10 Indestructible Sports Cars Worth Every Penny
It is an unforgivable sin to lock away a sports car in a garage. Sports cars are meant to be driven on the streets, as they provide gearheads with countless hours of fun thanks to their agility and quickness. These are cars designed with a strong emphasis on acceleration and handling. This is the reason they have such beautiful aerodynamically designed bodies. But it can be scary to take a machine as beautiful and competent as a sports car, out onto chaotic and unpredictable streets. Their maintenance is usually not on the affordable side, and similar is the case for their durability.
Hence, it might make it feel impossible for the average car enthusiast to settle on a nice sports car that is worth every penny. Let’s not forget that the average driver doesn’t just want a flashy ride, but also something resembling a reliable car with good longevity. Cars like these can break the bank for people.
With that in mind, here is a list of 10 indestructible sports cars that are worth every penny. Of course, no car is actually completely indestructible. But these amazing machines are definitely going to feel like they are, for they are known for their durability and reliability.
10 2009 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R – Reliability 4.5/5.0
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Drifting is fun, but grip runs aren’t lacking in any way when it comes to the downhill of a mountain pass. The Skyline R32 GT-R is a powerful machine with an all-wheel drive system that maintains its dominance in the car scene as a respectable grip run specialist. The car is heavy, so the strain on the tires might cause the GT-R to be prone to under-steering at times. The continuous replacement of tires might be a bit much on the wallet, but it is most certainly worth every penny for all the fun that it provides with a top speed of 143 mph and great stability on the streets. This Nissan GT-R won the Bathurst 1000, in Australia, resulting in the R32 being nicknamed the “Godzilla” by the Australian press.
With a respectable reliability rating of 4.5/5.0, this car shows how worthy it is of such an iconic nickname. Roll-over risks are low, as the car is exceptionally heavy in comparison to most of its competitors. This makes it a worthy contender on this list of indestructible sports cars.
9 2005 Audi TT – Reliability 4.5/5.0
The admirable Audi TT is a car like no other, desirable both in terms of looks and the luxurious comfort that it provides. Audi almost never disappoints, and the TT stands as testament to that. Miles may pile on, but the demand stays high, that’s the brand value Audi commands. Different variants depreciate at different rates, but the car maintains its reliability, as this machine is highly customizable.
With a reliability score of 4.5, this car shows respectable longevity. In fact, most drivers who have owned one can attest to the fact that while in its stock form it might be somewhat bland to look at, this machine is still perfect as a project car, for tuning and tweaking to create something shinier and more powerful. Nevertheless, if one is looking for an affordable sports car under $10k, this one is worth every penny.
8 2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 – Reliability 4.7/5.0
The Mazda Miata MX-5 is a beauty on wheels. Mazda is not some automotive giant when compared to the bigger fish in the sea, but that doesn’t stop them from building beautiful machines that make you question your loyalty to your favorite car brands. The Mazda Miata MX-5 is a two-seater convertible with a lightweight body with extremely attractive styling along with a rear-wheel drive configuration. Of course, it is a force to be reckoned with. With a retractable roof and a naturally aspirated engine, the Miata MX-5 is a car that outshines its competitors in more ways than one.
This beautiful machine has quality hardware and a durable exterior, proving that sports cars don’t have to be mere good-lookers, but can be durable and reliable as well. If one is still in doubt if this car is worth every penny, here is another reason – its value depreciates at the speed of a snail! This is due to its impressive reliability rating of 4.7. Hence, this car can be exchanged for something shinier after a few years of use, though it is unlikely one would want to, as it is just that fun!
7 2017 Subaru BRZ – Reliability 4.8/5.0
There is no doubt that the Subaru BRZ is a stunning sports car when it comes to stylish looks. But what’s important to note is that this machine is not lacking at all when it comes to performance either, especially in harsh weather conditions. In fact, the Subaru BRZ is a major hit with people who live in a perpetually humid climate with wet roads, proving itself to be an invaluable asset. It has ample power and the reliability rating by the consumers is respectably high at 4.8.
The car is well known for its excellent driving dynamics and balanced performance. Perhaps, these are the reasons for its ever rising popularity and good resale value. The modern variants of this car can be equipped with a forward collision warning system, crash imminent braking and dynamic brake support. The car has a roll-over risk of less than 7.10%, which is highly respectable.
6 2009 Porsche 911 – Reliability 4.8/5.0
As much as it angers sports car enthusiasts, too many sports cars are ostentatious and impractical showpieces. Fortunately, the Porsche 911 is an uncommon monster. One of the last rear-engine vehicles by Porsche, the car’s unmistakable silhouette has remained unchanged since its debut in 1963. Its compact and beautiful body has made it a poster car for Porsche. They were really showing off when they designed its body, and that’s the reason this powerful machine holds such immense popularity more than half a century after its first launch in the market.
