It's hard to deny the appeal of sports cars. But let’s face it; high-performance vehicles don't always carry the strongest reputations for reliability. Due to higher stresses on engines and chassis, maintenance costs can easily exceed the expected figure.

Today, many sports cars on the market share parts, which can cut down on production costs and help improve dependability. As a few examples, the Ford Mustang GT uses an engine that shares its guts with the 5.0-liter V8 found in the F-150, the Mazda MX-5’s 2.0-liter engine is from a family crossover, and the Toyota GR86 shares most of its parts with the Subaru BRZ.

This kind of clever parts sharing has resulted in some properly reliable sports cars with yearly maintenance costs that aren’t much worse than typical family cars and SUVs. Here are ten of our favorite second-hand sports cars with low maintenance costs.

10 2015-2023 Ford Mustang GT

Average Used Price: $27,500

Engine Specs

As the nameplate that practically created the accessible muscle car, the Mustang GT has always been a sports car for the everyman. Part of that accessibility comes from its relative reliability as a performance vehicle. The newest Mustang GTs only reinforce that reputation with their powerful, yet durable 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engines.

The sixth generation Mustang was the first to be updated to a sports car thanks to its beefier engine, much-improved suspension, and looks. Even with a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8, the Mustang will only set owners back around $360 per year in maintenance and around $1,915 over the course of five years. Not bad for a comfortable cruiser.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Mover $359
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $1,915
• Recalls: 5
• Problems Owners Report: Weird noise from transmission - specifically the 10-speed auto, paint bubbling under the hood, panel gaps on 2015-2018 models.

RELATED: 12 Cheap Sports Cars That Can Outrun A Mustang GT

9 2015-2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Average Used Price: $23,000

Engine Specs

The Mazda MX-5 is now in its fourth generation, with a fifth generation on the horizon. The MX-5 encapsulates the traditional sports car philosophy of small dimensions, punchy engine, and rear-wheel-drive – just like the British sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s.

The ND MX-5 uses a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or an automatic. But most people go for the manual. The MX-5 costs around $1,500 to maintain over the course of five years – or approximately $300 per year.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Maiover 00
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $1,500
• Recalls: 3
• Problems Owners Report: Roll hoop rubs under the hood - damaging paint and making noise.

8 2021-2023 Toyota GR86

Average Used Price: $22,600

Engine Specs

The current Toyota GR86 is being heralded as one of the best bang-for-the-buck sports cars on sale. It boasts several improvements over the previous generation’s Toyota 86. Better suspension and chassis tuning and a more powerful engine come standard for the new model.

The GR86 is a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, with the latter providing the grumbly Boxer four-cylinder engine. It's a solid, reliable option for daily driving, with an average yearly maintenance cost of around $244. However, it's worth noting that owners have reported engine troubles when pushing the GR86 during track use.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $244
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $1,564
• Recalls: 0
• Problems Owners Report: Engine failure resulting in flames and oil leaks.

7 2015-2023 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Average Used Price: $22,995

Engine Specs

The Chevrolet Camaro SS – like the Ford Mustang GT – switched from being a full-on muscle car to more of a sports car. The SS 1LE and ZL1 1LE are even track monsters, beating out the Shelby Mustang GT500 in the twisty stuff. Even the regular Camaro SS is an excellent lap-time hunter. The Camaro is expected to bow out after the 2023 model year.

Since the Camaro’s platform is shared with so many other GM vehicles – think Cadillac CT5 – the maintenance is pretty decent, coming in at $5 less than the Mustang GT over a five-year period. Expect to pay around $358 per year on general maintenance and repairs.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $358
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $1,910
• Recalls: 3
• Problems Owners Report: Anti-theft system will lock owner out of starting vehicle, fuel pump failure, timing chain failure.

RELATED: 10 Sports Cars Nobody Wanted 25 Years Ago... Today They're Worth A Fortune

6 2019-2023 Toyota Supra

Average Used Price: $36,800

Engine Specs

The fifth-gen Toyota Supra may not be everyone’s cup of petrol – since it is a BMW underneath and some enthusiasts have an issue with that – but it is one really good car. The Supra features the best straight-6 currently available and punches way above its weight class.

With the BMW-ness, one would expect a higher maintenance cost, but it is actually less than the Ford and Chevy’s. Expect to pay around $283 per year and a big total of $1,483 over a five-year period. Not at all bad for a turbocharged engine which is getting compared more and more to the legendary 2JZ from the Mk4 Supra.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $283
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $1,483
• Recalls: 0
• Problems Owners Report: Excessive oil consumption, steering wheel shudder.

