Scouring the web, we’ve found plenty of used sports cars that regular people can actually afford to purchase. We’re not going to lie; it’s tempting to buy a Maserati or Porsche for the same money as a two-year-old Toyota.
That said, just because we can buy one doesn’t mean we can afford to maintain it. Many sports cars are ridiculously unreliable, even ones built by otherwise reputable manufacturers.
Running costs alone can add up to several thousand dollars per year, and that’s without anything breaking, which will require additional repairs. Using websites like RepairPal and owners’ forums, we’ve listed 13 affordable sports cars that can bankrupt you with maintenance and repair bills.
E63 BMW M6
The E63 BMW M6 was a massive success when the Bavarians first released it. In fact, it was so good, it could’ve been one of the best M cars ever made… if only it didn’t suffer from severe engine reliability issues.
BMW fitted it with the same 500+ horsepower S85 V10 engine they used in the E60 M5. These days, that engine is infamous for being troublesome. According to Bimmerforums, rod bearings, oil leaks, and throttle actuators are known problems with this engine. In addition, the M6 also suffers from transmission failure and other issues. No wonder the M6 is so cheap these days.
Mazda RX-8
Mazda spent decades experimenting with the Wankel rotary engine, but never managed to perfect the formula. The RX-8 was the last car they sold with a rotary under the hood. It will never achieve the same status among JDM fans as its predecessor, the RX-7. Even the RX-7 wasn’t super-reliable, but it’s nowhere near as bad as the RX-8.
Mazda’s Renesis 13B Wankel engine likes to consume a lot of premium fuel and oil. The apex seals wear out, and the engine needs regular rebuilds every 50-60,000 miles. The biggest problem is by far previous owners who drove it like they stole it and didn’t maintain it.
Jaguar XK
Thanks to massive depreciation, the stylish and aggressive-looking Jaguar XK is a lot cheaper nowadays than when it first hit the market. While buying one of these luxurious beasts may be tempting, we’d advise against it.
Copilotsearch says the Jag XK has a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that’s known to cause headaches. In addition, the car also suffers from electrical issues, and some owners have complained about brake failure and a sticking throttle.
Audi S5
There’s no denying that the Audi S5 is stylish and luxurious, and it’s also very easy to find cheap ones on the used market. Some owners report that their S5 has been practically bulletproof; others have nothing nice to say about it.
RepairPal states there’s a 17% chance of the Audi S5 suffering from a severe or major issue, compared to 12% for other luxury midsize models. Carbon build-up, worn control arm bushings, various gasket leaks, failing fuel pumps, and broken transmissions are the most common problems, and the average annual maintenance bill is $1164.
Alfa Romeo GTV6
If Top Gear taught us anything, it’s that you’re not a proper gearhead until you’ve owned an Alfa Romeo. Unfortunately, the Italian car brand isn’t exactly famous for reliability. The old GTV6 looks stunning, and it sounds even better, so it’s certainly tempting to buy one.
These cars were among the last models Alfa Romeo built before Fiat took over. According to Classic Motorsports, they’re often not as bad as their reputation would have you believe. However, it’s an Alfa, so you should expect to pull your hair out once in a while if you buy one. Electrical issues are pretty much guaranteed, but also engine failure, loss of power, rust, vibrations, and the list goes on.
Aston Martin DB7
The DB7 is the car that saved Aston Martin, and for that reason, it’s still revered by fans of the British company. The good news is that you can pick one up for much less money than most people think. If you want to impress the neighbors, the DB7 will undoubtedly do that. On the other hand, it may soon turn you into a neighborhood laughingstock if it breaks down and is parked permanently in the garage.
Aston Martin was owned by Ford when the DB7 was launched, and they built it on a budget. Owning and maintaining this ‘entry-level’ Aston Martin will be costly. WhatCar says the DB7 suffers from steering issues, electrical gremlins, vibrations, water leaks, cracked exhaust headers, and warped brake discs are among the most common problems.
Aston Martin DB9
Another Aston Martin! The DB9 is one of the most stylish cars ever, and they’re also relatively affordable on the used market. Unfortunately, since it’s a British luxury sports car, it comes with several issues, some of them severe, and ownership won’t be cheap.
Annual maintenance costs are said to be around $1,500 if nothing else breaks. However, Aston1936 reports that one car had over $8,800 in unscheduled maintenance bills, and Doug DeMuro rants on about how he spent $3,000 on a 1-year warranty, and that saved him a lot of money in the end. If you plan to drive it on a daily basis, you should factor in another $3,000-5,000 for fuel.
Porsche 986 Boxster
The 986 Boxster is one of the cheapest Porsches you can buy, but it’s also a great sports car in its own right. Thanks to its mid-engined layout, it also offers excellent weight distribution and even handles better than its big brother, the 996.
Rennlist warns owners and potential buyers of the Boxster issues. Some are minor and mildly annoying, but there is one severe problem. The IMS bearing is known to fail. It’s less common than the internet will have you believe, but it can happen to any 986 Boxster. If it does, it typically requires a new engine, which can cost as much as buying an old Boxster in the first place.
Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type is a very desirable British sports car. It looks great and makes all the right noises, so it turns heads everywhere it goes.
Unfortunately, it also makes a lot of bad noises. There are squeaks and rattles that can be difficult to fix. The F-Type also suffers from a leaky differential. On the supercharged V6 and V8 models, the timing chain is known to jump due to faulty tensioners and guides – this can lead to a complete engine rebuild. It’s one of the most solid cars Jaguar has sold, but if something goes wrong, it can quickly become very expensive.
Maserati Biturbo
The Maserati Biturbo has a design you’ll either love or hate. If you do love its boxy looks, it may be tempting to buy one, especially if you’re a fan of Maseratis. After all, this considered one of the most important cars they ever made.
The Maserati Biturbo was the first production car fitted with two turbochargers — groundbreaking back then. Unfortunately, the twin-turbo setup is known to cause problems. The Biturbo also comes with other reliability issues and electrical gremlins. Steer clear of this one unless you’re a great mechanic with a lot of patience. Motor1 wrote an article calling it one of the worst sports cars ever.
Saturn Sky
In the early 2000s, GM brands were suffering, and Saturn was nearly bankrupt. They decided to build the Sky, a sports car for the masses, to boost sales. Several carmakers have tried that strategy, and it rarely works.
Saturn did get some things right with the Sky, as it was a fun sports car regular people could afford. However, it was affordable because it was developed on a very tight budget, meaning a lot of corners had been cut in the process. The Saturn Sky is unrefined and unreliable. Fixing some of its issues may not cost a fortune, but over time, it’ll nickel and dime you into poverty.
Maserati GranTurismo
Getting behind the wheel of an old Maserati GranTurismo won’t cost a fortune. However, you will eventually have spent a fortune to keep the car running.
This Maserati is filled with Italian electrical gremlins. While the engine is an excellent Ferrari-sourced unit, it certainly won’t be cheap to service it at your local Ferrari dealership. Keep tissues in the glovebox so you can wipe your tears of frustration that inevitably come with GranTurismo ownership. Those who have young children should also be prepared to tell them there’s no money for college.
Pontiac Fiero
The Pontiac Fiero is probably best known for donating its platform to various kit car builds, such as weird-looking Ferrari Enzos. Towards the end of the Fiero’s production run, Pontiac finally started to get things right, but people had given up on it by then, and nobody wanted one.
Early Pontiac Fieros are infamous for their poor build quality and for catching fire — at least they live up to their name. It’s almost pointless to keep one running, as there are so many better cars out there for the same amount of money — and they’re also cheaper to maintain.