Some hear the word “supercar” and conjure up images of unattainable machines with too much horsepower, but the comforting truth is supercar, by loose definition, are more accessible than people think. As long as potential buyers are willing to expand their definition beyond a Ferrari or Lamborghini, they can join the supercar club downstairs.
As with any other car, the cost of a supercar goes beyond the sticker price in maintenance and possible modifications, no matter how reliable the supercar is. Fortunately, there are several options for the frugal supercar buyer that deliver both obscene horsepower and surprising affordability. Here are some of the cheapest supercars to mod and repair.
8th 2010 Nissan GT-R
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When Nissan released the GT-R, it was only $80,000. Now you can find one for around $50,000 as long as you’re willing to buy it used. The GT-R is an affordable supercar, packed with more computers than NASA and all the horsepower you’d ever need for a daily driver for about a quarter the cost of a Ferrari.
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Not only is the GT-R relatively cheap to buy, but maintenance costs are pretty low too. According to Repairpal, the annual average maintenance cost for a GT-R is $920, averaged over each generation. When it comes to mods, all you need is a good tune, which can go as low as $250 depending on the tune and the store.
7 1999 Honda NSX
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The original Honda NSX has increased in value since Acura released the latest iteration. While the original isn’t powerful enough to qualify as a true supercar, it does test the boxes of stylish, luxurious performance. At one point, the NSX had a 3.2-liter V6 with 290 hp, mated to a manual transmission driving the rear wheels.
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According to Repairsmith, the first generation NSX costs about $240 for tuning that would qualify as routine maintenance. In terms of modifications, some owners resort to supercharger and suspension upgrades. Comptech superchargers, for example, can add around 340 horsepower to the wheels for around $10,000. Like the GT-R, the NSX offers exceptional reliability.
6 First generation Dodge Viper
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The Dodge Viper has gone through several iterations, all wrapped in madness. The first generation had 400 horsepower from its V10, no door handles, ABS or traction control. It was a tracked machine that could also be driven on the road. Eventually, throughout its tenure, the Viper garnered vital driving aids and increased horsepower.
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In theory, the first generation Viper is an affordable supercar because of its simplicity. Repairpal puts the annual cost of repairing the Viper at around $450. A turbocharger is the best way to get power, along with a tune. Turbokits.com sells a kit that can handle over 900 horsepower on stock internals for $14,000.
5 Lexus LC500
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The Lexus LC500 dispenses with the famous Toyota reliability. Naysayers can declare the LC500’s supercar status contested until its horsepower count is taken into account. The LC500 uses a 5-liter V8 that pumps 471 horsepower to the rear wheels. It is a real and reliable sports car. Your mechanic estimates the annual maintenance and repair cost of a Lexus LC500 to be around $271.
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The LC500 debuted in 2018 so its aftermarket community has room to grow, but its low maintenance and repair costs should free up plenty of capital to make modifications for future releases.
4 C7 corvette
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As the last of the front-engined Corvettes, the C7 offers a complete package right from the start. With a 450-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 mated to a 7-speed manual transmission, the C7 ‘Vette spins its tires wildly against the better judgment of the computer, and when it finally hits the road, brace yourself Prepare to have your head thrown in the seat.
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Procharger sells supercharger kits for the C7 Stingray starting at around $6,000 for a 40 percent increase in performance. Repairpal cites the C7 Corvette as having annual repair costs of about $550, and its engine is rock solid and simple. The C7 is certainly a viable $45,000 option.
3 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye
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While the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye might not classify as a strict supercar, it has more grunt than any other car on this list. With a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the Redeye sends 797 horsepower to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission with crazy acceleration and suspension tuned for straight-line driving.
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Edmunds extensively averages annual maintenance and repair costs, which dictates that owners will spend nearly $9,000 over five years. It’s a lot, but considering how cheap it is to modify, that number is worth it. Forzatuned, for example, has a Tier 1 upgrade that’s good for over 900 horsepower and starts at just $3,000.
2 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo
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Some Porsche models can hold their value longer than other cars, and the 911 Turbo is no exception. In 2007 he used a 3.6-litre flat-six that sent 480bhp to the rear wheels, which is a lot for a £3,500 car. While they can still be expensive to purchase, purchase price is the biggest hurdle. Repairpal lists the 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo with annual repair costs of about $1,000.
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It also estimates that fuel injectors cost about $2,500 to replace as the most expensive project. Although the 911 Turbo is already dialed in from the factory, there are inexpensive ways to gain significant horsepower. Modbargains.com lists an exhaust system good for 75 hp with a tune at $3,551.
1 2010 Cadillac CTS-V coupe
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Cadillac’s iconic CTS-V coupe was a high-performance car for drivers looking to retire. At the end of its life, the CTS-V was producing 640 horsepower thanks to its Corvette powertrain, which consisted of a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. It commanded a vise-like grip on the pavement, with responsive turn-in and a comfortable ride.
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The CTS-V has plenty of power for excellent reliability, which Repairpal says helps limit annual repairs and maintenance to $576. Some owners claim to get 100 extra horsepower from their CTS-Vs using only bolt-on parts and a tune, all of which cost less than $5,000. You can find many cheap CTS-V mods at Texas Speed.
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About the author
Brian Grabianowski
(214 published articles)
Brian has been writing about cars for various publications in various media for almost 15 years. He has covered motorsport events and attended press conferences for vehicle releases. Brian has owned and worked on Japanese sports cars and motorcycles, German executive sedans, and American trucks and Mustangs. His goal is to build a classic car with modern power.
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