10 Dependable Sports Cars That Cost Less Than An Average New Car

The average new car sold in 2024 costs $47,401 according to Kelley Blue Book. As a result, consumers tend to prefer buying used cars over new ones, but there are a few things you need to know before buying a used car, especially if you’re looking for a sports car. As a general rule, sports cars lose a tremendous amount of value during the first few years due to depreciation. While this makes these sports cars much more affordable, reliability remains a topic of discussion.

While a handful of sports cars form part of thelist of most reliable cars ever made, this isn’t the case for all sports cars. Some sports cars cost thousands of dollars in maintenance and repairs and are an absolute pain to own. On the other hand, other affordable sports cars prove you can have reliability and performance in one compact package.

Here are the diamonds in the rough; the dependable, cheap sports cars that won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Kelley Blue Book (KBB), Edmunds, RepairPal, J.D. Power, Edmunds, EPA, and official manufacturer websites. The models below have been ranked based on their average used prices, as provided by Kelley Blue Book (KBB).

10 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata – $28,985

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 76/100

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the cheapest rear-wheel-drive manual sports car you can buy in 2024. Under its hood sits a mini naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-banger that produces 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Although it’s not the quickest sports car ever made with its 5.7-second zero to 60 mph time, it makes up in other aspects.

Reliability Highlights

• 4.0/5.0 RepairPal Reliability Rating
• $429 RepairPal Annual Maintenance Cost
• 73/100 Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability Score

For less than $30,000, you can buy a reliable, lightweight convertible sports car that won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road. The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata received a wide array of updates including refreshed headlights and taillights, updated software, and an asymmetric limited-slip differential.

Pros

• Healthy aftermarket support
• Manual-folding soft top
• 30 MPG EPA-estimated combined fuel-economy

Cons

• 4.6 cubic feet of cargo space
• 43.1 inches of legroom

9 2024 Toyota GR86 – $29,300

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 76/100

The 2024 Toyota GR86 is the second-cheapest sports car you can buy in 2024. The GR86 has a bored-out 2.4–liter boxer-four engine that develops 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. However, it doesn’t ditch its roots and still offers a six-speed manual transmission.

Reliability Highlights

• 4.0/5.0 RepairPal Reliability Rating For Toyota Brand
• $441 RepairPal Annual Maintenance Cost for a Toyota
• 75/100 Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability Score

On the inside, the Toyota GR86 improves much over its predecessor by hosting a handful of high-quality materials, and all GR86 models have an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. On top of that, you can know your GR86 won’t let you down considering Toyota’s long history of bullet-proof reliability.

Pros

• 30 MPG EPA-estimated combined fuel-economy
• 2,833-pound curb weight
• 5.4-second 0 to 60 mile-per-hour time (achieved by Car and Driver)

Cons

• 45.1 inches of front legroom
• 29.9 inches of rear legroom

8 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – $43,540

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 80/100

The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is the talk of the town since it can reach 195 miles per hour, and reach 60 miles per hour in 2.6 seconds. Yet the Z06 is a performance bargain with its $108,100 MSRP. However, the C7 Corvette Z06, especially the 2013 model year, drives an even harder bargain.

Reliability Highlights

• 3.0/5.0 RepairPal Reliability Rating
• 4.0/5.0 Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction Score
• $789 RepairPal Annual Maintenance Cost

For less than a new car, you can buy one of the fastest sports cars ever made. The 2013 Chevy Corvette Z06 hid a 7.0-liter LS7 V-8 that pushed out 505 horsepower, which allowed the C7 ‘Vette to reach 60 mph from a standstill in 3.7 seconds. If that’s not impressive enough, it proves to be one of the most reliable Corvettes ever made.

Pros

• 196 mile-per-hour top speed
• 11.7-second quarter-mile time
• 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space

Cons

• 18 MPG EPA-estimated combined fuel-economy
• Expensive to replace Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires

7 2017 Nissan 370Z – $25,855

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 84/100

With the introduction of Nissan’s new sports car, the Nissan Z, older Nissan sports cars’ values decreased. In turn, this made a wide range of dependable sports cars more affordable than before. And the 2017 Nissan 370Z is one of the best bang-for-your-buck sports cars from the Japanese automaker.

Reliability Highlights

• 4.0/5.0 RepairPal Reliability Rating
• $392 RepairPal Annual Maintenance Cost

Underneath the hood of the 370Z sits a traditional VQ engine, specifically the VQ37DE, a naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V-6 engine. Costing less than half of a new car in 2024, the timeless and reliable Nissan 370Z is one of the greatest used performance cars that won’t break the bank.

Pros

• Some models have a six-speed manual transmission
• 350 horsepower in 370Z Nismo
• 5.2-second 0 to 60 mile-per-hour time for base model 370Z

Cons

• Many models may lack proper service records and be driven hard
• Outdated interior

6 2016 BMW M240i – $29,100

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 84/100

The average person would argue that BMWs aren’t reliable. But the average person doesn’t know everything. After all, Consumer Reports crowned BMW as the best brand on sale in 2024, but the brand’s impeccable quality stretched further back too. One of the very first reliable BMW sports cars was the F22 M240i.

Reliability Highlights

• 4.0/5.0 Consumer Reports Reliability Verdict
• 4.0/5.0 Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction Score
• $968 RepairPal Annual Maintenance Cost for a BMW

Apart from BMW improving its build quality, the main star of the show was the inline-six B58 engine, which is a household name nowadays. The M240i definitely doesn’t hide its sporty characteristics, but it certainly doesn’t look like a coupe capable of reaching 60 miles per hour from a stop in just 4.3 seconds.

