handling, the four-cylinder boxer engine of the lower-priced models doesn’t match the charisma and character of the F-Type’s 5.0-liter supercharged V-8.
Oh, and remember that you’re looking for a sports car that will make you feel like James Bond. Though the Jaguar C-X75 in Spectre and the XF in No Time To Die were driven by villains, the cars still did a good job of enhancing the sinister sophistication of the antagonists of these movies. Though you won’t necessarily drive a car from a brand that 007 got behind the wheel of, you’ll have a sports car that has a similar gentleman’s appeal as an Aston Martin from a brand that’s similarly British in terms of design and elegance.