The huge difference R200,000 makes when buying a sports car

If you plan on buying a R1-million sports car, you will be much better off saving for a bit longer and adding an extra R200,000 to your budget.

This is because the difference between the cars you can get for R1 million and those available for R1.2 million is vast.

Whether it’s raw power, the amount of torque you can put down, or the “coolness” factor of the brand or model – spending an extra 20% results in big benefits.

What you get for R1 million

To start, let’s look at what you can get in the sports car segment for up to R1 million.

Two standout options which encompass the “sports car” spirit are the Audi TTS and Mercedes-AMG A35.

The Audi TTS is a German two-door with distinct styling, 228kW and 380Nm coming from the engine, and very little room for practical endeavours.

Price: R858,500.

The Mercedes-AMG A35 takes a different approach – packing 225kW and 400NM into a four-door hatch with a sweet wing at the rear.

It sells for R941,350.

Other top contenders in this segment include:

• Honda Civic Type R – 228kW and 400Nm – R813,100
• BMW M135i – 225kW and 450Nm – R865,988
• Subaru WRX STi – 221kW and 407Nm – R853,000

A common element among these models, however, is that none of them make over 230kW – while the M135i, A35, and TTS are not the “top cars” from their respective brands.

The Civic Type R and WRX STi are then petrol-head buys every day of the week, but the sedan body style and four-door layout detract from their sports car personalities.

What you get for R1.2 million

Adding R200,000 to your sports car spending spree makes a huge difference.

Total power and torque numbers go up, engines get markedly bigger, roofs come off, and model names become more exotic.

This is exemplified by the Ford Mustang GT Convertible.

331kW and 529Nm, two doors, a soft-top roof, and a powerful horse as the badge – all for R1,133,900.

If the Mustang is not your style, then Toyota (and BMW) can offer you the GR Supra for R1,213,700.

The Supra packs 250kW and 500Nm into an aggressive body that looks made to go sideways around corners.

The extra budget also allows you to buy the “superior” versions of the A35 and TTS listed at the start of the article.

• Mercedes-AMG A45 S – 310kW and 500Nm – R1,231,766
• Audi TT RS – 294kW and 480Nm – R1,099,000

BMW fans, we have not forgotten about you. The M2 can be yours from R1.12 million – delivering 302kW and 550Nm in one beautiful body.

For the extra money we can see that getting 300kW is not a problem, while the look and feel of the vehicles has been taken to a stop-and-stare level.

Our advice to those fortunate enough to be shopping for cars at this level: save a bit more and go big.