Pros

• 340 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque
• Some models have a six-speed manual transmission

Cons

• Tight rear seating area
• 3,241-pound curb weight

5 2014 Mercedes-Benz C350 Coupe – $11,439

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 86/100

Albeit one of the less extravagant-looking coupes, the W204 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the best used Mercedes-Benz cars you can buy. Praised for its reliability, and understated design, the C350 Coupe is both reliable and adequately quick.

Reliability Highlights

• 3.5/5.0 RepairPal Reliability Rating
• 3.0/5.0 Consumer Reports Reliability Verdict
• $750 RepairPal Annual Maintenance Cost

Under the Mercedes-Benz C350’s hood nests a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 engine that elegantly spits out 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. In turn, this allows for a 0 to 60 mile-per-hour time of less than six seconds. Sure, the C350 isn’t the fastest on the list, but it’s by far the cheapest, costing just a tad more than 20% of a new car.

Pros

• Heated, electronically adjustable driver and passenger seat with memory function
• Five-star NHTSA safety rating
• Harmon Kardon premium sound system

Cons

• 35.5 inches of rear headroom
• Lack of advanced safety technology.

4 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Coupe – $43,141

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 87/100

A 2021 model year G22 M440i is one of the best used BMW models to buy in 2024. Featuring the same turbocharged 3.0-liter B58 straight-six as the aforementioned M240i, power went up to 382 horsepower. And with BMW’s all-wheel-drive system, called xDrive, the M440i benefits from all-weather practicality and increased acceleration.

Reliability Highlights

• 3.0/5.0 Consumer Reports Reliability Verdict (2022 model year)
• 4.0/5.0 Consumer Reports Owner Satisfaction Score
• $968 RepairPal Annual Maintenance Cost for a BMW

Although the 2021 BMW M440i doesn’t benefit from BMW’s latest iDrive 8, the iDrive 7 system still supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Apart from BMW’s questionable styling choices, the M440i is objectively one of the best coupe sports cars money can buy.

Pros

• Reliable B58 inline-fix engine
• 3.8-second 0 to 60 mph time (tested by Car and Driver)
• 25 MPG EPA-estimated combined fuel-economy

Cons

• Six known recalls for 2021 BMW 4 Series
• Tight rear seating area

3 2021 Lexus RC 350 F Sport – $34,774

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 88/100

According to J.D. Power, Lexus is the most dependable car brand the market has on offer. And its reliability isn’t exclusive to its luxury sedans or family-friendly SUVs, but its fun-loving sports cars too. Introduced nearly a decade ago, the Lexus RC is starting to show its age but still remains relevant thanks to Lexus’ impeccable engineering.

Reliability Highlights

• 4.0/5.0 RepairPal Reliability Rating For Lexus Brand
• $721 RepairPal Annual Maintenance Cost

Lexus fitted the RC 350 with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 engine that pumps out 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. On the inside, the RC 350 retains its Lexus tradition with high-quality leather and metals scattered across the cabin.

Pros

• Heated and cooled, electronically adjustable front seats with memory function
• Many safety technology features as standard

Cons

• Hard-to-navigate infotainment system
• Disappointing 5.7-second 0 to 60 mile-per-hour time
• Only all-wheel-drive model gets six-speed manual transmission

2 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster – $44,999

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 88/100

Often called the poor man’s Porsche, the 718 Boxster is one of the best modern sports cars on the market. The Porsche Boxster is a rear-mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive convertible sports car that can be had with a manual transmission. And thanks to depreciation, you can buy the latest generation Porsche Boxster for less than $50,0000.

Reliability Highlights

• 5.0/5.0 Cars.com Consumer Reviews Reliability Score
• 66/100 Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability Score for the 2024 model year

The base model 2018 Porsche Boxster features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that churns out 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. In turn, this allows the 718 Boxster to reach 60 miles per hour from a standstill in as little as 4.5 seconds when fitted with the Sports Chrono Package.

Pros

• 25 MPG EPA-estimated combined fuel-economy
• Lightning-fast PDK automatic transmission
• Soft top opens and closes in less than 10 seconds at up to 31 miles per hour

Cons

• 9.7 cubic feet of cargo space
• Miniscule interior cabin storage space
• Still prone to depreciation

1 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera – $45,295

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability: 90/100

The brand-new 992 Porsche 911 won TopSpeed’s Best Sports Car of 2024, but with a $114,000 MSRP, it costs more than double the price of the average new car. Fortunately, you can buy a depreciated, dependable Porsche 911 for less than $50,000 – the 997.2 Porsche 911 Carrera. Albeit more expensive than the 996 and 997.1 Porsche 911, the 997.2 is much more reliable.

Reliability Highlights

• 4.6/5.0 Cars.com Consumer Reviews Reliability Score
• $1,007 RepairPal Annual Maintenance Cost

The base model 911 Carrera from 2010 features the traditional rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car formula all 911s are famous for. At the 997.2 Carrera’s rear end sits a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter flat-six that makes 345 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque. So, not only is the 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera one of the cheapest ways to get behind a Porsche, but it’s also tremendously reliable and can reach 60 miles per hour from stationary in as little as 4.5 seconds.

Pros

• Top speed of 179 miles per hour
• Eliminated the horrid IMS bearing failure earlier 911s have
• Choose between six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic PDK transmission

>Cons

• Cramped rear seating area
• 3.7 cubic inch ‘frunk’ cargo space