Cars That Might Keep You Spending On Maintenance For Years
Cars are an expensive necessity, and even the most money-savvy people can't escape car maintenance and repairs. While most of us can expect to pay a fair amount of money for our car maintenance, there are some cars that require a lot more. The vehicles in this list have been reported by owners as some of the most expensive to maintain and repair -- assuming you don't do the work yourself.
Ford Focus
As one of the more affordable cars on this list, the Ford Focus is a surprise entry that actually can have high maintenance costs. Yearly, a Ford Focus owner could pay over $1,100 in fuel, maintenance, and repair costs alone.
In addition to those costs, some Ford Focus owners have reported issues with door latches and motor faults. Some of its pricier repairs are replacing fuel pumps and hose replacements which can range from $500-$1,200.
Nissan Murano
The Nissan Murano is the mid-sized SUV entry that has been a part of Nissan's affordable and uber-popular lineup for generations. In a span of 10 years, a Nissan Murano owner can expect to pay up to $15,000 for maintenance and repairs.
Some of the Murano’s most common issues are failing engine mounts and damaged seat adjusters which can cause annoying noises and the seats to move forward and back on their own.
Honda Pilot
The king of family cars, the Honda Pilot is just another part of the popular company's lineup. While Hondas are widely known for being reliable and affordable, some Honda Pilots are the exception to the rule.
On average, a Honda Pilot owner will spend up to $1,000 a year to pay for fuel and maintenance. The Honda Pilot also has some commonly-reported issues which include warped front brake rotors and overheating wires.
Chrysler Sebring
The Sebring was a sporty two-door coupe produced by Chrysler that was manufactured for 15 years from 1995 to 2010. Chrysler wanted the car to be affordable and accessible so that more people were able to enjoy it and initially the car wound up being a success.
Buyers could save money upfront because the car was cheaper than the competition but over the course of the car's lifetime, an owner could expect to pay up to $17,000 in maintenance-related costs.
BMW 640i Gran Coupe
The BMW 640i Gran Coupe is one of the most expensive BMW models to maintain and repair, with yearly maintenance and fuel costs that can run over $2,500.
The 640i doesn't come with a lot of common repairs but when things do come up, they tend to be costly. For example, an oil change for the 640i can be over $160 and if you need to replace your brakes, you might end up paying almost $1,600.
Lincoln MKS
Not too far off or different from the Ford Taurus, the Lincoln MKS was a full-size luxury sedan sold under Lincoln auto manufacturing from 2008 to 2016.
Yearly, the cost of owning a Lincoln MKS can cost over $1,500 and almost $15,000 in a 10-year span. A car that has a record of having brake issues, the repairs can range from $250 for a cylinder replacement to around $790 for brake pads.
Infiniti Q45
Infiniti is the luxury brand under Nissan and the Q45 was one of the brand's flagship models until it was replaced by the M45 in the late 2000s. Although the car has since been discontinued, the ongoing cost to keep the car going tends to be high.
Yearly, a Q45 owner can expect to pay up to $1,300 in maintenance and fuel, with an oil change typically costing upwards of $170 and up to $240 for a brake pad replacement.
Porsche 718 Boxster
The Porsche 718 Boxster is one of Porsche's most popular and best selling models. Not as fast or fancy as some of the other models in Porsche’s lineup, the Boxster is more affordable and offers the same experience as its counterparts.
A basic oil change can cost around $200 and to replace the brake pads and rotors, owners will pay up to $1,700. The Boxster doesn’t have a lot of commonly reported issues and has high-reliability ratings.
Dodge Grand Caravan
One of FCA's only vans, the Dodge Grand Caravan is a popular van that is one of the best selling on the market. Annually, Caravan owners can expect to pay up to $1,200 in upkeep and fuel costs.
Not necessarily the best in gas mileage, the Caravan will cost drivers more at the pump but the van is safe and spacious. Some of its most commonly reported issues include shifting harnesses and failing power windows.
Subaru Forester
Commonly viewed as an SUV that used to traverse the back roads of mountainous states such as Colorado, the Subaru Forester can also be expensive to own. In a 10-year span, a Forester owner could spend almost $13,000 in just repairs and maintenance alone -- not including the cost of fuel.
Some of its most common problems are a faulty O2 sensor and bad catalytic converters. Semi-yearly oil changes can cost over $160 and a replacement starter could be over $500.
