Let’s face it most men have a penchant for expensive habits whether it’s cars, boats, floor seats for the NBA or gambling in Vegas. It’s difficult to keep up with those who have top-tier tastes. When it comes to cars it’s either exotics, like a classic red Ferrari or a 50’s Corvette, or it’s the newest Porsche or Jaguar.
If you don’t have the budget for high end, there are many options for more affordable sports cars that can give you a comparable look and feel. The models with the lowest prices are the Mustang, Camaro, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen GTI, Nissan 370Z, Mazda Miata, BMW Z4 and the Nissan 350Z. With prices starting at under $30,000, they are fast, powerful and fun to drive.
There’s a lot that goes into ownership, from having to pay for the vehicle itself to:
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Transport
Driving a sports car is expensive. If you have an accident, there’s even more of a concern because repairs are pricey. Even the most affordable sports cars will cost you more money over the long-term, you’ll want to consider the following long-term costs:
Insurance for Sports Cars is Higher
Insurance will be one of your main concerns because you’ll be paying premiums monthly to legally stay on the road. You also need to have the best insurance possible to cover the vehicle in the event of an accident.
Collision should be part of your insurance policy and will allow you to hire the best lawyer for a car accident if you’re injured in the accident.
A quick rundown of the sports cars and cost to insure includes:
Mazda Miata
- $1,200 to $2,295
Ford Mustang
- $1,260 to $2,858
Camaro
- $1,400 to $2,440
Challenger
- $2,220 to $3,500
Insurance costs for sports cars are high, and there are a lot of factors that will go into determining your insurance rates for a sports car.
How Insurance Companies Determine Rates for Your Sports Car
Factors that influence your overall insurance rates include your driving history and experience. If you’ve been driving for twenty years without an accident, an insurance company may provide you with better rates because you’re a low-risk policyholder.
But sports cars will have higher insurance because of:
- Higher base costs
- Engine size
- Safety record
- Higher risk of theft
- Repair costs
You’ll also have general factors that impact insurance, such as age, credit score, usage frequency, location and driving record.
There are also different factors that can determine if a car is a “sports car.” A 350-cubic inch engine is a sports car engine, but a 4-cylinder may not have the same cost as an 8-cylinder despite many 4-cylinder models being very fast.
Tickets and accidents are more common with sports cars. Owning an exotic car is a much higher risk for both you and the insurer.
Insurers want to reduce their overall risk when insuring a driver, and higher premiums are one way to keep the risks lower for an insurance company.
Lease vs. Buying
Affordability also comes with cash or leasing. If you have the cash to purchase a sports car, you can haggle the price down somewhat. If you don’t have the case, you may enter a lease or loan option with a hefty monthly payment.
For example, a monthly payment will vary greatly between:
- Audi R8 with a V10 plus – $194,400
- Acura NSX – $156,000
- Mazda MX-5 Miata – $30,000
A $30,000 vehicle with no money down will cost $625 for a loan and $715 for a lease per month. Even with the 4.27% APR right now, these costs are exceptional, especially if you’re paying $60,000+ for a vehicle.
Transport Costs
Exotic cars go well beyond the standard Mustang or Camaro that you’ll find in lots across the country, but if you keep an eye out you can find some offers that might fit within your budget. If you happen to purchase an exotic, you’ll often have to have the vehicle shipped specially.
Shipping in an open trailer is not acceptable for many exotics.
High-end paint and pristine exteriors both need to be protected from the elements. Enclosed transport costs more but keeps the vehicle from dirt, dust, rocks, the weather and other elements that can damage the vehicle.
Hiring an exotic transport company to transport the vehicle comes at a higher price.
If a vehicle breaks down or you have an accident, the vehicle may not be able to be moved on a standard tow truck.
You should put a lot of consideration into transporting your exotic car, and the associated costs. You won’t have to worry as much about transport for affordable sports cars as you will for high-end sports cars.
