Car repair costs compared
 

Best 10, Worst 10 Cars for Repair Costs
Monday, September 1, 2008

Anyone in the market for a new car this year should factor in a number of other costs, such as the interest rate on the loan, depreciation, reliability, fuel economy and -- not to be overlooked -- maintenance and repair.

Consumer Reports magazine says maintenance and repair costs combine to equal about 4 percent of the total cost of owning a car over the course of five years.

Maintenance includes scheduled work -- like oil changes, tuneups, filter replacements and tire rotation -- and unscheduled replacements such as batteries, brakes, tires and exhaust systems. Many repairs are covered by a new car's warranty, especially in the first few years, but can mount up after the warranty expires.

Here's a look at what are expected to be the 10 most expensive and the 10 least expensive 2008 model cars for maintenance and repairs over a five-year time frame.


10 Most Expensive

Ranking
Make/Model
Maintenance
Repairs
Total

1 Dodge Viper
$8,209
$2,114
$10,323

2 Jaguar XK-Series
$5,456
$4,171
$9,449

3 Jaguar XJ-Series
$5,299
$4,150
$9,449

4 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
$4,910
$4,317
$9,227

5 Land Rover Range Rover
$4,678
$4,317
$8,996

6 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
$5,963
$2,793
$8,756

7 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
$5,988
$2,742
$8,730

8 Land Rover LR3
$4,424
$4,213
$8,637

9 Audi RS4
$6,164
$2,442
$8,606

10 BMW Alpina B7
$6,018
$2,516
$8,534


10 Least Expensive

Ranking
Make/Model
Maintenance
Repairs
Total

1 (tie)
Suzuki SX4
$2,615
$596
$3,211
Honda Element
$2,518
$693
$3,211

3 Nissan Versa
$2,587
$654
$3,241

4 Hyundai Accent
$2,724
$569
$3,355

5 Kia Sedona
$2,786
$569
$3,355

6 Honda Pilot
$2,678
$703
$3,381

7 Hyundai Veracruz
$2,786
$611
$3,398

8 Suzuki XL7
$2,794
$609
$3,403

9 Honda CR-V
$2,708
$703
$3,410

10 Mazda Tribute
$2,686
$769
$3,455

One thing's for sure, my diesel is WAAAY cheaper than any of those. :D So far I've spent maybe $400 all year on "maintenance" (included some frill purchases and a normal oil/transmission fluid change) etc....

My insurance is about $810 a year right now.....and fuel is a wash, it'd be close to the same with nearly any car that gets reasonable mileage.

So my car costs me about $1300 or less a year currently, aside from fuel but that doesn't count. :D

Even in my most expensive repair years in the past it never went over $3000 total...(including insurance).....can't beat that! :D

I've got them all beat

Delorean/DMC 12

bought it for $2000
needs $20k in parts and work

I bought a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2005 with 30K miles. Over the next 3 years and 40k miles, I spent $60 in repairs (battery cable), plus the routine oil changes. Thats it. No tires, no wipers, nada.

2003 BMW X5.

Free maint/repairs until 50k.

Then.... 2 years and 20k later.

500.00 maint.

$6000.00+ repairs. :eek:

Finally will be rid of it tomorrow, hopefully.

10 BMW Alpina B7
$6,018
$2,516
$8,534


WRONG!

Unless Alpina BMW's are void from their ultimate service, it should cost them a penny for the first 4 years and 50,000 miles.

As for the Viper.... WTF? Are they assuming that a person is driving it 15,000 miles a year?

That's $8000 in tires and brakes from tracking it.

Sixto
87 300D

There ya go. :D