There is no such thing as a luxury or high-end model that is cheap to maintain. Most popular models among medium—to high-income demographics will cost quite a bit to keep on the road. Even when one buys a used vehicle at a fraction of its original market price, they often have to spend serious money on maintenance and repairs.
Unfortunately, this presents a problem for individuals who have a dream car. They may be the best in class, but they’re often the best at draining the wallet. Even when all the payments are settled, owners may still end up in the hole due to impromptu issues depending on the age or rarity of the parts needed. The following are a few models that fit this description.
BMW 7 Series
BMW 7 Series cars require specialized care and maintenance. Owning a 7 Series can cost you an estimated $50,000 over the first five years, and that’s only due to depreciation. Typical maintenance, like oil changes, filter replacement, and wheel alignment, is essential. These may cost up to $500, depending on the service location. Maintenance costs depend on the model year, mileage, and overall condition. As it ages, owners can experience higher costs because of wear and tear.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The S Class is the brand’s flagship model, offering the best in features, performance, and technology. Aside from the AMG and G segments, it also typically has the highest pricing among Mercedes model lines. According to CarEdge, over the first ten years, maintenance and repairs should cost the average individual approximately $12,632. While the depreciation rate may decrease, maintenance and repairs will surely increase, especially when the warranty expires.
Porsche 911
Porsche has a rich history, providing some of the best high-performance models in the world. The 911 is the most renowned due to its combination of elegance and its racing history. That said, most owners come from the higher income segments, so it is implied that maintaining one would be no different. The average cost of insuring one is more than $2,342.87 a year. Repairs and maintenance may cost the owner an additional $20,615 over the first ten years.
Tesla Model S
Tesla is a premier brand within the electric segment, with the Model S built for comfort and performance. It is also fitted with top-of-the-line technology. The fact that it does not rely on gasoline does not mean it offsets all maintenance. The Tesla Media Control unit, which acts as the hub for navigation and key settings, can be faulty, leading to a replacement cost of $2,700. Similarly, replacing its batteries may cost between $20,000 to $22,000 when labor is included.
Jaguar XF
Jaguars are among the rarest models in the market. They also require high-quality parts and servicing to keep them running smoothly. The Jaguar XF is elegant and one of the more popular considerations due to its better-than-average performance. The model should cost about $12,571 for maintenance over the first ten years of service—almost $3,000 more than the industry average. During this time, it will also require significant repairs compared to other models within the same segment.
Land Rover Range Rover
The Range Rover is the ultimate SUV, providing off-roading abilities, luxury, and technology in one unit. It is also perceived as a statement, regardless of the model year, that is suitable for the established customer. Range Rovers are also quite expensive to own, considering maintenance costs per year average roughly $9,000. Range Rovers are quite sensitive, requiring costly impromptu repairs if something goes wrong. Common issues include oil leaks and timing chains and air suspension failures, typically costing more than expected.
Maserati Quattroporte
The Maserati Quattroporte is one of the best-looking four-door luxury sports sedans ever produced. Due to its premium background, the Quattroporte is also quite expensive to maintain due to the costly nature of its parts and their rarity in the market. Maseratis are also prone to clutch malfunctions beyond the first 13,000 miles, and a standard replacement kit is $4,000. Aside from that, preventive maintenance may cost an estimated $1,600 every year.
Bentley Continental GT
The Bentley Continental GT is a solid luxury vehicle boasting performance and luxury. Its replacement parts are rare and quite expensive. The average cost of owning one for five years could be as much as $300,000. This varies depending on depreciation, insurance premiums, maintenance, fuel costs, and financing. However, sudden repair costs are not included in this estimation and may increase costs further if something arises.
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most popular American sports cars with a rich heritage dating back to the 50s. It is currently one of the more expensive cars to buy, but the costs also extend to overall maintenance. Its estimated total costs of repairs and maintenance over the first ten years of ownership can come to $8,223, according to CarEdge. Depreciation, taxation, insurance, and fueling may cost you up to $102,000. Similarly, Corvettes are prone to specific issues the older they get, so individuals may have to deal with engine repairs or clutch replacement.
Ferrari 458 Italia
The 458 is considered one of the all-time great Ferraris with sustainable value and reliability. However, it is also one of the more expensive models to take care of once bought. Typical annual servicing may cost $1,050, depending on the facility, though major servicing will cost significantly more. Unfortunately, the 458 is prone to engine and transmission issues with time. The rarity of these components bears on pricing at the end of the day.
Lamborghini Aventador
The Lamborghini Aventador is a flagship model of the striking supercar manufacturer. As one of the most expensive cars Lamborghini offers, it is not surprising that running one would be equally as costly. Lamborghini’s are typically assembled using exotic materials. The mid-engine layout also makes mechanical repairs and maintenance much more time-consuming and expensive. The annual expense of the Aventador’s maintenance can reach upwards of $4914 a year. Over five years, the cost of ownership can go as high as $400,000 when depreciation, taxes, fueling, and maintenance are considered.
Aston Martin DB9
The DB9 is one of the most popular Aston Martin’s ever made, combining style and performance in one. It is also rare because the automaker did not produce many units, so servicing is quite expensive, ranging between $500 to $1,000, depending on what needs to be done. Replacement parts are going to be costly as well. If the engine were to let go, the owner would probably be looking at a $30,000 repair bill—about the same as buying the average new vehicle. The Aston also depreciates significantly upon purchase, despite the fact it may soon be considered part of the classic car category.
BMW M5
The BMW M5 was made to be perfect with its high-quality engineering, style, and performance. The build quality, though, comes at a price reflected not only upon purchase but also in the running of the vehicle. According to RepairPal, average maintenance and repair costs can total up to $1,173. That comes to over $11,000 within the first ten years. Unscheduled repairs will cost much more. Depreciation is also significant following the first two years after purchase.
Are They Really Worth the Purchase?
Considering the above, it is critical to do your research and crunch the numbers before you purchase a car that is likely to come with high maintenance costs. Most exotic sports cars are bound to drain your pockets, but the thrilling driving experiences they will deliver may be worth the cost. It all depends on your preferences and financial muscle.
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Mark Muhoro is a car enthusiast and writer who loves everything about automobiles. With over 11 years of experience in the automotive industry, Mark has become an expert in how cars work and what makes them special. He writes clear and interesting articles about cars for magazines and websites, making valuable contributions to renowned platforms like Vroom Magazine, Internet Brands, and Contentmotive.