5 2008-2021 Nissan 370Z

Average Used Price: $10,900

Engine Specs

The Nissan 370Z is a legend in its own right, building upon the popularity of the 350Z before it. The 3.7-liter naturally aspirated V6 screamed its way to redline and is a great motor to tune – with some owners adding twin turbos for some extra oomph.

The 370Z was in production for an impressive 13 years before being replaced with the current Nissan Z – which really should’ve been called the 400Z for clarification purposes. Thanks to the relative simplicity of the drivetrain, the 370Z costs around $1,716 over five years and $323 per year. It is a brilliant example of Japanese reliability.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $323
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $1,716
• Recalls: 0
• Problems Owners Report: Excessive oil consumption, oil galley gasket failure on pre-2013 models, catalytic converter failure.

RELATED: 10 Cheap Performance Cars That'll Outrun A Dodge Challenger

4 2008-2009 Honda S2000

Average Used Price: $12,995

Engine Specs

The S2000 was Honda’s answer to the likes of the Mazda MX-5 but with a lot more power. The S2000 featured a 2.0-liter inline-4, but it revved to an incredible 9,000 rpm. The engine also had Honda’s famous V-TEC camshaft system, so it made great power throughout the rev range.

The S2000 is an awesome sports car – properly designed and engineered. As a result, it is extremely reliable and on average costs just $310 per year to maintain – given that nothing major broke. The S2000 has a host of aftermarket modifications that just improve the car overall.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $310
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $1,550
• Recalls: 0
• Problems Owners Report: Timing chain tensioner failure, excessive oil consumption, fuel injector failure.

3 2002-2007 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

Average Used Price: $13,950

Engine Specs

The R230 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG is often called a ‘supercar killer’ as its 5.4-liter supercharged V8 can produce a lot more power than stock with some basic modifications. The 510 hp is already a lot, but some people have gotten over 700 hp from the engine without much difficulty.

The SL55 was designed and built during the last years when Mercedes over-engineered their cars, meaning that everything is dependable and sturdy. The only possible problem is with the ABC suspension system. While the fuel costs may be a bit high, the actual maintenance costs range between $105 and $539 on a yearly basis – given nothing needs replacing. Not at all bad for a now 20-year-old car.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $105-$539
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $525-$2,695
• Recalls: 3
• Problems Owners Report: ABS suspension failure, pneumatic system failure, crankshaft position sensor issues, front control arm failure.

RELATED: 10 Used Sports Cars Buyers Almost Always Regret Buying

2 1990-2007 Honda NSX

Average Used Price: $57,900

Engine Specs

The Honda NSX – called the Acura NSX in North America – was the Japanese company’s answer to the likes of Ferrari; the biggest differences were that the NSX was faster, more reliable, and much cheaper to purchase, forcing Ferrari to rethink their entire strategy – much like the current Formula One season.

The NSX is one of the few Japanese cars that are at the top of the JDM fan list, sporting a V6 and a mid-engine layout. Because it is Honda, everything is meticulously designed and engineered, so maintenance is relatively easy and affordable, ranging between $250 and $500 per year. Maintenance may be on the cheaper side – but beware of the expensive repairs and parts.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $250-$500
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $1,250-$2,500
• Recalls: 0
• Problems Owners Report: Misfires, valvetrain issues, camshaft wear, electrical issues.

1 2020-2023 BMW M4

Average Used Price: $59,900

Engine Specs

Finally, we get to the current standard for the sports car, the BMW M4. While many would argue the Porsche 911 is the standard, others believe that the 911 has shifted more into the supercar class – or at the very least, the super sports car class.

The BMW M4 has the best straight-6 engine on sale, the S58, which produces more performance than BMW lets on. The M4 is also in the league of Ferraris and Lamborghinis in terms of 0-60 mph times but costs much less. On top of this, the M4 – and its M3 sibling – is reliable and costs around $376 on average for maintenance. Not bad for a car that can embarrass pretty much anything in its class.

Reliability

• Avg. Yearly Maintenance Costs: $376
• Est. Maintenance Costs Over First 5 Years: $1,880
• Recalls: 2
• Problems Owners Report: Burning oil, oil leaks, idle surging after refueling, rattling from engine bay.