When you’re in the market to buy a new car, you’ll need to shop around for the best price while also paying attention to the average cost of maintaining that new set of wheels. The average car costs $1,400 to maintain up to 25,000 miles, according to YourMechanic.com, a site that has compiled and analyzed a dataset of all makes and models of cars they have serviced. You can expect that number to increase when you’re buying a luxury vehicle or foreign vehicle — especially through the first 75,000 miles.
Before you buy, take a peek at our list of five cars that can be fun to own, but expensive to maintain:
1. Chrysler 300
You might not have guessed a Chrysler would cost you a pretty penny, but a 2014 Chrysler 300 may be one of the most expensive cars to maintain over five years. The Edmunds True Cost to Own calculator reveals maintenance costs for five years will be around $7,791. You can also expect to pay about $2,137 in repairs, with the car depreciating to a total value of $16,432 at the five-year mark.
2. BMW 328i
It’s a sporty, high-performance vehicle that’s sure to turn plenty of heads, but it’s one that can also leave you stressed about repair bills. The BMW 328i will cost you roughly $11,800 to maintain for the first 75,000 miles, according to YourMechanic.com, so be sure to factor that cost in to your investment. This is especially important if you’re getting a car loan or financing, as you’ll want to have all your estimated costs covered.
3. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
A used 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class might fit the bill when you’re in the market for an SUV, but you’ll want to be aware of the total maintenance and repair costs of this gas guzzler. According to Edmunds’ True Cost to Own calculator, you can expect to shell out $7,672 in maintenance costs and $6,524 in repair costs by year five. You’ll also need to be prepared to fill up only on premium fuel — expect to pay almost $9,000 in fuel costs alone over the first five years of ownership.
4. Kia Rio
It might be one of the more efficient vehicles on the market, but a 2013 Kia Rio has much higher-than-average maintenance costs, ranking close to many high-maintenance luxury vehicles. Edmunds’ True Cost to Own calculator reveals maintenance costs are $6,235 for the first five years of owning a Rio. You can also expect to pay just about $2,000 in repairs over the first five years.
5. Audi S4
Another reliable but pricey vehicle to maintain, the 2014 Audi S4 Prestige quattro Sedan is a powerful set of wheels that you will need to budget for to keep it in good shape over the next few years. Total maintenance costs will run you just over $7,100 over the first five years, according to Edmunds’s True Cost to Own calculator. You can also expect to pay almost the same amount in repairs over the first five years. Plus, this vehicle tends to depreciate at a higher rate, particularly over its first three years.
