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.
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
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Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Cupra Formentor Abt
It's farewell to the original Cupra Formentor with an Abt-tuned run-out package. It's a quietly excellent car; just a shame about the price...
Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo
This misguided departure from the French brand's hot hatch heritage saw the Clio fall from grace
REBIRTH OF AN ICON
The Kalmar 9X9 is a modernday reinterpretation of Porsche's game-changing 959 supercar, with a carbon body and up to 917bhp. And evo is helping to develop it
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The underachieving Mk8 GTI gets a shot at redemption with the new, revised Mk8.5 version. Is it the leap forward it needs to be?
BEST BUYS
FAST FORDS FROM THE CORTINA TO THE ESCORT AND THE FIESTA, Ford is responsible for some of the most popular cars in British history. But alongside these everyday machines it has also produced a stream of desirable driver's cars.
HY AND DRY
The switch to electric power means an early exit for Hyundai N's brilliant ICE hot hatch duo. We go for a farewell drive in the 120 N
SEXY BEAST
The Vanquish name is back for Aston Martin's latest seriesproduction flagship, with a stunning new look and simply brutal performance from an 824bhp twin-turbo V12
THE JOY OF DRIVING
From mastering the everyday commute to unlocking the full potential of your performance car, our new series will help you become safer, more confident and ultimately more skilled behind the wheel
TINY DANCER
You haven't seen a Mini dance like this before, but then you haven't seen a Mini with a 4-litre M Power V8 under the bonnet and rear-wheel drive. Introducing Vini...
LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
Grandaddy to the Temerario and the car that transformed Lamborghini was the brilliant, V10-engined Gallardo. We get reacquainted with a Lambo legend