Skip to main content

If you want a dependable sports car, you might find that your best option is the venerable Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata. It certainly isn’t your only option with vehicles like the Subaru BRZ on the list. However, Consumer Reports is adamant that 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019 Miatas are some of the most reliable sports cars you can still buy. These are some of the sports cars with the highest reliability scores under $25,000. 

  • 2012 Mazda MX-5
  • 2013 Subaru BRZ
  • 2015 Audi A5
  • 2014 Ford Mustang
  • 2015-2016 Mazda MX-5
  • 2016 BMW 2 Series

Is a Mazda Miata a reliable car?

The Mazda Miata is a very reliable little car, but some model years are more dependable than others. For instance, Consumer Reports says that the 2012 and 2016 Mazda MX-5 has top scores in reliability as well as overall satisfaction ratings. It really boils down to which generation you prefer. Gone are the pop-up headlights of the classic Miata in the latest models, so if you want the classic aesthetic, you’ll have to shop for earlier models.  

The 2012 Mazda Miata is a strong condtender on the list of most reliable sports cars under $25,000.
2012 Mazda MX5 Roadster | National Motor Museum, Getty Images

Still, the Miatas offer great fuel economy and reliability scores in previous models that you can buy for less than $25,000. However, if you want a new Miata, you’ll have to spend over $28,665. 

Is the 2013 Subaru BRZ reliable?

The 2013 Subaru BRZ gets around average reliability scores, which is tolerable when you think of some sports cars’ temperament. However, the BRZ does have only two recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While that may concern you, the 2016 Miata also has two recalls, and it is not unheard of for sports cars to have far more than two recalls. 

The 2013 Subaru BRZ has above average reliability.
2013 Subaru BRZ | Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post via Getty Images

Is the 2015 Audi A5 reliable?

The 2015 Audi A5 gets above-average reliability scores and average satisfaction ratings. However, with convertible options, attractive styling, and a price well below $25,000 for a preowned example, the A5 is a solid choice for sports car shoppers. That is, if you consider the A5 a sports car and not a luxury car.  

Is the 2014 Ford Mustang one of the most reliable sports cars for under $25,000?

The 2014 Ford Mustang is one of the most reliable Ford Mustang models in the last 15 years. According to Consumer Reports, the 2014 Ford Mustang has above-average reliability and satisfaction ratings. That’s good news for fans of the Mustang’s retro-inspired aesthetic, as the 2014 model was the last of the S197 generation. The following Mustangs in the S550 generation have a few model years with below-average reliability, like the 2019 and 2020 Mustangs

Is the 2016 BMW 2 Series as reliable as a Miata?

The 2016 BMW 2 Series is reportedly less reliable than the 2016 Mazda MX-5. Specifically, the 2016 2 Series has above-average reliability, while the Miata from the same year has top scores. You’ll also get much better fuel economy with the Mazda than with the BMW. However, the 2016 BMW 2 Series has just one NHTSA recall, while the Miata has two. 

The 2016 Mazda Miata gets top reliability scores, putting it high on the list of most reliable sports cars for under $25,000.
A 2016 Miata’s rear lamp | Tomohiro Ohsumi, Bloomberg via Getty Images

Scroll down to the following article to read more about sports cars!

Related

BRZ Tops the List of Cheapest Sports Cars To Own