Cheap Supercars: The Best Depreciated Exotics to Buy

Look, buying a used supercar probably isn't what most financial advisors would call "smart money." These things can cost a fortune to fix when they inevitably break down. But what if someone's trying to build their social media following or just wants to feel like they made it without actually making it? Well, heavily depreciated supercars might just be the answer.

Here's the catch though – if a supercar price looks too good to be true, it usually is. These cars were cutting-edge when they were new, which means they're packed with fancy parts that love to break in expensive ways. Still, for those willing to roll the dice, there are some genuine deals out there.

The "Reasonable" Depreciators

Dodge Viper SRT-10 originally cost between $75,000 and $100,000 when new. These V10 beasts made anywhere from 500 to 640 horsepower depending on the year. Now? Clean examples are selling for $35,000 to $65,000. Not a massive drop, but still decent savings for that much raw American muscle.

The Audi R8 started around $130,000 new and came with either a V8 or V10 engine. Both were naturally aspirated, both sounded incredible, and both came with manual options. These days, R8s are going for $45,000 to $85,000, which is honestly pretty reasonable for a mid-engine supercar that won't completely ruin your life.

McLaren MP4-12C was McLaren's big comeback car, originally priced at $231,000. Sure, the build quality was questionable, but that twin-turbo V8 made nearly 600 horsepower and could hit 60 mph in about 3 seconds. Now they're selling for $85,000 to $130,000 – still not cheap, but way more accessible.

The "Proceed With Caution" Category

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti cost $250,000 when new and packed a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V12 making 533 horsepower. People criticized its looks back then, but honestly, it's aged pretty well. These grand tourers are now selling for $60,000 to $100,000, which is about as much Ferrari V12 as money can buy these days.

Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was $235,600 new in 2001 (that's like $430,000 in today's money). Despite having one of the worst automated manual transmissions ever made, it's still drop-dead gorgeous and sounds absolutely incredible. Current prices hover around $50,000 to $75,000, though that V12 will definitely hurt at the gas pump.

The "Why Is This So Cheap?" Territory

Bentley Continental GT originally ran $150,000 to $200,000 and came with a twin-turbo W12 making at least 551 horsepower. These massive luxury rockets are now selling for just $25,000 to $50,000. That's cheaper than most new economy cars, but the maintenance bills will remind you why.

BMW i8 started at $135,000 for its futuristic plug-in hybrid setup. The powertrain might not be exotic (turbo 3-cylinder plus electric motor), but those scissor doors scream supercar. Current prices range from $45,000 to $80,000, and it's probably the most reliable option on this list.

Maserati GranTurismo takes the crown for depreciation. Originally around $120,000, these gorgeous Italian grand tourers are now selling for as little as $20,000 to $65,000. The 4.7-liter V8 in the S model sounds absolutely incredible, but Maserati reliability from this era is... well, let's just say keep a good mechanic on speed dial.

The bottom line? These cars offer a taste of the supercar life without supercar money. Just remember – there's usually a reason why something this expensive becomes this affordable.