The Used Sports Car That’s Cheaper To Own Than Most New Crossovers

The age of the SUV and the crossover is well and truly upon us, and today, most brands are turning out one or another. A lot of new crossovers and SUVs are renowned for being cheap to buy and cheap to run; that is the beauty of there being so many of them now. However, they are not the only option; have you considered a used sports car?

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We may fawn over the fact that the likes of Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda offer new crossovers that are famously cheap to own over the long and short term, but this Japanese sports car is actually cheaper to own than some of the best new crossovers.

These 2026 SUVs Can Cost More Than $46,000 To Own Over Five Years

With the low starting prices of some new crossovers in the U.S., it is easy to presume that buying a sensible crossover automatically means the lowest ownership costs. After all, models like the Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Subaru Outback have all built their reputations on reliability, strong fuel economy, and reasonable maintenance bills. However, the sticker price only tells part of the story.

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Once depreciation, financing, insurance, taxes, fuel, maintenance, and repairs are factored in, the costs can climb surprisingly quickly. According to Edmunds’ True Cost to Own estimates, even the most affordable versions of popular crossovers and SUVs aren’t exactly cheap over five years.

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A 2026 Corolla Cross is estimated to cost $46,816 to own over five years; the entry-level 2026 Honda CR-V comes in at $46,607, and the Subaru Forester starts even higher at $47,520. Move up to something a little larger, like the Subaru Outback, and the estimated five-year costs jump to $53,591.

None of these could reasonably be described as expensive to run on their own, but they do show how much ownership costs can add up, even in vehicles marketed as budget-friendly. So what if there were a car that cost less to own than all four of them — and was dramatically more fun to drive? That’s where a three-year-old Japanese sports car enters the conversation.

Why Depreciation Changes The Real Cost Of Buying New

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One of the biggest reasons why these figures climb so quickly is depreciation. It is the largest single ownership cost for most new vehicles, and unlike fuel or maintenance, it’s money you’ll never recover (unless you buy something rare or collectible). While the likes of Toyota and Honda are some of the market leaders in retaining value, they can still suck thousands of dollars from your wallet in the first few years.

That’s why looking beyond the starting price can completely change the way a vehicle is viewed in terms of affordability. A model with low servicing costs and great fuel economy can still be very expensive to own if depreciation is steep.

Looking for a used car that has already absorbed a lot of the depreciation costs starts from a very different position. They may not have the appeal of delivery-only miles on the odometer, but when ownership costs are viewed as a whole instead of just monthly payments, the numbers can look very different.

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport Challenges New Crossover Ownership

Mazda

Costing $46,199 to own over five years, it is the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport (the base trim) that should make you think twice about buying a new crossover if you are looking for affordable, long-term fun. The MX-5 Miata always appears on lists of affordable sports cars to buy and run; it has become an industry go-to choice, but the real numbers speak for themselves.

Five-Year Ownership Numbers That Make The Used MX-5 Hard To Ignore

Mazda

There are three main trims of the 2023 MX-5 Miata: the Sport, the Club, and the Grand Touring. To benefit from the lowest used MX-5 ownership costs, you have to opt for the Sport trim; the other two trims push the ownership cost up slightly, owing to the originally higher price tag and higher average used prices.

According to Edmunds, the average five-year costs include $6,244 for insurance, $6,788 for maintenance, $2,217 for repairs, $8,346 in depreciation, and $14,959 for fuel. FuelEconomy.gov also estimates that the manual ’23 Miata can achieve 29 combined mpg (26 mpg city/34 mpg highway), costing you $2,600 a year for gas, and the automatic ’23 Miata does slightly better, with a combined mpg rating of 30 (26 mpg city/35 mpg highway), and will cost you $2,550 a year for gas.

The Lightweight Sports Car That Goes Head-To-Head With Popular SUVs

Mazda

We are not suggesting that a two-seater convertible sports car could replace the versatility or the exceptionally low fuel consumption of something like the new Corolla Cross Hybrid or the new Kia Niro Hybrid. However, if you are looking for proven reliability, low running costs for the segment, a balanced ride, sensible depreciation rates, engaging handling, and not the absolute worst luggage capacity in the segment, there is effectively nothing that beats a three-year-old MX-5.

J.D. Power rates the 2023 Miata 79 out of 100 overall, with a rating of 76 out of 100 for reliability and 77 out of 100 for driving experience. Owners on Kelley Blue Book rate it 4.7 out of 5 overall, with ratings of 4.4 out of 5 for comfort, 4.7 out of 5 for value, performance, and quality, and 4.8 out of 5 for reliability and styling. 93 percent of the owners who have left a review (73 at the time of writing) also said they’d recommend buying one.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport Proves Performance Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive

Mazda

Today, the average used price of a 2023 MX-5 Sport sits between $21,500 and $24,400, down from an original price of $29,215. That accounts for a value depreciation of between approximately 16.5 percent and 26.4 percent, depending on what end of the used price range you look at.

