It doesn't matter what car you own, sooner or later you will end up putting your hand in your pocket to fund essential maintenance, its part, and parcel of being a gearhead.
For us mere mortals not earning millions in the financial industry, every dollar matters, even routine servicing can make any gearhead weep. Better to start with a reliable sports car, one that won't drain your bank account faster than a child buying in-app purchases on their smartphone.
Looming on the horizon there are dozens of awesome import cars that deliver all the excitement backed up with big warranties and low servicing plans, these are the sports cars we like — ones we can afford to keep on the road.
10 Lotus Elise
One of the most desirable small sports cars on the planet is heading for retirement, the Lotus Elise has been around for 25 years with little in the way of changes. The same bonded aluminum chassis and fiberglass body mean no corrosion issues to speak of, leaving just the mechanicals.
Here, Lotus scored another win, using Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter engines, which to date have been pretty much bombproof with routine servicing. With Lotus slashing service prices recently, even a trip to the garage shouldn't cause too many sleepless nights.
9 Miata MX-5
Sports cars mean big service bills right? Not necessarily. The Mazda's evergreen MX-5 might surprise a few gearheads with the Japanese automaker recommending service price plans as low as $295, cheaper than what you would expect to pay for the average subcompact.
Sure there are bound to be some unscrupulous dealers around who inflate their prices, but at the same time, there are Miata dealers in every town, a little shopping around is sure to reveal some even cheaper prices. Gearheads with older examples can easily tackle routine maintenance themselves with little effort.
8 Kia Stinger GTS
Performance bargains rarely come this cheap, Korean-based Kia has defiantly upped the ante with its latest Stinger GTS that is sure to upset more established brands. Cramming a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 into a mid-sized sedan sees 60 MPH pass by in 4.7-seconds, topping out at 163 MPH.
Mixing it up with the big boys, the only potential issue that might deter gearheads being the Kia name itself. But then, this level of performance for $40,000 is a steal, added to which routine servicing starts at just $220.
7 Honda Civic Type-R
Main dealerships might try to up-sell their cars to unsuspecting gearheads, but they often have a few special offers if you delve deeper into their social media profiles. As much as the idea of 306 turbocharged horses from a mere 2-liter gets our adrenalin flowing, there is always that niggling doubt about high-performance engine maintenance costs.
Honda has been building VTEC engines for decades, in fact, it was one of the first mass-produced variable valve timing systems to hit the market and has a solid reputation for reliability. So, Honda build quality should allay any mechanical worries, that just leaves service bills. We managed to find one California-based Honda dealer offering its "advantage" promotion for just $129.95.
6 Toyota 86
From the very get-go, Toyota aimed to deliver a cheap reliable sports car, not just cheap to buy but also to maintain. High running costs are regularly cited as the primary reason why more gearheads didn't splash out on a two-seater.
The resulting Toyota 86 only ever appeared with a 200 HP 2-liter four-cylinder engine, performance was never going to be a major selling point. However, true to the original idea, a low sticker price of $26,000 and bomb-proof mechanicals makes the 86 one of the cheapest sports cars to maintain.
5 Nissan 350Z
Grabbing a slice of Z-car performance needn't cost the world to maintain, with basic routine maintenance that every gearhead can accomplish the 350Z'sengine should easily last 250,000 miles.
Produced between 2002-08, the later cars with Nissan's VQ35HR V6 engine having the best reputation for reliability. Like any high-performance engine, decent quality oil and regular changes make all the difference. In a worst-case scenario, even a dealer service won't break the bank, we managed to track down a third-party Nissan specialist charging $249 for a basic service.
4 Hyundai Veloster N
Another bargain Asian import performance car seems to arrive almost weekly, Hyundai keen to get in on the action with their Veloster N further blurring the lines between sports car and medium-sized compact.
Are we complaining? Only that it's hard to keep up with who builds what and how fast they go. Updated for 2021, the Veloster N offers stonking value for money as a new car, $32,000 buying a 275 HP 2-liter turbocharged rocket in the same vein as the Type-R. In a crowded marketplace Hyundai baits owners with longer than average warranty periods and cheap servicing, the first three years oil changes pegged at a low $99.
3 Subaru WRX STi
With its origins firmly based on the rally scene, you might think the Subaru WRX STi needs specialist attention come service time. In reality, these interim service 6000-mile services are little more than fluid checks at $89 a throw.
These are complex cars to work on, the 2.5-liter engine needs proper care and attention to deliver its peak performance, which is probably why official dealer recommended prices for the 30,000-mile service start at $589. However, it pays to search around, we found at least one authorized dealer offering a hefty $300 discount. Just to prove a point, the only dealer essential item listed by Subaru is a quick check for fault codes.
2 Volkswagen Golf R
German engineering usually carries a premium price tag, Volkswagen's Golf R is no exception, the same car can be had for less cash wearing a different badge from the VW group. The same is true when it comes to servicing, dealers all too aware that owners are easily swayed by expensive add-ons.
Under the skin, away from any premium badging, the Golf R isn't wildly different from other brands' premium models. Equipped with a 2-liter turbocharged engine delivering up to 306 HP depending on region, identical to Honda's Type-R, so why the premium price tag? A recommended service isn't that steep, we found a dealer offering a 30,000 mil service for $249, but even then doing away with the tire rotation knocked $40 off the price, just because it's recommended doesn't mean you need it.
1 Toyota Supra
Two generations of one of the greatest sports cars to come out of Japan separated by twenty years might lead you to think that main dealer servicing costs would be higher for the newer model. But surprisingly the basic service package for both carries the same $119 price tag.
Dubbed the "Spring" service, items covered include all the usual fluid changes, tires, and brakes undergoing visual checks. We suspect the older Supra will no doubt attract some "recommended" extras, but taking into account a basic oil change is listed at $84.00 it seems like good value. However, it does highlight just how little servicing modern cars actually need to remain in tip-top condition.