Volkswagen Passat
While the Volkswagen Passat isn't one of the fanciest or fastest cars on this list, for yearly costs, owning a Passat can be just expensive as owning a foreign luxury car.
Some of its most common issues are ABS control module failure and oil leaks from its engine. Every year, the Volkswagen can cost almost $1,200 in maintenance, fuel, and repairs. Some owners report that oil changes can cost over $150 each time. To replace its brake pads, an owner can expect to up to $1,200.
Nissan GT-R
Starting at over $100,000, the Nissan GT-R is not only a powerhouse of a car, but it can also be really expensive to own and maintain. It is easily one of the fastest production cars that one can get without making a ton of modifications.
Every year, a GT-R owner can expect to pay up to $1,500 to maintain and fuel their car. One of its more expensive repairs is the timing chain replacement, which can end up being over $2,500.
Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche 718 Cayman is one of the most recognizable cars in the world because of its unique styling and look. In the course of 10 years, the cost of maintaining and keeping the Cayman is more than some brand new cars, with some owners reporting expenses of over $24,000.
Yearly, a 718 Cayman owner might pay almost $2,500 in fuel, maintenance, and repairs. One of its more expensive repairs is the steering knuckle replacement which can run over $3,000.
Mini Cooper
One of the smaller cars on this list, the Mini Cooper falls into its own category of car class. It's compact and fun to drive but that fun can come at a high price.
Yearly, with gas and normal maintenance, the Mini Cooper will cost up to $1,500. Some of the Mini Cooper's most common issues are faulty electric door locks and clutches that will wear out prematurely. A supercharger assembly replacement is one of the Mini Cooper’s most expensive repairs, costing up to $2,400.
Mercedes-Benz GLS63 AMG
The GLS is Mercedes-Benz's luxury SUV in its lineup and it doesn’t come cheap. With an entry price over $100,000, the GLS63 AMG isn’t for low ballers and neither are its upkeep costs.
In a given year, GLS63 owners could pay almost $1,700 in gas, maintenance, and repairs. On top of that, the SUV has received some poor reliability ratings so you might find yourself taking it into a repair shop more often.
Chevrolet Impala
The Impala is one of Chevrolet's most popular models and has one of Chevy’s longest histories. Some of Impala’s most recent changes have left buyers dissatisfied and Chevrolet announced that they would be discontinuing the model in 2020.
When it comes to costs, owning an Impala can cost up to $13,000 over the course of 10 years just for maintenance. Some of the Impala’s biggest issues are transmission pressure failure and keys getting stuck in the car’s ignition.
Dodge Ram 1500
The Dodge Ram 1500 is one of the best selling and most awarded trucks on the planet. Like all trucks, the 1500 doesn't come without strings and has high costs to keep and maintain.
Yearly, the Ram 1500 could cost owners up to $1,200 with fuel and maintenance. An AC recharge for the Ram can easily cost over $150 and some of its common issues include a faulty rear window seal that causes interior water damage.
Porsche 911
The 911 can be one of the costliest Porsches to own. Not only is the car expensive to buy, but its high maintenance cost and upkeep might make someone thinking about buying one think twice.
In just fuel and maintenance costs, a 911 owner can expect to pay close to $2,000 over the course of a year. Some Porsche 911s can also be riddled with issues and with the cost of a simple repair frequently being over $300 and an oil change that costs over $200 - any repair you might encounter probably won’t be cheap.
Chrysler 300
A full-size luxury car manufactured from FCA, the Chrysler 300 is award-winning and sometimes mistaken for a Bentley. It comes in a variety of trim levels for drivers who want performance or for drivers who are looking for more plush and style.
Yearly, a Chrysler 300 owner might pay around $1,200 just to upkeep the car and buy fuel. Basic inspections can cost over $100 and for something more serious such as a cable replacement, owners can expect to pay up to $300.
Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz's S Class is considered their top of the line class and is also their flagship class. Most models in this class are going to start at over $150,000 just to take off the lot, let alone how much it is going to cost yearly.
Per year, owners of an S63 AMG on average will end up paying up to $2,300 in just fuel, maintenance, and repairs on top of the car’s high car note.
BMW 328i
Most 3 Series BMW models are considered an entry-level model, and while that is true for the 328i model, its maintenance costs tend to run anything but entry-level.
