Car Experts Say Beware These 6 Sports Cars That Cost the Most Money Over Time
If you’re in the market for a sports car, you’re probably attracted to the speed, power and driving experience. But even if you’re prepared to spend the money, you may be surprised by the true cost of ownership. These kinds of cars tend to come with long-term costs you might not be expecting.
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Before you commit to buying your dream car, think beyond the sticker price. It’s true that owning any car comes with its share of ongoing expenses, but some might cost you more than you bargained for.
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Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia, particularly in its high-performance Quadrifoglio trim, is a stunning Italian sports sedan. But you should be aware of the long-term costs before you buy.
“The Alfa Romeo Giulia made a groundbreaking appearance in 2015, enticing many petrolheads to buy one,” said Evaldas Zabitis, automotive expert at carVertical. “However, owners experienced various issues within the first months and even weeks of driving, forcing them to visit the dealership repeatedly afterward. The problems persist today, including electrical gremlins, engine misfires, brake system failures and leaks.”
Repeated trips to the mechanic won’t just inconvenience you, they’ll also be expensive, especially once your warranty expires.
“And it’s not like you could buy the Giulia and hope to dodge these issues,” Zabitis said. “They will happen at some point, so you have to be prepared.”
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BMW X6 M
The BMW X6 M is a unique vehicle that combines the utility of an SUV with the performance of a sports car. But this blend comes at a cost, both up front and over time.
“The BMW X6 M combines luxury with performance, but its added weight and complexity lead to hefty maintenance bills,” said the AI auto expert at AutoEasy.com, founded by Daniel Yuabov. “Owners can expect to spend about $5,200 over the first five years. The X6 M’s high-end features and performance capabilities significantly contribute to its elevated servicing costs.”
The complex systems of the X6 M, including the high-performance engine and advanced suspension, require specialized care — and that tends to be expensive.
Maserati Gran Turismo
The Maserati Gran Turismo is an Italian grand tourer whose maintenance costs are notoriously high, even by luxury car standards. And, like many exotic cars, it loses value quickly.
“Maserati produces some of the fastest-depreciating cars on the market, and the main reason for this is insanely poor reliability and maintenance costs,” Zabitis said. “The Gran Turismo is no exception, as it suffers from electrical and mechanical issues. For example, some cars had faulty ECUs, resulting in unexpected engine shutdowns. Moreover, many Maserati cars break down because of incorrect maintenance. These cars require deep and specialized knowledge to perform maintenance and repairs correctly. Therefore, even sorting out minor niggles can cost you thousands of dollars.”
Maserati parts are expensive, and it might be hard to find a mechanic qualified to service the Gran Turismo as well.
Porsche Panamera
Like other Porsche models, the Panamera’s maintenance costs can get expensive fast. Routine services and repairs can come at a premium, because these cars need special care from a qualified mechanic.
“With an average maintenance cost of $4,700 over five years, the Porsche Panamera is another high-maintenance sports car,” AutoEasy.com said. “This luxurious four-door sedan comes with a complex hybrid system that requires specialized care, driving up its maintenance and repair expenses.”
Depreciation for the Panamera can be steeper than some might expect from a Porsche. It does tend to hold its value better than some competitors; but, when the initial purchase price is so high, even a 10% drop in value means you’ve lost a lot of money.”
Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type is a beautiful British sports car with a powerful engine and a luxurious interior. Reliability has been a persistent issue for Jaguar, and the F-Type is no exception.
“Jaguar fans like to exaggerate the F-Type’s reliability with terms such as ‘completely reliable’ or ‘a dependable daily car,'” Zabitis said. “However, while it may be reliable compared to older Jaguar models, the F-Type is prone to numerous annoying and expensive problems. For example, the timing chain can jump due to flawed chain guides, a water pump can fail prematurely, and various fluid leaks appear out of nowhere. The Jaguar F-Type is one of the best-looking cars in its class but also one of the most expensive to maintain.”
Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car with a loyal following — and for good reason. But just because it has a great reputation doesn’t mean it doesn’t also come with high long-term costs.
“The Porsche 911 is a performance legend, but maintaining it is equally legendary for its cost,” AutoEasy.com said. “Over five years, the average maintenance cost for a Porsche 911 hovers around $5,400. This high expense is due to the flat-6 engine, which requires meticulous care and regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Despite being one of the best-performing cars in its class, the financial strain of its upkeep is substantial.”
The advanced engineering of the 911 means you’ll need to have it maintained on a regular basis to keep it running smoothly.
“It not only costs a lot to buy one of these, it costs a lot to keep it pristine,” said Chris Pyle, auto expert at JustAnswer.com. “So much money goes into making these cars nice inside and out, with lots of power under the hood, steering, brakes and suspension upgrades. These parts are not cheap and are not made aftermarket in most cases. So a simple repair that may cost $400 on one car can cost $2,000.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Car Experts Say Beware These 6 Sports Cars That Cost the Most Money Over Time