Choosing a car to buy can easily be one of the most important decisions you made. Many of us practically live in our car. We would all love to go out and purchase our dream vehicle but we have to make realistic decisions.
Unless you have a lot of money or happen to be an expert mechanic, you should probably look into which are the cheapest cars to maintain.
Taking this into consideration can save you thousands of dollars along the line when the inevitable happens. Read on to see our list of the seven cheapest cars to maintain.
Don’t Bite The Bullet
We all know somebody who, for lack of a better word, wasted a lot of money on a car. My sister purchased an absolutely beautiful 1993 BMW 7 Series. It was a pleasure to drive and always turned heads.
Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the problems to appear. Things added up and, eventually, a thick plume of smoke would shoot out the exhaust on ignition. Now, we were turning heads for the wrong reasons.
An older BMW is best serviced by a certified BMW mechanic using premium parts. Of course, this was too expensive so we went to ‘the other guys’. To make a long story short, thousands of dollars were invested and the car was never really fixed.
High Maintenance vs Low Maintenance Cars
There are a number of factors that make a vehicle easy to maintain. You can usually make a number of assumptions just looking at the make.
Specialty automobiles, such as those that come from Germany and Italy, require a really high level of expertise to fix. Their mechanics go through years of training to be certified, and they charge accordingly. Also, they will insist on using the name-brand parts so you can’t save any money there.
Other, more common vehicles break down less often and are easier to fix when this does occur. The labor cost to get your car fixed will be much lower and you will have the option to use generic parts.
The Cheapest Cars to Maintain
Now that we see what can happen if we don’t consider the costs of maintenance. Oftentimes, a cheap maintenance car will get you the most bang for your buck.
Here is our list of the seven least expensive cars to maintain, according to auto repair experts. These cars are among the cheapest to work on since most mechanics can fix them and the parts aren’t astronomically pricey.
1. Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is probably among the cheapest cars to fix. Its yearly maintenance costs (and gasoline expenditure) can’t really get much cheaper.
This had made it one of the most popular cars in the United States for some time.
You will notice as this list goes on that Japan is the most represented country in this category. There is much to be said about the efficiency of their vehicles. They are recognized across the globe as being well designed and reliable.
2. Ford F-150
As far as trucks go, the F-150 is beloved for its style and dependability. Its reliability and simplicity make it one of the cheapest cars to work on.
Although the gas mileage isn’t as good as other options on this list, this vehicle has an overall better value than other trucks in its class because of its low cost of maintenance.
3. Honda Odyssey
Very few people dream of someday owning a minivan. However, you shouldn’t knock these very practical automobiles.
Vans tend to have very low maintenance costs. This is a great option for growing families.
With time, the van will grow on you and you will begin to love it for what it is. Otherwise, you will certainly fall in love with all the money you save.
4. Nissan Pathfinder
Large SUVs aren’t generally associated with efficiency or low maintenance costs. However, there are options within this class of trucks for those looking to save money on repairs.
The Pathfinder isn’t quite as popular as other large SUVs. However, it is reliable and easy to fix so it is starting to catch on.
5. Honda Accord
The roomy Accord is continuously recognized as one of the best family-type sedans on the market.
It is both affordable and reliable. Hondas are one of the most popular makes around the world, so finding a mechanic who specializes in Hondas is a breeze.
6. Toyota Avalon
Some people like to have a lot of space in their cars, but still, don’t feel comfortable buying an SUV. The Toyota Avalon is a full-size luxury sedan.
The Avalon is a larger, more comfortable version of the Camry. It is very stylish but also one of the cheapest cars to maintain in its class.
As we have grown accustomed to with Toyotas, the Avalon has a very desirable yearly maintenance cost.
7. Ford Mustang
You made be surprised to see this one on here but it was only right we included a performance car. It is possible to have a very fast, attractive ride that is also relatively easy to maintain.
When it comes to muscle cars, the Ford Mustang is relatively easy to fix. There are plenty of mechanics who specialize in this type of vehicle.
You don’t even want to know how much it costs to maintain a Lamborghini or even a Mercedes. But that doesn’t mean you are forced to drive a minivan either.
Plan Ahead to Save Thousands
You may want a cool, vintage car. You may have gotten what seems like a good deal on it. However, you have to consider the hidden costs down the line.
It is only a matter of time before your ride has to go to the shop, even if you drive safe, perform standard maintenance, and do everything else a responsible car owner should.
This list of the cheapest cars to maintain should give you a few ideas on where to begin. Check the reliability and maintenance costs of every vehicle you consider buying.
