The McLaren 570S is the most affordable new super car that you can purchase from the British performance car maker available in our country. With a starting price of $188,600, it competes with the Porsche 911 GT3 RS that starts at $187,500.
From a price stand point just about a $1,000 separates the two, but is the McLaren actually a step up?
Prices of the 997 generation of the Porsche 911 are becoming very affordable on the used market. You can currently find well maintained examples with reasonable mileage for under $40,000.
Of course with a high-end sports car maintenance costs can quickly add up. The good news is that when compared to used Italian sports cars, the German engineering of the 911 costs much less to keep on the road.
The air-cooled Porsche market has been very hot in recent years, with even the “less desirable” models getting large amounts of cash. It appeared that the dream of owning a classic Porsche cooled by God’s good air would forever be out of reach for most of us.
However, there are signs that the bubble may be starting to burst. While special models are keeping strong, models like the Porsche 911 SC, 911 Carrera 3.2 and 914 may be starting to go down in value.
The 986 generation of the Porsche Boxster is currently the best value in the sports car market. You can currently find early examples in running condition for as low as $5,000, however between $6,000 and $10,000 will purchase a better maintained low mileage vehicle.
With such a low price of entry the question turns to how much does it cost to keep one on the road?
Just about ten years ago you could find plenty of examples of the Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS for under $30,000. At the time, some decent running cars with slightly higher mileage were near the $20,000 mark.
Back then, even though the prices were low, the maintenance costs kept most wiser people away. It’s funny how much things can change in just ten years. Someone who had bought a 308 GTB/GTS back then would now have a car worth more than twice the price paid to buy it originally.