Reliable supercars with shallow maintenance costs are a becoming increasingly common, but which 10 require the least running costs?
Running a supercar as a daily is something reserved predominantly for the very wealthiest people, because it’s widely known just how expensive running one can be. Arguably, daily driving a car that was only meant for sparse use may also diminish that “special feeling” you get when you only save something for special occasions.
But if you did want to throw caution to the wind and get yourself a properly exotic head turner to use on a frequent basis, which supercars would prove to be the most reliable cars out there? It’s a strange question to ask, because we’ve come to believe that supercars can’t be reliable – and in the case of the older generation that led us to that mentality, that’s absolutely true.
But the new school is changing that assumption entirely, with Japanese manufacturers now making cars that are as reliable as they have always been, but faster than ever. Meanwhile, the European contingent, known for being the biggest culprits of unreliability, are anything but these days. America has also firmly entered the conversation, with build quality a past issue that has now firmly been put to bed. So, which are the 10 supercars with the least running cost?
10 Ferrari SF90 Stradale (Estimated $1,750 Annually)
Now, this one should be taken with a pinch of salt, because the initial outlay of over $400k probably means that you have a reasonable amount of excess money. But in any case, the 2023 Ferrari SF90 Stradale is impressive in the running cost department: not a single model has been recalled since its introduction in 2019.
Its powertrain coalition of a 4.0-liter V8 and a trio of electric motors has worked a treat, because it not only offers bulletproof reliability and a relatively low fuel expenditure thanks to the electric motors, but three years without a recall means the SF90 is the perfect low running cost supercar. It’s even ridiculously easy to drive and live with: watch this three-year-old drive and park a half-million dollar Ferrari SF90 like a pro.
9 McLaren 720S Coupe (Estimated $1,700 Annually)
A 2022 McLaren 720S may be on the higher end of the spectrum for maintenance costs, but it is still comparatively low when you consider that it can outperform most Paganis on a racetrack – and remember, the average oil change for the latter can cost several thousand dollars alone. In that regard, the 720S really does seem a bargain.
But the real strength of the 720S is that it’s incredibly reliable, provided you do actually fork out the annual servicing costs and ensure that you stay on top of things. The 4.0-liter M840T twin-turbocharged V8 will likely never give you a headache, since the 720S is designed to be driven fast and hard all day long. That’s precisely why every gearhead should drive the McLaren 720S.
8 Maserati MC20 (Estimated $1,500 Annually)
The 2023 Maserati MC20 is intended to be two things: firstly, the car that bridges the gap between the ICE and EV eras for Maserati, and secondly, a car that can truly be marketed as a daily use supercar. That means it’s perfectly dependable, and that’s a big shock to the system when you consider the badge it wears.
It’s still a relatively new car, so common faults and gremlins are yet to truly be discovered, but you wouldn’t bet against the MC20 to continue to stretch its dependable reputation. That not only makes it reasonably cheap to run for a car of this caliber, but its drop-dead gorgeous looks and equally breathtaking performance are two of the many qualities that makes the Maserati MC20 so awesome.
7 Audi R8 V10 (Estimated $1,100 Annually)
For 15 years now, the Audi R8 has been the car that thousands have turned to when they look for a reasonably priced option that has the looks and the performance to turn heads, while representing a low-cost solution to their supercar obsession. We also think the original Audi R8 V8 manual will soon be worth a fortune, since prices for 10k-mile 2014 Audi R8 V10 Spyder’s are sitting at a frankly ridiculous $36k.
An annual cost of around $1,100 for a relatively affordable, V10-powered convertible supercar seems more than justifiable. And with the world moving at a rapid pace towards electrification, cars like the R8 will be a relic of the past that will always be there for us to see just what we were capable of when we wanted to make a reliable supercar with a superb internal combustion engine. What are you waiting for?
6 Ford GT (Estimated $1,000 Annually)
The blue collar, sheet metal worker from Detroit that wants to gamble with the playboys and schemers of the world. And despite its humble beginnings, the second-generation Ford GT is one of the most desirable cars in the world. A mental snapshot of the GT lowering its stance and engaging the rear spoiler as race mode is activated is engrained in the minds of gearheads around the world. So it made us very sad when we watched the unveiling of the last Ford GT ever made.
