Sports cars have become known as some of the most expensive cars to maintain, especially when driven daily and subjected to high mileage. These vehicles and their engines are specifically designed to deliver maximum performance and driving excitement, often placing reliability and long-term durability on the back burner.
Automakers understand this trade-off, but flashy performance numbers and stunning designs are what grab attention and sell vehicles—not low maintenance costs. As a result, even the latest sports cars can end up being costly to maintain, with their complex engineering and sophisticated electronics adding layers of difficulty.
That said, seasoned automotive enthusiasts know that owning a sports car doesn’t always come with the burden of high upkeep and questionable dependability.
In fact, there are several performance-driven sports cars that have built a reputation for outstanding reliability and low maintenance costs in the past ten years—and it’s important for any car lover to be familiar with them.
1. 2016 Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger has faded out in recent years, making way for the new Charger, a move that has sparked considerable debate within the muscle car community. The controversy mainly stems from the new Charger debuting as an EV and its upcoming internal combustion engine version lacking a V8.
For purists and traditional sports car fans, the 2016 Dodge Challenger remains a solid option. It offers a variety of powerful engine choices, including a 3.6-liter V6, 5.7-liter V8, 6.2-liter supercharged V8, and 6.4-liter V8, paired with either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.
Power output ranges from 305 horsepower in the base V6 to a staggering 707 horsepower in the supercharged V8, while torque varies between 268 lb-ft and 650 lb-ft.
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2. Mazda MX-5 Miata ND
Since its introduction in the 1990s, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been synonymous with reliability and cost-effective fun. That reputation holds strong with the ND generation, particularly the 2019 model year.
The Miata continues to deliver an affordable, enjoyable driving experience without compromising on dependability.
It comes with two engine options: a 1.5-liter inline-4 producing 129 horsepower and 111 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful 2.0-liter inline-4 with 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic, catering to driving enthusiasts and daily drivers alike.
3. 2019 Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang remains one of the most legendary muscle cars ever built, and the latest iterations have done a commendable job of upholding its legacy. Known for offering a range of powerful engines, the Mustang continues to stand its ground with a V8 option, even as many competitors move away from that classic muscle car feature.
For those considering a used sports car, the 2019 Mustang stands out as a surprisingly reliable choice. The car offers engine options including a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4, a 5.0-liter V8, and a 5.2-liter V8, delivering power between 310 hp and 526 hp, and torque ranging from 350 lb-ft to 429 lb-ft. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic.
4. 2017 BMW 2 Series Coupe/Convertible
The BMW 2 Series often flies under the radar in discussions about sports cars, possibly because the 2 Series name includes models like the Gran Coupe and the Active Tourer mini-MPV, which don’t align with the typical sports car image. However, the Coupe and Convertible versions are true to the spirit of sporty driving, both in appearance and performance.
The reliability of the 2 Series has sparked some debate. Some owners claim the car can be a financial burden, cautioning potential buyers to think twice. Nonetheless, overall data shows a strong track record of dependability.
It offers a wide variety of engine choices, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 petrol engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 petrol, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 petrol, and diesel options such as a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbodiesel and a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-4 diesel.
Power ranges from 134 hp to 335 hp, with torque outputs between 162 lb-ft and 369 lb-ft. Buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, and transmissions include a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic.
5. 2020 Chevrolet Camaro
The future of the Chevrolet Camaro looks bleak, with no new generation expected any time soon. This is disappointing, considering the Camaro remains one of the finest American-made sports cars in recent history.
It boasts a wide range of engine options, from the relatively modest to the wildly powerful, ensuring there’s a version to suit almost any driver’s needs. The available engines include a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, a 3.6-liter V6, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 6.2-liter supercharged V8.
Power ranges from 275 hp to 650 hp, while torque spans from 285 lb-ft to 650 lb-ft. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic, and 10-speed automatic. When it comes to reliability, the 2020 Camaro stands tall among sports cars from the past decade.
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6. 2017 BMW 4 Series Coupe/Convertible
Just like its 2 Series counterpart, the BMW 4 Series often gets overlooked when discussing sports cars. This oversight is unfortunate because the 4 Series Coupe and Convertible, even in non-M or “warm” M variants, are genuinely impressive sports cars.
They feature a broad selection of engine options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 petrol, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 petrol, 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 petrol, 2.0-liter inline-4 turbodiesel, 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-4 diesel, 3.0-liter inline-6 turbodiesel, and a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 diesel.
These engines deliver power ranging from 134 hp to 322 hp, and torque from 162 lb-ft up to a massive 465 lb-ft. Drivers can choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive setups, with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
7. 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche 718 Cayman has been a standout option for enthusiasts seeking an upscale sports car, and the reasons are clear. It offers impressive performance, sharp handling, and refined driving dynamics, thanks in large part to its lightweight construction and mid-engine layout.
Beyond just being fast and fun, the 718 Cayman is also practical enough for everyday use.
However, this reliability doesn’t come cheap. Like most Porsches, maintenance costs are on the higher side. 718 Cayman’s reputation for performance and reliability makes it a compelling choice for those who want a daily-driver sports car that doesn’t compromise on quality.
In terms of specifications, the 718 Cayman offers a variety of engine options, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4, a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4, and a 4.0-liter flat-6. Power output ranges from 247 horsepower to 493 horsepower, while torque spans from 229 lb-ft to 332 lb-ft.
The 0–60 mph times vary between 5.4 seconds and 3.2 seconds, and top speeds range from 162 mph to 196 mph, depending on the engine configuration. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed automatic.
8. 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster
The Porsche 718 Boxster is the convertible sibling to the 718 Cayman, sharing nearly everything with the coupe version aside from its open-top design. That means it offers the same thrilling performance, balanced handling, and mid-engine agility.
The major appeal of the Boxster is that it gives you all the strengths of the Cayman with the added enjoyment of top-down driving.
Under the hood, the 718 Boxster features the same engine options as the Cayman: a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4, a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4, and a 4.0-liter flat-6. Power ranges from 247 to 493 horsepower, while torque goes from 229 lb-ft to 332 lb-ft.
Acceleration from 0–60 mph varies between 5.4 and 3.2 seconds, with top speeds ranging from 162 to 196 mph. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed automatic.
9. 2022 Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette has long been a staple of the American sports car scene. With a production run dating back to the 1950s, each generation of the Corvette has continually evolved to meet the demands of performance car enthusiasts.
The C8 Corvette marked a major shift in the Corvette’s legacy, transitioning to a mid-engine layout and removing the manual transmission option. Despite these bold changes, the C8 was largely well-received, with many applauding the updated design and engineering direction.
While the Corvette isn’t typically known for its reliability, the 2022 model proves that perception wrong. It stands out as one of the most dependable sports cars released in the last decade.
The 2022 Corvette offers two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 and a 5.5-liter V8. Power output varies between 490/495 horsepower for the 6.2-liter engine and 670 horsepower for the 5.5-liter. Torque figures range from 460 lb-ft with the 5.5-liter to 465/475 lb-ft with the 6.2-liter. An 8-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox available for this generation.
10. 2015 Porsche 911
It may come as no surprise that the Porsche 911 ranks as the most reliable car on this list. Over the years, the 911 has built a reputation for delivering exceptional performance paired with rock-solid dependability. It’s so reliable, in fact, that you could genuinely use it every day
The 2015 Porsche 911 comes with several engine options, including a 3.4-liter flat-6, a 3.8-liter flat-6, a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6, and a 4.0-liter flat-6.
These engines deliver between 345 and 552 horsepower, and torque ranges from 288 lb-ft to 516 lb-ft. Buyers could choose between a 7-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission.