Owning the wrong car can quietly wreck a household budget, not because of the sticker price, but because of what happens once the warranty glow fades. Drawing on mechanics’ warnings and expert analyses, I focused on models that repeatedly surface in reporting as repair-prone, complex, or simply too expensive to keep on the road. If you want to avoid a vehicle that will cost you a fortune in repairs, these 12 models are the ones I would think twice about before signing anything.
1. Land Rover Range Rover
The Land Rover Range Rover appears again and again in mechanics’ cautionary lists, and a key warning comes from a JustAnswer mechanic who singled it out among six SUVs that start costing a fortune in repairs in year 2 and beyond. In that analysis, the Range Rover is grouped with other high-end utility vehicles that look impressive in the showroom but quickly become expensive nightmares once regular wear, complex electronics, and out-of-warranty issues kick in, as detailed in the report on six SUVs that will cost you a fortune in year two. The message is straightforward: the second year is when the real bills start arriving, and the Range Rover is a prime example.
Other reporting reinforces that pattern. A separate list of “Popular SUVs Mechanics Say Aren’t Worth the Cost” explicitly names the Land Rover Range Rover, placing it alongside Land Rover Discovery Land Rover as a model that carries luxury pricing without matching long-term reliability. When I compare that with another piece in which Mechanics say pricey family cars like Range Rover “break down often and rack up” repair costs, a consistent picture emerges of a vehicle that punishes owners who plan to keep it beyond a short lease. For buyers, the implication is clear: unless you are prepared for premium parts, specialized labor, and frequent shop visits, the Range Rover can turn into a rolling withdrawal from your savings.
2. Infiniti QX80
The Infiniti QX80 is another full-size SUV that the same JustAnswer mechanic flagged among the six models that become disproportionately expensive in year 2. In that breakdown of SUVs that will cost you a fortune once the initial honeymoon period ends, the QX80 is grouped with other large, feature-heavy vehicles that combine complex drivetrains with luxury electronics, a combination that tends to age poorly once the warranty buffer thins, according to the analysis summarized in the year 2 repair warning. The core concern is not just one big failure, but a pattern of accumulating issues that start to surface after the first year of ownership.
Because the QX80 shares components and engineering DNA with Nissan SUVs mentioned in a related report on six SUVs that become expensive nightmares in year two, the risk profile extends beyond a single badge. When I look at how mechanics describe these vehicles, they focus on the cost of parts, the labor involved in accessing tightly packaged components, and the frequency of electronic glitches as the miles add up. For families drawn to the QX80’s size and comfort, the stakes are significant: a vehicle that seems like a long-term hauler can instead become a short-term lease candidate if you want to avoid being trapped in a cycle of high repair invoices.
3. Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade, a symbol of American luxury SUVs, also lands on the JustAnswer mechanic’s list of six SUVs that will cost you a fortune in year 2 and beyond. In that assessment, the Escalade is not criticized for its comfort or performance, but for what happens once the odometer climbs and the intricate mix of V8 powertrains, air suspension, and high-end electronics starts to age. The mechanic’s inclusion of the Escalade in the same high-risk group as Range Rover and other large SUVs signals that owners should expect repair costs to rise sharply after the first year, rather than taper off.
That warning aligns with broader patterns mechanics describe when they talk about expensive family vehicles that “break down often and rack up” costs, a category that includes other large luxury models. The Escalade’s size and feature set mean more components that can fail, from adaptive suspension systems to complex infotainment hardware, and each of those failures tends to carry a premium price tag. For buyers who equate a Cadillac badge with long-term durability, the reporting suggests a more cautious approach: budgeting for extended warranties, setting aside cash for repairs, or reconsidering whether a simpler, less feature-laden SUV might deliver better value over a decade of ownership.
4. Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is another full-size SUV that the JustAnswer mechanic includes among the six models expected to cost a fortune in repairs after the first year. In that evaluation of SUVs that become expensive to keep on the road in year 2 and beyond, the Navigator is highlighted for the way its luxury hardware and electronics translate into high repair bills once routine maintenance gives way to component failures. The mechanic’s warning is that the initial purchase price is only the beginning, and that owners should anticipate a steep climb in costs as the vehicle ages.