Annually, owning a 328i could set the owner back an average of $1,200 each year. Some of the most common problems with the 328is are oil leaks from the engine and failing fans. Basic hose replacements can be over $600 and to get your car tested and diagnosed, you might pay over $100.
Mercedes-Benz E350
It is no surprise that a Mercedes Benz model would cost a lot of money to keep and maintain as it is one of the most popular luxury car brands in the world.
Its E350 model is technologically advanced, has good handling and even better fuel mileage. Annually, the cost of owning an E350 can end up at around $1,300 a year. To replace the fuel filter, owners can expect to pay up to $300 and a standard alternator repair can be over $1,200.
Audi S4
The Audi S4 sits as one of the more affordable Audi models with starting prices under $40,000. While the cost of the car is lower, the S4 is still a luxury car so its upkeep costs fall in line with Audi's more expensive models.
Annually, the cost to own the Audi S4 can be almost $1,600. Some of its most expensive repairs are its control arm replacement at up to $5,000 and a suspension replacement which costs up to $1,600.
Chevrolet Corvette
The Corvette is one of Chevrolet's most popular models and it has been an iconic car and status symbol for decades. To own one, the MSRP typically starts no less than $50,000-60,000, and annually the Corvette can set drivers back over $1,000 on maintenance, repairs, and fuel.
Simple and frequent visits like an oil change can cost around $200 every time, and for more expensive fixes such as a clutch replacement, owners can expect to pay up to $1,600.
Mazda6
Mazda released the Mazda6 in 2002 and since then, it has been one of their best-selling cars. The car was designed to be smart, sleek, and affordable so that it could reach a larger consumer base.
Mazda has had a rocky past with its reliability due to some recalls that have affected hundreds of thousands of its buyers. Maintenance and repair on the Mazda6 can cost over $5,000 more on average than some of Mazda's other models, according to some owners.
Ram 3500
One of Ram's largest trucks in the lineup. With the cost of gas, maintenance, and some potential repairs, the average annual cost of this car a year can run close to $1,500.
Rams are some of the most awarded pick-up trucks available and have been growing in popularity over the last few decades. An AC recharge might cost over $100 and to replace your alternator could set you back another $500.
BMW M6
The BMW M6 is one of BMW's performance cars and can be incredibly high maintenance and costly to own. The M6 is really impressive on the road and has almost 600 horsepower that comes from its twin-turbo engine.
With all of its power, the M6 can cost over $1,400 a year in maintenance alone. Some of the costs that drivers can expect are up to $200 for a horn replacement and up to $1,266 for an oil pan gasket replacement.
Acura TL
At one point, the Acura TL was the second best-selling luxury car in the United States but due to consumer dissatisfaction and criticism, Acura stopped making the car in 2014. The Acura TL had pretty high repair costs compared to the other luxury models in Acura’s lineup.
An air conditioning fan could cost up to $329 and a windshield washer pump replacement might be well over $100. Over a 10 year period, the Acura TL can cost over $12,000 in just maintenance and repairs.
BMW M5
BMW makes fast luxury cars and has been doing so for decades. The M5 is a sports sedan that looks and runs amazing but can be costly to own.
For starters, the car has pretty poor gas mileage so those with daily commutes can expect to pay more for fuel. Some of the BMW M5's common repair costs are up to $544 for a hood latch replacement and up to $2,263 for a clutch replacement.
Nissan Maxima
Nissan is often seen as a manufacturer that makes affordable cars but the costs of owning its luxury sedan model, the Maxima, might surprise you.
The cost of an average fan replacement has set some owners back over $700 and for a basic air filter replacement, owners can add on up to $100 in costs. At MSRP, the Maxima costs just under $34,000, and with average maintenance and repairs, expect to pay up to $1,000 annually.
Porsche Cayenne
The Cayenne is the larger SUV in Porsche's lineup and has been around since 2002. It’s a far reach away from the sports car models that most are accustomed to from Porsche but it was a choice that they felt was necessary to make in order to stay more competitive.
For something as simple as an oil change, buyers can expect to pay up to $400 which is almost 5x as much as a normal oil change. Hopefully, you're on good terms with your mechanic and get a better price.
Ford Mustang
Considered the car that started the "pony" car movement and also one of the first muscle cars to exist in the US, the Ford Mustang is not only popular but also iconic.
Buyers looking to buy one of these may be in for more money to maintain and repair this car then they expect. The average cost for some of the Ford Mustang repairs and maintenance range anywhere from paying up to $100 for an engine diagnosis to nearly $1,400 for a fuel tank replacement.