It’s blindingly obvious that the 911 is the crown jewel of Porsche’s achievements and is not your typical pretty but impractical everyday sports car. Its sporty appearance might fool you into thinking otherwise, but these stunning beauties are as durable as a family car, with a reliability rating of 4.8, making them perfect for everyday use. This beauty offers a comfortable and luxurious cabin to be usable as an everyday vehicle. With ample space in the trunk (at the front, of course) and two modest back seats, it is the quintessential sports car for the driver who wants it all.
5 1987 Toyota Corolla/Sprinter AE86 – Reliability 4.8/5.0
Anyone who has ever been to Yokohama has definitely seen one of these driving around. Perhaps Toyota’s most iconic creation, the AE86, is a car that changed the drifting scene in Japan forever. Being featured in popular Manga and anime series Initial D, this car was the epitome of coolness in the ’90s. Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Hachi-Roku’ (meaning ‘Eight-Six’ in Japanese), this car was all the craze in ’90s Japan.
Powered by a mere 4A-GE that barely pushed out 150 horsepower, surely the car couldn’t be that big of a deal in a race? You’d be right on the circuit, and wrong on the mountain pass. This downhill legend had no ABS and was a machine that trained the driver to brake efficiently, something a drift race requires immensely.
The reliability ratings for this vehicle are hard to find as it is a rare beast. However, most ratings for the later models place these cars at 4.8 in terms of reliability. These ratings can be acceptable as the chassis and exterior didn’t change for the descendants of this machine and there were only subtle mechanical improvements under the hood.
The car was durable as anything and survived small brushes with guardrails without many issues. Parts are usually available and the handling on the Toyota Sprinter AE86 was something of a sight to see, if driven by a master, of course. If one can, they should add it to their collection, for it is a legendary vehicle in the car scene.
4 2008 Honda S2000 – Reliability 4.9/5.0
The Honda S2000, a car that can be easily categorized as a modern classic, is a stylish, lightweight, rear-wheel drive car with a very loyal fan base. Perhaps it is due to the naturally aspirated engine, or maybe it is the timeless design that does the trick, or perhaps it’s the combination of a comfortable cockpit and great resale value. Whatever it is, it makes this car a timeless stunner that turns heads wherever it goes.
Boasting a reliability rating of 4.9, this car shows the driver that it is worth every penny. They stopped making them, but one may still find these beauties haunting the streets of North America, waiting for an offer. Who needs a turbocharger when one has a Honda S2000?
3 1972 Nissan Datsun 240Z, 260Z, 280Z – Reliability 4.9/5.0
The original Nissan Datsun 240Z sports car, was heavily influenced by British roadsters and altered the way the world viewed Japanese sports cars at the time. Japan is known to make amazing sports cars that are amazing in terms of handling and power, and also stand the test of time well. The Nissan Datsun had a 2.4-liter inline-six engine that produced 150 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. It was a machine known all over the car marketplace for its reliability, parts availability and longevity.
Many bought these cars for their looks and many for their performance, and all of them were satisfied returning customers for the 260Z and subsequently for the 280Z. You know you are doing it right when the car sells like hotcakes. While it is now a rather old car, it is still very special to the sports car world, and even today many drivers like to have one in their collection. Holding a respectable reliability rating of 4.9, this car stands tall as a beastly machine that endures the test of time.
2 2005 Honda/Acura NSX – Reliability 5.0/5.0
What on earth is an Acura NSX? If this question is ever posed by someone, let them know that an Acura NSX is what happens when you create something unexpectedly beautiful at a time the expectations are low. That is just how amazing the design of this car was – the aerodynamics and handling were off the charts.
Boasting a rear-engine and an all-wheel-drive layout, this car was, and still is, something of a modern classic for sports car fans. It had a twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing an amazing 500 horsepower. Its performance was impressive, and the design turned heads everywhere too, with a beautiful body and pop-up headlights. The car had a reliability rating of 5.0, and is known as a ‘reliable supercar’, two words one might never hear in the same sentence again.
1 1999 Toyota Celica GT-Four – Reliability 5.0/5.0
Pumping out an impressive 239 horsepower, the Toyota Celica GT-Four was like durability on wheels. Even in the used car market, this stunning sports car is usually available in great condition, running as smoothly as ever. Unsurprising for a Toyota, for they are known for their rock-solid build quality and easy to find parts. This car stands tall as the #1 car on this list, a top performer in terms of handling, agility, durability of the exterior as well as interior, decent suspension as well as affordability.
The Toyota Celica GT-Four is a sports car for those that want a fun ride that will neither break itself nor break the bank. The car holds a reliability rating of 5.0/5.0 and leaves no stones unturned in terms of longevity. It is an extremely low-maintenance, affordable sports car with enough power to make you feel like the king of the road.
