When buying a car, you don’t always get what you pay for, and some brands are notorious for producing vehicles that command high purchase prices or have excessive long-term costs while comparable competitors offer more for less.

GOBankingRates spoke to industry experts about which car brands to avoid, as other automakers offer better deals. If you’re in the market for a new car, you definitely don’t want to drive away with one of these cheap brands when there are better alternatives.

Trending Now: 7 Reasons You Need to Talk to a Financial Advisor Before Spending $10,000 or More

For you: 4 affordable car brands you won’t regret buying in 2024

Earning passive income doesn’t have to be difficult. You can start this week.

Maserati

If you have the means to shop in the luxury segment, Zach Asher, owner of Amerigo Auto Transport, recommends avoiding the prestigious but expensive Maserati brand.

“While it offers a sign of exclusivity and an exciting driving experience, the long-term costs can be enormous,” he said. “Maintenance costs are notoriously high, with routine maintenance often costing over $1,000. In addition, the depreciation of this car is staggering, and it can lose up to 50% of its value in three years.”

But don’t worry. If you have the cash, there are options that offer just as much performance, elegance and prestige.

“Porsche is a great choice for those looking for a similar thrill with more value,” Asher said. “The Porsche 911, for example, holds its value better and has a more reliable service network, making it a smarter buy among luxury sports cars.”

Consider this: 6 cars with bad reviews to avoid

jaguar

Asher also described Jaguar as a brand with great potential for improvement in terms of long-term value.

“Jaguars do indeed have an elegant British style and grace,” he said. “However, their track record on reliability leaves much to be desired. Frequent electrical problems combined with high repair costs make owning a Jaguar an expensive proposition at best.”

Toyota’s luxury division will treat you and your wallet more gently.

“If someone wants both luxury features and safety, Lexus should always be preferred over Jaguar,” Asher said. “Specifically because the ES not only represents an affordable entry into the segment, but also offers legendary reliability, lower maintenance costs and higher resale values, which ultimately makes it more practical.”

Land Rover

If you want to stand out, the brand behind the legendary Range Rover may be on your shortlist – but maybe it’s time to cross it off the list.

The story continues

“Land Rovers are status symbols,” says Melanie Musson, automotive industry expert at CarInsurance.org. “They have a lot of reliability issues. With $50,000 to $100,000 cars, you can expect durability and years of reliable service. Instead, you have to trade in your vehicle after a few years if you want to enjoy maintenance-free reliability.”

In this case, you don’t have to upgrade to Toyota’s luxury brand to find a better deal than Land Rover can offer.

“Toyota offers an excellent alternative to many Land Rover models,” said Musson. “Toyotas are cheaper and more durable.”

Volvo

There was a time when Volvo stood for cutting-edge safety, but the competition has largely caught up and many rivals offer comparable features and luxury at a lower price.

“Today, this cult and premium brand, apart from its luxurious appeal, is no longer worth the high purchase price,” said Peter Dubois, managing director of the vehicle search directory Find by Plate.

“Not only because they are unreliable, but also because they have a low resale value, especially when you consider how much they cost both to buy and to maintain on a regular basis,” he said. “On the other hand, competitors like Mazda and BMW retain their resale value much longer than Volvo. They are also more reliable and cost much less to maintain.”

Volkswagen

VW has long been praised as an import product for everyone, but the brand has not had an easy time of it – and for your wallet, there are better roads elsewhere.

“Another brand with declining reliability and therefore not worth the cost and stress of ownership is Volkswagen,” Dubois said.

“From emissions scandals in 2015 to regulatory issues, this brand has been unable to offer its customers reliable car options and has actually been unable to withstand the pressure of competition over the years – neither in terms of the evolving market nor in terms of quality that can be trusted,” he said. “Better options for Volkswagen are Toyota and Subaru. Both brands are known for their reliability and offer consistently high performance with impressive fuel efficiency.”

More from GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Car Brands That Aren’t Worth the Price