BRZ Tops the List of Cheapest Sports Cars To Own
Most car enthusiasts secretly want a fun car that won’t break the bank, and the sole option used to be the Mazda MX-5. That’s not the case anymore; sports cars can be a gateway to corner-carving, sometimes sun-soaked fun. Moreover, it’s even better if you can snag a newish good-time machine with an intact manufacturer’s warranty. Here are Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) picks for the cheapest sports cars to own over five years, like the Subaru BRZ or Mazda MX-5 Miata.
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Subaru BRZ
- Mazda MX-5
- Ford Mustang
How much does a Chevrolet Camaro cost?
A new Chevrolet Camaro has a starting price of $26,395. For that money, you get aggressive muscle car styling and some of the cheapest ownership costs in the segment. For instance, the Camaro depreciates $12,247 in the first five years of ownership, putting it ahead of the Ford Mustang by over $2,000.
Still, even with the lower depreciation and overall cost, the Camaro is thirstier than its smaller competition. Without bringing the powerful V8 options into consideration, the smaller turbocharged four-cylinder engine only manages 22 mpg combined. Not bad for a muscle car, but not great compared to a Mazda MX-5.
Is the Subaru BRZ a cheap sports car?
The Subaru BRZ is a cheap sports car with a very reasonable starting price of $28,990. Further, the little driver’s car has a five-year ownership cost of $39,463, putting it just behind the Camaro on KBB’s list of cheap sports cars. The BRZ also depreciates less and has lower average maintenance costs than the Mazda MX-5 and Ford Mustang. However, the average insurance rates for the Subaru BRZ are the highest on the shortlist, to the tune of $5,850.
How much does a brand new Mazda MX-5 cost?
The new Mazda MX-5 has a starting price of $28,665. While the MX-5 “Miata” doesn’t offer the cornering credentials of the Subaru BRZ, it does offer a convertible variant and a power hard top roof in the RF. Further, since the Fiat discontinued the 124, the MX-5 is really the only true roadster in mass production.
According to TrueCar, the Miata will also save money at the pumps. The little roadster manages 29 mpg combined, putting it ahead of the Mustang, Camaro, and BRZ.
How much do Ford Mustangs cost?
A 2022 Ford Mustang has a starting price of $28,865. Also, with a five-year cost to own of $39,960, the Mustang is slightly cheaper than the Mazda MX-5. Still, every Mustang offers over 300 horsepower, and bargain hunters will likely be pleased with the performance and practicality of an EcoBoost Mustang. That is, unless you need to put an adult in the back seat.
Should you buy a Subaru BRZ or the other cheapest sports cars?
You can’t go wrong with any of KBB’s picks for the cheapest sports cars to own. However, the Camaro and Mustangs are the bottom-tier offerings in a library of much higher-performance trims. Consider a V8 offering like the Ford Mustang GT if your budget allows. However, keeping the eight-cylinder pony car fed is another matter altogether.
Still, if you want a serious sports car bargain, the Miata is fun in the sun, and the BRZ is corner-carving smiles. It just boils down to which one you want. Scroll down to the following article to read more about sports cars!