While it may seem suspiciously cheap and maybe a little steep in depreciation for a three-year-old sports car, this is the MX-5 we are talking about. The Sport trim is the most basic trim you can get, but that is all you need with these cars; they were never built to be flashy, and basic here translates to a more connected ride.

This Roadster Delivers More For The Money

Mazda

There is just one engine under the hood of the ’23 MX-5 Miata: a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G DOHC inline-four, good for 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. 0–60 mph times for the Sport trim are around 5.8 seconds, and while there are affordable SUVs that can get to 60 mph in less than seven seconds, like the $40,650 XC40 (6.1 seconds) and the $44,265 PHEV RAV4 SE (5.5 seconds), the MX-5’s inline-four delivers power as it should be done in a RWD sports car.

Peak power is delivered at 7,000 rpm, and peak torque arrives at 4,000 rpm, while a redline of 7,500 rpm rewards you for reaching the upper rev range instead of relying on the turbo wave or low-end torque so prevalent in today’s market. It also benefits from a high 13.0:1 compression ratio, low internal friction, and a lightweight rotating assembly, all of which contribute to the crisp throttle response and eagerness you feel underfoot.

How 2,341 Pounds And A 50:50 Split Make This the Most Driver-Focused Car Under $25,000

Mazda

The appeal of an MX-5 has never been about chasing massive power, and Mazda engineered the ND generation around near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution, with a front-midship engine layout and near-perfect balance. The engine is fitted entirely behind the front axle and keeps major components as close to the center of the chassis as possible, enabling agile movements and quick turn-ins. In simple terms, it means you are not fighting the car to get tidy cornering, and you can lean on its balance at speed.

The MX-5 Miata Sport is the lighter, soft-top trim of the lineup, and tips the scales at 2,341 pounds when fitted with a manual transmission, and slightly heavier with the automatic (2,385 pounds). Either way, this light curb weight is one of the biggest reasons it feels so rewarding to drive. Acceleration, braking, and changing direction are very direct, and though the horsepower is low compared to most modern sports cars, the engine still feels strong because of the low weight.

Mazda

The 2023 Miata pairs a double-wishbone front suspension with a multi-link rear setup, which means better road contact as the suspension moves, while an electrically assisted dual-pinion steering rack is quick and well-weighted. The result here is a front end that feels precise and predictable rather than artificially heavy. One owner who left a review on Kelley Blue Book said the following about their MX-5 Miata, summing it up nicely.

Both a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic are available, but if you are looking for one of the last pure enthusiast cars left, the manual is the obvious choice. Its short throws, sweet engagement, and closely spaced ratios keep the engine in its sweet spot, and keep you involved on the back roads. The automatic is smooth and responsive, but the manual is the better choice if you want to get the most from the naturally aspirated engine and light curb weight.

Forget The SUV Default: This Is The Enthusiast’s Smartest Everyday Buy

Mazda

If you are looking for a sports car that can double as a hauler, we’d suggest looking at a sports sedan or coupe; the 2023 MX-5 only has a 4.6-cubic-foot trunk capacity. It’s just about enough for a couple of weekend bags. However, you do get generous legroom of 43.1 inches and 37.4 inches of headroom with the roof up. Naturally, crossovers and SUVs remain unmatched when it comes to cargo capacity, interior space, rear seating, and off-road capability, but this affordable Japanese icon is the kind of car that is made to last a lifetime.

According to iSeeCars, the average lifespan is 16.7 years, or just over 115,000 miles. Despite its prowess, the MX-5 is one of the least driven cars in the U.S.A., with the average mileage of used examples sitting at just 15,818 miles, meaning there are plenty still in near-mint condition. iSeeCars also rates the 2023 MY 8.9 out of 10 for reliabilit y, and says that it has a 13.1 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles. Maybe the most impressive estimate from iSeeCars, though, is that they expect the 2023 model to last another 22.6 years with proper maintenance.

Mazda

Mazda

The Sport trim may be the most basic, but it doesn’t feel stripped out. The cloth seats are supportive enough for longer drives, the driving position is low, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter give the cabin a more premium feel than the price suggests. An 8.8-inch infotainment screen comes as standard with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB-C ports. You also still get physical controls in the cabin, unlike some 2026 rivals. In short, everything you need in a modern car made for driving, really.

This is why the MX-5 has endured for so long. Yes, there is very little trunk space and no rear seats, but you do get a car that is exceptional to drive every time. It is dependable enough to keep for decades, affordable to own, and engineered around the simple idea that lighter is better. Today’s market dictates that a smart and sensible choice is a practical, affordable crossover or SUV. The 2023 MX-5 Miata Sport proves that smarter isn’t always the most practical; it’s the one that still makes you want to drive the long way home without costing you a fortune.

Base Trim Engine

2.0L Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

181 hp

Base Trim Torque

151 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

Fuel Economy

26/34 MPG

Make

Mazda

Model

MX-5 Miata

Segment

Sports Car

Infotainment & Features

7 /10

Sources: Mazda, FuelEconomy.gov, Edmunds, iSeeCars, J.D. Power, and Kelley Blue Book.