13 Affordable Vehicles That Will Bankrupt With Maintenance Costs

Affordable used vehicles are all the rage, especially in the current economy. The sheer number of cars on the road has brought the price point down on some luxurious used options.

However, used cars vary in reliability, and low mileage isn’t always the safest way to determine how dependable the purchase will be. The previous owner’s maintenance, driving, and storage habits all impact reliability.

That said, some cars were problematic when they were new, making them poor choices for used car purchases. Here are 13 affordable vehicles that will bankrupt you with maintenance costs.

Mazda RX-8

The Mazda RX-7 is one of our favorite sports cars. Unfortunately, the newer, less expensive RX-8 doesn’t always live up to its older sibling’s reputation. 

The Mazda RX-8 has a Renesis 13B Wankel engine that was meant to be pragmatic yet powerful. That said, this little power-packed motor can be too high-maintenance for the average car owner. It guzzles oil, chews through seals, and, if not appropriately maintained, requires a rebuild as early as 50k.  

Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 depreciates fast, meaning you can get a 5-year-old Ram 1500 for nearly 20k less than what the seller paid ‌for it brand new. That said, CarEdge reports a 54.8% chance that a Ram 1500 will need a major repair within the first ten years.

Statistically, a newer Ram 1500 costs its owner around $18,000 in maintenance fees and repairs in the first ten years, so whether new or used, RAM owners can expect to shell out more than they saved on the bottom line.

BMW E90 335i

We’ve seen BMW’s E90 335i listed on the used market for $5,000-$25,000. It’s a tempting offer, considering how good this luxury sedan looks and how much juice its twin-turbo-charged version of BMW’s signature 3.0-liter inline-six engine pumps out.

But the E90 335i’s twin-turbo isn’t the easiest motor to maintain. BMW engineering can be niche, and BMW service centers aren’t as widespread in the states. A lack of maintenance on these fancy turbos can result in overheating engines and faulty water pumps. 

INFINITI QX50

The INFINITI QX50 is a 5-seater luxury crossover SUV with a suite of technological features and a VC-turbo engine package. You can score a 2019 or 2020 ‌model X50 for around 20k, half of what a brand-new model costs. The flip side of that affordable deal is that it means the model loses value fast–let’s look at why.

During its first ten years of ownership, the INFINITI QX50 cost its owner an average of $10,657 in maintenance and repairs. That’s practically twice as much as the industry average for a luxury SUV’s maintenance and repair costs.

Dodge Stratus

The Dodge Stratus was an economy sedan in the early 2000s that borrowed its 2.7-liter V6 from the Chrysler Sebring. This engine was notorious for developing sludge deposits that contaminated the oil supply. 

Stratus owners also report frequent electrical failures and transmission problems. It’s not hard to find a used Dodge Stratus used on the cheap, but‌ used shoppers sometimes spend every penny they saved on repairs. 

Chrysler Sebring

As mentioned above, the Stratus took its V6 engine from the Chrylser Sebring, so it’s no surprise seeing them both on this list. The Sebring motor reportedly develops sludge that contaminates its oil supply. 

Contaminated oil means compromised cooling, which can lead to accelerated wear and tear or even overheating. 

Jeep Wrangler

Now, don’t get it twisted— we love our Jeep Wranglers. There’s nothing like crawling overland and ripping up dirt roads in an open-topped Wrangler. What’s more, the Wrangler has one of the deepest aftermarket catalogs in the game, making it a prize for off-roaders and custom car builders.

While Jeeps are celebrated for their adventurous spirit, safety and reliability have never appeared to be Jeep’s priority. CarEdge reports that a wrangler costs its owner an average of $10,397 in maintenance and repairs in the first 1- year.

It’s easy to get a good deal on a Wrangler. However, with a 31.13% chance a Wrangler will require a significant repair in the first decade of ownership, it’s a lot harder to call it a deal long-term. 

Nissan Altima

The early 2000s Nissan Altima’s 4-cylinder engine actually cranks out some decent power for a 2.5-liter. Driving an Altima is ‌more exhilarating than driving other early-2000s economy sedans, but torque dynamics in a package that small come at a cost. Before a 2007 update, the Altima’s engine was notorious for blowing seals. 

The Nissan Altima remains a popular choice for a budget-priced economy sedan, but even the new models aren’t the most reliable cars on record.

Consumer reports posted an NHTSA notice that reads, “Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020–2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.“

Jeep Cherokee

Limited storage space and a dragging pick-up speed already prevent the Jeep Cherokee from being the most celebrated SUV in its class. However, with a straightforward design concept that hasn’t been updated since 2014, the Cherokee is often priced in the bargain range.

That said, CarEdge numbers show that what you save on the used listing price, you could be spending on repair costs. The average Cherokee owner pays over ten grand in repairs and services in ten years. 

Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevy equinox is a popular choice for drivers in the market for a newer sedan that isn’t going to break the bank. Unfortunately for them, The Equinox has proved a car doesn’t have to be old to cost you a bundle in breakdowns.

According to Consumer Reports, the Equinox had issues with faulty seals causing fuel leaks, hydraulic brake failures, and detaching seat welds–and that’s just the 2019 model. Drivers of various year-model Chevy Equinoxes claim they experience multiple electrical problems with the vehicle, and minor issues add up to hefty repair bills.

Ford Escape 

Ford designed the Escape to be a sporty SUV at an affordable price point, and we’ll see used Escapes listed at a decent price now and then. But CarEdge claims that while the Escape isn’t the least reliable vehicle in its class, it tends to cost its owner about nine grand a decade in repair and upkeep charges.

Owners complain about the engine and transmission underperforming or misbehaving. Even if you score a deal on a new Escape, it’s known to depreciate by 54% in the first five years of ownership.   

Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevy Cruze was a global investment, as Chevy produced and distributed the Cruz in all its markets worldwide. That said, consumer reports show that the first-year-model Cruze is the lowest-rated sedan in the reliability category.

The Chevy Cruz may be one of the most affordable sedans on the market in multiple countries, but that doesn’t mean much when it’s in and out of the shop for the entire first year of ownership. Owners of the more recent year models still report electrical, transmission, and engine problems, including cracked pistons–an expensive fix.

The Ford F-450

Ford’s F-450 may not be cheap off the lot, but we see deals pop up now and then that makes us scratch our heads and wonder if a truck that big is justified. But a quick read of CarEdge’s maintenance cost reports will make us second-guess that decision, as the average F450 costs its owner a whopping $15,479 in the first ten years of ownership—and that’s when it’s brand new.

Furthermore, the F-450 has a 44.27% higher chance of needing a major repair in the first decade of ownership. All heavy-duty trucks can be expensive to own, but these numbers make the F-450 22.77% more expensive to own than other vehicles in its class.