You want a sports car that thrills without turning routine maintenance into a budget buster. You can find modern, genuinely fun sports cars that cost surprisingly little to keep on the road, so you get the driving excitement without constant repair bills.
This article walks you through attainable, well-engineered choices—from nimble roadsters to punchy compact coupes—so you can weigh fun, reliability, and ownership costs before making a decision.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
You’ll find the MX-5 rewards simple care with low annual maintenance compared to many sports cars. The Miata’s compact, proven mechanicals keep routine servicing cheap and straightforward.
Parts and labor are widely available, so you won’t overspend on common repairs. Mazda’s steady updates keep the model fresh without complex, costly systems.
If you want a fun, reliable roadster that doesn’t punish your wallet, the Miata is a strong pick. Check Mazda’s 2026 update details for trim and pricing changes.
Toyota GR86
You get a lightweight, rear-wheel‑drive coupe that keeps maintenance simple and affordable. Regular items like brakes, tires, and scheduled fluids are straightforward thanks to a conventional boxer engine and widespread parts availability.
Enthusiast-friendly design means you can DIY some jobs, lowering shop bills. Reviews praise its purity and value, which helps keep ownership costs reasonable for a true sports car (see the 2026 Toyota GR86 review).
Subaru BRZ
You’ll appreciate the BRZ’s simple, lightweight design that keeps maintenance costs low and parts common.
Its 2.4L boxer engine and rear-wheel-drive layout are straightforward to service, and many tires, brakes, and suspension parts are shared with common models.
Buying used BRZs gives you access to affordable aftermarket parts and a big DIY community.
Read more about why the BRZ is an economical sports-car pick on U.S. News & World Report.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost
You get strong performance from a 2.3L turbo four without the V8 maintenance costs and thirst.
Routine service is straightforward and parts are widely available, which keeps shop bills reasonable.
If you choose a manual, clutch work can be more frequent under hard use, but automatic transacts are common and inexpensive to service.
The EcoBoost balances spirited driving with everyday ownership costs, making it a practical pick for enthusiast budgets.
Explore detailed reviews like the driving impressions of the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost.
Chevrolet Camaro LT
You get a lot of muscle-car feel for lower ownership costs with the Camaro LT. Routine maintenance and common parts are widely available, which helps keep repair bills reasonable.
The LT’s V6 (or turbo four in some years) balances performance and economy, so you won’t pay supercar rates at the shop. Check used-market pricing and vehicle history to avoid buyers’ surprises.
Read more about Camaro values and trims at Chevrolet’s official performance lineup: Chevrolet Performance Vehicle Lineup: Track, Street, & Off-Road.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
You get sporty handling and modest upkeep with the Golf GTI, a hot hatch known for reliability and simple service items.
Routine maintenance—oil, brakes, tires—stays affordable compared with many performance cars, and parts are widely available.
If you value a fun-to-drive car without high repair bills, the GTI balances performance and cost well; check local labor rates and parts prices for the best estimate.
For a detailed review and specs, see this 2026 Golf GTI review from Car and Driver.
BMW M240i
You get a compact coupe that packs a turbo inline-six and sharp handling without the maintenance bite of full M cars. Expect routine service costs similar to other premium compact BMWs, with fewer exotic parts than an M4.
The interior and electronics saw updates recently, so items like screens or software may affect repair bills if they fail. For real-world impressions and detailed updates, read the review of the 2026 BMW M240i.
Audi TT
You’ll find the Audi TT blends sporty looks with practical maintenance costs compared to many rivals. Regular items—brakes, tires, and basic servicing—stay affordable if you avoid high-performance variants.
Parts and labor are widely available, and independent specialists often undercut dealer rates. That keeps annual ownership costs reasonable without sacrificing driving fun.
For background on used TT bargains and market context, see this roundup of cheap used Audis worth considering.
Hyundai Veloster N
You get a punchy, track-ready hot hatch with the Veloster N that still behaves as a usable daily driver. Its lively handling and available manual gearbox keep driving engaging without demanding exotic maintenance.
Expect reasonable ownership costs compared with pricier performance cars, helped by common Hyundai parts and broad dealer support. Learn more about Hyundai’s performance lineup at Hyundai USA.
Nissan 370Z
You get a simple, driver-focused sports car with the 3.7L V6 that’s known for durability and straightforward repairs. Parts and DIY-friendly layouts help keep routine maintenance affordable.
You’ll appreciate the strong aftermarket and community knowledge if you plan upgrades or repairs. That support often lowers labor costs and speeds up fixes.
If you want specifics on ownership costs and upkeep tips, see an overview of why the 370Z is cheap to maintain.
More from Steel Horse Rides: