10 Cheapest Sports Cars to Insure

You may think that buying a sports car means paying a lot for insurance, but that’s not always the case. To prove the point, our expert editors have come up with a list of 10 of the cheapest sports cars to insure, sorted from most to least expensive.

Our rates aren’t for any one specific driver, but for an average of all different types of drivers. Your rates may vary depending on numerous factors including your location and your driving history, as well as your specific car configuration — options such as advanced active safety features and high-performance engines can make a rather large difference in your premium.

The Nissan 370Z just barely squeaks onto our list of the 10 cheapest sports cars to insure with an average annual cost of $1,692. The storied Z was last refreshed for the 2013 model year and its design is starting to show its age; the only active safety equipment is the available back-up camera. Handling is good and should allow you to steer yourself away from most obstacles, while the ride is reasonably comfortable for a sports car. The engine, which was once one of the 370’s main selling points now feels outclassed by some of the competition. The current 370Z hasn't been crash-tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS.

The Subaru WRX STI is the only four-door car to make it onto our list, with an average annual insurance cost of $1,688. While it hasn’t been crash-tested by the NHTSA, the IIHS awarded the WRX its top score of Good in every category except for the headlights, which are rated Marginal. Safety features include a standard all-wheel drive system, active torque vectoring, a Brembo performance braking system and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Unfortunately, Subaru’s advanced EyeSight driver assistance technology is not available on the STI, though it is offered on the less powerful WRX Limited and the mechanically related Subaru Impreza economy car.

Taking the eighth spot on our list is the Ford Mustang GT coupe, with an average annual insurance rate of $1,656 (you’ll have to pay $42 more a year if you want a convertible). In IIHS crash-testing, the Mustang coupe rated Good in every category except for the small overlap front test where it scored Acceptable, the second highest rating. Available active safety features include adaptive cruise control with collision warning and the reverse sensing system (though they might be offset by the electronic line-lock — a tool that helps you achieve a smokey burnout — in the eyes of your insurance company). While the lesser-engined models are cheaper to insure, the GT with its V8 is the way to go if you crave affordable performance.

Next up on our list is the Chevrolet Camaro SS coupe, coming in at only $1,606 a year (or $24 a year more for the convertible) despite its thunderous V8 engine. The Camaro earned five out of five stars most NHTSA tests, except the frontal crash test where it earned four stars, and Good in all tests by the IIHS other than the roof strength test where it scored Acceptable. Available safety features are fairly basic and include rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring. A more interesting option is the head-up display, which lets you keep your eyes on the road by projecting information onto the windshield.

The Audi TT roadster earns the sixth spot on our list with a surprisingly affordable yearly rate of $1,584. (The coupe pictured here costs $354 a year more, probably at least partially because they tend to be driven more aggressively than the convertible.) The TT hasn’t been tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS and it isn’t available with the advanced active safety systems found in most premium cars (unless you count its parking sensors). Thankfully the Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system and predictable handling should be enough to get you out of most situations and help keep the TT’s insurance rates manageable.

It might be hard to believe, but at $1,580 a year the Porsche Boxster has made it into the top five cheapest sports cars to insure. (Its coupe version, the Cayman, would set you back an extra $263 a year.) The Boxster hasn’t been crash-tested and standard safety features are limited to front and rear parking sensors, but adaptive cruise control and lane change assist are available, as is a fire extinguisher. Other available features that would make your Boxster a bit safer (and more fun to drive) include an automatically adjustable suspension, torque vectoring and ceramic brakes.

If you’re looking for an affordable sporty coupe, the Toyota 86 (shown) and Subaru BRZ twins are hard to beat even when it comes to insurance costs, with a yearly premium of $1,580. On average the Toyota seems to cost a bit more to insure, but it depends on the area, so if you’re having trouble deciding between the two models it might be worth getting a local quote. The cars earned a Good score in all testing by the IIHS except the small overlap front test where they scored Acceptable; NHTSA hasn't fully tested the cars, but they scored four stars for frontal impacts and five for rollover resistance. Unfortunately, no advanced active safety systems are available.

The Chevrolet Corvette convertible might be the most overtly sporty car on our list, but somehow it still manages to take a very respectable third place with a yearly insurance premium of only $1,562 (or $125 more a year if you would prefer a coupe). The Corvette hasn’t been crash-tested and isn’t available with the advanced active safety packages you'll find on some competitors, so you’ll have to rely on its handling and mechanical grip to keep you out of trouble. The optional Performance Package should help in that department, as it includes even bigger front brakes, slotted brake rotors and Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP summer-only tires.

With a yearly premium of $1,561, the BMW Z4 roadster takes the runner’s up spot on our list of the cheapest sports cars to insure. The Z4 hasn’t been crash-tested by either the NHTSA or the IIHS and isn’t available with advanced safety systems. Handling and grip is good and should keep you out of trouble, and the engines offer enough power, but the Z4 isn’t quite as fun to drive as some of the other cars on our list — which might be one reason for the low insurance rates. Production of the current Z4 has just ended, so head to your local dealer to see if they any left in stock.

The FIAT 124 Spider (shown) and Mazda MX-5 Miata siblings take the top spot on our list of the 10 cheapest sports cars to insure, with insurance premiums of $1,353 and $1,284 a year respectively — significantly less than any of the other cars on the list. Neither of the cars has been crash-tested, but they are known to be some of the best-handling on the road, even before additions like the available Brembo brake package. In addition, top-of-the-line versions of both models offer blind spot monitoring with a rear cross traffic alert, while the Miata goes a step further with a lane-departure warning system option.