Separate reporting on models automakers might kill off in 2026 describes The Lincoln Navigator as an SUV that “costs a fortune to purchase” and adds that, if you choose to invest in this car, you should “expect to continue paying a lot to keep” it running. That phrasing underscores the long-term financial burden, not just the upfront expense. When I connect that with lists of vehicles that will “Drain Your Wallet With Costly Repairs,” where Lincoln Navigator appears alongside other high-maintenance models, the pattern is hard to ignore. For anyone considering a Navigator as a family workhorse, the broader trend suggests that fuel, insurance, and depreciation are only part of the equation, and that ongoing repair costs can quietly rival a second car payment.
5. Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne, often marketed as a performance SUV, also appears in the JustAnswer mechanic’s list of six SUVs that will cost you a fortune in year 2 and beyond. In that grouping, the Cayenne is singled out not because it lacks driving appeal, but because its sophisticated engineering and performance-oriented components become very expensive to service once the initial warranty period passes. The mechanic’s warning is that the second year is when owners begin to feel the true cost of maintaining a Porsche-level SUV, especially as complex systems require specialized attention.
Performance vehicles like the Cayenne typically use high-spec brakes, intricate suspension setups, and tightly packaged engines, all of which drive up labor hours and parts prices when something goes wrong. When I compare this with broader discussions of cars that “Drain Your Wallet With Costly Repairs,” the Cayenne fits the profile of a vehicle that may be best suited to buyers who either rotate out of leases quickly or have the budget to absorb premium maintenance. For drivers who simply want a reliable family SUV, the reporting suggests that the Cayenne’s long-term repair costs can easily overshadow its everyday practicality.
6. Mercedes-Benz GLE
The Mercedes-Benz GLE rounds out the six SUVs that the JustAnswer mechanic warns will cost you a fortune in year 2 and beyond. In that evaluation, the GLE is grouped with other luxury SUVs that combine advanced safety tech, complex drivetrains, and high-end interiors, all of which can become liabilities as the vehicle ages. The mechanic’s inclusion of the GLE in this list signals that owners should be prepared for repair costs that escalate rather than stabilize after the first year of ownership.
Other reporting on pricey family cars notes that Mechanics see Mercedes models, including the Mercedes S-Class, as vehicles that “break down often and rack up” repair bills, which suggests a brand-wide pattern of high maintenance costs once warranties expire. When I factor in a separate warning from a mechanic who said service costs will “DOUBLE” and added, “if it costs me more, it’ll cost them more,” in a piece about rising car service expenses on why car service costs are climbing, the risk for GLE owners becomes even clearer. Luxury parts, specialized diagnostics, and rising labor rates combine to make the GLE a model that can strain budgets long after the purchase price is forgotten.
7. BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is one of the flagship luxury sedans that auto experts now advise buyers to stop purchasing immediately because of high costs. In a report on six luxury cars that consumers should avoid, the 7 Series is listed among models that saddle owners with steep repair and maintenance bills, undermining the value proposition of owning a top-tier executive sedan. Experts in that coverage argue that the combination of complex electronics, advanced suspension systems, and high-end powertrains makes the 7 Series particularly vulnerable to expensive failures once it is out of warranty.
That warning fits with a broader trend in which large luxury sedans are becoming less attractive as long-term ownership bets, especially when compared with simpler, more durable vehicles. The same report on six luxury cars to avoid, available through expert advice on which luxury cars to stop buying, frames the 7 Series as a model where prestige does not offset the financial risk. For buyers, the implication is that leasing or choosing a less complex model may be smarter than owning a 7 Series deep into its life cycle, particularly if you are sensitive to surprise four-figure repair invoices.
8. Audi A8
The Audi A8, another flagship luxury sedan, is also included in the list of six luxury cars that auto experts say consumers should stop buying immediately. In that analysis, the A8 is criticized for the way its sophisticated technology and high-end components translate into heavy repair burdens over time. Experts point to the cost of maintaining advanced all-wheel-drive systems, air suspension, and complex infotainment setups as key reasons the A8 can become a financial liability once it leaves the protective bubble of factory coverage.
When I compare the A8’s profile with other vehicles that Mechanics say “Drain Your Wallet With Costly Repairs,” the pattern is familiar: a car designed to showcase a brand’s engineering prowess ends up punishing owners who keep it beyond a short-term lease. The stakes are particularly high for used buyers who may be attracted by steep depreciation but unaware of the looming maintenance curve. For those shoppers, the expert advice is a clear red flag that the A8’s apparent bargain pricing on the secondhand market can mask years of expensive upkeep.
