Mazda MX-5 RF vs Nissan Z: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Mazda MX-5 RF costs about $22,229 less

That's $309 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT✓ $1,195/moTrue cost

Z Sport 6MT$1,504/moTrue cost

2026 Mazda MX-5 RF

Closest matching trim: MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT

Sticker (MSRP)$42,700

+$8,978→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$51,678

+ running costs→↓− $25,342 resale

True cost$1,195/moA month to own, after resale

2027 Nissan Z

Closest matching trim: Z Sport 6MT

Sticker (MSRP)$49,998

+$9,854→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$59,852

+ running costs→↓− $23,087 resale

True cost$1,504/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $42,700	$49,998	MX-5 RF by $7,298
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,033	✓ $2,968	Z by $65
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $5,945	$6,886	MX-5 RF by $941
Drive-away price	✓ $51,678	$59,852	MX-5 RF by $8,174
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $16,184	$23,776	MX-5 RF by $7,592
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $13,660	$14,517	MX-5 RF by $857
Maintenance (estimate)	✓ $9,232	$9,286	MX-5 RF by $54
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $9,817	$11,536	MX-5 RF by $1,719
Lost return on your money	✓ $10,706	$12,283	MX-5 RF by $1,577
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$25,342	−$23,087	MX-5 RF by $2,255
Total
True cost	✓ $86,026	$108,255	MX-5 RF by $22,229
True cost a month	✓ $1,195/mo	$1,504/mo	MX-5 RF by $309
You pay each month	✓ $1,329/mo	$1,584/mo	MX-5 RF by $255
Practical
Fuel type	Premium gas	Premium gas	—
Seats	2	2	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	1	2	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	127	✓ 241	—
Length	3.91 m	4.40 m	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 59%	46%	—
US crash test	Not rated yet	Not rated yet	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $42,700Z Sport 6MT $49,998Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $7,298

Freight and fees, before tax

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT $3,033Z Sport 6MT ✓ $2,968Cheaper by Z by $65

Sales tax (HST)

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $5,945Z Sport 6MT $6,886Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $941

Drive-away price

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $51,678Z Sport 6MT $59,852Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $8,174

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $16,184Z Sport 6MT $23,776Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $7,592

Insurance (estimate)

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $13,660Z Sport 6MT $14,517Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $857

Maintenance (estimate)

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $9,232Z Sport 6MT $9,286Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $54

Loan rate

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT 6.5%Z Sport 6MT 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $9,817Z Sport 6MT $11,536Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $1,719

Lost return on your money

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $10,706Z Sport 6MT $12,283Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $1,577

Resale after 6 yrs

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ −$25,342Z Sport 6MT −$23,087Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $2,255

Total

True cost

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $86,026Z Sport 6MT $108,255Cheaper by MX-5 RF by $22,229

True cost a month

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $1,195/moZ Sport 6MT $1,504/moCheaper by MX-5 RF by $309

You pay each month

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ $1,329/moZ Sport 6MT $1,584/moCheaper by MX-5 RF by $255

Practical

Fuel type

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT Premium gasZ Sport 6MT Premium gasCheaper by —

Seats

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT 2Z Sport 6MT 2Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT 1Z Sport 6MT 2Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT 127Z Sport 6MT ✓ 241Cheaper by —

Length

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT 3.91 mZ Sport 6MT 4.40 mCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT ✓ 59%Z Sport 6MT 46%Cheaper by —

US crash test

MX-5 RF GS-P RWD MT Not rated yetZ Sport 6MT Not rated yetCheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the MX-5 RF from its own, the Z typical for its type and brand. Their stickers differ by $7,298.