If you just look at the MSRP, it's pretty easy to figure out what car models are the cheapest ones to buy, according to Bankrate.com, and we think they are right to also consider things like insurance and fuel cost, which together can easily be double the cost of the purchase itself. Still, the list points to one common factor: they're small cars. And the costliest cars? They tend to be the big "luxury" brands from Europe.
Hybrid cars can drive down the overall fuel cost, but price remains the biggest single chunk of the cost of ownership, with fuel cost coming in second if you ignore depreciation (which might not matter if you keep the cars a lot longer than normal anyway).
Later, we'll list the costly cars in this article, but here's the cheap car list, from the cheapest to the not so cheap to own:
1. Honda Fit, whose MSRP is just $13950
| MSRP: From $13,950 Taxes and fees: $1,336 Depreciation: $9,172 Finance interest: $2,870 | Insurance: $7,021 Fuel cost: $10,297 Maintenance: $2,885 Repairs: $654 Total: $34,235 |
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Details for the cars that follow can be seen on the Bankrate.com site by clicking here.
4. Toyota Yaris, $11,550
5. Nissan Versa, $12,990
6. Scion xB, $15,750
7. Pontiac Vibe, $15,310
8. Toyota Corolla, $15,250
9. Kia Rio, $10,890
10. Suzuki SX4, $14,770
On the other hand, if you've got money to burn then it's pretty easy to identify the more common cars that you can spend it on. so here's that list, too:
1. Mercedes CL class
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2. Mercedes S class
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3. Mercedes SL class
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Details for the other money-burners can be seen on Bankrate.com by clicking here.
4. Audi R8, $112,500 (yeah, but a car so cool you can't even find one)
5. BMW Alpina S7, $115,000
6. BMW M6, $100,300
7. BMW M5, $83,900
8. Audi S8, $93,300
9. Mercedes G class, $88,200 (go figure, a dressed up LandRover is what it looks like)
10. Audi A8, $70,690
So, you think that Malibu is a lemon, huh? How would you like to have a Mercedes or BMV or Audi that cost you an arm and a leg and it won't run? And, we've had cases against all three of them.
No matter what you pay for it, your new car or truck should be built right. When it isn't, we can help squash your lemon. After all, that's what we do. Everyday.
www.NewCarLemonLaw.com
Because life's too short to put up with a bad car (or a bad truck).
To find a Lemon Law lawyer near you, click here.
Click here to see what your state's lemon law says.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Known nationwide as a leading Lemon Law attorney, Ronald L. Burdge has represented literally thousands of consumers in "lemon" lawsuits and actively co-counsels and coaches other Consumer Law attorneys. From 2005 through 2018, attorney Ronald L. Burdge has been named as the only Lemon Law Ohio Super Lawyer by Law and Politics magazine and Thomson Reuters Corp., Professional Division. Burdge restricts his practice to Lemon Law and Consumer Law cases. The Ohio Super Lawyer results are published annually in the January issue of Cincinnati Magazine. Ronald L. Burdge was named Consumer Law Trial Lawyer of the Year 2004 by the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the nation's largest organization of consumer law private and government attorneys. "Your impact on the auto industry has been magnified many times over because of the trail you blazed for others," stated NACA's Executive Director, Will Ogburn. Burdge has represented thousands of consumers in Ohio, Kentucky and elsewhere since 1978 and is a frequent lecturer to national, state and local Bar Associations and Judicial organizations. Burdge is admitted to Ohio's state and federal courts, Kentucky's state courts, and Indiana's federal courts. Other court admissions are on a "pro hac" temporary, case by cases basis.