9. Jaguar XJ
The Jaguar XJ is another luxury sedan that experts group among the six cars buyers should stop purchasing immediately because of their potential to drain finances through repairs. In that expert guidance, the XJ is highlighted as a model where the cost of keeping it running can quickly outstrip any savings from buying used or holding it long term. The combination of British luxury engineering, aging electronics, and specialized parts creates a scenario where even routine fixes can become costly.
Jaguar’s historical reputation for finicky reliability amplifies the concerns raised in the expert list, which frames the XJ as a car that may be better admired from afar than owned in a driveway. When I place that alongside video content where Mechanics say “NEVER Buy These 9 Cars! Only STUPID” buyers ignore the warning about vehicles that “look good on the outside but cost you everything later,” the XJ fits the archetype of a car that dazzles at purchase and disappoints at the repair shop. For budget-conscious drivers, the reporting suggests that the XJ is a high-risk choice that can easily turn into a long-term money pit.
10. Lexus LS
The Lexus LS might surprise some readers by appearing on a list of six luxury cars that experts say to stop buying immediately, given Lexus’s reputation for reliability. In that expert assessment, however, the LS is flagged for excessive ongoing costs that stem from its role as a technology showcase, packed with advanced features that are expensive to repair or replace. The report groups the LS with other high-end sedans whose long-term maintenance needs can overwhelm owners who expect the brand’s mainstream models’ durability to carry over unchanged.
While the LS may still outperform some rivals in reliability metrics, the expert warning focuses on absolute cost rather than relative frequency of repairs. Complex air suspension, intricate driver-assistance systems, and high-end interior components all contribute to repair bills that can be shocking when they do arise. For buyers who associate Lexus with low-cost ownership, the inclusion of the LS in a “stop buying” list is a reminder that flagship models often operate under different economic rules than their more modest siblings, and that a simpler sedan may deliver a better balance of comfort and cost.
11. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is perhaps the quintessential luxury sedan, yet it is also singled out by auto experts as one of the six luxury cars consumers should stop buying immediately due to repair expenses. In that expert guidance, the S-Class is portrayed as a technological tour de force that becomes extremely costly to maintain as it ages, with intricate electronics, advanced suspension systems, and powerful engines all contributing to high repair bills. The same pattern appears in reporting where Mechanics say pricey family cars like Mercedes S-Class “break down often and rack up” costs, reinforcing the idea that this flagship model is a risky long-term bet.
Additional context comes from lists such as “Mechanics Reveal the 15 Cars That’ll Drain Your Wallet With Costly Repairs,” where Mercedes models, including Mercedes-Benz S550, are explicitly named as wallet-draining vehicles. When I connect that with broader warnings about rising service costs, the S-Class stands out as a car that may be best suited to short-term leases or corporate fleets rather than private owners planning to keep it for a decade. For individual buyers, the prestige of owning an S-Class must be weighed against the very real possibility of repeated, high-dollar repair visits that can rival the cost of a more modest new car.
12. Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S illustrates a different but equally important trend: the way electric vehicles are contributing to rising repair costs. A detailed 2023 publication on why car repairs have become so expensive explains that EVs, including models like the Tesla Model S, often require specialized equipment, training, and parts, which drive up the cost of collision and mechanical repairs. The report notes that high-voltage battery systems, complex electronics, and aluminum-intensive structures can make even relatively minor damage expensive to fix, as outlined in the analysis of why car repairs have become so expensive.
That same reporting connects EV repair costs to broader industry shifts, including labor shortages and the need for shops to invest in new tools and safety protocols. When I consider that alongside a mechanic’s warning that service costs will “DOUBLE” and that “if it costs me more, it’ll cost them more,” it becomes clear that EV owners are on the front line of these changes. For prospective Model S buyers, the implication is not that electric cars are inherently unreliable, but that when something does go wrong, the bill can be far higher than with a conventional vehicle. In a world where one doctor describes how driving a 27-year-old car can help make him a multimillionaire, as he explains in a piece on how his old car supports long-term investing at building wealth by keeping an older car, the contrast with the high-stakes economics of a Tesla Model S could not be sharper.
More from MorningOverview