Here's How Much It Costs To Maintain A Supercar

For those in the position of being able to purchase a supercar, it's understandable that most thoughts go into experiencing its powerful engine and exquisitely-designed chassis, rather than the boring stuff like maintenance costs. It's an important subject though, as even if you can get a good deal on buying a new McLaren 750S - or something older than you're buying from its original owner - you'll still have to have enough in your budget to keep it running.

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Lamborghini

Automobili Lamborghini was created in 1963 after its founder had a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari over the cost of servicing his cars, arguing that Ferrari was overcharging for off-the-shelf parts. Enzo didn't respond amicably, so Ferruccio took matters into his own hands with the 350 GT. Lamborghini later introduced the Miura, widely regarded as the first true supercar and one of the prettiest ever made. These days, the brand's identity is characterized by AWD drivetrains, outrageous special editions, and raucous engines. The 1,001-hp Revuelto is its current V12 flagship, while the Urus SUV is its bestseller.

Founded  1963

Founder  Ferruccio Lamborghini

Headquarters  SantÁgata Bolognese

Owned By  Audi

Current CEO  Stephan Winkelmann

This piece will explore how much you can expect to pay to keep a supercar ticking along. We'll use one of the quintessential supercars as an example: The Lamborghini Huracán. Here's everything you need to take into consideration when owning a supercar.

The Huracán: Lamborghini's Entry-Level Supercar

2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 White Front Angle

Ever since the Gallardo first made its debut in 2003, Lamborghini has tried to offer a more affordable and usable supercar in its range, rather than forcing enthusiasts to invest in its larger and less practical halo models, such as the Murcielago and Aventador. Following a ten-year stint, the Gallardo was replaced by the Huracán in 2014. Featuring similar styling to the Aventador, the Huracán was given a naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 also found in sister brand Audi's R8 supercar.

With 602 hp on tap, the AWD Huracán was significantly more powerful than the Gallardo it replaced, which only made 570 hp in its most powerful form.

The Huracán Send Off

In its penultimate year, the Huracán lineup was fleshed out with the addition of the Performante model, which involved the model being upgraded to work better on the track by getting an enhanced 5.2-liter V10 and a new aero package that helped boost downforce. 2019 was its final year, however, to be succeeded by the Huracán Evo which is still on sale today as a drop top Spyder variant, the Tecnica, and off-road ready Sterrato.

The Huracán Makes You Pay For The Privilege

2019 Huracan EVO Orange Front High Angle

While all these performance elements will get your mouth watering, just being able to afford them is a challenge in itself. As new, the original Huracán had an MSRP of just over $200k in 2019, with the AWD version costing substantially more ($242,474 at the time). These Lamborghini models have held their value incredibly well, and according to our research on the used car market, expect to pay anywhere from $175k to over $220k for well-looked after models.

But that's not the only cost you need to be concerned about.

Owning a Lambo Huracán Will Cost You

Insurance Will Be At A Premium

Once you've finally managed to source and purchase your dream Huracán, you'll need to get it insured so that you can enjoy it on the road. Being a high-performance car from an exotic brand, insurance companies will be expecting you to introduce it to the nearest obstacle within an hour of firing up the V10. That may be unnecessarily dramatic, but the point remains - high risk, means high premium. As a result, CarEdge estimates that you'll have to spend around $42,500 to insure a Huracán over five years, which will be similar to other supercars. This translates to around $8,500 per year, a cost not helped by the cost of insurance in the US rising further in 2024.

Alongside this, the site reports that you'll get through around $20,000 of gas over the same period. They're thirsty things, those V10s.

The Huracán Doesn't Get Any Cheaper When It Comes To Maintenence

2019 Lamborghini Huracan Evo V10 engine

With such a serious performance car, you'll need to anticipate serious costs to keep it firing on all cylinders. The mighty V10 needs plenty of looking after to ensure it remains capable of peak performance, as do aspects such as the brakes and tires. According to Bavarian Rennsport, a Florida-based Huracán specialist garage, you'll need to spend between $15,000 and $25,000 over five years on maintenance to keep your Huracán running sweetly. This number is backed up by CarEdge, which estimates $21,603 over the same period.

According to the NHTSA, only one complaint has so far been filed against the model, but the information has been redacted, possibly by the complainant retracting their concerns. A total of four recalls have been lodged with the NHTSA for the last model year, and two for 2017 and earlier models. Recalls pertained to some models not having enough transmission fluid in the gearbox, the others concerned incorrectly adjusted headlights and a faulty rearview camera, the former having two separate recalls covering it.

2017 Honda NSX Red Headlight

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Curing Common Issues Will Set You Back A Pretty Penny

You'll need to ensure you treat the V10 to an oil, fluid, and filter change every 12 months or 10,000 miles to keep it running smoothly. Bavarian Rennsport estimates this will cost between $850 and $1,500, while a two-year/18,000-mile intermediate service will set you back between $1,500 and $2,500. This includes a brake fluid flush, a coolant replenishment, and a deeper look into the vehicle's systems.

A major service, which takes place every five years or 46,000 miles, can cost between $3,500 and $6,000. This will include having all spark plugs changed, the transmission oil replaced, and a range of other more serious checks. Replacing the Huracán's grippy Pirelli P Zero rubber is also costly, with a set coming in at between $3,000 and $5,000. Alongside these, expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 for new brake rotors and pads every 15,000 to 20,000 miles.

Any form of bodywork damage won't be cheap either, with parts like the rear bumper potentially costing around $8,500. A rear quarter panel can cost around $7,500, while the front spoiler can cost around $10,000. Parts taken from salvage examples could cost less, but you won't be having a fun time either way.

Depreciation Of Supercars Can Be Painful - Unless You Keep Mileage Down

Orange 2019 Lamborghini Huracan Evo nose

While lower-mileage supercars will hold their value pretty well, and potentially even increase over time like the Huracán, those used more often won't be worth the same amount due to steep depreciation. CarEdge estimates that if a Huracán is used across an average of 12,000 miles per year over a span of five years, culminating in a total mileage of 60,000 miles, you could expect to lose $125,000 compared to its new price.

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The-History-Of-The-Lamborghini-Huracan

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Most of this drop occurs over the first few years, with the Huracán losing around $92,000 of its value by the time it's three years old. As a result, if you can stomach the mileage, you'll be best off buying once most of the depreciation has already taken place. The money you'll save will come in handy too, given the other costs outlined throughout this piece.

Buying and maintaining a used supercar like the Huracán is demanding from a financial standpoint, though the days spent wringing the neck of the V10 along your favorite backroad or racetrack will make it all worth it. Hopefully.