Audi A4
Around since 1994, the Audi A4 is Audi's first compact executive car model. Annually, an Audi A4 owner can expect to pay up to $1,000 a year on maintenance and repairs.
An oil change for an A4 will cost the owner an average of up to $180 compared to the $50 or less that others will pay for cars that are not as fancy. Luckily, drivers won’t be spending tons of money at the pump as the A4 gets over 40 mpg.
Mercedes-Benz SL550
The SL Class has been one of Mercedes-Benz's flagship cars for decades and still remains one of their most popular models today. The SL Class exudes luxury but also power for those looking for a crossover between both.
Buyers looking to get the SL550 can expect to pay over 6 figures for a base SL550 and its repairs can be expensive as well. An alignment, which can cost an average of $50-60 on most cars, can easily cost up to $150 for an SL550.
Dodge SRT Viper
Named after a venomous snake, the Dodge SRT Viper is also known to drain the accounts of its owners due to some high-cost repairs and maintenance.
Some of the Viper's common repairs are replacing the control arm which starts at nearly $5,000 as well as an engine mount replacement that starts around $400. The base cost of the Dodge SRT Viper starts at almost $100,000 with some of its more expensive models coming in at over $20,000 more.
Mercedes-Benz C300
The Mercedes Benz C300, which has been around since the mid-1990s, is one of Mercedes’ smallest models next to the A-class. Because the car is smaller, it is less expensive up front, coming in at only $40,000.
Over the course of owning the C300, a driver can expect to pay up to $1,000 yearly for upkeep. While the engine is smaller, a typical oil change will set you back up to $200 every time.
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
When it comes to German-manufactured luxury cars, the cost is generally more expensive. This is mostly because the cars are all built on the same platforms, meaning the BMW is built on the same platforms as cars like the Aston Martin and Bentley. T
The name CL itself means Coupe Light and Coupe Luxury, so if you own one of these cars, you could end up paying much more than you would normally.
BMW Z4
One of the sportier BMW models, the Z4 can also set back any potential buyers on just the maintenance and upkeep alone. For starters, the base MSRP of the Z4 is just at $50,000 which reserves the car for the middle class or higher.
In addition to the car just having lower than average gas mileage, buyers who decide on the soft-top can also expect more maintenance costs in the cloth repair.
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
The Mercedes Benz CLS Class is one of the pricier classes one can buy from the Mercedes lineup. It comes in a lot of different trim and engine levels and you can buy it in either 3.0-L V6, a 3.5-L V6, a 4.6-L twin-turbo V8, a 5.5-L twin-turbo V8, a 2.1-L I4 twin-turbo diesel, or a 3.0-L V6 turbo diesel.
Buyers could expect to pay some high maintenance costs as well as higher gas costs as the car doesn't get more than 16 mpg in the city.
BMW X6
This larger crossover SUV, which debuted in 2016, came with all of the bells and whistles that you can ask for. BMW, known for making luxury cars included high-ground clearance, all-weather ability, all-wheel-drive, and large tires for the X6.
Not only will drivers expect to pay a high cost for the upkeep of the X6 because it requires premium oil changes and parts, but the car also tends to be pretty bad on gas mileage. Any buyer should expect to spend a lot of time at the pump.
Chevy Cobalt
The Chevy Cobalt entered the overcrowded compact market with the hopes of delivering a higher-end vehicle that is more refined than the typical compact car. While it may look nice, the vehicle comes with a hefty $14,500 maintenance and repair cost over 10 years. The industry average is just $8,800 over that time period.
The data for this average is a curated aggregate total compiled by YourMechanic. It includes general maintenance and repairs which add to the vehicle's total cost of ownership.
BMWs Could Cost Up To $17,800 To Maintain
The BMW brand spans from mid-cost to luxury models and the cost of maintaining the company's fleet of vehicles is on the hefty side, even if you're buying an entry-level version.
If you decide to purchase a BMW, you can expect to pay around $17,800 in maintenance and repair costs over the next 10 years. The average length of vehicle ownership is around 12-years which means an added cost of around $20,000 during the lifetime of ownership.
A Mercedes-Benz Can Cost You $12,900 To Maintain
Much like BMW, the Mercedes-Benz lineup of vehicles spans the gamut from $35,000 entry-level vehicles to cars that cost into the six-figures. If you decide to buy a Mercedes on the cheaper end, you can still expect maintenance costs of around $12,900 over a 10-year period.
