Car experts advise against buying these fast cars that are too expensive to repair

Car experts advise against buying these fast cars that are too expensive to repair


The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, BMW 220d, model M Sport, Storm Bay Metallic, 18” rim Styling 819 M (10/2019).

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A complex combination of factors drives up the cost of vehicles of all models. Regardless of the initial cost, every driver wants a car that won’t burden them with expensive repairs for years to come.

But for those with both a need for speed and the cash to buy a sports car, expensive repairs are just another price to pay for a luxury car, says Chris Pyle, a full-time virtual mechanic at JustAnswer, the on-demand platform for experts.

“Typically, people who can afford the cars listed below can also afford insurance, maintenance and repairs,” Pyle said. “Middle- and high-income car buyers may not have enough money to fully enjoy owning one of these cars.”

Although Pyle admits that “the three big American muscle cars and sports cars are relatively good and not overly expensive to maintain and repair,” as the price of a vehicle increases, so do the cost of repairs.

“On exotic models, repair costs are insanely high. Brake repairs cost over $1,000 and tires over $300 apiece,” Pyle said. “Hopefully the engine or drivetrain doesn’t fail. It can cost $30,000 or more. Sometimes even simple maintenance is absurdly expensive.”

With that in mind, here are seven car brands (and, in some cases, models to pay special attention to) that you shouldn’t buy unless you have a deep bank account. With the exception of a few outliers (such as Nissan’s GT-R), Pyle “didn’t choose a specific model for some of these brands because those manufacturers produce a lot of fast cars that meet the criteria of being expensive to own.”

7. Nissan

Nissan isn’t exactly known for its sports cars, and it’s in the middle of the pack when it comes to the cost of maintaining and repairing one of its models over its lifetime. However, as Pyle points out, the GT-R is the exception in Nissan’s lineup.

The original Nissan GT-R was first introduced in 1969 with the nickname “Skyline.” These models are hard to find, especially the R32, which has become one of the most sought-after Nissans among collectors due to its advanced technology and impressive performance. According to Car and Driver, the latest GT-R costs between $123,000 and $223,000 depending on the trim and will cost you dearly due to unexpected mechanical issues and collision damage.

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6. BMW

According to CarEdge’s list of the 15 most expensive cars to maintain, BMWs are more common than any other brand’s models. According to RepairPal, BMWs require expensive maintenance costs averaging $968 per year, and the brand ranks 30th out of 32 car brands in the website’s reliability study. If you own an X-Series vehicle, expect to pay at least $17,516 (for the X1) to $18,900 (for the X6 M) in repair costs over a ten-year period.

5. Mercedes Benz

Mercedes-Benz is known for its ability to combine luxury with cutting-edge technology, as well as its high-quality materials and powerful engines. Unfortunately, the company is known for its unreliability, and its models are notoriously expensive to repair. Steven Elek, program manager for vehicle data analysis at Consumer Reports, stated, “Over a 10-year period, maintenance and repair costs for Mercedes-Benz models are more than double those of Lincoln.” Pyle highlights the high-performance Mercedes-AMG variant as being particularly expensive to repair.

4. Land Rover

Land Rovers are known for their rugged 4x4s and are driven hard. According to CarEdge, a Range Rover costs an average of $735 in annual repair costs in the first year and about $18,228 in maintenance and repairs in the first 10 years of ownership. Reliability has been questioned by RepairPal, which ranks Land Rover 31st out of 32 among all car brands.

Consumer Reports has more insulting things to say about Land Rover than CarEdge and RepairPal. The site ranked Land Rover as the second worst car brand (behind only Jeep), with higher maintenance and repair costs than any other brand, in part due to the expensive, exclusive parts on its models.

3. Porsche

Overall, 51.17% of Porsche owners will need a major repair within the first ten years. According to CarEdge, this is 16.08% more likely than other brands in the same price range. In terms of models, you might think that more expensive 911s would cost more to repair, but the Cayenne and Macan are the two most expensive Porsches to maintain, with the larger and more powerful Cayenne costing slightly more both to buy new and to repair over time ($20,552 over ten years versus $20,137).

2. Bentley

Bentley’s coveted Bentayga (average new price: $287,638) and Continental GT ($364,625) are the two most expensive luxury cars to maintain. According to CarEdge, 10-year ownership costs are $27,967 and $23,331, respectively. Including depreciation, insurance, maintenance, finance costs and fuel costs, it costs an average of $285,586 to own a Bentley for five years, according to the website.

1. Ferrari

According to several Ferrari dealers, the average annual maintenance cost for a Ferrari is between $1,500 and $2,000. Doug DeMuro, author of Plays With Cars, wrote in an article on Jalopnik that routine costs were a bit higher — over $2,300 for tire and oil changes, over $1,700 for replacing the front brake pads and rotors — but his 360 was fortunately trouble-free. But for a work of art that normally costs over $150,000, you have to expect a hefty cost in the event of an unexpected repair.

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