It’s no secret that some cars are more expensive to maintain than others. Sometimes people assume that a vehicle’s purchase price distinguishes various brands and models, but there’s a lot more that goes into the entire cost of owning a new automobile.
Repairs can be costly without factoring in additional costs such as insurance and gas. And if you have a luxury vehicle, luxury car insurance can cost as high as $600 per month.
Necessary auto maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations, can swiftly pile up, leaving you spending significantly more in the long haul. While there are some connections between more expensive automobiles and higher auto costs, this isn’t always the case.
A car or truck with a low price tag can sometimes be among the most expensive to purchase when you consider maintenance and other fees over eight to 10 years of owning your new car.
For some people, not considering the long-term costs of owning a car is one of many financial mistakes people make. Below we will explore the top 10 cars with the most expensive maintenance costs.
1. BMW 328i
The 3 Series, which dates back to the 1970s, resulted from BMW’s laborious attempts to replace the then-out-of-date 2002 Coupe, which defined the company in the world’s eyes.
The current 328i follows that history, but it isn’t inexpensive to maintain until you compare it to typical BMWs, which are the most expensive cars in the business to fix. No carmaker makes vehicles that cost more to maintain, with BMWs costing an average of $20,000 over eight to 10 years.
2. Mercedes-Benz E350
Since its introduction in 1994, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been an iconic midsize luxury car. The E350 is known for its fuel efficiency, but it is also quiet and has excellent handling.
The Mercedes name is synonymous with power, luxury, and innovation. It’s also renowned for its hefty maintenance expenses, which average around $13,000 for eight to 10 years.
3. Audi A4 Quattro
The A4 was presented as Audi’s entry-level vehicle for drivers interested in entering the luxury automobile market. The Audi A4 was introduced in 1996 as a replacement for the Audi 80, and the Wagons and cabriolets were later added to the lineup. A model with Quattro all-wheel-drive then followed it.
The A4 Quattro’s average eight to 10-year maintenance cost is around $13,000.
4. Dodge Grand Caravan
The original Dodge Caravan was released in 1983, and it was the beginning of the contemporary minivan. The Grand Caravan, which featured a larger wheelbase, was added to the original in 1987. Dodge discontinued the original Caravan in 2007, leaving the Grand Caravan as the only Dodge minivan on the market.
Prepare to pay considerably more than the typical Dodge vehicle’s $11,000 in eight to 10-year maintenance expenses if you’re in the market for the prominent family minivan.
Related Post: Does business auto insurance cover an employee’s car accident?
5. Mazda 6
Mazda Motor Corporation’s forerunner was formed in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1920. The Mazda 6, on the other hand, came out in 2003.
The Mazda 6 is one of the best-selling cars in the competitive midsize sedan market, but it’s also one of the most expensive to maintain in the Mazda lineup. The typical Mazda 6 costs $13,000 to maintain over eight to 10 years, but the brand’s average vehicle costs $8,000.
6. Nissan Maxima
The Maxima’s popularity earned it its own model line in 1982. It was first simply a trim level on the Datsun 810. By the 1990s, the Maxima had evolved into a luxury sedan, and it had consistently been recognized for its technological advancements.
Over eight to 10 years, Nissans cost an average of $8,000 in maintenance.
7. Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang was introduced to the public for the first time during the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. More than 400,000 Mustangs were sold in the first year due to the car’s inclusion in the James Bond film “Goldfinger.”
The average maintenance cost for most Ford Mustang models is $10,000 over eight to 10 years, making Mustangs much more expensive to maintain on the road than your typical Ford.
8. Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen was founded in 1937, at the same time as Germany’s renowned Autobahn highway system. VWs were widely avoided in postwar America because of their connection with the Nazis. This avoidance lasted until around 1960 when the automobile was renamed “the Beetle.” It went on to be the most popular import in the United States.
Although today’s VWs cost an average of $90 to maintain in their first year, by year eight or 10, that amount rises to $700.
9. Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet cars across all models, including the Chevrolet Impala, have an average maintenance cost of $9,000 for eight to 10 years. Chevy owners may anticipate paying only $50 in maintenance expenses in their first year of owning the car.
The legendary Chevy is the largest of General Motors’ four surviving brands. General Motors, which includes brands such as Corvette, Silverado, and Camaro, was ranked first in America in 2018 sales volume.
10. Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper can be traced back to 1957 when the Suez Canal crisis caused worldwide gasoline costs to rise. The public in post-World War II England yearned for a compact, fuel-efficient automobile. The Mini Cooper, which became a cultural symbol in the 1960s, was the Morris Company’s response.
Overall, the Mini Cooper has maintenance expenses of about $8,000 over the course of eight to 10 years.
How Can I Cut Down on Car Maintenance Costs?
If there’s anything that we learned from COVID-19, it is that we should all be financially prepared for hardships — like losing your job, unexpected medical costs, or losing a spouse.
Keeping up with car maintenance before a problem occurs with your vehicle is one way to cut costs. It can save you money in the long run and keep money in your pocket should a hardship occur.
For example, a car that hasn’t had a tune-up can use anywhere between 20 and 33 percent more gas each year than a properly tuned car. Similarly, you can increase gas mileage by up to 10 or 12 percent if you regularly change your dirty air filter.
Additionally, you can save money on the cost of owning a car by saving money on insurance. You can speak with your insurance agent about how much money you may save on your vehicle collision insurance by raising the deductible.
Raising your deductible from $250 to $500 or $1,000 may save you 10% to 40% on your insurance premiums.
Having certain safety features and a history of safe driving classes can also make you eligible for safe driving discounts. Speaking with your insurance agent is ultimately the best way to find ways to cut your insurance premium cost.
Imani Francies writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsuranceEZ.com. She enjoys helping luxury car owners find cars with the least expensive maintenance costs to get the best insurance rates.
