4 Costly Car Picks To Rethink in Retirement
Retirement should be a time when you travel, golf and spend quality time with family and friends -- not visit your mechanic. So, when it comes to cars, you want a reliable ride that's easy on the fuel and maintenance costs, especially if you are on a fixed income.
"The key for retirees is to prioritize reliability, fuel economy and affordable maintenance above all else," said John Lin, an experienced mechanic and owner of Pennsylvania's JB Motor Works. "Stick to brands with great track records and you'll keep more of that pension in your pocket."
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To help you make a smart choice down the retirement road, here are four cars to steer clear of to keep your golden years stress-free and budget-friendly.
Land Rover Range Rover
There's no denying that Land Rover's Range Rover is a sleek, refined luxury SUV with comfort and beauty for days. But like a bad TV version of a supermodel, this stunner is high-maintenance, said Scott Kunes, chief operating officer of Kunes Auto Group.
"Known for its tendency to both break down and be costly to repair, the Range Rover may not hold its value as well as other SUVs," Kunes said.
Chevrolet Suburban
Got a lot of grandkids and need a big SUV? There are plenty to choose from, and most will have higher fuel and maintenance costs. However, Blake Shaw, an auto expert who writes for All About Wheels, said the Chevy Suburban is one to steer clear of.
"This large SUV has low fuel economy, resulting in high fuel costs. Furthermore, its size and weight can result in high maintenance and repair costs," Shaw said.
Nissan Altima
Though this is an attractive sedan with an equally attractive sticker price (the 2026 price range starts at $27,580), it can still be one of the worst cars for retirees. This purchase might be where your savings stop and the check writing begins. Lin suggested avoiding Altima models with continuous variable transmission (CVT).
"The transmission is basically a ticking time bomb," he said.
Dodge Journey
Discontinued in 2020 after 12 years in production, Journeys are common on the used market. But if you're looking for a bargain on a used SUV, Lin, who regularly sees these in his repair shop, said this might not be the call.
"They are cheaply made and plagued by engine, suspension and AC issues -- not a journey you want to take," he said.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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