What’s more, most avid Top Gear fans will remember the tale of Jeremy Clarkson and his 2003 Ford GT, which served up a hilarious number of issues for him to have to deal with. The second-generation doesn’t suffer from such a wretched reliability record, with no recalls for the 2017 and 2018 model years, as per the Ford Problems website.
5 Lamborghini Huracán (Estimated $1,000 Annually)
The Huracán is yet another car which regularly features on supercar reliability lists because, well, it’s just that. According to GetJerry, the Lamborghini Huracán’s maintenance cost for a year is around the $1,000 mark, and for a very vocal V10-powered supercar, that’s really quite sensible. Even more so when you consider that it’s actually cheaper to run than its first cousin, the Audi R8.
It has stitched a good story for itself together over the years, and given the plug-in hybrid Lamborghini Huracán replacement is officially coming, it does make us sad to close the page on a wonderful chapter for the those over at Sant’Agata Bolognese. A truly great supercar that will continue to give owners minimal headache for years to come.
4 Nissan GT-R Nismo (Estimated $900 Annually)
Yes, there will be those that claim the GT-R, even in its Nismo guise, shouldn’t qualify as a supercar. But let’s face the music here: 0-60 mph is dealt with in under three seconds, and its grip radius makes passengers scream to make you stop. The legendary Nissan GT-R Nismo is irreplaceable, and just as a new version has been announced, we wonder how Nissan can improve upon the achievements of a genuine flag bearer.
But while it may be slightly expensive to run for a Nissan, it’s comparatively cheap alongside its competitors, given the explosive performance which allows it to be among such an elite group. A yearly maintenance budget of just under $1,000 should be kept aside for the usual wear and tear and interval services. Otherwise, just have a look over why we love the Nissan GT-R Nismo to get a complete understanding of what makes the GT-R Nismo such a fantastic choice.
3 Porsche 911 Turbo S (Estimated $900 Annually)
Is any sports car or supercar list complete without a feature from everybody’s favorite Stuttgart-based brand? Widely accepted as one of, if not the very best carmaker in the world right now, it comes as no surprise that Porsche’s formula has made the 2022 911 Turbo S the ultimate luxury sports car.
YourMechanic estimates that Porsche 911 maintenance, service and repair costs will come to approximately $916 per year, so let’s round that up to $1,000 for a Turbo S, given the added performance and increased luxury should command as such. The 911 lineage hasn’t just built its name up as a great go-to sports car for its distinctive looks or the fact that it consistently continues to keep up with the rest of the world, but also because it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to run.
2 Mercedes-AMG GT (Estimated $350 Annually)
One of the most common daily use supercars is one of the very best cars currently on offer from the Silver Arrow brand. And the reason for its popularity is a combination of usability and durability, which contributes to the Mercedes-AMG GT’s maintenance cost for the year to average out at around $350.
Spy shots of the next-generation have also been circulated, so it won’t be far off now. Whether it maintains the notorious bullet-proof reliability and low maintenance cost of the current model remains to be seen, given the stellar reputation it has built for itself since replacing the legendary SLS in 2014. You can also check out this speculatively rendered Mercedes-AMG GT, to let your imagination run wild about the future possibilities that could await this popular supercar.
1 Acura NSX (Estimated $350 Annually)
By some distance, the most reliable supercar money can currently get you is Acura’s quickest production car ever: the 2022 NSX Type S. This also represents the one of the cheaper options on this list too, hovering at the $170,000 barrier for a new Type S. While its looks may divide opinion, you cannot deny the supersonic performance on offer with this 573 hp hybrid juggernaut.
If you were to take the plunge on an older version, though, you could be looking to pay as low as $130,000 for a 6k-mile 2019 Acura NSX. Once you’ve grown up and gotten over the badge, you’ll be in possession of one of the most dynamic, all-round used performance cars currently available. Better still is that its extremely low average running cost of just $350, as per RepairPal, is even cheaper than most sports cars. The NSX, then, is one of the most reliable supercars money can buy.
