IN AT THE CHEAP END

A QUICK GAME OF WORLD association: think 'mid-engined'. Does your mind run to supercars? GT40, F40, Gandini, Giugiaro...?

- JAMES TAYLOR

The exotically cab-forward proportions the mid-engined layout lends itself to so well. Lots of cylinders, lots of horsepower, lots of drama. Exactly the type of emotive, inspiring cars you'll find on page 60 in the second half of this test, in fact.

Or does it flip to the other side of the coin: the small, nimble, neat sports car? Ever since little Coopers did battle with front-engined Ferraris on the Grand Prix circuit in the '50s and '60s, and Lotus took on the old-guard Offyengined roadsters at Indy, light, compact cars that put the engine behind the driver's shoulder blades and which can outpoint more powerful Goliaths have held a special kind of appeal.

Supercars are glorious, and so are front-engined sports cars. We're assuredly not saying that mid-engined sports cars are 'better' (except, perhaps, from a purely scientific point of view in terms of on-paper weight distribution, moment of inertia and so on). But there's something very special about starting one and hearing its heartbeat come to life behind you, rather than in front of you; the open, unencumbered view ahead; the inherent sense of agility the layout brings and the sense that you're right in the centre of a snug vehicle created for driving for fun - above all else.

It's worth owning a mid-engined car at least once in your life. And it needn't involve exchanging supercar-sized money. We've assembled three giant-killers in terms of affordability as well as ability. Each is a great used buy right now for different reasons: one has become a modern classic but remains under the radar in value; one is on the cusp of modern-classic status and can be had for tempting prices; and one is already an appreciating asset, but best enjoyed as a sports car to be driven, not closeted away as an investment.