How much does it really cost to maintain a standard car compared to a luxury car
Luxury cars are more expensive than standard cars, and maintenance is more expensive. The Acura TL costs $100 more a year than the Honda Accord.
If you're willing to give up your used Toyota Camry, chances are good that you've been considering more premium offerings as a replacement. It's a natural desire to desire a luxury car after years of commuting in a run-of-the-mill but reliable sedan, but you shouldn't just jump ship without doing your due diligence.
Not only will maintenance costs increase, but operating costs will also affect your wallet. To better help you move from losing your car in the parking lot to inspecting it after every ride, here are three scenarios that detail the transition from a regular car to a luxury model and the costs associated with each, including oil changes, spark plugs. , and other ongoing operating costs.
Toyota Camry on Lexus GS350
Many love the Camry for its reliability, durability and low maintenance, making it the best-selling passenger car in the US. While this is great for current and future owners, it's a little disappointing for drivers who want a little more exclusivity in their cars. drive.
A natural transition from the Camry to Toyota's other four-door model, the Lexus GS350. This premium offering features top-notch build quality and rear-wheel drive, but the question is, will it be as efficient to operate as the Camry?
According to our estimator, the difference in annual scheduled maintenance costs between the two is not that big - the difference is about $28. This is because Toyota manufactures the parts as interchangeable. You should be aware of Lexus' commitment to premium fuel and the increased cost of low-profile tires, but beyond that, you should be able to find it in your budget to indulge in a reliable, luxury offering.
Honda Accord for Acura TL
If you're tired of your Honda Accord being too common, it might be time to upgrade to a more exclusive but familiar offering: the Acura TL. Based on the Accord chassis, the TL, especially in its third generation version (2004-2008), is arguably one of the best front wheel drive offerings available today and can even be fitted with a six speed manual transmission.
Regardless, the TL is more expensive to run than its more plebeian relative. Our data shows the Acura's annual maintenance cost is $324, nearly a hundred dollars more than the Accord. Large purchases tend to happen when TL is eight years old, as replacing a timing belt at a dealership is expensive. You can keep this price down by working with experienced mobile mechanics who will come to you and do the replacement right in your driveway, so keep that in mind.
Depending on the trim level and model year of your Accord, switching to a more premium Acura might not be such a drastic change in terms of running costs, as the Accord has moved closer to the TL in terms of features and performance. model years.
Nissan Altima v Infiniti M56
Tired of your four-cylinder four-door? Why not upgrade to a 420-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 super sedan? While you might think Infiniti's mighty flagship of the past five years might be too out of reach, used prices are lower and average maintenance costs are just $83 a year more than the Altima. However, you do need to be aware of the sequence of repairs required to service an Infiniti V8, so expect a higher frequency of visits from the mechanic.
Another point to pay attention to is fuel costs. A 2.5 2013-liter Nissan Altima can average 31 mpg on regular fuel. With an average gas price of $2.37, a 15,000-mile per year commute to work would cost about $1,112. With Infiniti and its mixed mid-range and premium mpg fuel needs, yearly gas costs almost double compared to Altima.
When deciding to go from standard to luxurious, it's important to weigh your needs against your desires. If you commute to work for a long time and mostly by highway, switching to a premium sedan may not be as significant and may well improve your mood and improve your quality of life. However, if you spend most of your time driving in city traffic, you might want to look into the more economical midsize sedan and remember that once you start ticking the boxes, the Accord can be equipped to compete directly with its luxury counterparts. .
Seek out a mechanic for expert shifting advice - they have real-world, hands-on experience with all makes and models and can give you a realistic overview of repair, maintenance, and operating costs.
