9 cars to stay away in retirement

Retirement should be a time when you can finally travel, hit a little white ball around green landscapes and spend quality time with family and friends – not your mechanic. So, especially if you’re on a fixed income, when it comes to cars, you want a reliable ride that’s light on fuel and maintenance costs. “The key for retirees is to prioritize reliability, fuel economy and affordable maintenance above all,” said John Lin, an experienced mechanic and owner of JB Motor Works in Pennsylvania. “Stick to brands with great track records and you’ll keep more of that pension in your pocket.”

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With that in mind, here are nine popular cars you may want to steer clear of in retirement to keep your golden years golden.

Nissan Altima

This is an attractive sedan with an equally attractive sticker price, with a price range for 2024 starting at $26,000. However, Lin said, that’s where your savings can stop and the check writing begins. He suggests staying away from Altima models with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). “Broadcasting is basically a ticking time bomb,” he said.

Chevrolet Cruze

Now discontinued but commonly available on the used market, this compact sedan may seem like a bargain at first, but it’ll likely soon have you providing for your mechanic’s pension, not yours, Lin said. “Cruzes come into the shop every month for leaks, sensor failures and AC explosions. Highway robbery on a Chevy budget,” Lin said.

Ford Mustang

If you’re the muscle car type and want to continue that into your golden years, you might need a little more gold than you think, at least if you choose the Ford Mustang. The V8, 5.0-liter version is one of the thirstiest models on the market, with a dismal 15 MPG city rating and a combined highway and city MPG of just 18. On the plus side, you’ll get from refuel at the gas station quickly.

Chrysler 300 or 200

The Chrysler 300 is a stylish full-size sedan, a model traditionally popular with people over 50. But the Chrysler 300 is wild when it comes to gas. Opt for the 8-cylinder model and you can get as little as 18 MPG combined city and highway. And if you choose a used midsize Chrysler 200, think again, Lin said. “They are notorious for transmission failures and electrical breakdowns. The parts and labor add up quickly,” he said.

Land Rover Range Rover

There’s no denying that Land Rover’s Range Rover is a stylish, refined luxury SUV with all-day comfort and beauty. 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 break down and be expensive to repair, the Range Rover may not hold its value like other SUVs,” he said.

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Chevrolet Suburban

Got lots of grandkids and need a big SUV? There are many to choose from, and most will have higher fuel and maintenance costs. However, Blake Shaw, a car expert who writes for All About Wheels, said the Chevy Suburban is one to avoid. “This large SUV has poor fuel economy, resulting in high fuel costs. Additionally, its size and weight can result in high maintenance and repair costs,” she said.

Mitsubishi Mirage

You may be tempted by the Mirage’s low sub-$20,000 price tag and relatively high fuel economy at 37 MPG combined city/highway, but those savings may be, well, a mirage, Lin said. “These economy boxes are cheap for a reason,” he said. “They are weak, underpowered and prone to all kinds of mechanical problems. It is not a wise choice for retirees who need reliable transportation.” Maybe that’s why Car and Driver gave the 2024 version a 2.5 out of 10 rating.

Fiat 500L

If you’re into mini MPVs, you might consider the sporty, European-spec Fiat 500L. But this may not be the most practical move. “They have endless problems with oil leaks, clutch replacements and faulty infotainment systems. “The ‘L’ should be lemon,” Lin said.

Dodge Journey

Discontinued in 2020 after 12 years of production, Journeys are common on the used market. But if you’re looking for a bargain on a used SUV, this might not be the call, said Lin, who sees these regularly at his auto repair shop. “They are cheaply made and plagued by engine, suspension and AC problems. It’s definitely not a trip you want to take,” he said.

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7 cars to consider instead

To avoid all doom and gloom, we asked experts what cars they would choose if they were to retire on a fixed income. The following were on almost every one of their lists.

• Toyota Corolla: “The gold standard of reliable, fuel-efficient transportation. These things will survive the cockroaches in a nuclear winter,” Lin said.

• Honda Civic: “Much like the Corolla, Civics are designed to run forever on gas. The portions are also cheap and plentiful,” Lin said.

• Hyundai Elantra: “The Elantra offers peace of mind and financial stability thanks to its excellent warranty and low maintenance costs,” said Shaw.

• Mazda 3: “A bit sportier than the other two, but still reliable strong.” “Mazda has really stepped up the quality in recent years,” said Lin.

• Kia Soul: “Don’t let the scary look fool you, Souls are surprisingly durable and cheap to fix. Plus, they’re easier for retirees to get in and out of than a sedan,” Lin said.

• Toyota Camry: “The Camry is known for its long-term reliability and low cost of ownership, making it an excellent option for retirees,” said Shaw.

• Subaru Impreza: “If you live where the weather gets bad, Imprezas offer cheap and reliable AWD to get you through in one piece. Just keep an eye on the head gaskets as they age,” Lin said.

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