Skip to main content

Choosing the right new or used sports car for you can be tricky business, especially if you have an immovable budget. However, you can stack the deck in your favor if you choose a vehicle with top ratings in value, so you don’t waste your money. Check out this odd group of four sports cars that CarEdge awarded with A+ ratings in terms of value, like the Nissan GT-R and Mazda MX-5 Miata. 

Which sports cars have the best value?

According to CarEdge, these four sports cars offer the best value on the market: 

  • Chevrolet Corvette
  • Mazda MX-5 Miata
  • Chevrolet Camaro
  • Nissan GT-R

Do Chevy Corvettes hold their value?

The most recent generations of Chevrolet Corvette hold their value very well. For instance, CarEdge says the latest C8-generation Corvette could depreciate by around 18% after its first five years. While that sounds like a lot, it’s much less than other sports cars on the market. 

The C8 Corvette, like the Nissan GT-R, is one of the best sports cars for value.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray | General Motors

CarEdge puts the five-year cost of ownership for a late-model Chevrolet Corvette at around $56,015. The Corvette’s ownership costs and value retention snag the top spot on their list of sports cars that offer the best value. Moreover, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) expects the Corvette to depreciate more than CarEdge, losing about 50.5% of its original value. However, KBB still awarded the Chevy model its “Best Resale Value Award” for 2021. 

Better yet, the C7 and C8 generations of Corvette pack supercar performance into an affordable application. That means you won’t just be investing in a Corvette; you’ll be investing in a vehicular underdog with no shortage of smile-inducing driving experiences. Good luck getting one.  

Is a Mazda MX-5 considered a sports car?

The Mazda MX-5, or Miata as many fans still call it, is one of the most tenured sports cars on the market. Mazda has produced its drop-top sports car for over 30 years, and it still represents a fantastic value today. 

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of CarEdge's picks for the best sports cars by value.
Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mazda

A late-model Mazda MX-5 Miata has a five-year cost of ownership of about $26,803. As a result, it’s one of the best sports cars in terms of value on the market. For sports car shoppers with a strict budget, the MX-5 is a top prospect. Moreover, the Miata has lower depreciation figures, average interest rates, insurance rates, fuel costs, and maintenance costs than a Chevrolet Corvette. 

Of course, the two cars simply aren’t comparable; the Miata is an underpowered convertible good-times machine, and the Corvette is nothing short of a budget supercar.   

Does a Camaro hold its value?

The Chevrolet Camaro holds its value well, especially the later models. For instance, iSeeCars expects a newer Camaro to depreciate by around 20.2% in the first five years. That’s much better than the national average of 33.3%. 

The 2023 Chevrolet Camaro, like the MX-5 Miata, is an investment that you can enjoy.
Chevrolet Camaro | General Motors

Moreover, the Chevrolet Camaro’s average monetary difference from the original MSRP is around $8,000 after five years of ownership. That puts the Chevy sports car about $6,000 under the national average. 

How much is a Nissan GT-R worth?

The Nissan GT-R is a highly collectible vehicle with supercar credentials. As a result, it demands a premium. For instance, the first R35 has a fair value of around $57,084, and more exclusive editions like the GT-R Nismo sell for over $200,000. 

While it may sound silly, the R35 GT-R retains most of its original value. As a result, CarEdge gave the AWD track star a spot on its list of the best cars for value. Not that you’d want to sell it if you got your hands on one. 
Should the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GR86, or Ford Mustang have made the list? Tell us in the comments below!

Related

Want a Ferrari? Buy a Chevy Corvette Z06 Instead