The cost of maintenance and repairs can equal about 40 to 50% of an entry-level C-class car from the auto manufacturer. Given the maintenance cost, you're almost better off going slightly higher-end with your purchase so your maintenance is at least justified a bit more.
Cadillacs Will Cost You $12,500 To Maintain
The cost of a Cadillac ranges from around $30,000 for the CT4 compact sedan to the CT5-V which costs around $69,995.If you plan on owning any Cadillac model for 10 years you can also throw in an added cost of $12,500.
That cost covers general recommended maintenance along with repair costs as compiled by YourMechanic. Given the lower cost of most Cadillac models compared to BMW and Mercedes, this could make the cost of ownership higher for the average entry-level buyer.
Volvos Cost $12,500 To Maintain
Volvo matches Cadillac's average 10-year maintenance and repair costs of $12,500. That cost rounds out to $1,250 per year which doesn't seem that significant, considering even an entry-level Volvo costs $39,945 for an S60 model.
If you go high-end, that same maintenance cost almost seems paltry compared to the 2020 Volvo V90 which runs $52,445. But it's not just luxury brands that will run more than $1,000 a year in repair and maintenance costs, as we'll soon find out.
Audi's Cost Of 10-Year Maintenance Is $12,400
YourMechanic looked at the 10-year average cost of repairing Audis and found a base price of $12,400. Those costs include general maintenance, breakdowns, and other fixed costs.
Given that recent Audio models range in price from $33,300 to $169,900 those repair costs can really add up on the lower end. Imagine paying more than 33% of your overall sticker price for 10 years of maintenance. Honestly, if you keep your Audi in tip-top shape, it's a small price to pay for the comfort this auto brand can offer you during your daily drives.
Chryslers Cost $10,600 To Maintain
Chrysler used to fall further down on this list but then Saturn, Mercury, and Pontiac stopped producing vehicles. Today, the average repair and maintenance costs for a Chrysler vehicle is around $10,600.
Keep in mind, the company makes a variety of vehicles including sedans and automobiles and each product segment has its own costs. Minivans are notoriously bad on the pocketbook while smaller sedans tend, in general, to fair better when it comes to repair and maintenance costs.
Dodge Vehicles Cost $10,600 On Average To Maintain
It's really not a surprise that the average cost of Dodge maintenance is the same as the Chrysler lineup. Dodge is owned by Fiat-Chrysler which means a lot of crossover in chassis, electrical system, and other components.
Dodge also manufactures various vehicle types that figure into the total cumulative 10-year maintenance total. For example, they own the Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, and the Dodge Ram pickup lineups. The Grand Caravan is going away in 2021 but for now, the aggregated repair costs average out to $10,600 over a 10-year period.
Acuras Cost Less Than $1,000 Per Year To Maintain
Kelly Blue Book praised the 2020 Acura MDX because it's so cheap to maintain. When a luxury vehicle is on the cheaper side to repair that means it's likely to break down less since its components are more expensive.
In fact, Acura in general has fared very well when aggregating together the total costs of its lineup of vehicles. The 2020 Acura ILX has a starting price of just $26,925. That means over 10 years you can expect to pay less than $40,000 or $4,000 per year to own and operate the vehicle.
Infinitis Are Shockingly Cheap To Maintain, At Under $10K
Depending on your selection, an Infiniti can range from around $37,000 to $70,000. When averaged together, the repair costs, even for the more expensive models, comes out to just $1,000 per year over a 10-year period.
Infinitis have some of the cheaper repair costs you'll find, based on their purchase price, and they are typically easy to maintain with fewer breakdowns. The fact that it's cheaper to maintain an Infiniti than cheaper Chrysler and Dodge options says a lot about the brand's focus on quality builds.
Fords Cost Just $9,100 To Maintain For 10 Years
The average cost of repairs and maintenance for a Ford vehicle over 10 years is a rather impressive $9,100. However, we like to remind ourselves that the company is discontinuing many of its cheaper sedans as it focuses on trucks and its higher-end vehicles.
It's likely that the cost of owning a Ford will increase when we're looking at the already-expensive Ford Mustang and typically higher cost pickup trucks. Still, the company has managed to avoid costly maintenance compared to some of its competitors, particularly Fiat-Chrysler, which competes in the exact same market segments.
