Everyone loves the idea of owning a sports car. You picture yourself carving through winding backroads, rev-matching downshifts like a YouTube hero, and pulling up to Tim Hortons with exhaust burbles echoing through the parking lot.

But here’s the thing: buying a sports car in Canada is not just about the sticker price on Kijiji or Autotrader. It’s a long-term financial relationship, and sports cars are… let’s just say… high-maintenance partners.

1. The Sticker Price Is Just the Opening Act

Let’s start with the obvious: the car itself.

• Affordable Fun – A used Toyota GR86, Subaru BRZ, or Mazda MX-5 might set you back $28k–$40k new, or $20k–$30k used for recent models.
• V8 Power – Mustang GTs and Camaro SS models are often $45k–$60k new, or $30k–$40k for a clean used one.

But don’t let those numbers lull you into thinking you’re done spending. The purchase price is the handshake — everything after is the ongoing dinner bill.

2. Insurance: The Wallet Uppercut

Insurance companies hear “sports car” and immediately picture you doing donuts in a Canadian Tire parking lot at midnight. Rates reflect that.

Example:

• 30-year-old in Ontario with a clean record might pay:
  
  
  • BRZ / MX-5 – $180–$250/month
  • Mustang GT – $250–$400/month

Add winter tires and clean driving history, and you might lower that. But sports cars are almost always pricier to insure than sedans or hatchbacks.

3. Fuel: Premium Gas Tax

Most sports cars ask for premium fuel (91+), and they’re not shy about drinking it.

At today’s prices (~$1.80/L for premium in many parts of Canada):

• Light sports cars (MX-5, GR86): $75–$90 per fill, ~500km range.
• Thirsty V8s (Mustang GT, Camaro SS): $100–$120 per fill, ~400–450km range if you’re lucky.

Drive spiritedly and watch those numbers… evaporate.

4. Maintenance & Repairs: “Because It’s a Sports Car” Tax

Sports cars eat consumables faster:

• Performance tires – $800–$1,500 per set, and they wear quicker.
• Brakes – Bigger rotors and pads mean $500–$1,200 for a full set.
• Oil changes – Synthetic only, often 5–6L, $100–$150 at most shops.

If it’s a manual, budget for a clutch replacement at some point — $1,200–$2,000 depending on the car.

5. The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About

• Winter storage – If you don’t daily it in snow, indoor storage runs $600–$1,200 for the season.
• Tickets – Let’s be honest… temptation is real.
• Track days – Entry fees $150–$250, plus tires, brakes, and fuel in one day.

Verdict: Worth It?

If you’re expecting “cheap thrills,” a sports car in Canada will test that theory. Even the most budget-friendly models cost more than their non-sporty siblings to own and run.

But here’s the flip side — the driving joy is unmatched. When you take that perfect corner, or hear the exhaust echo off a downtown building, or roll into a meet and feel every head turn… you remember exactly why you signed up for this financial rollercoaster.

Owning a sports car here isn’t about saving money. It’s about spending it on something that makes you feel alive.

And hey — that’s a cost you can’t measure in dollars.

Note: All the prices and costs mentioned are approximate and may vary based on location, time and individual circumstances,