Sports cars have become more of an everyday vehicle than ever before, which makes their reliability important. While classic makes remain popular, newer models are also ranking high on the list of the most reliable sports cars on the market.
While the idea of garaging your sports car for the winter and spending Sundays polishing it is certainly a romantic notion, it’s also an old-fashioned one. These days, sports car owners are looking for something that they can count on year-round.
A reliable sports car can handle different types of weather and is built to last. Wondering if your favorite model made the list? Car insurance
comparison app and licensed broker superstar Jerry
has put together a list of the sports cars that stand out for their durability and consistency. Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowWhat makes a sports car reliable?
Sports cars are popular the world over for their style, speed, and ability to stand the test of time. A nod to their reliability is that owners hang onto them for years—sports cars don’t get traded in as frequently as other kinds of vehicles.
MORE: How to make your car last longer
How is reliability determined?
Sports cars generally seem to have a reputation for being reliable because they embody the following features:
The ability to perform well despite having high mileage.
Sturdy body style, although hardtop sports cars tend to last longer.
Good design. Sports models with a small back seat or a two-seater with a large trunk are considered more practical.
A durable engine that retains its power over time.
How affordable it is to maintain.
The ability to drive in different types of terrain.
Why is reliability in a sports car important?
Sports cars are distinctive for being a sentimental purchase or a fun ride compared to something a little more run of the mill—so you should be able to count on yours running well.
Models that have been in production for decades have a knack for holding their value far longer than luxury sedans, which are often in a similar price range. If you do decide to sell, you’re likely to get an amount that is pretty close to what you paid for it.
Most reliable sports cars
The data from over 11.8 million used cars sales in 2020 was studied to determine what sports cars set the standard for reliability. The following list ranks reliability from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most reliable. The indicated price is what you’d pay for each vehicle if you were to buy it new.
Porsche 911
Price: $244,196 to $443,462
There’s no question that the Porsche 911
is an iconic, glamourous vehicle with solid driving performance and upscale interior features. This is a sports car that is known to hold its value very well—which is reassuring considering that its main drawback is a sticker price well into the high six-figures. Audi TTS
Price: $58,699 to $63,177
The Audi TTS
is fitted with a more powerful engine than many of its competitors—an attractive feature for many sports car enthusiasts. And thanks to its all-wheel drive, the TTS can navigate tough terrain. Chevrolet Corvette
Price: $75,599 to $118,995
Since hitting the market in 1953, the Corvette
has become a classic and a bestseller. The powerful V8 engine makes for an impressive driving performance. One of the cons? Corvettes are pricier than a lot of other sports car options on the market. Dodge Challenger
Price: $23,994 to $68,009
With five V8 engine options, the Dodge Challenger
is an American emblem that packs some major horsepower. It’s also a great four-season sports car since it's equipped with all-wheel drive. Nissan 370Z
Price: $30,956 and $47,741
The only Nissan to make the list, the 370Z
comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine with an upgraded option available. If you’re looking for that old-school race car feel, it also comes in a 5-speed manual stick-shift version. One con of the 370Z is that the body style hasn’t been redesigned since 2009.
Chevrolet Camaro
Price: $24,590 to $65,889
Affordable, well-loved, fast—the list goes on and on for the Camaro’s bragging rights. It also offers a variety of body styles and four different engine choices. And like most US sports cars, the Chevrolet Camaro
depreciates slowly, which bodes well for its resale potential. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Price: $98,906 to $124,714
No car marries sport and luxury like the SL-Class
. You can choose between a turbocharged engine with a V6 or V8 capacity. It’s hard to outdo the elegant design of this two-seater—but those with an eye on something economical may have to look elsewhere. Audi S5
Price: $57,145 to $69,918
As the sports version of the luxurious A5 sedan, the Audi S5
boasts a beautiful interior with high-end accents. The turbocharged V6 engine can reach a top speed of 155 miles per hour. Mazda MX-5
Price: $26,551 to $35,615
Drivers of the Mazda MX-5
rank this sports car as being 95.5% reliable for cars between 6 and 15 years old. This little two-seater is great on gas, but it lacks the engine capabilities of the other sports models on the list. Ford Mustang
Price: $26,551 to $35,615
Dating back to 1964, the Ford Mustang
checks all the boxes when it comes to reliability—it retains its value well and has lots of great-looking classics on the market. The rear-wheel-drive makes it optimal for daily use—even on snowy roads, and with numerous engine sizes to choose from you don’t have to settle for features that don’t suit you. BMW Z4
Price: $53,552 and $72,258
The BMW Z4
is good for daily driving and has a large trunk for a two-seater convertible sports car. It’s also available in turbo. If you’re interested in a used model, you may have a challenge on your hands—the Z4 was not manufactured in 2017 or 2018, so there are fewer used models out there. Audi TT
Price: $54,260 to $58,089
Leading the pack for the most reliable sports cars is the Audi TT
. This sleek hard-top has a small backseat and handles great on the road with a 4-cylinder turbo engine. Daily driving is a cinch due to the TT getting better than average fuel economy compared to the other cars in its class. With its universally appealing features, the TT is a sports car anyone could love.
MORE: How to protect a convertible interior
Insuring your sports car
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