WHICH Vehicles Under $125k Will You NEVER OWN Because Of The Potential Headaches And High Maintenance Costs?

00R is on the hunt to add a new vehicle for his stable and during our conversations one subject has come up on some of the vehicles I've suggested. High maintenance costs and less than stellar reliability.

Now we know some companies offer the free maintenance and certain rides that USED to guarantee you heartache from their gremlins have improved alot these last few years.

But there are still some gems out there you just can't touch unless 'DANGER' is your middle name.

So tell us Spies, which vehicles will you absolutely bypass in 2020 (as cool as they may look and perform) because you don't want to risk a life in the shop or a depleted nest egg due to high upkeep costs? And we're talking $125k or below sticker priced cars.

Runamukk - 9/12/2020 10:23:19 PM

+7 Boost

Anything Jaguar or Land Rover.

ricks0me - 9/12/2020 10:30:34 PM

-2 Boost

Any vehicle from $40,000 to $125,000 is off of the list

qwertyfla1 - 9/13/2020 8:16:06 AM

-1 Boost

I avoid anything European and this is why after 13 BMW’s and 3 Jags my current vehicles now are 1) an ancient F150 with 350K for work and still running strong 2) a 2017 Acura RDX -last year of the 6 cylinder and my current daily beater and 3) a 2019 Lexus RX350 Sport for the old lady. I buy my vehicles never lease and hold them long term driving 50KM/year. You can’t do that with a Benz or Bimmer without going for broke with MRO costs...

We could easily afford to park any car in our driveway but prefer reliability and long term resale values so we can park our money in appreciating assets and frankly don’t have to impress anyone. Besides there is a war on the rich brewing fuelled by the Bernie Sanders and AOCs of this world and being low key is advisable as too not to be a ANTIFA target or some other loser group of socialists.

I am thinking about getting a 2018 X3 though as my friend lease is coming up and only has 4000KM on the car with a cheap buyout. I could buy it and drive it for 1-2 years and still sell it for close to what I paid for it so that is tempting or I might get it for my Mom.

jeffgall - 9/13/2020 8:57:20 AM

-1 Boost

Anything Tesla

MDarringer - 9/13/2020 9:52:46 AM

-2 Boost

Anything Subaru, Nissan, Alfa-Romeo, Jaguar, Land Rover, VW, or Audi.

TauronB2G - 9/13/2020 11:51:28 AM

+3 Boost

Anything GM or Ford, BMW, Infiniti’s or Jaguars. I’ve had good luck with each of my Mercedes though.

Ccoxx - 9/13/2020 1:58:10 PM

+2 Boost

Over the last 15 ish years to current day our family has owned and owns Benz E-Class/SL, Porsche Boxster/Cayman/Cayenne/911, VW Jetta/Passat/GTI/GOLF R/ C6 Corvette. You could say that we are a car family/enthusiasts and have had the great experience of having lived in USA/Europe/Asia. All of the above mentioned cars have really treated us well and while we do drive 15-20 K miles a year we also are fastidious in proper care and maintenance. Some people complain if a car requires a oil change every 7 K miles but think a car is awesome if it's not required until 10-12 K miles - opinions vary on what a ownership headache is.

MDarringer - 9/13/2020 2:37:14 PM

-1 Boost

And some think 7K is too long.

Foncool - 9/14/2020 7:09:23 AM

0 Boost

Please explain the term high maintenance. The majority of upscale cars are leased, within that period maintenance consists of oil changes between 7,500 and 10,000 miles equaling once or twice a year at the most. Rotating tires along with the oil change unless the car has directional and staggered tires. A lot of checking and inspecting of areas, at 15k you’ll probably be required to change a cabin air-filter.

Depending on the type of driving the car is subjected to, brake pads and tires may need to Be replaced around 25,000 miles. You’ll probably replace the Engine air filter around 30k with the next oil change. Rotors are a possibility on the 2nd round of brake pads.

Other than the higher cost of modern lubricants, maintenance on modern cars is pretty minimal. There are no valve adjustments, re-torquing of the heads, cam belt changes, no points, no condensers. No one is adjusting the carbs or changing spark plugs with oil changes. (30k is probably the earliest one would change plugs, most are at 60 to 100k along with accessory belts.)

Spread out over the life ownership of the vehicle, maintenance really isn’t that high.

MDarringer - 9/14/2020 8:54:35 AM

-1 Boost

May I introduce you to Alfa-Romeo?

Foncool - 9/15/2020 12:28:36 PM

+1 Boost

Alfa Maintenance Schedule. Hardly High Maintenance

Every 10,000 Miles or One Year
Replace engine oil and filter
Check battery charge status
Check tire condition/wear/pressure
Check operation of exterior lights
Check and top up off fluids
Check engine control system operation (via diagnostic tool)
Check position and wear of front windshield wiper blades
Visually inspect condition and wear of front and rear disc brake pads and operation of pad wear indicators
Brake disc wear status check with diagnostic tool
Visually inspect surface and edges of brake discs
Visually inspect the condition and tensioning of the accessory drive belt
4-Cylinder – $179.95

6-Cylinder – $279.95

At 20,000 Miles or Two Years
Perform the 10,000-Mile Service PLUS:

Brake fluid flush
Cabin filter
4-Cylinder – $449.95

Brake fluid flush
Cabin filter
Engine air filter
6-Cylinder – $629.95

At 30,000 Miles or Three Years
Perform the 10,000-Mile Service PLUS:

Engine air filter
4-Cylinder – $249.95

Spark plugs
6-Cylinder – $699.95

At 40,000 Miles or Four Years
Perform the 20,000-Mile Service PLUS:

Belts
4-Cylinder – $629.95

6-Cylinder – $1,329.95