5 American Cars That Cost the Most Over Time
Careful car buyers spend plenty of time budgeting for the purchase — how much they can afford to spend, put down and finance, and what kind of monthly payment they can tolerate.
But even the most prudent buyers sometimes gloss over the long-term expenses that wind up sinking their budgets. Things like fuel, insurance, maintenance and repairs can cost thousands of dollars per year — and if you’re buying American, there are a few models you’ll want to examine extra closely.
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GOBankingRates spoke to auto industry experts who advise caution about the following American vehicles — not because they’re bad cars, trucks, vans and SUVs, but because they have a reputation for making their owners reach for their wallets more often than they had planned.
Dodge Ram 2500
America’s bigger-is-better truck culture compels some pickup enthusiasts to look past the ongoing expenses that come with all that horsepower, towing strength and payload capacity — and the Dodge Ram 2500 is proof.
“This full-size truck requires so many repairs throughout long-term ownership,” said Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org. “If you get the heavy-duty diesel version, you may get higher mileage, but your repair costs will be even higher.”
With 12 in the city and 18 on the highway, the Ram 2500 gets just 15 combined mpg.
Musson said that owners should expect to deal with expensive issues relating to the transmission, U-joints and electrical components. “The Ram tends to have more problems than most other vehicles, and the repairs are more expensive because of the heavy-duty parts,” she said.
RepairPal gives the Ram 2500 a middling 2.5 out of five stars, stating, “The average annual repair cost is $1,070, which means it has poor ownership costs” and that “the severity of repairs is high.”
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Chrysler Pacifica
The country’s best-selling minivan is powerful, capable, comfortable and spacious, but it can be costly to own in the long term.
“The Chrysler Pacifica stands out for its expensive repair costs, especially considering that its competitors, the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, have some of the lowest cost-of-ownership expenses,” said Musson. “The hybrid Pacifica tends to have issues with the battery, making ownership costs even higher.”
According to CarEdge, the average Chrysler Pacifica owner will spend $10,620 on maintenance and repairs during the vehicle’s first 10 years. That’s $1,289 more than the average minivan in its class. The Pacifica also has a 31.77% chance of requiring major repairs during that decade, which is 10.27% worse than similar vehicles in its segment.
Cadillac Escalade
Big, luxurious vehicles are attractive for obvious reasons. They’re capable, comfortable and crafted from premium materials — but they’re expensive to buy and tend to be costly to own.
“The Cadillac Escalade is a prime example,” said Geoff Cudd, founder of FindTheBestCarPrice.com.
It’s $82,000 starting MSRP is just the beginning of the money you’ll spend to own and drive one.
“Known for its luxury and size, it also comes with significant costs for fuel, insurance and parts,” said Cudd. “As it ages, the Escalade can require costly repairs, especially due to its advanced electronic systems and engine complexity.”
Like the Ram 2500, RepairPal gives the Escalade just 2.5 stars and writes, “The average annual repair cost is $1,007, which means it has poor ownership costs.”
Chevrolet Suburban
The other big name in big SUVs has a $59,200 starting MSRP — that’s much cheaper than the Escalade, but it has many of the same hefty long-term ownership costs.
“Another model that fits this description is the Chevrolet Suburban, which shares similar traits with the Escalade, leading to high maintenance and operational expenses over time,” said Cudd.
According to RepairPal, the massive Suburban’s “average annual repair cost is $944, which means it has poor ownership costs. Both the frequency and severity of repairs are higher than normal, so the Suburban is more likely to require major repairs when compared to other cars.”
By comparison, the average annual repair cost among full-size SUVs is $784 — and $652 for all vehicle models.
Jeep Wrangler
Adorable, consummately capable and instantly recognizable, the beloved cult favorite that is the Jeep Wrangler is easy to fall in love with at first sight — but love can blind you to burdensome long-term ownership expenses.
“These vehicles typically have higher maintenance and repair costs over time due to factors like complex technology and specialized parts,” said Shawn Miller of Modified Rides.
RepairPal says the average Wrangler owner spends $694 per year on maintenance and repairs, compared to $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle models.
CarEdge data shows that the average Wrangler costs about $10,397 to maintain and repair in its first 10 years — $1,264 more than the industry average for comparable popular SUVs. The publication writes, “Wranglers also suffer from a 31.13% probability of major repairs during that time, which is 9.63% worse than similar vehicles.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 American Cars That Cost the Most Over Time
