10 Sports Cars That Are Known For Their Dependability
Who doesn’t love a sports car? Gearheads all over the world love the idea of driving a two-door car with a peppy engine that can provide the best of thrills when pushed. When it comes to supercars versus sports cars, the latter always offer more practicality, so much so that plenty of sports cars can be daily drivers as well. With time, many sports cars that were once out of reach of the average buyer now come at great deals in the used car market. However, it isn’t simply a matter of becoming cheap, as any car from any segment must be reliable as well.
When it comes to sports cars, reliability can simply make or break your entire experience. You don’t want to buy a popular sports car for cheap, only to be bogged down with constant repairs that burn a hole in your wallet. There are plenty of dependable sports cars on the market today, pre-owned or brand-new, and they promise a great experience for all buyers. Here are 10 sports cars that are known for their dependability.
10 Nissan 350Z
The 350Z remains one of the most popular Japanese sports cars in the world, and it has rightly earned that place. Top-notch handling, attractive styling that turns heads even today, and a fantastic 3.5-liter V6 power unit that jets out 300 horsepower make the Nissan 350Z one of the best sports car bargains.
Today, one could easily bring home a 350Z for about $10,000. When it comes to reliable sports cars under $10k, it simply doesn’t get better than the Nissan 350Z, which is quite capable of going over 300,000 miles when treated with the care it deserves.
9 2017 Ford Mustang EcoBoost
Old-school gearheads love staying loyal to the big, mighty V8, but the EcoBoost has certainly been a fantastic technological breakthrough for American muscle. An earlier model in the new generation of Mustangs, the 2017 Ford Mustang EcoBoost is quite a reliable car that offers plenty of power for a great price.
310 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque, all for about $20,000 is a great deal, especially considering how modern the 2017 Mustang still is. J.D. Power awarded the model an 83 reliability score, which is ‘Great’ in their books. Similarly, users on Kelley Blue Book rated the 2017 Mustang Ecoboost’s reliability 4.7 out of 5.
8 BMW 2 Series
Now, many BMW sports cars haven’t had the best reputation for dependability. Their V8 and V12 offerings haven’t been the most bulletproof, and the S85 V10 engine is simply one of the worst engines ever made. However, the BMW 2-Series is surprisingly quite a reliable machine.
A brilliant sports car, the BMW M240i, in its first generation (2014-2021) featured an inline-six engine with 335 horsepower. Today, one could easily get these for under $30,000, which makes them worth considering. With a 4.8 reliability rating, the 2018 model remains one of the best ever. If you’re looking for a great sports car under $30k that is both reliable and reputed, look no further than the 2018 BMW M240i.
7 Audi TT
The poster boy for reliable German sports cars, the Audi TT has been a staple in the industry for over two decades now. In 2023, it is yet another gas-powered icon we will be saying goodbye to. Gearheads have always loved the Audi TT’s design, layout, performance, and above all, its dependability.
Pretty much bulletproof, the Audi TT has had some stellar years in terms of reliability. 2001 to 2006 were pretty faultless, and one could get those models for under $10,000. In fact, the 2016, 2017, and 2018 models were pretty darn solid too, and for just about $30,000, you could bring one of the home, too.
6 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Anyone wishing for a reliable, affordable, and fun sports car can simply not go wrong with the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Since its launch in 1989, the Miata has sold over a million units, and the MX-5 Miata has only gone from strength to strength.
The value of the MX-5 has stayed relatively cheap over the years, and the car also boasts a strong aftermarket presence. Best of all, of course, is how reliable and easy-to-maintain the Mazda MX-5 is. Auto Evolution even reported an owner citing they crossed the 500,000-mile mark with their MX-5, which is as strong a testament to the car’s dependability as any.
5 Chevrolet Corvette C5
The Chevy Corvette has always been the quintessential American sports car. In fact, the Corvette has always punched above its weight, taking the fight to European supercars. While early model C5 Corvettes weren’t the most reliable, Chevy found their groove with the 2004 Corvette.
The last of the fifth-gen Corvettes, the 2004 model was absolutely bulletproof, and the 350 horsepower it made along with 360 lb-ft of torque is pretty impressive even today.
Cars.com gave the ‘04 Corvette a stellar 4.7 out of 5 for reliability, and it isn’t hard to find these babies with over 100,000 on the odometer without problems.
4 Honda S2000
The Honda S2000 is the perfect, textbook sports car. Two doors, an open-top, a fantastic little engine that delivers plenty of thrills, all of that combines to make the Honda S2000 one of the go-to sports cars for any gearhead who knows their stuff.
The S2000 rides on a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, making 240hp, and thanks to its lightweight chassis, that makes it pretty damn fast. The S2000 has slowly been creeping up in value, though. For between $20,000 and $30,000, you could bring one of these babies home, and boy would we love to see a new-generation model.
3 Toyota 86
Any Toyota sports car is a reliable sports car, and that stands especially true for the GR86. The GR86 just entered its second generation with the 2022 model, and the car has always been one of the highest recommendations for anyone looking for their first sports car.
The previous generation Toyota 86 was as eager as any car to be thrown into corners, and the new version is even more improved. In fact, Toyota covers the warranty for the 86 even if you use it on the track or for an autocross event.
2 Lexus RC F
Lexus is one of the strongest names when it comes to reliability. After all, they’re a Toyota subsidiary. It’s been almost a decade since Lexus launched the RC F, and over nine years, the car has proven its rock-solid dependability.
Sure, the RC F is a sporty 472-hp beast that remains composed throughout, but even the standard Lexus RC is a great sports car. Of course, gearheads would prefer the RC F for being sportier, but neither of those cars could let you down in the reliability department. After all, owners have given it a solid 5-out-of-5 reliability rating over at Cars.com.
1 2020 Chevrolet Camaro
Even though the Camaro is reputed as a car with raw power, it is also one of the most consistently dependable sports cars from Chevrolet. The 2020 Camaro is one of the best model years in the nameplate’s history.
Not only did it earn an 86 out of 100 reliability rating from Consumer Reports, but the 2020 Chevy Camaro also boasts a solid 5/5 safety rating from the NHTSA. The 2020 Camaro is undoubtedly one of the best sports cars under $20,000 you could bring home.
Sources: Consumer Reports, Cars.com, Auto Evolution
