In the sports car world, buying the thing is only half the battle. Keeping it running without draining a bank account is the other half, and in 2026 that truth has not changed one bit. Back in 2024, HotCars pulled data from CarEdge, Kelley Blue Book, and J.D. Power to find out which new sports cars were cheapest to maintain over five and ten years. Two years later, that snapshot still matters for shoppers eyeing a lightly used example. The winners were a familiar trio: Toyota Supra, Mazda MX-5, and Chevrolet Corvette. No shocker here, the Japanese machines led the way.
Toyota Supra: The Maintenance Champion
The Supra did not just win this contest. It lapped the field. CarEdge estimates that a 2024 Toyota Supra costs its owner only $1,489 over the first five years. Stretch that to ten years, and the number rises to just $4,950. The chance of a major failure over a decade is 12.57%, which is 8.93% better than the sports car class average. For gearheads who know the drill, that is the kind of math that makes a fun car easy to live with.
The comparison to the BMW Z4 is especially brutal. The Supra and Z4 share a platform and powertrain, but the BMW demands almost $14,000 in maintenance and repairs over ten years. That makes the Toyota more than twice as affordable to keep healthy. Even so, reliability scores are a mixed bag. Kelley Blue Book gave the 2024 Supra 3.2 stars out of 5, while J.D. Power handed it 63/100. Consumer Reports gave it 65/100, putting it behind the Mazda MX-5 and Porsche 718 Cayman but ahead of the Nissan Z and BMW Z4.
Car and Driver's long-term review found nothing scary, calling the Supra's reliability 'anvil-like.' The main blip came with the 2021 model, when owners reported excessive oil consumption from the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. A forum poll found 121 drivers with the issue. Toyota never publicly confirmed a fix, but only four owners reported the same problem on 2022 cars. That suggests a quality-control hiccup tied to the 2021 run, not a permanent flaw. Other than that, major complaints are rare.
Mazda MX-5: The Value Underdog
If the Supra is the reliable jock, the MX-5 is the scrappy underdog that still shows up on time. CarEdge puts five-year maintenance at $1,564, only a smidge more than the Supra. Over ten years, the MX-5 costs $5,761. That is higher than the Toyota, but it still beats the average sports car by $1,529. The chance of a major failure over ten years is 16.77%, which is 4.73% better than its class rivals.
Where the MX-5 truly shines is the total picture. It starts at $28,985, while the Supra begins at $46,440. A buyer can save thousands upfront and still get a car that is cheap to run. Reliability scores are stronger across the board: 73/100 from Consumer Reports, 76/100 from J.D. Power, and 4.7 stars out of 5 from Kelley Blue Book. On CarComplaints, most reports focus on loose body panels and interior trim rather than broken engines or transmissions. That is the kind of problem an owner can shrug off.
The MX-5 was due for a replacement around 2025, and in 2026 the conversation about a next-generation model continues. Even so, the current car's low running costs keep it relevant. It may not have the Supra's punch, but it offers a pure, lightweight experience with fewer financial headaches. For many drivers, that trade-off is worth every penny.
Chevrolet Corvette: The Performance Bargain
Then comes the Corvette, the big American bruiser. At $69,995, it is easily the most expensive of the three. CarEdge predicts five-year maintenance of $2,259 and ten-year costs of $7,714. That is $291 above the sports car average, but it is reasonable given the Corvette's massive performance advantage. The chance of a major failure over ten years is 20.36%, only 1.14% better than the class average.
Reliability ratings swing wildly. Consumer Reports users gave the 2024 Corvette just 43/100. Kelley Blue Book gave it 3.5 stars out of 5. J.D. Power, however, awarded it an excellent 92/100. The biggest early concern involved the dual-clutch transmission. Three owners reported complete DCT replacements at less than 1,000 miles in 2021. Chevrolet covered all of them under warranty, and no further DCT complaints have been filed since. That looks like a launch-year problem that got solved.
How the Three Compare
| Model | Starting Price | 5-Year Maintenance | 10-Year Maintenance | 10-Year Major Failure Chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Supra | $46,440 | $1,489 | $4,950 | 12.57% |
| Mazda MX-5 | $28,985 | $1,564 | $5,761 | 16.77% |
| Chevrolet Corvette | $69,995 | $2,259 | $7,714 | 20.36% |
All three are solid investments for anyone who wants a sports car that can thrill on a grocery run without costing a fortune to keep on the road. The Supra wins on pure maintenance math. The MX-5 wins on overall value and reliability scores. The Corvette wins on performance per dollar, even if it costs more to feed and fix. In 2026, with used examples now rolling through dealerships, those differences still matter.
The significant price and performance gaps between the trio mean there is no single right answer. A gearhead with a tight budget may find the MX-5 irresistible. One who wants turbocharged power and low running costs may lean Supra. One who craves V8-like thrust and can handle higher bills may choose Corvette. Whatever the price point, one of these three should fit the brief.