Luxury cars, by what they are, are expensive. The average luxury car price hovers around $75,000, but you can easily find one that fits the six-figure number. You’re also looking at potentially spending thousands or tens of thousands more than the sticker price once you figure out taxes, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, and possible financing fees.
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However, value is highly subjective. For some people, the concept of spending $20,000 or more on a car seems like overkill. For others, spending $100,000 is perfectly acceptable, even with potentially expensive upkeep costs.
Still, if you’re thinking of buying a luxury car this year and want to know which ones might not be worth the upkeep, here are some options.
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Maserati Grecale
According to Joe Giranda, automotive expert and director of sales and marketing at CFR Classic, the Maserati Grecale may not be worth the cost. This luxury SUV costs around $75,000, but you can feel “overwhelmed by the cost.”
“Although it carries the prestigious Maserati badge, its interior quality and technical features don’t measure up to competitors like the Porsche Macan,” he said. “You can get more sophisticated craftsmanship and technology elsewhere for a similar price.”
Maseratis are also highly famous for maintenance. According to ConsumerAffairs, preventative maintenance alone costs an average of $1,600 per year. A typical vehicle costs close to $650 for both maintenance and repairs.
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Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is luxurious with a futuristic design. It also has a solid-state electric range of about 305 miles. It also costs about $105,000 in base.
According to Giranda, this vehicle does not measure up to its competitors in terms of price or quality of interior materials.
“At this price, there are other luxury EVs that offer better value,” he said.
This particular electric SUV didn’t last long, but Mercedes-Benz tends to be expensive to maintain. For the first 10 years of service alone, some models cost about $14,175. That’s nearly $1,100 more than similar luxury brands.
Two luxury cars that might be worth keeping
According to Giranda, the Maserati Grecale and Mercedes-Benz Eqs SUVs may not be worth the high maintenance costs, but your next vehicle might be.
Genesis GV80: “Genesis has built a reputation for blending luxury and practicality, making it an excellent choice,” he said. This particular SUV has the advanced technology, sleek design, and quality materials you’d expect in a vehicle like this, but with a starting price of around $57,000. This is lower than what you get with other luxury SUV brands. Lexus LC 500: The Lexus LC 500 has a starting price of around $99,000, making it one of the more expensive options on this list. That said, Giranda noted that it has a stunning design and offers a luxurious driving experience. Lexus is also known to be a reliable brand. That means less frequent trips to the auto shop.
Tips for choosing the best luxury car
When it comes to vehicles such as luxury, it’s very likely that one person’s experience will be very different from the next. For example, you’ll end up with a Maserati Grecale and find it’s worth the upkeep and associated costs. Or buy a Lexus LC 500 and find out it’s not.
It’s ultimately about what you’re looking for, what you want addressed, and your financial situation. That said, here are some tips to make shopping for a luxury car a little easier.
Please do your research. Before you invest, compare different luxury cars to see what’s available, the different price ranges, and which price ranges require what you need. Set your price and budget. No matter how appealing that upgrade is, try to stick to a budget you’re comfortable with. Make sure your budget accounts for other up-front and ongoing costs. That way, avoid getting into sticky areas. Test drive some cars. Online research is one thing, but nothing beats a good test drive. Once you have your shortlist of vehicles, take some time to test them out. Compare dealers. Don’t go to the first dealer that sells you the car you want unless it’s really the perfect fit. Compare several locations and look for current incentives and promotions to narrow down the list until you find the right one for you.
This article originally appeared on gobankingrates.com: Two New Luxury Cars.
