2025 Is the Year to Buy the Car You’ve Been Promising Yourself!
You know that car you’ve always promised yourself? You need to stop promising and start making it happen. This year. Particularly if your dream car is a petrol model, especially if you want a manual gearbox. Why? Because, quite simply, we’re running out of them.
With the 2030 cut-off for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars looming, and a ZEV mandate forcing dealers to replace their latest offerings with electric cars, the “petrolhead” choices are diminishing fast! Thrilling, engaging and desirable cars are vanishing from showrooms, leaving enthusiasts with fewer choices by the day.
For example, Jaguar’s stunning F-Type, the mighty Lexus V8 RC-F, Audi’s TT, Lotus’ lightweight Elise, Exige, and Evora are all gone already. There are very few coupes and sports listed new, and barely a handful of hot hatches, plus some icons on runout right now - we’ll tell you which below.
Stop procrastinating. 2025 could very well be the last year to bag your dream car. We’re not just talking brand new - there’s a knock-on effect on the used market of course and even there choices are dwindling quickly. There are still opportunities to pick up iconic 3-5 year-old motors, but you need to act fast before they vanish.
Helpfully below we’ve narrowed what’s available down to the top 10 new and used cars you should consider while you still can! Order now in time for the new '25' registration plates in March, and protect your investment with MotorEasy's GAP Insurance. Plus, be sure to add your new car to your MotorEasy account for complete peace of mind.
Top 10 New Cars to Buy in 2025
1. Mazda MX-5 - From £27,000
The MX-5 is an icon for a reason. Compact, rear-wheel drive, and available with a manual gearbox, it’s the perfect car for enthusiasts. The world’s best-selling roadster still offers pure, unfiltered driving fun - but for how much longer in the face of stringent legislation?
2. Mini JCW - From £32,000
The John Cooper Works Mini combines punchy performance with go-kart handling. There’s no longer a manual gearbox, but with 230bhp on tap, the little legend continues to delight!
3. Ford Focus ST - From £38,000
This could be the last of the accessible “Fast Fords” and with the Focus in its final year of production, do not hesitate to pick up what will almost certainly become a future classic. The manual 280bhp Focus ST is practical, brilliant fun but soon to be axed.
4. Toyota GR Yaris - From £44,000
The GR Yaris is nothing short of a rally car for the road. Its limited production and skyrocketing demand is making it a collector’s dream. A thriller to own but like the car, don’t hang about getting one.
5. Volkswagen Golf GTI - From £40,000
It’s the progenitor, the antecedent hot hatch; the GTI remains the template for its genre. But for how much longer? In petrol guise, its future looks shaky as an EV ID.GTI is expected in 2026. Go for the GTI Clubsport for a sharper drive.
6. Alpine A110 - From £60,000
The Alpine A110 delivers the perfect mix of lightweight construction and handling precision. With an electric replacement already announced, the petrol-powered A110 is living on borrowed time.
7. Ford Mustang (2025) - From £56,000
Still available with a thundering 5.0-litre V8 and a manual gearbox, the Mustang is one of the last muscle cars standing. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning one, do it now.
8. Porsche 718 Boxster - From £56,000
The 718 Boxster/Cayman series has already been discontinued in Europe due to new data protection legislation that outlaws its on-board systems. So the clock is ticking on production. Act now for a great-handling mid-engine Porsche roadster.
9. BMW M2 (G87) - From £66,000
You can no longer get a manual BMW M3/M4 but this rowdy rear-wheel-drive compact coupe harks does come with a stick shift and lairy sideways antics. Proper old-school Bimmer this!
10. Lotus Emira - From £90,000
When Lotus launched the Emira, it claimed this would be its final pure petrol car. This junior supercar represents the end of an era. Opt for the Toyota V6 version with a manual gearbox for an unforgettable driving experience - and a slice of history.
Top 10 Used Cars to Buy in 2025 (2020–2022 Models)
For those who prefer to let someone else take the depreciation hit, these nearly-new models offer outstanding value. Plus, don’t forget to protect your purchase with a MotorEasy warranty.
1. 2021 Ford Fiesta ST (Discontinued) - Just under £15,000
The Fiesta ST is small, nimble, and incredibly fun to drive. It’s also one of the most affordable hot hatches on the market, perfect for enthusiasts on a budget.
2. 2020 Toyota GT86 (Currently Unavailable New) - £20,000–£25,000
The GT86 is the ultimate entry-level rear-wheel-drive sports car. With sharp handling and a rev-happy engine, it’s the ideal car for learning the art of driving.
3. 2021 Honda Civic Type R - Just under £30,000
The FK8 Type R is one of the best-driving hot hatches of all time. Its manual-only gearbox and brilliant chassis make it a must-buy for enthusiasts. Plus it’s practical and spacious. New model starts at £50k.
4. 2020 BMW M4 Competition - £30,000–£35,000
A used M4 Competition gives you a twin-turbo straight-six and rear-wheel drive at a fraction of its new price. It’s fast, aggressive, and dripping with M division DNA.
5. 2020 Jaguar F-Type 5.0 V8 R (Discontinued) - Around £40,000
The V8 F-Type is a feast for the senses, with gorgeous looks and a ferocious soundtrack. A proper British muscle car that’s now within reach.
6. 2020–2022 Lotus Elise (Discontinued) - £40,000–£45,000
The Elise is pure driving nirvana, and it’s already a legend among enthusiasts. Find a lightly used one and enjoy one of the most engaging cars ever made.
7. 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - £40,000–£45,000
Somewhere in there is Ferrari DNA, so why wouldn’t you want this Italian M3 rival? The Giulia Quadrifoglio is a four-door supercar in disguise and at this age, it’s half the price of a new one.
8. 2020–2021 Mercedes-AMG C63 S (Discontinued) £45,000–£50,000
Undoubtedly fast, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 caused outrage by downsizing to a 2.0-litre turbo hybrid motor. Such has been the backlash, there are rumours the V8 will return in 2026. Meanwhile, the previous generation car can be had with a proper twin-turbo V8. It’s a beast!
9. 2020–2021 Audi RS6 Avant - Around £65,000
With well over 600bhp this family estate car is like the Incredible Hulk, on steroids! New, it’ll cost twice as much at nearly £120k, and it’s likely to be replaced next year with an all-electric version. Get this brute while you still can.
10. 2020 Aston Martin Vantage 4.0 V8 - Around £80,000
For a bit of 007 style, this generation Vantage, was essentially the car featured in the movie ‘Spectre’ (though that was a concept car). Save £100k on a new Vantage, and still revel in a perfect blend of luxury, style, and performance.
